Vermont students tell Pass Education panel schools must protect LGBTQ+ youth, expand GSAs and diversity training

At a March 20, 2025 meeting of Pass Education, the panel paused its education-transformation work to hear students from across Vermont at Outright Vermont’s Youth Leadership Day.

The students urged the panel to protect LGBTQ+ youth in schools, expand gender-sexuality alliances (GSAs) and require diversity and anti-bullying training for staff. Several described repeated harassment and cited recent federal-level actions and local school responses as reasons state policymakers should act.

Ren Parker, a trans student from Parkford in Windsor County who identified herself as a three-season varsity athlete, said she experienced persistent backlash after reporting a coach’s comments about gender during competition. "I was the one who reported him to my coach," Parker said. She told the panel the coach later sued the school and the state and that "a designated hate group" backed and publicized his lawsuit; she said the coach’s account differed from hers. Parker asked the panel to "help protect us, protect trans students like me, protect our rights to play, to exist and thrive."

Izzy Hand, a senior at Blue Mountain Union School in Waldenburg and president of that school’s GSA, described a small pre-K–12 campus of about 400 students where homophobic language persists in hallways. "Since partnering with Outright, our staff has become more educated on LGBTQ+ language, pronouns," Hand said, and staff have begun speaking up when they hear slurs. Hand asked the panel to support more LGBTQ+ organizations working in schools so students are "safe" and to normalize inclusion in daily school life.

Other speakers recounted harassment and gaps in school responses. "They told me that what I was doing can be considered bullying," said Donna, a student from White River Valley High School, describing an investigation she began after recording repeated racist, homophobic and sexist comments by a peer. She said school officials later told her she could not discuss the investigation and that administrators ultimately concluded the peer’s conduct did not meet their standard for bullying.

Ally, who said she works with Umbrella in St. Johnsbury and attended Vermont schools, urged mandatory diversity education for teachers, saying she has "constantly witnessed disabled students, students with mental health issues, students that are part of the LGBTQ community, students of color" face hostility. Ezra Woodbury, a GSA member at Blue Mountain Union in Wells River, and Irina, a junior at Colchester High School, described school climates that either supported or excluded students; Irina told the panel, "This isn't about politics. It's about real people, real students, real futures."

Soltanika, who said she attended Randolph Union High School and moved to Vermont in 1998, said lack of local supports pushed her to leave Vermont earlier in life. She urged the panel to include youth leadership in education reform and cited research — she said — showing that even one teacher of color or an active GSA improves outcomes for all students.

Speakers raised broader concerns: several referenced federal executive actions they said could restrict school partnerships with LGBTQ+ organizations; students also asked for clearer explanations from schools when harassment complaints are not sustained. The panel listened but did not take formal action during the session.

The testimonies were delivered under Outright Vermont’s Youth Leadership Day format and reflect student experiences and requests for policy changes, training and stronger school supports. The panel did not vote on legislation or issue formal directives during the session.