Wellesley High School has multiple resources to serve its lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning (LGBTQ+) students.

The school sets policies in accordance with the state of Massachusetts’ Access to Equal Education Opportunity Regulations, which prohibits discrimination. The regulations read in part:

“No person shall be excluded from or discriminated against in admission to a public school of any town, or in obtaining the advantages, privileges and courses of study of such public school on account of race, color, sex, gender identity, religion, national origin or sexual orientation.”

Bathrooms, pronouns, names

Bathrooms: Gender-neutral bathrooms are located on each floor around the corner from the large, main, single-gender bathrooms. Students may also use the lavatories in the nurse’s office. The gender-neutral bathroom on the first floor remains open after school and for evening events in the school building.

Pronouns: Students set their pronouns in Canvas as part of their Raider email signature.

Name changes: Students who would like to be addressed by a name other than their legal name can have this name added to their Powerschool account. Students can either see their school counselor or a member of the technology department to make the change. Parents/guardians must be informed of this but, under state regulations, their approval is not required.

Students can either self-inform their teachers of the change, or ask their school counselor to do so. Students should be aware that substitutes and other building staff may not be aware of the name by which they would prefer to be addressed.

WHS organizations and clubs

A.L.L. (Analyzing LGBTQ+ Literature)
Advisor: Ms. DeOliveira
A safe space where students discuss queer media (including novels, songs, films, and TV shows) written by and/or about queer people. This club provides students with an opportunity to analyze a variety of texts in a fun and engaging way. Mondays after school, room 310.

GLoW: Gay Lesbian or Whatever (GLoW)
Advisor: Kathy Brophy
Open to all students who wish to examine and help eliminate homophobia at the high school, as well as to raise awareness of important issues that affect the LGBTQ community in school. Activities and training include discussions and debates, videos and movies, trust-building activities and event planning. Annual “traditions” include: outreach to the Middle School and to WHS health classes; sponsoring speakers who address hot topics such as transgendered life, coming out, and examining identity; hosting a coffee house; and organizing the Day of Silence. Thursdays after school, room 211.

LBGTQ+ Student Environment Team (SET)
Advisor: Ms. Carpenter
An advocacy group that works to improve the school experience for students who are LGBTQ+ (including students who are nonbinary, genderqueer, or gender non-conforming). In past years the group has worked on designing a PD curriculum for teachers, advocating for gender neutral bathrooms, and volunteering for outreach to WHS Health classes. The group meets on Tuesdays after school, room 248.

Additional community resources for LGBTQ+ youth and allies can be found in the Community Resources section of the student handbook.

Community resources

National Gay, Lesbian Bi and Transgender Youth Hotline–888-843-4564

OUT MetroWest
Builds communities where LGBTQ+ youth thrive. Multiple programs offered each week for LGBTQ+ youth as well as programs for families and educational offerings for the community.

PFLAG
A group of parents, families, friends, and LBGTQ+ people who help create an environment of understanding through support, education, and advocacy so that LBGTQ family members and friends can live in a world that is safe and inclusive.

The Trevor Project
The world’s largest suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for LBGTQ young people.

More resources here.