An Insider's Look at How GLSEN Celebrates the Winter Holidays

Like every other workplace, the GLSEN staff came together to celebrate the upcoming winter holidays. Our Public Policy staff in Washington, DC joined us for the day-long holiday party. Here's a behind-the-scenes look at how we bring in the holiday season. This year's holiday party gave staff the chance to exercise a different kind of skill set than what is normally used at GLSEN. Throughout the day, staff took part in a lively Wii competition (a la Michael Jackson: The Experience and Dance Dance Revolution) and competed in several rounds of Apples to Apples, Catch Phrase, and old-fashioned darts.

The competition is fierce.

A make-shift photo booth was set up to capture some memorable moments. But we'll let our fair-minded readers be the final judges.

Say "Hello!" to some of our Communications staff

Every year, GLSEN's holiday party includes a Silent Auction where staff bring a small item (new or gently used) for others to bid on. Proceeds raised from the annual auction are donated to a local organization that directly serves the LGBT community. Some of the items up for bidding included:

 

    • Yoshitomo Nara Wood Prints
    • Legalize Trans T-Shirt
    • 15 awesome CDs in German
    • Knitting lessons
    • Battlestar Gallactica (Seasons 1-3)
    • Handmade scarf
    • Issey Miyake body products
    • World map
    • Restoration Hardware foot duvets
    • A Bengali lunch
  • Fish mold

Over $500 was raised from the staff's Silent Auction to benefit The Ali Forney Center, a LGBT youth homeless shelter based in New York. The organization offers additional services including a drop-in center, medical care, employment assistance, counseling and transitional housing. As GLSEN gets ready for the winter holidays, we asked a handful of our staff to answer the following question:  

 

"What’s oneof your favorite things to do during the winter holidays?"

Here are some of their answers: Ashley, Accounting Manager: I love to dress up my cats andtake photos of them posing with the gifts under the tree.

La-Trinnia, Constituent Relationship Manager: My dad and I pile all 15 of my niecesand nephews in the van and drive around checking out theneighborhood Christmas decorations and drinking hot chocolate.

 

Brian M., Online Strategies Manager: Myfamily makes æbleskiver. It’s supposed to be a Danish dessert, but we usually can’t wait and eat them all Christmas morning. Ian, Special Events and Online Giving Manager: Wandering through the Holiday fairs while listening to“All I want for Christmas is You,” on repeat. Kris, Executive Assistant: My best friend and I prepare a huge Christmas feast forfriends, family, and community members who will be here in New York for theholiday. Brian S., Major and Planned Gifts Manager: Everyyear I look forward to driving to Ohio for a 3 day marathon of family Christmasparties, lots of eggnog, and hopefully snow.

Emily, Senior Research Associate: Ialways make chocolate fondue on New Year's Eve. Chocolate covered strawberriesgo great with champagne! Kiwi, Community Initiatives Associate: As an atheist, the holidays don't have anyspiritual significance for me, but I appreciate the opportunity theyprovide to bring my family together. I also have a soft spot for watchingRudolph on TV. Thank you to all of our readers for being a part of GLSEN's work to create safe and respectful schools for all students. The work we've been able to carry out for more than 20 years has only been possible because of your generosity and unwavering belief in our mission.  

 

Your continued support will allow us to reach more students, educators and policymakers with the tools and resources they need to ensure that school climates allow every student the ability to grow and discover their potential.

 

 

And don't forget to connect with us on your winter break. Let us know how you're spending the holidays by sending us a tweet on Twitter at @glsen or by leaving us a message on the GLSEN Facebook page.

 

 

On behalf of all of the GLSEN staff, we wish you a happy and healthy holiday!