Intersections: Supporting Transgender Students in Education, Athletics and Extracurricular Life
Published 6/28/2021 · 0 Comments
Our Intersections series shines a light on NEAT's advocacy around topics that are not always framed as LGBTQ+ issues — yet these concerns often hit LGBTQ+ communities hardest. Explore the full set of issues we track.
NEAT Backs a 62-Organization Coalition for Transgender Student Inclusion
Marking Pride Month and the eve of the next Summer Olympic Games, NEAT is proud to sign In Support of Full Inclusion for Transgender Students: An Open Letter from the Civil and Human Rights Community.
History and data show that girls' and women's sports can thrive while transgender students and people are protected from discrimination. Numerous states with LGBTQ+ non-discrimination laws continue to host women's sports. Schools nationwide already operate policies that safeguard transgender youth and keep competition fair for everyone — and those policies have worked for years. The NCAA, the Olympics and other athletic associations also successfully include transgender athletes.
The letter calls for the full inclusion of transgender students in educational opportunities, including extracurricular activities such as athletics, and rejects the discriminatory policies under consideration in too many state legislatures. Excluding transgender students from participating alongside their cisgender peers harms all students and weakens the learning environment for everyone.
The letter also notes:
- Full opposition to the many bills across the country that would harm cisgender and transgender girls and women — particularly Black and Brown girls and women — and that are likely to violate both the U.S. Constitution and Title IX, jeopardizing states' federal education funding.
- Transgender students face disproportionately high rates of sex discrimination, including sexual assault, in school.
- Bills excluding transgender students from athletics would further limit their educational opportunities and could put them at greater risk of sexual assault.
- Barring transgender girls and women from girls' and women's athletics invites more trauma, bullying and violence.
For deeper context on transgender participants in athletics, see Changing the Game, an illuminating documentary produced by Hulu. Equitable participation in sports delivers wide-ranging benefits for everyone, including access to diverse, supportive sport communities.
Read the coalition letter (PDF)
Track legislation affecting LGBTQ+ rights · U.S. Transgender Survey · Related research · School climate report (PDF) · Watch the documentary trailer
Music Industry Joins June 24 for "Music In Action for the Equality Act"
Published 6/22/2021 · 0 Comments
Don't miss Music in Action on Thursday, June 24 — a livestream supporting the Equality Act. This virtual house party with surprise musical guests starts at 4pm PT / 7pm ET and is open to everyone. Grab a drink, a snack and your friends and tune in for an immersive, interactive experience featuring special guest artists.
Attendees will also discover easy, enjoyable actions that lend powerful support not only to the Equality Act but to other causes they care about.
The event caps the launch of a letter to Congress backing the Equality Act, signed by more than 300 artists worldwide, including Elton John, Ariana Grande, Cardi B. and Taylor Swift — a show of solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community.
"It is amazing to see such a broad, diverse coalition of artists and activists coming together to support the LGBTQ Community," said Geoffrey Morrissey, Director of Operations and Community Engagement at The Ally Coalition, a co-sponsor of Music in Action. "Trans Youth have been under attack for all of 2021, and the LGBTQ Community as a whole has been neglected by the law for too long. The momentum behind The Equality Act is encouraging, and I hope that during Pride and throughout the year, music fans will lobby their Senators to pass this piece of landmark legislation."
Music in Action is one of many events during It's Time, a week of action from June 24–29. Dozens of groups nationwide are organizing events declaring "It's Time" to pass federal protections for LGBTQ+ people and expand existing protections for women, people of color and people of faith. From virtual game shows to canvassing at faith events, there's something for everyone.
Learn about The Ally Coalition's Equality Act work · Explore the It's Time Week of Action
Spotlight of the Month: Helena Clark (NY)
Published 6/10/2026 · 0 Comments
Spotlight celebrates the NEAT supporters who form the backbone of our daily work for LGBTQ+ justice.
- Name: Helena Clark
- Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
- Age: 21
- Location: Pearl River, NY
Tell us about yourself outside of NEAT volunteering
I'm entering my senior year at Hunter College in New York City after transferring from my local community college, where I study Political Science and Human Rights. I've been learning a great deal about human rights concerns and how to drive meaningful change in our society and globally. Because of the pandemic, I'm currently living with my family in the small town where I grew up and look forward to moving into the city this fall. Outside of school, I tutor kids in my town who are learning English and I'm studying Spanish. For hobbies, I enjoy reading — especially autobiographies, memoirs and books on politics and human rights. My absolute favorite thing to do is travel.
What's your connection to LGBTQ+ justice work?
My connection is a strong one. I grew up in a very conservative town where homophobic and transphobic rhetoric and attitudes were the norm in my high school and throughout the community. I saw firsthand how such beliefs dangerously affect LGBTQ+ individuals by shrinking their basic freedoms and harming their mental health. Many of my high school friends were LGBTQ+ and were never able to be who they were because of the backlash they faced at school and at home. I firmly believe justice does not exist unless there is justice for all, so I began getting involved in LGBTQ+ justice work. As an ally, I educate myself on the realities LGBTQ+ people experience nationwide and worldwide, and on how race, economic class, religion, citizenship status and other divisions create layered oppression for many LGBTQ+ individuals. In recent years, anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment has clearly been rising across the United States, fueling hate crimes that often cause severe physical harm including death, along with horrific mental and emotional trauma. This reality cannot be ignored, which is why I began actively supporting LGBTQ+ justice work through NEAT.
What is your volunteer role at NEAT? What inspired you to get involved?
At NEAT I take on a variety of volunteer roles, and I love them all. I'm currently working on a research project for various Pride events, learning a lot about how NGOs and other organizations can collaborate to advocate for and advance LGBTQ+ justice through joint action. I also do phone banking shifts, which has been a very fun experience. I love tal…
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