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What to Do if You Think Your Rights Have Been Violated

1. Keep a Record

Having a record of what happened can make a big difference if you want to take action. If you feel that your school is violating your rights, it will be very important to have records of what happened, as well as all the steps you have taken. This could include notes on conversations you have with the school, any instances of discrimination you have experienced or witnessed, how the school responded, etc.

Many people think that only physical items can be evidence. This is not correct. Your own statements and testimony, emails, photos, and notes to yourself can often all be used as evidence.

In order to keep careful records:

Keep all photos, videos, and anything you receive in writing (for example, emails, letters, notices).
Write down your own notes on any incident and interaction. While the interaction is happening, it might not be safe to take notes. But it is a good idea to try to remember as many details as you can and to write them down as soon as possible after the incident, in the order in which they happened. You should also record the date of the note.
For each incident or interaction, write down:

    1. the names of people involved, and the names of people you had conversations with about the incident;
    2. the date, time, and place of the incident;
    3. what was said or promised;
    4. other details of what happened.
When interactions take place in person (and if you feel it safe and appropriate), it is a good idea to send an email afterwards to the person you spoke to summarizing the contents of the conversation. This then becomes a written record that you can also keep.

Example: You ask to start a GSA at your school. You have brought your request to the principal, but the school keeps putting it off and finding reasons to postpone your request. First, they say they can’t find a room for you to meet in, and then they can’t find a teacher supervisor. You’re getting frustrated, and wonder if your school is creating obstacles on purpose to prevent you from having a GSA. You go to speak to your principal, who tells you that they still haven’t found an appropriate teacher to supervise the GSA. After school that day, you send the principal a respectful email to confirm the details of your conversation, including both what you said, and what the principal said. That way, you have a written confirmation of when you spoke to the principal, what you spoke about, and how they responded.

Important

This Guide only provides general information—it does not provide legal advice for your specific situation the way that lawyers and legal clinics can. In the Resources section at the end of this Guide, you will find queer-positive organizations you can contact for assistance, support, and legal help.

If you think that your rights have been violated, and you are considering what to do next, please see the section entitled “What to Do if You Think Your Rights Have Been Violated”.