The American Civil Liberties Union of Mississippi (ACLU of MS), in conjunction with the Nollie Jenkins Family Center (Duran, MS), has co-authored a LGBTQ Student Rights Education Resource Guide. “Advocating for LGBTQ Student Rights in the Mississippi Delta Resource Guide”is designed to support the creation of safe spaces for LGBTQ students in the Mississippi Delta, but can be used in any classroom at any school. It is the only guide of its kind, and includes relevant, up-to-date, and practical information.
Both organizations are part of the Mississippi Prevention of Schoolhouse to Jailhouse Coalition,an intergenerational alliance of more than 65 statewide and local organizations formed in 2003 to dismantle the pipeline from schoolhouse to jailhouse and promote positive behavior intervention strategies to keep students in school. They will use the guide as a tool to conduct community trainings throughout the state.
“The ACLU of MS has been at the forefront of protecting the rights of and extending civil liberties to Mississippi Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender youth,” said Jennifer Riley-Collins, Executive Director. “As a member of the Coalition, we will continue our efforts by advancing the rights of LGBT students in the Mississippi Delta and across the state.”
Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Nollie Jenkins Family Center Ellen Reddy shares a similar sentiment. “We share a commitment to reframing the negative and oppressive conditions queer youth face through public education, public disclosure, and support of queer youth-focused issues.”
“Advocating for LGBTQ Student Rights in the Mississippi Delta Resource Guide”can be accessed and downloaded at aclu-ms.org. For more information, call 601.354.3408.
