This resolution expresses Congressional support for the "Rise Up for LGBTQI+ Youth in Schools Initiative," urging communities to ensure equal educational opportunity and civil rights protections for all students in K-12 schools.
Mark Takano
Representative
CA-39
This resolution expresses strong Congressional support for the "Rise Up for LGBTQI+ Youth in Schools Initiative," urging communities nationwide to ensure equal educational opportunities and civil rights protections for all students. It calls for K-12 schools to become safe and affirming environments, free from discrimination, bullying, and erasure of LGBTQI+ identities. The bill specifically encourages states and local governments to adopt policies that actively protect LGBTQI+ youth from bias and exclusion.
Congress Backs 'Rise Up' Initiative to Protect LGBTQI+ Youth in Schools
This Congressional resolution officially throws the weight of the House behind the “Rise Up for LGBTQI+ Youth in Schools Initiative” for the 2025–2026 school period. Think of this as a very public, high-level declaration that Congress believes schools need to be safer, more affirming spaces for all students, especially those who are LGBTQI+.
The Problem This Resolution Addresses
This resolution isn’t just feel-good fluff; it highlights serious, documented problems. Congress points out that LGBTQI+ students face significant challenges, including widespread bullying, harassment, and unfair disciplinary actions. Why does this matter to you? Because these issues hurt educational outcomes and mental health. The text specifically calls out the negative impact of state laws passed in recent years that bar transgender students from sports teams or appropriate restrooms—actions that lead to students being nearly three times more likely to skip school and suffer from depression. For parents and teachers, this resolution acknowledges that the current environment is failing a vulnerable group of kids, leading almost half of all LGBTQI+ young people to seriously consider suicide in the past year alone.
What Congress is Asking For
Since this is a resolution, it doesn't create new laws or allocate funding, but it sends a strong signal about national priorities. The core message is that safety isn't enough; schools must be affirming. The resolution encourages every state, territory, and local government to adopt policies that actively prevent victimization and the “erasure of LGBTQI identities.” This means pushing for concrete changes that work, such as anti-bullying policies that specifically name LGBTQI status, gender-neutral dress codes, and inclusive learning materials. For a local school board member, this means they’ll face increasing pressure to adopt specific, protective measures rather than just general anti-bullying statements.
Real-World Impact: The Local Level
For a parent or student activist, this resolution provides national backing for local advocacy efforts. If your school district is debating whether to update its library materials or adopt a more inclusive bathroom policy, this resolution can be cited as evidence of Congressional support for those changes. However, because the language relies on local interpretation—what exactly constitutes an “affirming space” or “erasure”—there’s potential for disputes. A school board in a conservative area might interpret this call for action very narrowly, while a progressive district might use it to justify rapid, broad changes to curriculum and policy. Ultimately, this resolution is a powerful tool for those pushing for inclusive policies, but the heavy lifting of implementation still falls to local communities.