Creating Supportive Spaces for LGBTQ Students

Keenan Crow, policy director at One Iowa, presents a comprehensive framework for moving from passive allyship to active accompliceship in supporting LGBTQ+ students, particularly within the context of increasingly hostile state legislation. The presentation begins with essential terminology clarification, distinguishing between sexual orientation (lesbian, gay, bisexual, pansexual, asexual) and gender identity (cisgender, transgender, non-binary), emphasizing that these are separate but related concepts that require different policy considerations. Crow explains that both biological sex and gender exist on spectrums rather than rigid binaries, citing scientific evidence from intersex conditions and cultural examples from indigenous two-spirit traditions to demonstrate the complexity of human identity.

"Often people think that it's just kind of one thing because it's in the same acronym but that's simply not the case... if we have a policy for instance that impacts sexual orientation but not gender identity then we're kind of missing part of the community."

"Gender identity is not something that we can see, it is not visible... the only way you can know is if somebody actually has a conversation with you about that."

"All you really need to dramatically decrease a kid's risk of suicide is one supportive adult... one supportive adult means that you have a 40% less likely chance of a suicide attempt... you can be that adult."

• How might understanding the difference between sexual orientation and gender identity change how schools develop anti-discrimination policies? What gaps might exist in current protections when these concepts are conflated?
• LGBTQ+ students prioritize family acceptance and safety over academic concerns. How might this change how educators approach parent communication, academic support, and student counseling?
• Beyond compliance with state laws, how might schools design facilities and policies that affirm all students' identities while maintaining safety and privacy for everyone?