To: LGBTQ2SIA+ Student Success Listserv
From: Oregon Department of Education, LGBTQ2SIA+ Student Success Program
Date: October 26, 2026
Re: ODE LGBTQ2SIA+ Student Success October 2026 Newsletter
In this newsletter Oregon Department of Education (ODE) staff will share recent or noteworthy resources, aligned to the LGBTQ2SIA+ Student Success Plan (SSP), that may be of interest as you support LGBTQ2SIA+ affirming school communities.
In this Message
ODE LGBTQ2SIA+ Related Updates
Queer Joy Spotlight: Transgender Awareness Week Activity Ideas (Nov 13-19)
📖Gender Expansive Picture Book Read-aloud
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Activity summary: Invite high school Gender and Sexuality Alliance/Queer Sexuality Alliance (GSA/QSA) leaders into local pre-K or elementary classrooms to read a picture book that affirms gender expansive caregivers, youth, or leaders and share about the student club:
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Kapaemahu, words by Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu, Dean Hamer, and Joe Wilson, pictures by Daniel Sousa
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When Aidan Became a Brother, words by Kyle Lukoff, pictures by Kaylani Juanita
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My Rainbow, words by DeShanna Neal and Trinity Neal, pictures by Art Twink
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Calvin, words by JR Ford and Vanessa Ford, pictures by Kayla Harren
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The Good Hair Day, words by Christian Trimmer, pictures by J Yang
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The Boy & the Bindi, words by Vivek Shraya, pictures by Rajni Perera
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Goal: foster awareness for the GSA, show possibility models for LGBTQ2SIA+ youth leadership, affirm children with LGBTQ2SIA+ caregivers or family members.
🎨Create Trans Icon Coloring Page
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Activity summary: Invite youth to create line drawings with transgender and gender expansive icons, leaders, or events, aligned with Arts Education standards, to submit to the ODE LGBTQ2SIA+ SSP Queer Joy Coloring Book.
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Goal: Raise awareness and honor the joy and presence of transgender leaders, including scholars, athletes, scientists, Two-Spirit ancestors, drag legends, and families.
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🪶Two-Spirit & Indigiqueer Zine or Story Sharing
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Activity summary: Create a zine, or share in small groups, about the strengths and skills of Two-Spirit and Indigiqueer leaders from the Pacific Northwest and around the world.
- Goal: Affirm and remind educators and allies that Two Spirit people have existed all over the world, since time immemorial.
🔬Trans Innovator by Profession or Subject
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Activity Summary: Invite youth to create a list of transgender or gender expansive innovators, across all subject and content areas, to share back with educators in their school, for integration into classroom content throughout the year.
- Goal: Offer youth meaningful input into classroom projects, materials, and examples of positive transgender inclusion, create a usable resource for educators.
Additional Upcoming LGBTQ2SIA+ Awareness and Recognition Days are outlined below.
Image description: Coloring Page by Queer & Trans Youth from the Seattle LGBTQ+ Center’s Queer & Trans Coloring Book: gaycity.org/queer-trans-coloring-book/
New or Noteworthy LGBTQ2SIA+ Resources & Data
ODE is committed to supporting Oregon school districts and education partners to create LGBTQ2SIA+ affirming school communities through a wide range of strategies outlined in the LGBTQ2SIA+ Student Success Plan.
Family Resources
Educator Resources
October LGBTQ History Month resources
Glisten 2026 Rainbow Booklists
Image: Cover of Play Proud: Fiercely Fabulous Queer Athletes, by Rob Sanders, one of the Glisten K-2 booklist selections for 2026.
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Resources for your Legal Counsel
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Let’s Talk About You, Lambda Legal & American Bar Association Litigation Section Children’s Rights Litigation Committee (for lawyers with child & youth clients)
Data & Research Spotlight: 3 Data-Inspired Ideas to Support TGE Youth
This month, we’ll highlight School Experiences Among Transgender, Nonbinary, and Gender-Expansive (TGE) Young People, co-authored in August 2026 by Glisten and The Trevor Project. An analysis of two national survey samples of TGE youth, the research brief distills important experiences of both support and discrimination in school. ODE staff reviewed these findings and proposed possible action items below, which district staff, community partners, and families can take right now to increase support for TGE youth.
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Insight 1. Discriminatory policies impact attendance
TGE students who reported discriminatory school policies or experienced negative events at school missed more days in the school year.
💡IDEA: Administrators or education leaders can identify a school policy that may negatively impact gender expansive youth (e.g., controversial topics, dress code, notice of non-discrimination excludes gender identity, lack of gender-affirming facilities, etc.). With input from LGBTQ2SIA+ youth, educators, and families, revise, publish, and share out improved policies and protocols this year.
Insight 2. Supportive educators and class content are connected to academic outcomes
TGE students who had more supportive educators, were more connected to other LGBTQ+ students, and had positive depictions of LGBTQ+ people, issues, or topics in at least one class had higher estimated GPAs than those who did not.
💡IDEA: Find small ways to name (positively or even neutrally) LGBTQ2SIA+ families, youth, community leaders in all subject areas. LGBTQ2SIA+ youth and families are part of every single Oregon community, and even acknowledgement and respect can go a long way toward community safety.
Insight 3. Youth are essential leaders and change-makers in our schools
TGE students reported high levels of activism, with over half (51%) having led at least one activism activity; the majority of TGE students of color (75%) had participated in or led activism activities.
💡IDEA: Create opportunities for cross-student club solidarity, encouraging youth to show up and help volunteer for one anothers’ projects, events, and initiatives. We are all better, together.
Section Photo: “Iowa Students Protest Anti-LGBTQ Legislation” by Phil Roeder, CC BY 2.0
Upcoming Events, Training & Conference Opportunities
The LGBTQ2SIA+ Student Success Plan identifies the need for professional development that offers practical skills for supporting LGBTQ2SIA+ youth, families, and co-workers. All trainings are listed in Pacific Time zone unless otherwise noted. Opportunities are free unless otherwise noted.
LGBTQ2SIA+ SSP Grantee Spotlight: Glisten Oregon Educator Network & Training
Affirming Educator Network
The Affirming Educator Network is a community of GSA advisors and queer and allied educators around Oregon who have named the need for a space to connect with other advisors, learn how to develop a student-led club, and gain practical strategies for fostering an inclusive classroom. This network is structured to facilitate connection through community education and shared experiences.
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Monthly via Zoom, 6:30 pm–8:00 pm – See Event Flyer for more information.
- November 2: Content- Compassion Fatigue
- December 7: Winter Social!
- January: No Meeting
- February 1: Content- Fostering Youth Leadership
- March 1: Spring Social & Closing
In addition to the Educator Opportunities outlined above, Glisten Oregon is available to offer the following community trainings:
- Affirming Language for LGBTQ+ Youth
- Fostering Youth Leadership
Reach out to chapter@or.glisten.org for more information.
Upcoming LGBTQ2SIA+ Awareness and Recognition Days
October is National LGBTQ History Month
Oct 8, International Lesbian Day
Oct 9, Oregon’s Youth Suicide Awareness Day: See Oregon’s 2026 Suicide Prevention in Schools: Call to Action
Oct 11, National Coming Out Day
Oct 15, Spirit Day (Anti-Bullying) - 3rd Thursday in October
Oct 18-24, Genderfluid Visibility Week - the week before last full week of October
Oct 21, International Pronouns Day - third Wednesday of October
Oct 26, Intersex Awareness Day
Oct 25-31, Asexual Awareness Week - last full week in October Sunday-Saturday
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November is Trans Awareness Month
Nov 1, Trans Parent Day - first Sunday in November
Nov 8, Intersex Day of Remembrance
Nov 13-19, Transgender Awareness Week
Nov 20, Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDoR)
Image description: Example of a display for Transgender Day of Visibility (TDoV) in March, by grantee Chemeketa Community College.
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Events, Trainings, and Conferences
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Nov 19, 10-11am, Belonging and Becoming: Centering LGBTQ+ Voices in the Adoption Narrative, Center for Adoption Support and Education (C.A.S.E.), free with code on website
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Jan 27-31, Louisville, Kentucky, 2027 Creating Change Conference, The National LGBTQ Task Force (Paid)
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Recurring, Big River Suicide Prevention: 7 Core Trainings, OHA, low or no cost
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Self-Paced Course, Understanding Gender Diversity in Children & Youth, TransActive at Lewis & Clark
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Recorded Video, Visible & Unstoppable: 2026 Pride Zoomathon, Unicorn Solutions
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On Demand, Welcoming Schools e-learning courses, Human Rights Campaign Foundation (HRCF); Free and paid options
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On Demand, eLearning Library, National SOGIE Center (for behavioral health professionals); Self-paced modules; Requires free account to access
Unless hosted or facilitated by the Oregon Department of Education (ODE), these training opportunities have not been endorsed by ODE, but are being shared as relevant opportunities for education professionals to consider.
Youth & Community Voice Opportunities
Youth Opportunity: Glisten’s Rainbow Writes Competition
Designed by Glisten’s 2022-2023 National Student Council cohort in direct response to widespread book bans throughout the U.S., Rainbow Writes was created to amplify youth voices and uplift the joy of queer experiences. This year's theme is “MVPs” (Most Valuable Players). "MVPs" are people who consistently show up and impact others in remarkable ways.
Submissions are open through October 31, 2026
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Youth Voice Opportunity: Glisten School Climate Survey
Glisten's 2027 National School Climate Survey is open for LGBTQIA2S+ (or questioning) K-12 students ages 13 years or older. The survey is anonymous and takes about 30 minutes. The information shared will be used to work toward safe and affirming schools for LGBTQIA2S+ youth. The National School Climate Survey closes November 7th.
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Funding Opportunities
Funding Opportunity: OHA Culturally Responsive Suicide Prevention Small-Grants
Many of our LGBTQ2SIA+ Student Success grantees incorporate suicide prevention programming into their activities. In this spirit, LGBTQ2SIA+ serving organizations may apply for Oregon Health Authority (OHA) Request for Grant Proposals (RFGP) for Culturally Responsive Youth Suicide Intervention and Prevention (YSIPP) Small-Grants to support culturally specific suicide prevention programming across Oregon. Lines for Life (LFL) is providing education and grant readiness support for organizations interested in this funding opportunity. Learn more and apply by October 30, 2026
Listserv Submission Process
We welcome your submissions to ODE's LGBTQ2SIA+ Student Success ListServ! If you have announcements, job postings, or general questions for your colleagues, you can submit them here. We will consider all submissions on a rolling basis, based on newsletter frequency and alignment with the LGBTQ2SIA+ Student Success Plan.
Questions? Connections?
Please visit the LGBTQ2SIA+ Student Success webpage for more information or reach out to the LGBTQ2SIA+ Student Success Coordinator at LGBTQ2SIA.Success@ode.oregon.gov.
Did someone forward you this newsletter? Want to stay connected with LGBTQ2SIA+ Student Success at the Oregon Department of Education? Visit our website or subscribe to the ODE LGBTQ2SIA+ Student Success ListServ today!
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