Your Advice for LGBTQ+ Students Heading Back to School

The best advice is the advice we’re able to source from our It Gets Better family. We asked, you answered – now you can send this to a student going back to school who you think might need to hear this.

Learn Queer history. Learn Black history. Learn Native American history. Learn history. Learn what has gone into making it possible for you to be who you are, with the amount of safety and support you have — even if it doesn’t feel like much. – Brandyn

To my young black feminine boy: be your authentic self, people will judge you, call you slurs, women will be jealous but don’t suppress your beauty. To my beautiful black bisexual boy: you don’t have to try so hard to suppress what you like, it’s okay to like boys. – Tyreece

Autistic queer here. Always being buried in a book saved me from a lot. And find your tribe. – @queerintech_

Something that three people told me that I now fully believe: “There is nothing wrong with you. You do not have to change who you are to be loved and respected. They were right. You will figure things out.” – Bert

Find at least one safe teacher you can go to. You can do this by finding the rainbow sticker on their door or by finding a sign in their room. – Sonia

Befriend the other little weirdos, they’re going to be the coolest adults (and so are you). Keep your eyes on the horizon, but also know for better or worse you’re never going to experience this time again, so try to make the most of it. – Patrick

So many people love you. Your teachers want to help — find the good ones. We are out there. – Deirdre

Find your people for support – whether at school or outside of school. You are loved and appreciated for who you are. Anyone that says otherwise doesn’t deserve to know you or your story. Your community is sending all the love and support to you everyday! – Amy

You don’t owe anyone anything. If you don’t feel safe to come out, that doesn’t make you any less queer. – Kayenta

Don’t think for one minute that being bullied should be tolerated. Find help, talk to friends about it. You have the right to be yourself. I also noticed when I stood up for myself, I was respected more. – Jason