IECA Stands With the LGBTQ+ Community

IECA believes our members, students, parents, and those working in educational and therapeutic institutions should have equal access to human rights.

We know that efforts to limit LGBTQ+ identities or restrict LGBTQ+ people’s access to education or other essential services have detrimental academic, social, medical, and mental health impacts. We recognize the increased stress that many LGBTQ+ people face in their day-to-day lives at home, school, and work due to policies and laws that fall short of equal protection and that sanction discrimination.

Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access (IDEA) are vital to IECA’s success, and we will always promote a culture that celebrates and respects all forms of diversity. We are committed to creating a safe, inclusive, and equitable environment for all. We invite our members to learn about the history of the LGBTQ+ community’s lack of rights and how standing up for itself through protest became Pride.

How We Will Do This

As part of this commitment, we pledge to listen to and provide support for our LGBTQ+ members, foster understanding and acceptance through educational initiatives, implement educational best practices for members working with LGBTQ+ students and families, establish platforms for open dialogue, and form alliances with LGBTQ+ organizations.

National and Community Organizations

To educate yourself or volunteer in your community, reach out to your local chapter of any of these organizations:

  • Equality Federation Institute
  • National Center for Transgender Equality
  • The Trevor Project
  • PFLAG
  • GLSEN
  • ACLU

IECA Statement on Systemic Racism

To IECA Members and our Affiliated Schools, Colleges, & Programs,

We at IECA are outraged, frustrated, and deeply saddened by the senseless deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor—and the many victims of social injustice, oppression, and police brutality who preceded them. The violence against black communities, disproportionate loss of life due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and increased economic hardship has shone a light on the great inequities and systemic racism deeply ingrained in our society. This has been a difficult, but necessary, reminder that we are not yet living in a post-racial world.

IECA condemns all forms of racism and is committed to working toward a fair, just, and equitable society. We believe that everyone deserves the same opportunities and access to healthcare and quality education, as well as equal treatment and respect from our government and elected officials, law enforcement, and the criminal justice system.

We grieve for the lives lost, and offer our support and empathy to our black students, members, and affiliated professionals. We support the courageous, peaceful, committed protestors who have demonstrated their civic rights and raised their voices for change. We believe Black Lives Matter, and we stand against recent atrocities as well as our national legacy of exclusion, intolerance, and injustice.

At IECA, we abide by our mission to help families of all backgrounds have access to skilled and ethical academic or therapeutic guidance, regardless of race, ethnicity, economic status, or zip code. We believe in the transformative power of education and are committed to making the road to adequately funded, well-administered, and high-quality education available to everyone. We look to ensure we’re demonstrating this commitment through our work with families, our partnerships with colleges, schools, and therapeutic programs, and the creation of equitable and inclusive resources.

There is much work to be done. We are charging our national office, membership, and board leadership to be more aware, responsive, and active in implementing our mission of promoting equity, fairness, and anti-racism. Join us in listening, in engaging in meaningful, difficult conversations, and in modeling leadership that is focused on unity, support, and action. Let’s use the opportunities and platforms available to us, as leaders in education. And let’s do our part to enact real change and raise the next generations to be empathetic, informed, and prepared to fight for social justice.