College Resources
AffordableColleges.com believes in education's intrinsic value and the right of everyone to pursue a degree. Their website is a free resource, designed to help everyone address the costs of college without the burden of unsustainable debt.
Choosing a school as an LGBTQ student can be challenging. They created a guide aiming to provide an easy way for students to assess schools based on their inclusiveness and policies. Understanding this info makes it easier for students to choose the schools that are right for them and will provide the best and safest learning environment.
Here's the link to the resource: http://www.affordablecolleges.com/resources/lgbtq-college-resources/
School Bullying
Arkansas law specifically protects transgender, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and gender nonconforming youth against bullying based on actual or perceived personal characteristics, including "gender, gender identity, physical appearance, health condition, or sexual orientation." See ARK. CODE ANN. §6-18-514 (2011).
The Arkansas Bureau of Legislative Research provides the public with free online access to the Arkansas Code through Lexis Nexis. Click "Arkansas Code - Free Public Access" and agree to the terms and conditions by clicking the "Ok - Close" button. (If the previous link does not work try this: to access Arkansas laws online for free, go to http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us. On the left menu, locate the menu group "Arkansas Law" and click on the link titled Search/View Arkansas Code.)
Online resources for bullying based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender nonconformity.
Stopbullying.gov:
- Comprehensive resource for LGBT youth here: Know Your Rights - Youth.
- Toolkit: Out, Safe & Respected
Gay Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) publishes anti-bullying resources here: Anti-Bullying Resources. They have also released a 2015 National School Climate Survey: LGBTQ Students Experience Pervasive Harassment and Discrimination, But School-Based Supports Can Make a Difference. This is their flagship report on the experiences of LGBTQ youth in schools.
Arkansas Department of Education resources:
- Regulatory Memo from ADE Director, dated June 28, 2003: indicating that Act 781 of 2003 requires school districts to adopt anti-bullying policies to prevent pupil harassment, also known as “bullying.” School districts must file with the Department of Education a copy of the policies adopted.
- Cyber Safety Resources
