Knowing your Rights as a K-12 LGBTQ+ Student

By Vic Gipson, BSW Intern

As tides change in state and federal legislation, many Michigan students have been left wondering what their protections look like. How can you participate safely at school? What do you do if you face barriers because of identity-based discrimination? Luckily, Michigan is plentiful with protections and fierce allied advocates. Keep reading to learn more about your rights as a K-12 student in Michigan!

What are my rights regarding my name? Or my pronouns?

As a K-12 student in Michigan, you have the right to be addressed with the name you most align with. Deadnaming* is an uncomfortable, frightening experience for many students that identify with a new name, so it is important that teachers and other staff are made aware when you prefer to go by something other than what may be in school records. As researched by the Michigan Youth Trans Voice Youth Advisory Council, “Michigan’s Department of Education guidance states that ‘When requested by the parent/guardian and/or student, school staff should engage in reasonable and good faith efforts to address students by their chosen name and pronouns that correspond to their gender identity, regardless of whether there has been a legal name change. Upon request, the chosen name and gender should be included in the district’s information management systems, in addition to the student’s legal name. District-generated student email addresses should also reflect the student’s chosen name, if first names are identifiable in such addresses. These changes inform all staff, including substitute teachers, of the name and pronoun to use when addressing the student, and help avoid inadvertent disclosures’. Students have the legal right to request records be adjusted under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Students may change their records if the information is “inaccurate, misleading, or in violation of the student’s rights of privacy,” as broken down by Lambda Legal. Aside from FERPA, there are also practical and ethical reasons why schools should update transgender students’ records, where “schools can prevent disclosing a student’s transgender status to anyone who sees their records by keeping names and pronouns up to date with the student’s identity. Approving the student’s request will keep records accurate and affirming” (Supporting Transgender, Non-Binary, and Gender Nonconforming Students, 2025).Although changes can get tricky in registration systems, not all hope is lost! Just because your name may or may not be changed in Student Information Systems [SIS], attendance records, or exam rosters, it doesn’t mean you cannot request for your instructors to verbally address you with your correct name and/or pronouns. Many allied teachers do their best to keep all student records confidential, regardless of student identity. If you are worried about a substitute teacher or exam proctor deadnaming you, try to communicate with your teacher and/or supportive staff at the beginning of the semester about the importance of respecting your name. Your teacher may be willing to leave a note or have a meeting with the other temporary staff about adhering to your wishes so less slip-ups happen!

*Deadnaming is the practice of addressing an individual by a name they no longer identify with, most commonly being a birth-given name or legal name. 

Am I still allowed to play sports? Can I join/form a club?

Yes, you are protected under Title IX, the Equal Access Act, and the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act to participate in sports, join a club, or participate in any other extracurricular activities at your school. These protections prevent you from facing rejection or discrimination related to your sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, and expression during admittance or attendance of these school groups (Gipson, 2023). In Michigan, there have been some attempts to restrict access for transgender students to participate in these spaces, but they were unsuccessful.

Can I use the bathroom/locker room that aligns with my gender identity?

Yes, “under the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment, you have the right to use the restroom that aligns with your gender identity” (Advocates For Trans Equality). You also hold protection from gender-identity based discrimination under the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act (Michigan Legislature, 2025). If you feel unsafe using the restroom that aligns with your gender identity, but feel uncomfortable using the restroom that aligns with your sex assigned at birth, many students have met with their administrators to discuss alternate access plans (such as using a staff restroom, a single-stall restroom, or a gender-neutral restroom, if provided on the school’s campus).

What do I do if my rights are ignored? What if I get bullied? [Self-Advocacy]

If you face backlash in your fight for having your rights respected, you are not alone. Many students will start by meeting with a reliable, safe staff member to share their experience- commonly being teachers they trust, school counselors, or other supportive staff. If there is no change in the student’s treatment, they may escalate concerns up the chain of command (such as Teacher, Counselor, Principal, Superintendent, Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator, etc.). If pleas for change are still not met with an actionable, empathetic response, the student may file a complaint outside of the institution, such as with the Office for Civil Rights or Department of Justice. The GLSEN has created a wonderful how-to resource on the complaint-filing process (GLSEN, 2020). With any complaint process, it is a good habit to keep record of your experiences, actions taken, and communication efforts made for future reference. If you are aware of what rights have been directly infringed upon in your experiences, it is helpful to cite them in your complaint report. You should also consider seeking mental health support during this journey to allow yourself assistance in healing, empowerment, and affirming resource connections.Luckily, many schools have council and school district board positions open for students to be heard. If you are interested in advocating for yourself as well as other students in similar circumstances, this may be a great route for you to impact district policies. You can also effect larger scale impact by creating petitions and/or participating in protests related to policy change you hope to see. As a student, “you are protected by the First Amendment to utilize free speech and expression, in a non-disruptive manner, that respects your school’s policies” (ACLU, 2018).

What now?

Remember to look into your district’s policies, regulations, and other relevant guidelines. Even though Michigan has been a very protective state for LGBTQ+ students in recent years, many institutional policies and federal laws continue to fluctuate, so be aware of changes as they arise to learn how they impact you. Laws and policies may vary between schools for a variety of reasons, but the important skill to enforcing your rights is staying educated. If you have strong protections, consider advocating alongside students in other districts to support their journey to gaining those rights. If you’re less protected than other schools in your area, hang in there. You can advocate for yourself, when you feel safe to, or you can find community in areas outside of school. Stay safe and remember that things will get better soon.

References 

ACLU of Washington. (2011). Frequently Asked Questions About the Equal Access Act.

Advocate For Trans Equality. (2025). Transgender People and Bathroom Access. Advocates for Trans Equality.

Gipson, V. (2023). Trans Advocacy Within Schools.

GLSEN. (2020). Claim Your Rights. GLSEN.

Lambda Legal. A Transgender Advocate’s Guide to Updating and Amending School Records. Lambda Legal.

Michigan Legislature. (2025). MCL - Act 453 of 1976 [Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act]. Michigan Legislature.

Michigan Youth Trans Voice Youth Advisory Council (2025). Supporting Transgender, Non-Binary, and Gender Nonconforming Students. Michigan Organization on Adolescent Sexual Health & Stand With Trans.

National Archives. (1964). Civil Rights Act (1964). National Archives.

State Board Of Education. (2016). State Board of Education Statement and Guidance on Safe and Supportive Learning Environments for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning (LGBTQ) Students. Safe and Supportive Learning Environments for LGBTQ Students.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

14th Amendment. Cornell Law School.

34 CFR § 99.7 - What must an educational agency or institution include in its annual notification?. Cornell Law School.