Queer Justice at School

Use this youth-friendly guide to build more just and liberatory school communities.

Much change is needed to make school communities more affirming and inclusive of gender and sexual diversity. This timely book is written for secondary students and their adult allies who are working to make schools more supportive of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual people, and their families.

Grounded in scholarship, the text offers information, ideas, guidelines, inspiration, and resources to support grassroots efforts to envision and build more just and liberatory school communities. The author shares case studies of youth activism and profiles of these LGBTQIA+ activists to show what is possible when young people take action to improve their communities. Meyer explicitly acknowledges the diversity of the LGBTQIA+ community and discusses working in coalitions to address related forms of injustice, including racism and white supremacy, ableism, colonialism, and classism, as well as biases around religion, immigration status, language, and culture.

This hands-on guide is readable and accessible for use in extracurricular clubs or as a source for classroom assignments in grades 6–12.

Book Features:

• Written in a language appropriate for students and adults working together in student clubs like GSAs or after-school community centers.
• Provides figures and activities that can be used to guide action planning.
• Demonstrates that some of the best change happens when it is led by youth.
• Moves away from the dominant discourse that focuses on harm reduction, risk narratives, and reducing bullying and harassment.
• Includes a chapter that discusses relevant laws and policies.
• Offers a companion website that provides updated links and resources for readers at elizabethjmeyer.com/queer-justice.

Elizabeth J. Meyer is a professor and program chair in educational foundations, policy and practice at the University of Colorado at Boulder, a former high school teacher, and author of Gender, Bullying, and Harassment: Strategies to End Sexism and Homophobia in Schools.

“In this moment of unprecedented attacks on queer and trans students and educators, Queer Justice at School could not be more timely. Elizabeth Meyer skillfully walks us through exactly what’s needed by any of us—youth, teachers, allies—to engage in advocacy with more impact and confidence: accessible explanations of terminology and the law; talking points that help convey what’s going wrong in schools; lessons learned from advocacy past and present; and countless examples of meaningful actions that we can take in and out of schools that push us to broaden what we think it means to advance justice. Every school needs advocates using this guidebook!”
—Kevin Kumashiro, scholar, educator, leader, advocate, and author of Surrendered: Why Progressives are Losing the Biggest Battles in Education

“Whether you are an experienced activist or just beginning to build your skill set, Queer Justice at School is the definitive resource for supporting queer youth activism. Meyer draws on her extensive experience in schools to share stories and activities that inspire readers to build coalitions, take action, and spread queer joy.”
—Melinda M. Mangin, professor and chair, Educational Theory, Policy, and Administration, Rutgers University, Graduate School of Education

“Liz Meyer knows her stuff! This book comes from decades of experience working with students and teachers to make their schools safer for queer and trans people. Readers will come away with evidence, examples, and concrete plans for making change right where they are at a time when local activism is more important than ever.”
—Lee Airton, assistant professor of Gender and Sexuality Studies in Education, Queen's University, Canada