Transgender Awareness Week

The National Transgender Week of Awareness from Nov. 13 – 19 works to help “raise the visibility of transgender people and address issues members of the community face,” according to the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD). Over 5% of our student body identifies as transgender (an umbrella term for anyone who does not identify with their gender assigned at birth) or non-binary. Our district is proud of our transgender students, families, and staff. Our DPS community members who identify as transgender and/or non-binary deserve equitable access to education, opportunities, safety, and inclusion. DPS continues to make bold, unapologetic moves to support our transgender and non-binary students.

In 2022, DPS began production of a documentary, in partnership with A Queeer Endeavor and funded by RootEd, centering the voices of LGBTQ+ students in order to have more student-centered professional development.  We expect these new professional development offerings to be ready in the Fall of 2023.  In the Spring of 2022, DPS also hosted the first LGBTQ+ Student Leadership Summit!  Over 20 high schools participated in a day of community, learning, and fun.  DPS strategic roadmap continues to center our most marginalized students including our LGBTQ+ students.  Our district remains committed to increasing visibility, joy, and belonging for our LGBTQ+ students, families, and team members. 

We are honored to have the parents of one of our transgender students share why Transgender Week of Awareness is important to them: 

“Trans awareness matters because when a person and the people in their life are informed, they can embrace their true selves. When this happens, a new level of happiness and growth is immediately unlocked. As a parent, my child is thriving more and more since they embraced their true identity. Our awareness has led us to meet new, life long friends through parent groups. And, finally, this awareness has allowed us to navigate the conversations that needed to be had with extended family and friends. When love is there, learning can accomplish anything. ”