Stand Up for Students: Stop the Erasure and Mistreatment of Our Children in Schools

We are at a pivotal moment in American education. Recent policies, like the January 29, 2025, Executive Order to literally erase references to gender, equity, and inclusion in public health materials, threaten to dismantle the foundational values of care, safety, and fairness in our schools. These actions are not about protecting anyone—they are about erasing some of us - and they will undoubtedly be applied to schools.

We must not stand silent and passive as these policies force educators to:

Erase identities – Denying the existence of marginalized groups like transgender youth sends a clear message: you are invisible and undeserving of recognition or safety.
Fail to protect – Without acknowledging identity-based disparities, schools cannot address harm, discrimination, or exclusion, violating their moral and legal obligations.
Ignore the law – Federal protections like Title VI and Title IX exist to ensure equity for all students. Policies that contradict these laws demand resistance, not compliance.

The stakes could not be higher. Erasure leads to mental health crises, increased vulnerability, and even loss of life. Nearly three-quarters of transgender youth already report poor mental health, and one in five has attempted suicide. These policies make an already dire situation worse.

This is not a partisan issue. It is a matter of fundamental decency and justice.

History shows us what happens when the law is used to oppress. From Jim Crow laws to assimilationist policies that targeted Indigenous peoples, the playbook is the same: disguise bigotry as "public interest." Today’s attempts to erase LGBTQ+ identities echo these dark chapters in history. We must not let history repeat itself.

What You Can Do:

We are asking for your support in imploring all school leaders to:

• Collaborate with legal experts to prepare schools to resist illegal and harmful orders.
• Uphold school mission statements that commit to equity, inclusion, and student well-being.
• Educate communities on the true implications of these policies and the harm they cause.
• Protect every student so they feel seen, valued, and safe in their schools.

This is not just about what history will say—it is about how the children we are supposed to love and protect will remember and judge us.

Join Us in Taking a Stand
Refuse to comply with orders that harm children. Join others across the country in standing up for the safety, dignity, and humanity of every student.

Please add your name in support of this urgent call to action.

For the full statement, visit carloshoyt.com.

To every child in America: We see you. We value you. We will fight for you. To every school leader: Please do the right thing—right now.