Show Up, Speak Out
Produced by the
HRC Foundation
Last updated August 2026
As a student, you are the primary stakeholder of your school. So why is your voice so often left out of decision-making? School leaders have a responsibility to listen. But how do you get them to do that?
This resource will help you advocate for a safe, welcoming, and respectful school community. We’ll give you practical ways to make a difference, amplify your voice, and engage in constructive action while understanding your own rights, responsibilities, and safety.
WHY IS STUDENT ADVOCACY IMPORTANT?
Students are the experts of their own experiences. Because of this, you and your peers are the most impactful voices to advocate for respectful school environments for everyone and, in particular, to secure LGBTQ+-inclusive school policies and practices.
Be the Change You Wish to See
Is there a school policy that would improve your school climate? Are school board members introducing anti-LGBTQ policies? Are your rights being infringed upon by school staff? Advocacy starts with identifying an unmet need or an improvement.
What change do you want to see and what is the timeline? Be clear with the vision of your advocacy to drive efforts towards the goal.
Use advocacy strategies that will help you reach your specific goal and outcomes.
| If you want to... | Plan to... |
|---|---|
| Share your perspective directly to decision-makers | Write an email Speak at a school board meeting |
| Raise awareness | Organize a campaign Engage in digital advocacy |
| Show support for an issue | Create a petition and gather signatures |
| Mobilize students to take action | Hold a protest or school walkout |
| Choose who makes decisions | Vote in student government elections Support values-aligned school board candidates |
Strong advocacy starts by listening to and learning from those most affected by an issue. When we center the voices, experiences, and leadership of impacted people, we build stronger movements and create change that better reflects real needs.
Staying Safe When Advocating
In whatever advocacy you choose to participate in, your safety is your first priority. Looking out for yourself and those around you helps ensure your voice can be heard safely. As a student organizer putting together a campaign, these steps will help guide you:
Make sure you have learned as much as possible from reliable sources. Watch out for misinformation. Being informed will make your advocacy much more effective.
Share all information in a respectful tone and in formats appropriate to your audience. Think: posters, flyers, videos, social media posts, or informational events.
Invite your peers to get involved, but also bring in trusted adults (affirming teachers, family members, and/or representatives of community organizations).
Safeguard personal information (address, phone number, school schedule, etc.) — your own and your peers’.
Know your school and community’s policies regarding student organizing and events and be sure to follow procedures to avoid disruptions and distractions to your cause.
When planning an event, be clear on who is responsible for what and what expectations are. Always have a back-up plan. Planning should always include safety considerations for yourself and participants (e.g., let a trusted adult know where you are, charge your phone, know your exit strategy, etc.).
Advocacy is a journey! You won’t get everything right the first time, and that’s OK. Debrief with your team, be open to feedback, and adjust your approach as needed for next time.
A Final Note of Encouragement
Change takes time, as frustrating as that is. Remain realistic that, in some cases, your goal may not happen immediately. But take heart that you are moving the needle. And that matters — for you, your classmates, and the students that come after you.
More Helpful Resources for Students Engaging in Student Advocacy
- American Civil Liberties Union. Know Your Rights: Students’ Rights. https://www.aclu.org/know-your-rights/students-rights
- Human Rights Campaign. Tips for Preparedness, Peaceful Protesting, and Safety. https://www.hrc.org/resources/tips-for-preparedness-peaceful-protesting-and-safety
- NAACP. Staying Safe During a Protest. https://naacp.org/resources/staying-safe-during-protest
The Human Rights Campaign reports on news, events and resources of the
Human Rights Campaign Foundation
that are of interest to the general public and further our common mission
to support the LGBTQ+ community.
- Topics:
- Schools
- LGBTQ+ Youth
- For Youth
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