Schoolin’ Life
Navigating back-to-school preparation for Black & POC trans/GNC students of all ages & their parents
PLEASE NOTE: This info is not intended to be legal or medical advice. Due to the volatility of legislation against trans youth, be sure to check your local and state laws and school policies. Also, sharing that you are transgender is your choice and you do not have to be “out” to be honored.
The back-to-school season should be a time for fresh starts, not fear. For Black trans and LGBTQ+ students — often especially in the South where several states force the outing of trans youth by school staff — school can feel like a daily battle. But you’re not alone, and you’re not powerless.
At The Knights & Orchids Society, we believe every student deserves to walk through their school doors with their full selves intact; feeling seen, protected, and proud. Whether you're the parent of a second-grader learning new words or you’re a college student settling into dorm life, here's how to navigate this school year with clarity, confidence, and community.
You have rights, even when the states try to deny them.
Let’s be clear: No matter what state legislation says, the law cannot erase your worthiness. There are also federal laws that protect LGBTQ+ students at schools that receive federal funding. Title IX bans discrimination based on sex, which includes your gender identity and sexual orientation. Schools can’t harass you, threaten you, or ignore bullying because you're trans or queer.
Alabama, like other Southern states, has passed laws attacking trans youth, blocking gender-affirming healthcare, restricting restroom use and sports participation, and limiting discussions of LGBTQ+ lives in classrooms. But your right to safety and freedom remains, though the battle is ongoing.
If your school ignores harassment or discriminates against you:
File a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights.
Refer to the Human Rights Campaign’s state-specific resources page. (Educators can also use HRC’s Welcoming Schools trainings.
Reach out to legal organizations for support, such as:
Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), splcenter.org
ACLU of Alabama, aclualabama.org
Lambda Legal Southern Regional Office (Atlanta-based), lambdalegal.org/contact
Transgender Law Center and TLC@SONG, transgenderlawcenter.org
File your proper paperwork.
Your name and gender are yours. Where possible, ensure that your official documents reflect that. In Alabama:
You can legally change your name by petitioning the probate court in your county.
You can update your gender marker on your driver’s license, but unfortunately, the state requires certain gender-affirming surgery to do so.
You may select your correct gender on federal documents, such as your passport. It does not have to match your state ID.
Changing your name on your birth certificate is possible through the Vital Records Office, though they will only amend the certificate, not create a new one.
Even before legal changes, ask your school/college to use your correct name and pronouns in daily life, class rosters, and communications. Update your email addresses and online student portals. Under the Family Education Rights & Privacy Act (FERPA), your privacy must be protected. Check out Lambda Legal’s FERPA Q&A page: https://legacy.lambdalegal.org/know-your-rights/article/youth-ferpa-faq
Need help navigating paperwork? Consult a licensed attorney. Check out the Advocates for Trans Equality’s Trans Legal Services Network Directory, and online ID Documents hub. ACLU Alabama is also a great resource for legal updates and ID guides: aclu.org/issues/lgbtq-rights/transgender-rights
Prepare to Confront Bullying & Demand Better
Bullying and cyberbullying are sadly still a reality. Alabama schools are legally required to address it under the Jamari Terrell Williams Student Bullying Prevention Act (signed into law in 2018), but LGBTQ+ protections aren’t always clear.
If you’re facing bullying:
Document what happened, when it happened, and who saw it.
Talk to a trusted and allied teacher or mentor.
If your school principal or college dean ignores you, escalate to the school district (K-12) or the Title IX coordinator (college).
Still no action? File a Title IX complaint at the U.S. Department of Education’s Civil Rights Office or contact Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), Lambda Legal, or the ACLU of your respective state.
Most importantly: Find your people! Whether it’s a queer student alliance, a Black student union, or your crew at TKO Youth Ambassadors, Montgomery Pride United’s Colors, Prism United or the Magic City Acceptance Center, community keeps us alive.
Build Confidence & Find Joy in Your Fight
Start the school year with your head held high. Create affirming practices that build your resilience and confidence.
Use these confidence-building practices and develop a few of your own:
Practice your affirmations and boundary-setting phrases. (My name is ___, and my pronouns are ___.)
Curate your social media feeds and playlists to center joyful, empowered Black trans and queer voices.
Find or start a safe space at school, like a Black student union or an LGBTQ+ affinity group.
Celebrate small wins! You win every day by showing up as yourself, advocating for your needs, or finding new allies.
️ For Parents & Guardians:
Practice advocating in school meetings, even if it’s uncomfortable. Prepare statements that affirm your child’s humanity and right to learn in peace and in safety.
Learn the institution’s chain of command so you can advocate effectively.
Bringing dim situations to light is a critical part of our liberation. Seeking media outlets to share your child’s stories (if it does not violate their privacy or wishes) can also be helpful.
