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New year, new schedule, new... school policies to decode? The start of the school year is stressful enough without deciphering confusing district policy. At PRISM, we believe every student deserves to be seen as their authentic self, and it starts with navigating name and pronoun changes smoothly. We’ve put together a guide for Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach schools, with all the forms, policies, and even a ready-to-send email template – because supporting students shouldn’t feel like solving a puzzle.   What’s the same in all districts?   According to state law, schools cannot force teachers or students to use someone’s affirmed pronouns. However, teachers still have the option to use a student’s affirmed pronouns. Parents must give permission for a student to use a different name at school (except Miami-Dade students over the age of 18). Affirmed names can be used in school systems and non-legal documents after written consent is given by a parent or legal guardian. Legal names and gender stay the same unless changed by a court order or updated birth certificate.  What’s different between districts?   Miami-Dade County Teachers don't need parental permission to use a student's affirmed pronouns. Sharing a student’s birth name/sex without permission could break FERPA laws. Students over 18 can request changes without parent permission. Fill out Form FM5626 for a student’s affirmed name to be used in non-legal documents. Broward County Teachers can use a student’s affirmed name and pronouns, but only if a parent or legal guardian gives written permission. Unlike other districts, there’s no explicitly stated extra FERPA protection. Even if a student is 18+, parents must still give permission. For names: Broward Emergency Contact Card  (Must be completed annually) For pronouns:   PreK-12 Preferred Title Title and Pronoun Request Form   Palm Beach County Teachers don't need parental permission to use a student's affirmed pronouns. Sharing a student’s birth name/sex without permission could break FERPA laws.   Even if a student is 18+, parents must still give permission. Fill out Palm Beach Form PBSD 2688 - Student Registration  for a student’s affirmed name to be used in non-legal documents. Email Template Under state law, teachers can't ask students for their pronouns – but students can still provide them to affirming teachers. Below are template emails students can use to inform their teachers or submit name/pronoun forms. To Teachers Subject: Introducing Myself Dear [Professor/Teacher name]: My name is [preferred name], and I will be attending your [name of course] class this year. I am contacting you to let you know that my name will show up on your roster as [legal name], but I would prefer to go by [preferred name] and [your pronouns] pronouns. I identify as [your gender identity] and do not identify with my legal name. I will be putting [preferred name] on my assignments and would appreciate it if you called me by this name and used the pronouns [your pronouns] to refer to me in class. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions. You can contact me at [your email address]. Thank you so much for your understanding. I am looking forward to starting your class next week. Sincerely, [Your name] To Principal/School Staff Subject: Request for Affirmed Name/Pronoun Update  Hi [Principal/Counselor’s Name], Hope you’re doing well! My [child/teen/self], [Legal Name], goes by [Affirmed Name] and uses [pronouns, if applicable] in daily life. We’d love for this to be reflected in school systems where possible! I’ve attached the completed [Form Name]—let me know if anything else is needed. Also, just checking: Has it been processed? How will this update be shared (or kept private)? Are there any other steps we should take? Thanks so much for your help in making [Student’s Name]’s school experience a little more affirming! Best, [Your Name][Your Contact Info] Pro Tip: CC a guidance counselor or trusted teacher if you’re not getting a response. A little persistence goes a long way! More Information & Resources    For details on Florida's law:    Florida Senate F.S. 1000.071 For district-specific LGBTQ+ support guides:   Miami-Dade Guidelines for Promoting Safe and Inclusive Schools Broward County Inclusive Schools Guide Palm Beach LGBTQ+ Support Guide

Bathroom access has become one of the most personal and politicized issues facing transgender and nonbinary students in Florida. At its core, this is not about politics—it is about safety, dignity, and whether students can get through the school day without fear or disruption. What Florida Law Requires In 2023, the Florida Legislature passed HB 1521, the Safety in Private Spaces Act . It applies to: K–12 public and many private schools Public colleges and universities Certain private colleges and universities  (through a Department of Education rule for institutions licensed by the Commission for Independent Education or exempt under s. 1005.06(1)(b)–(f), F.S.) Under HB 1521  and related DOE rules : Restrooms and changing facilities must be designated for exclusive use by males or females, as defined by sex assigned at birth, or  be a single-occupancy unisex  facility that meets privacy standards (floor-to-ceiling walls, locking door). Students, staff, and others can be disciplined only  if they willfully  enter a facility for the “opposite sex” and  refuse to leave when asked by authorized personnel. Exceptions exist for emergencies, maintenance, accompanying certain people (such as children under 12 or someone with a disability), or when a designated facility is out of order. For private postsecondary institutions, policies must be updated in student and employee handbooks, disciplinary procedures must be in place, and students and staff must be told they can file a complaint with the Florida Attorney General if the school fails to comply. The Role of Single-Stall and Unisex Bathrooms The law explicitly allows single-stall unisex restrooms  and unisex changing facilities  as alternatives. These are often the safest and most dignified harm-reduction option for transgender and nonbinary students. If your school or campus has one, you can request to use it—this is permitted under state law. What Federal Law Protects Title IX, the federal law prohibiting sex-based discrimination in education, has been interpreted by courts and the U.S. Department of Education to include protections for transgender students. While Florida law is restrictive, Title IX still applies, and related cases are ongoing. This means you may still have legal recourse if you are denied access  in a way that violates your federal rights. What Students and Families Can Do Request a meeting : Discuss accommodations such as access to a single-stall unisex restroom or other privacy measures. Document incidents : If you are denied access or told to leave, write down the date, time, and names of those involved. Seek support : Contact PRISM  for guidance and resources. File a complaint : You may file with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights under Title IX or, in some cases, with the Florida Attorney General if your institution fails to meet state facility requirements. Why It Matters Bathroom access affects health, emotional wellbeing, and the ability to focus on learning. While current Florida law limits options, advocacy can still make a difference. Some schools and campuses continue to support students, and others may be open to change when students, families, and allies speak up. If you or your child is being denied access or made to feel unsafe, you are not alone. PRISM is here to help you understand your rights, navigate your options, and take action when necessary.

Sex education has long been a contested topic in Florida classrooms. But in recent years, what was once basic health instruction has been stripped down, delayed, or blocked entirely. For many students—especially LGBTQ+ youth—this shift has left them without the information they need to navigate relationships, consent, or their own bodies. These changes didn’t happen by accident. They are the result of state-level laws and pressure that restrict what schools can teach, who can say it, and when. What the Law Says Under HB 1069, passed in 2023, schools are prohibited from teaching sexual orientation or gender identity in grades K–8 and must follow “state-approved standards” in grades 9–12. The law also expands parental opt-out rights, requires that all instructional materials be posted online, and opens the door to administrative discipline for teachers who stray from approved content. These rules are now codified in Florida Statutes § 1006.40 and § 1003.42, and they’ve had a chilling effect across the state. Some districts have removed sex education from classrooms altogether, while others have delayed instruction until the very end of the school year—if they offer it at all. What’s Happening in Schools In many schools, sex ed now focuses narrowly on reproduction and abstinence. Lessons about consent, contraception, healthy communication, or LGBTQ+ inclusion have disappeared. Some teachers report being told not to answer student questions if the topic involves gender or sexual orientation. This has left students confused and under-informed. And in some counties, no sex education is being taught at all. But there are exceptions. Broward County: A Case Study in Resistance In May 2025, after months of back-and-forth with the state, Broward County Public Schools received approval to teach sex education in the final week of the school year. The district’s original curriculum was rejected by the Florida Department of Education. Only after requesting to adopt a state-approved version from another district was permission granted. The last-minute approval allowed Broward students to receive sex education before summer break—but only narrowly, and only after significant pressure. The situation highlights how restrictive laws are being used to delay or deny instruction, even when districts try to comply. It also shows that organized, persistent efforts can still lead to limited wins—though they often come late and with strings attached. What Students, Families, and Educators Can Do If you are a student and you feel like you’re not being taught what you need to know, speak up. Ask what curriculum is being used. Find a trusted adult to talk to. You have a right to understand your body and your health. Parents can review materials, opt out, or opt in. But they can also demand more from school districts. If your school is failing to provide basic health education, raise the issue publicly—especially at school board meetings or through local coalitions. Educators are in a difficult position, but you still have the power to advocate for clarity and push back on disinformation. Know what your district has approved. Work with colleagues to defend what is allowed under law, and find ways to keep students informed through whatever channels remain open. Why This Matters When schools erase sex education, students do not stop needing it. They just stop getting it from trusted, evidence-based sources. That gap can lead to harm, confusion, and preventable health risks. Florida’s restrictions are part of a broader campaign to control public education through fear and censorship. But students still have questions. Families still want answers. And teachers still care. PRISM is here to help ensure that all young people have access to honest, inclusive information—no matter what the legislature does next.

< Back to School Policy Hub Why LGBTQ+ History Matters October is LGBTQ+ History Month, which is meant to recognize and honor the historical impacts, achievements, and contributions of queer people. As a queer person, I was never much of a history buff. Sure, I learned about it in class, I passed most of my tests, but then I went home and forgot every single detail. It wasn’t until I started learning about LGBT history, about the storied struggle for the rights of people like me that spans decades, that I became a history buff. And it was that, it was learning of all the LGBT civil rights leaders, the persecution, the hate, the joy, the love, the hope of LGBTQ Americans, the textbook pages and educational videos and quotes from those that came well before me, that drove me to the work I do today. The history and beauty of my community, the LGBT community, goes well beyond discussions of sex and should be welcomed and cherished in schools, in media, and everywhere else. Eighty years ago, I would’ve been forced to wear a pink triangle. Thirty years ago, I might’ve worn it on purpose, a reclamation in my fight for survival in the AIDS epidemic. Up until 1998, I could’ve been fired in Miami-Dade for just being gay, much less doing anything close to that. And until the Supreme Court ruling in Bostock v Clayton County, which was a mere two years ago, I could’ve been fired, evicted, even denied service at a restaurant for being gay in 55 out of Florida’s 67 counties along with so many other Americans. We shouldn’t be depriving our students of foundational chapters of our nation’s story. LGBT History is American history because LGBT Americans are Americans. In solidarity, Maxx Fenning President, PRISM FL, Inc

< Return to Open Positions Publications Manager We recommend reading more about our task forces before starting your application. Please select the following option below: Publications Manager Position Title Please select the requested option Want to apply for a different position? Click here to browse what's available. Have a question about open positions? Contact us at: careers@prismfl.org PRISM relies on the dedicated contributions of volunteers to further its initiatives. PRISM conducts many initiatives, which makes building a solid brand image and marketing extremely important. A Publications Director functions under our Social Media/Design Coordinators Task Force and also works with the Board Of Directors. Publications Directors do not receive a paycheck, but they do receive the satisfaction that they are helping an organization for LGBT youth. There is potential for a paid position in the future. A Publications Director will have the following responsibilities: Develop and manage all physical brochures and flyers for PRISM events and initiatives Coordinate the design of flyers and other print material Develop and organize PRISM's monthly newsletter Develop and organize any other newsletters or messages for subscribers Analyze how PRISM's newsletter can be better, and how PRISM can receive more subscribers to said newsletter Coordinate community service with other Task Force Management and Volunteer Managers Next

< Back to School Policy Hub What is Racism? What is Racism? Racism in America Against: Indigenous Tribes Asian Americans Black Americans Hispanic Americans Fighting Racism Racism can be defined in a variety of ways relating to both individual actions and societal institutions. Merriam-Webster defines racism as “a belief that race is a fundamental determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race, and the behaviors and attitudes that foster this belief.” However, these definitions refer to racism as a racial attitude. Racism can also be defined in a systemic sense. Two such examples are the excerpts following which define systemic racism as “the systemic oppression of a racial group to the social, economic, and political advantage of another” and “a political or social system founded on racism and designed to execute its principles.” As seen, the term racism does not simply fall under one definition or one circumstance. Instead, it is a multifaceted term to describe the vast experiences of minority groups facing inequality due to their racial identity. History of Racism in America Racism has been present in society from the start, and it is still deeply rooted in our society today. In 1607, white British colonizers came over to America, quickly dominated, and took over the land. From that moment, rhetoric claiming white individuals as the “superior” race spread and was used to tragically oppress others. Here are examples of the roots of racist attitudes towards minority groups, where they stem from, and how they became widespread: Indigenous Tribes The cultural genocide of indigenous tribes: Colonizers forced the children into schools where they learned about Christianity and European values. They were stripped of their tribal clothing and were only allowed to speak English. The education system greatly idolizes the relation between the Natives and Colonizers as one of friendship, however the Europeans took advantage of their power to suppress the indigenous tribes. Before the British colonized the Americas, Indigenous tribes lived peacefully on the land in harmony with their tribes and nature. Their sacred customs and beliefs were practiced and displayed. However, white colonizers saw strong Indigenous cultural identity as a threat to their own power and success and responded with violence. Colonizers stole their lands and forced Indigenous people into smaller and smaller reservation areas that were insufficient for survival and hindered the continuance of their tribal practices. Over time, they continued to whittle down the land belonging to Indigenous groups leaving them with even less land and resources. As Europeans continued to take over new land and gain power, they resorted to genocide to tragically kill an estimated 8 million Indigenous people. Many of these deaths occurred through the spread of European disease to which the Indigenous people had no immunity. Asian Americans Throughout the early 1940’s, 10 Japanese Internment Camps were opened. They were located in California, Arizona, Utah, Arkansas, Wyoming, and Colorado. Nearly 120,000 Japanese Americans, some being second or third generation, were gathered up and placed into these camps by the government as a means to prevent espionage during World War II. Throughout America’s history, Asian Americans have faced racism, especially in terms of immigration. In the 19th century, the United States promoted a “white-only” immigration policy. Asian Americans were seen as dirty and uncivilized to white Americans. Along with the promulgation of these xenophobic notions came the passing of the Chinese Exclusion Act, which prohibited the immigration of Chinese individuals. This was the first race-based act of immigration legislation to exist in the Americas. During World War II, those of Japanese descent faced mass incarceration into internment camps under Franklin Roosevelt's executive order due to unsupported suspicions of espionage for the enemy following the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Racism against Asian Americans was once again highlighted in 2020 with the Covid-19 outbreak. Many faced discrimination and prejudice due to the virus having origins in China, despite the fact that AAPI individuals do not have any responsibility for the tragic illness. Black Americans In the Supreme Court case, Plessy v Ferguson, the Supreme Court determined that the practice of “separate but equal” was constitutional as segregation alone did not violate the constitution. However, later on, the case of Brown v Board of Education abolished this practice when the Supreme Court ruled that segregation in schools was unconstitutional. (Library of Congress) The history of racism towards Black individuals in America began in 1619 with the start of the slave trade. Nearly 7 million Africans were enslaved and sent to America. White colonizers took advantage of African Americans and used them as a source of free labor. They would work the slaves in horrible conditions and provide severe consequences if they stepped out of line. Like what was done to the Indigenous people, slave owners also stripped African slaves of their culture and heritage by prohibiting communication and the use of their native languages. They also kept them in captivity by prohibiting slaves from learning to read or write which made escaping nearly impossible. This serves as one of the first examples of systemic discrimination that kept oppressed groups in a subordinate position through unequal accessibility. Following the American Revolution, Black Americans still faced great discrimination and segregation as the White majority did not accept them as members of their society. Every resource, from schools to water fountains, was segregated, reinforcing the American idea that White Americans were superior to Black Americans. It was during this time the discriminatory dictum “separate but equal” was coined. Despite the inclusion of the word “equal”, resources Black individuals received were nowhere near equal to those of White individuals. For example, they received used schoolbooks and had no funding. Fast forward to present-day America and we still see racism against the Black population through police brutality and systemic oppression. Black individuals are nearly three times more likely to be killed by a police officer than white people. This is due to systematic prejudice within the police force, as well as society, that still views Black individuals as being inherently more violent without any evidence. Hispanic Americans Hispanic Americans, though not often at the forefront of conversations surrounding racism, still faced discrimination in the U.S. due to their roots. Anti-Hispanic attitudes began to take hold in the mid-to-late 1800s. Scholars often point the beginnings of these oppressive beliefs to the Mexican-American war that provided the U.S. 55% of the Mexican territory. This was a tumultuous time for many Mexican individuals whose identity was suddenly thrown into uncertainty as they were no longer considered citizens of Mexico and instead were citizens of the U.S. Pictured is Olvera street, a Mexican market popular during the early 1900s. This market served as the location for a raid in which around 400 people were arrested and deported to Mexico. (Wikimedia Commons) As time passed and political contention increased in Mexican politics, many Mexican citizens found themselves emigrating to the U.S., where attitudes regarded Mexican Americans as “lazy, stupid, and undeserving”. It’s because of these attitudes that many Americans began to have deep-rooted anti-Hispanic beliefs, and some even turned to mob violence. This outbreak of mob violence became widespread in the late 1800s and early 1900s targeting Mexican Americans from all gender and age groups. The great depression became a time of extreme anti-Hispanic beliefs. As unemployment rates increased, the belief that those of Hispanic backgrounds were “stealing jobs” became prominent. States began to pass immigration legislation targeting Hispanic individuals. One such example is Colorado, which forced anyone who spoke Spanish or even “looked” Hispanic to leave. Fighting Racism Fighting against racism is a difficult uphill battle as it is deeply rooted in our society. However, we have seen a general increase in tolerability and equality, especially with younger generations fighting for social change. Here are some important steps individuals can take to reshape how our society views other races: Education . Learning about other races and cultures and the history of their fight against racism can promote acceptance. Acceptance can also be promoted by studying and conversing about how discriminatory notions took hold and became widespread. Recognizing and accepting one's privilege and utilizing that privilege to promote the voices and ideas of oppressed populations. This doesn’t only apply to White people. Colorism is also a problem in race relations, and it’s imperative we come to understand our conceptions of skin tone and the effect they have on perceptions. Find your own implicit biases . While we may not initially realize some of the prejudices we hold, by acknowledging them rather than denying them, we can actively work to reduce them. Being antiracist through actions. Many of us are likely to come across racist statements at some point, and it’s important to not ignore these statements but to speak about them. Talk about the negative effects they have and how they proliferate into acts of extreme xenophobia. Racist statements are breeding grounds for extremism, so we must stop the problem at the root. Fighting against racism may be a new and uncomfortable topic that many are just now facing, but it is important to remember that some people have been directly facing the consequences of racism for centuries, and it will take not only personal but also great systemic changes in order to overcome racism in America. References Blakemore, E. (2017, September 27). The long history of anti‑Latino Discrimination in America . History. https://www.history.com/news/the-brutal-history-of-anti-latino-discrimination-in-america Christina Marie Noel. (2020, June 3). 4 Steps That I and Other White People Can Take to Fight Racism . Medium; B The Change. https://bthechange.com/4-steps-we-can-take-as-white-people-to-fight-racism-a582e826eb92 History.com Editors. (2018, November 16). Black History Milestones: Timeline . HISTORY; HISTORY. https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/black-history-milestones Merriam-Webster Dictionary . (2019). Merriam-Webster.com. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/racism PBS NewsHour. (2020, April 9). The long history of racism against Asian Americans in the U.S. PBS NewsHour. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/the-long-history-of-racism-against-asian-americans-in-the-u-s The Legacy of Injustices Against Native Americans - NETWORK Advocates . (2019, March 29). NETWORK Advocates. https://networkadvocates.org/recommittoracialjustice/legacy/