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How to foster gender inclusivity in schools

Published on

Jul 1st, 2025

Reviewed on

Jun 30th, 2025

Updated on

Jul 3rd, 2025

Written by

Talkspace

Reviewed by

Laura Magnuson, MA, MS, LAMFT, VP of Clinical Engagement

Today’s schools do far more than teach traditional subjects. They shape how children see themselves and the world around them. Every sign, bulletin board, hallway display, classroom rule, and interaction provides an opportunity for schools to send a positive message about inclusivity. For students exploring or expressing gender identities outside the binary, the signals they get at school can either be affirming or isolating.

Creating gender inclusive schools requires effort, but it’s important, and it can be done. Everything from policies to curriculum to facilities to everyday language can help—or hinder—efforts that recognize the full spectrum of gender identities. As more students openly identify as transgender or nonbinary, public debates have intensified, and concerns about mental health have increased. Research shows that 45% seriously considered suicide in the last year. When educators have tools to support children, the rate of suicide attempts can be reduced.

Keep reading to learn practical, effective ways educators can take fundamental steps to make classrooms, policies, and school cultures safer and more inclusive.

1. Go beyond the binary: teach what gender really means

Traditional notions of gender that were once accepted without question are rooted in a strictly male or female binary. These ideas are problematic, outdated, and don’t reflect what we now understand about human diversity.

The most important thing to understand when exploring what gender means is that it’s not just the sex you were assigned at birth. Gender identity (how you see yourself) and gender expression (how you present yourself to the world around you) are essential concepts that should be promoted in school settings. Relying on phrases like “he” or “she,” or grouping students as “boys and girls” explicitly excludes nonbinary, genderfluid, questioning, or transgender students.

If students don’t see their identities represented in lessons, language, or culture, they are more likely to feel invisible and distressed. Age-appropriate teaching about gender diversity is the easiest and most effective way to help all students.

Finding support, resources, and tools will shape classroom interactions, curriculum choices, and, ultimately, the emotional and mental well-being of students. It destigmatizes the topic of gender and normalizes the importance of inclusive thinking and behavior.

Elementary grades: Read picture books with diverse families and children who use various gender expressions.
Middle and high school: Include the history of gender roles and the difference between gender identity and sexual orientation in lesson plans. Encourage and support clubs, groups, and celebrations dedicated to gender inclusion.

Resources for appropriate and engaging lesson plans and classroom activities:

GLSEN
Learning for Justice (formerly Teaching Tolerance)
Welcoming Schools
Gender in Classrooms
Teaching Outside the Binary

2. Support pronoun inclusivity

Normalizing the acceptance of pronoun sharing is a powerful way to help make schools and classrooms psychologically safe and welcoming for all students, including those who may not yet be out. However, it’s important to recognize that in some states or school districts, laws or policies may restrict educators from proactively asking students about their pronouns or requiring pronoun sharing.

Within these legal boundaries, educators can still foster respect and inclusivity by:

Using neutral language when possible (for example, using students’ names instead of pronouns)
Respecting pronouns that students voluntarily share
Modeling empathy and kindness in everyday interactions
Advocating for student information systems that offer chosen names and pronouns in programs to reduce the risk of misgendering in official records

3. Rethink how your school environment sends gendered messages

Take a “walkthrough” around your campus and classrooms and use a gender lens to reveal subtle ways that gender norms are being reinforced. Even easy-to-implement, low-lift changes can make a huge difference.

Look for gendered messages in:

Posters, displays, and signage: Do they show diverse gender identities? Replace gendered imagery with more inclusive visuals.
Dress codes: Are the rules different for boys and girls? Move to gender-neutral attire guidelines.
Restroom access: Ensure at least one gender-neutral restroom is available and clearly marked.
Replace “girls” and “boys” bathroom signs: Use “restroom” or “all-gender restroom” signage
Classroom roles: De-gender classroom roles by replacing phrases like “boys vs. girls” with more neutral terms like “line leaders” or “helpers.”
Seating and grouping: Avoid organizing students by gender; instead, use random or interest-based groupings.
Color-coded and behavior charts: Look for charts and signs that reinforce traditional male-female stereotypes.

4. Move from reaction to prevention in addressing gender-based harm

At one time, bullying and exclusion were just considered “part of growing up.” It’s not, and today, misgendering is yet another form of preventable harm that impacts mental health and academic success. LGBTQIA+ students are far more likely to be bullied at school and risk facing discrimination and harassment. More than 77% of transgender students and 69% of nonbinary students report being discriminated against (compared to 46% of cisgender students). One effective way to combat this is by transitioning from a reactive stance to being proactive and focusing on prevention and awareness of gender-based harm.

Proactive steps schools can take to ensure student safety include:

Setting clear classroom norms: Reinforce the idea that gender-based jokes and assumptions aren’t appropriate and won’t be tolerated. Respond to aggressive or harmful language and behavior with phrases like “We don’t say that here. Let’s talk about why.”
Interrupting bias calmly and directly: Once identified, make clear comments like “That joke is not OK or appropriate. In our classroom, we respect everyone’s identity.”
Establishing school-wide reporting and accountability systems: Let students know how to report discrimination in a confident and confidential manner. Make sure they understand that action will be taken.
Using restorative strategies: Guided conversations and peer mediation can repair relationships and promote understanding. This is a much more effective approach than relying on punitive measures.

5. Build gender inclusion into lesson design, not just lesson content

Designing and implementing inclusive education involves more than just incorporating LGBTQIA+ figures and references into the curriculum. It also requires a comprehensive approach that addresses the needs of all students. Inclusive content is important, but lessons must be structured and delivered in a way that resonates with students.

It’s critical that the topic doesn’t become a one-off or symbolic gesture. While it’s essential to acknowledge things like Pride Month and other special events, these shouldn’t be the only acts students see at gender inclusive schools.

Teachers and schools should consider:

Reviewing curriculum regularly to identify and address gender biases or gaps they find
Avoiding gendered groupings in activities and discussions
Using case studies and real-world examples to highlight a wide range of gender identities and experiences
Encouraging self-reflection on what concepts like identity and belonging mean to students
Inviting students to share perspectives and questions from their own lives
Integrating gender diversity in curriculum by teaching about important figures in history, showing representation in literature, and exploring the science of gender in biology

6. Audit policies that might be excluding students without realizing it

School policies can profoundly affect student mental health. Many exclude students and unintentionally reinforce gender norms. To combat this, schools should create and maintain a gender inclusivity checklist and regularly review and update policies. It’s also a good idea to involve students in the process and establish DEI committees.

Look for red flags like:

Dress codes that specify “girls should wear skirts” or “boys must have short hair”
Eligibility that’s based on gender rather than interest or skill for sports and extracurricular activities
Name/pronoun policies that don’t update student records
Bathroom and locker room access that’s limited by the sex that was assigned at birth
Forms and surveys with “male” or “female” options only

^{EXPERT INSIGHTS
“When a student doesn’t feel like they fit in, have a safe place, or can express who they are, they may experience loneliness and isolation which can negatively impact a student’s mental health and lead to symptoms like anxiety or depression.”}_{- Laura Magnuson, MA, MS, LAMFT, VP of Clinical Engagement}

7. Don’t just train—create accountability for gender inclusion

One-time diversity training won’t help change school culture. Training is just the starting point. True, lasting progress can only happen when you set clear expectations, follow through with plans, and hold everyone involved accountable. Accountability ensures inclusion is ingrained in school culture, not something that can just be checked off annually.

Creating gender inclusion in schools requires the following:

Ongoing professional development with regular check-ins and updates
Peer observations and feedback that focus on inclusive practices
Adding gender inclusivity topics to staff performance reviews
Using surveys and offering new leadership opportunities to empower passionate staff members.
Formalizing working groups that can lead initiatives and share best practices based on what they learn
Using leadership modeling, where principals and administrators actively participate in and publicly support gender inclusion efforts
Involving students and the community to make sure efforts align with actual student needs.

8. Center student experience in shaping what inclusion looks like

Schools must take steps to ensure that students aren’t just the beneficiaries of gender inclusion. Students should be active partners in creating gender inclusive school environments. By allowing them to take on leadership roles, students will feel a greater sense of belonging, confidence, and resilience.

Top-down policies can easily miss what students really need. Instead, empower students by making them co-creators of inclusion, which can lead to relevant, effective change.

Schools can elevate student voices in shaping inclusion by:

Seeking support from Gender & Sexuality Alliances (GSAs), student advisory boards, and anonymous feedback channels
Encouraging student-led initiatives, such as assemblies, awareness weeks, or peer education campaigns
Inviting students to participate in policy reviews and curriculum development
Establishing student-led focus groups to identify inclusivity needs
Partnering with students who can design and lead professional development sessions focusing on gender inclusion
Supporting visual arts and student-created, inclusive artwork and displays

^{EXPERT INSIGHTS
“When students are included in making their space safe and welcoming they are more likely to feel connected and valued and that can add to their success at school as well as improved mental well being.”}_{- Laura Magnuson, MA, MS, LAMFT, VP of Clinical Engagement}

9. Be ready for hard conversations with families—and have them anyway

As you start to promote gender inclusivity in your school, be prepared for families who may resist or question the practices you want to implement. It’s natural and OK for families to have questions or concerns about what gender inclusion means. Open, honest dialogue is the key to building trust, developing understanding, and seeking buy-in.

Approach conversations with empathy, but be firm on your commitment to safety and the idea that all students belong and deserve to be respected. Consistent and values-driven communication will promote clarity, even if disagreement remains.

When having difficult conversations with families about gender inclusivity, consider the following tips:

Frame the idea of inclusion around shared values.
Focus on the fundamentals, like respect, student safety, and the right to learn without fear.
Listen actively to concerns, but make boundaries known with statements like: “We are committed to supporting all students, including those who identify as transgender or nonbinary.”
Provide resources and educate families who are willing to learn and want to deepen their understanding of inclusivity.
Acknowledge concerns with empathy, but reinforce that the school’s primary commitment is to student well-being.
Use clear, inclusive language and provide relatable explanations.
Invite—and be open to—ongoing questions, discussions, and feedback.
Highlight positive outcomes that illustrate the value of your gender inclusive efforts.

10. Connect students to support that affirms their gender identity

Gender-diverse students have a high risk of developing anxiety, depression and social isolation compared to cisgender peers. Schools can address this by making access to affirming mental health support easy and convenient, like by offering online therapy. Research indicates that virtual therapy, such as text-based counseling from Talkspace, is highly effective.

One recent study found that more than half of participants (56%) saw significant improvements in anxiety and depressive symptoms after just three weeks of treatment. For students coming to terms with their gender identity, access to discreet, affirming care can be life-changing.

Ways to connect students with support include:

Posting available resources around campus.
Including QR codes on signs and publications for discreet access.
Maintaining regular, drop-in, and by-appointment counselor office hours.
Providing anonymous referral forms.
Displaying Safe Space stickers in visible areas around the school
Training staff and faculty on LGBTQIA+ issues
Hosting workshops and events that focus on gender identity awareness
Partnering with virtual mental health providers like Talkspace, which provides confidential, flexible support for students who might not be comfortable seeking traditional in-person help

Every step you take toward gender inclusivity in schools can make a real difference for students. Rethinking language, policies, curriculum, and culture helps students feel supported at school. If you’re ready to make changes in your school by creating an inclusive school environment that accepts all students, Talkspace can help. Request a demo today to see how virtual mental health support can help students thrive.

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