Equality Florida Responds to Adjustments In Pasco County School Policy for LGBTQ Students
This week, the Tampa Bay Times reported the Pasco County School District adopted a one-page guidance for employees on creating a safe and inclusive environment for LGBTQ students. Equality Florida responds to the news and reiterates the importance of LGBTQ Support Guides in schools.
"LGBTQ Support Guides are an invaluable, life-saving resource and set a tone of decency," said Equality Florida Deputy Director Stratton Pollitzer. "We are very disappointed to see this adjustment, but recognize the district has restated their ongoing commitment to support and affirm LGBTQ+ students in their policies."
“Support guides are helpful, offer greatly requested guidance by staff and ensure a school culture diligently attends to the physical, mental and emotional needs of all children. School leadership want LGBTQ students to come to school, stay in school, thrive and graduate both successfully and on time. Putting procedures in place to ensure this is an essential component of exemplary care and instructive education for staff is appropriate and requested by district leadership," added Pollitzer.