Table 1.

Description of the school-based evidence-based strategies to meet the needs of LGBTQ youth

1. Identify “safe spaces” such as a counselor’s office, designated classroom, or student organization where LGBTQ youth can receive support from administrators, teachers, other school staff, or other students.

2. Prohibit harassment and bullying based on a student’s perceived or actual sexual orientation or gender expression.

3. Facilitate access to providers not on school property who have experience delivering health services, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing, counseling, and reproductive healthcare, to LGBTQ youth.

4. Facilitate access to providers not on school property who have experience in providing social and psychological services to LGBTQ youth.

5. Encourage staff members to attend professional development on safe and supportive school environments for all students, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.

6. Provide health education curricula or supplemental materials, i.e., HIV, STI, or pregnancy prevention information relevant, to LGBTQ youth (e.g., curricula or materials that use inclusive language or terminology).