Wednesday, June 19, 2019

The GGE Update: NYC Schools Will Have More Title IX Coordinators

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By Brittany Brathwaite 

Since the October 2018 launch of the School Girls Deserve campaign, we have been fighting tirelessly for the safety of Black and Brown cis and trans girls and gender nonconforming youth of color in NYC schools.

We organized, we testified, we rallied and we spoke truth to power.

Well, guess what? We won!

The Mayor and New York City Council have indicated that there would be funding totaling $857,000 for the hiring of 7 Title IX coordinators—our exact ask. We. Won.

In an article for Politico, Madina TourĂ© wrote,“The development marks a victory for girl's and women's rights advocates — particularly Girls for Gender Equity, the main group leading the push — who have long requested the additional coordinators.”

Thank you for all the support you have shown throughout this campaign. Together we won for the students in NYC public schools, who will benefit from this important step towards supportive and affirming school climates where students can learn, dream and grow.

Title IX Coordinators will be responsible for doing the following (and more):

Responding to and working to prevent mistreatment and discrimination on the basis of gender identity and/or sexual orientation, ensure gender equity in sports programs and protections for pregnant and parenting students.

Dedicating time and resources to prevent sexual violence in schools by developing lesson plans, workshops, literature, etc. to help students understand consent.

Training teachers and other school staff on how to protect students from gender discrimination and not cause additional harm.

Being objective: by being removed from day-to-day school life they are inherently safer to turn to for support.

Serving as advocates for students in the communities surrounding schools.

Thank you, again, for the myriad ways you have stood beside us and to the young people who have committed to driving this campaign. Stay tuned for details on how we will celebrate!
 
With gratitude and, as always, in fierce community,

P.S. Writer and culture critic Jamilah Lemieux worked with two GGE youth organizers to create this article in Essence about how school dress codes punish Black, Brown, LGBTQ and other marginalized bodies. Please share widely!
  
Brittany Brathwaite serves as Manager of Organizing and Innovation at Girls for Gender Equity. 

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