The Department of Education (DepEd) released a gender-responsive basic education policy last June 29 that calls for an end to discrimination based on gender in schools.

     The policy will be an important step towards providing equality for all students but history shows that it is hard to make a difference for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) youth unless DepEd transforms it to be a protection.

     DepEd personnel and school administrators should make schools gender-responsive.

     The following steps are: training school personnel to respond to bullying and discrimination in schools; integrating gender, sexuality and human rights into teacher training programs and school curricular; and observing and celebrating Women’s Month, LGBT Pride Month.