Because of GLSEN I now have words, and actions, and a community.”
— Darid Prom
GLSEN was founded thirty years ago by a group of educators in New England who saw the harassment, bullying, and the way in which the conditions in K-12 schools took the light out of LGBTQ+ youths’ eyes.
Those teachers, who were gay, lesbian, and straight — decided that, even though they couldn't be out at work, they were going to show up boldly in order to create space and safety for the youth who were brave enough to come out, as well as for those who could not. Today, thanks to your support, there are thousands of teachers nationwide showing up for their students.
GLSEN is proud to work with them to make K-12 schools into safe, inclusive places for not only LGBTQ+ students, but for all students, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, and/or gender expression. We know that young people cannot learn when they don't feel safe in their heads, in their hearts or in their bodies, so we owe it to them to make sure that school is safe.
This report outlines the work your generosity makes possible, from providing professional development for those educators, to making LGBTQ+ inclusive books available to schools and libraries, to supporting 39 GLSEN Chapters nationwide who bring our programs and the fight for equality and justice for all students to their local communities.
On behalf of all the LGBTQ+ students who will no longer be bullied, whose self-esteem will improve because they will see themselves reflected in their classroom curriculum, and others who will walk proudly home with an improved GPA this school year – thank you for your support.
In solidarity,
Melanie Willingham-Jaggers Executive Director Pronouns: She, Her, Hers/They, Them, Theirs
Thank You
GLSEN is leading the national conversation on the experiences of LGBTQ+ youth in K-12 schools, and how to support them.
At a time when students need more help than ever feeling welcome in school and getting ready to learn, GLSEN finds itself in the crosshairs of the anti-LGBTQ+ community. Whether secret recordings of trainings or formal complaints directed at GLSEN, the organization is under attack, and so are its crucial resources.”
Young people may feel less safe coming out in this current political climate, so it is critical for teachers and school staff to express their support for LGBTQ+ youth and create an environment where students can feel safe sharing their identity without judgment or harassment.”
GLSEN is proud
to work with the Administration and members of Congress, along with state and local policy makers, to champion inclusion and safety in K-12 schools for all students.
I rise up for LGBTQ+ youth because...
“...every child deserves to be loved, cherished, and celebrated for who they are”.
— Speaker Nancy Pelosi
“...I am the proud mom of a trans daughter, and every child deserves to live as their authentic selves”.
— Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal
“...two out of every five Black LGBTQ+ students experience harassment or assault at school. They deserve a country that loves, treasures, and protects them”.
— Congresswoman Cori Bush
“...as a former educator, I know that every student deserves to feel safe and supported in the classroom”.
— Congresswoman Judy Chu
“...each and every student deserves to show up in the classroom as their full, authentic selves, free from bigotry, and without free from discrimination”.
— Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley
GLSEN Chapters empower and mobilize youth leaders to bring GLSEN’s visions, programs and resources to their local communities.
Your Support
RAINBOW LIBRARY
GLSEN’s Rainbow Library makes schools safer and more inclusive by providing them LGBTQ+ affirming books — for free!
Thanks to your generosity, we sent out 2,162 Rainbow Library sets during the 2021-2022 school year. This brings the cumulative number of schools reached to almost 3,000 across 28 states! Over 1.4 million students now have access to Rainbow Library books.
THE 2021 NATIONAL SCHOOL CLIMATE SURVEY
We released our 2021 National School Climate Survey, documenting the experiences of LGBTQ+ students during the 2020-2021 academic year, the first full year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Results show that anti-LGBTQ+ name-calling/ victimization is common and can have a devastating effect on educational success. However, LGBTQ+ affirming supports, specifically, supportive educators, comprehensive antibullying/harassment policies, GSAs, and positive LGBTQ+ curricular inclusion, have a positive effect on the lives of these young people. Looking at changes since our 2019 report, perhaps due to changes in schooling because of COVID, we saw a decrease in the affirmative supports available to LGBTQ+ students indicating schools now need to increase their efforts in supporting LGBTQ+ students as they return to in-person learning.
Support in Action
CHAPTER LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE
Over 100 GLSEN Chapter leaders gathered for a two-part convening of skill building, learning and sharing at GLSEN’s annual Chapter Leadership Institute. CLI helps deepen our capacities for local organizing to build schools and communities that celebrate, serve and affirm all young people. Combined, the sessions celebrated the collective work of GLSEN Chapters, helped chapter leaders develop new skills, and focused on strategic planning for the upcoming year.
It was clear that whether they’re supporting local administrators, teachers, and GSA’s; meeting state legislators to advocate for inclusive policies or fight discriminatory ones; or comforting LGBTQ youth who feel isolated and alone, GLSEN Chapter leaders are the backbone of our movement to ensure every LGBTQ+ student achieves their full academic potential.
TRAINING OF TRAINERS
GLSEN Training of Trainers (ToT) workshops for educators/community organizers were held to assist them in developing trainings to make schools safer and more affirming for LGBTQ+ students. The 50+ attendees join the hundreds of certified trainers already qualified to facilitate professional development sessions that teach LGBTQ+ inclusion in their communities.
This training was revamped to meet the new challenges LGBTQ+ youth are facing, including the targeting of trans youth, the banning of LGBTQ+ affirming books, and the new laws that prohibit educators from acknowledging the existence of families with same sex parents or caregivers.
Protect, Affirm, & Empower LGBTQ + Students
Every
Ways to Give
supportive,
student has the right to a safe,
and LGBTQ+ inclusive education.
our nation’s K-12
and harassment and
Please donate now to protect our most vulnerable students.
With your gift, together we can transform
schools into the safe and affirming environment all youth deserve — one free from bullying
where all identities are valued and affirmed.
GLSEN is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization and contributions are fully tax-deductible to the extent of the law. Tax ID: 04-3234202
online, and
it, please visit www.glsen.org Become a major donor by joining the GLSEN Honor Society Fundraise for GLSEN Make a one-time gift Remember GLSEN in your will/estate planning by joining the Weiland Society Amazon contributes 0.5% of qualified purchases to GLSEN every time you buy with AmazonSmile Join the Dean’s List, our monthly giving club Make a gift in honor or memory of someone Visit www.glsen.org/ donate to make a gift today
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