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Join Us For Our Welcoming Schools National Day of Reading!

Organize a reading for our National Day of Reading: A Celebration of Stories Supporting Transgender and Non-Binary Youth!

In 2016, an anti-LGBTQ+ hate group forced a school in Wisconsin to cancel plans to read “I am Jazz” in support of a transgender student. In response, more than 600 residents in a town of less than 8,000 showed up at a public reading organized by a parent to show the students that the community had their back.

Every year, in honor of the Mount Horeb community’s allyship, communities across the country join HRCF's Welcoming Schools program for its annual National Day of Reading: A Celebration of Stories Supporting Transgender and Non-Binary Youth.

Join us on March 5th, 2024, for our 9th National Day of Reading!

Register today to show support and affirm transgender and non-binary youth by organizing a reading at your school or in your community at a local library, bookstore, place of worship, or community center.

Register to Host Your Own Reading and Receive a Welcoming Schools Lanyard

Register below to host your own reading and the first 200 registrants will receive one FREE Welcoming Schools Lanyard!

Register Now

Download

2024 Organizing Toolkits

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Explore Welcoming Schools Book Lists for Elementary, Secondary, and Adults/Caregivers

One of the best ways to welcome students and families into your school community is to integrate high-quality texts into your classroom and school libraries. Explore our Supporting Transgender and Non-Binary Students Booklist for Elementary and Secondary.

Explore Book Lists

Gender Support Checklist for Transgender and Non-Binary Students

Ensure your Transgender and Non-Binary students and their families feel welcome with this simple checklist to assess your school climate.

Visit Checklist

Request a Welcoming Schools Professional Development training

Welcoming Schools has certified facilitators across the country ready to work with your school or district to improve school climate with gender and LGBTQ+ inclusive professional development. Schedule a training or connect with a Welcoming Schools team member about professional development for your school or district by requesting a training.

Request a Training

Free Welcoming Schools Gender Resources for Educators

Welcoming Schools offers teacher-friendly resources designed to help educators create classrooms and schools free of gender stereotypes and gender norms that limit all children. Find resources to help students understand transgender and non-binary people and to support and affirm all students’ identities across the gender spectrum.

Explore Gender Resources

Free Welcoming Schools Lesson Plans for Educators

Welcoming Schools offers free lesson plans under four umbrella topics: gender, family, LGBTQ+ inclusive, and bullying. Together, these lesson plans help develop safe and welcoming classrooms and schools.

View Lesson Plans

Below you’ll find the story we are highlighting this National Day of Reading, a reading of Introducing Teddy.