GLSEN Honors Dr. Neal Baer, Greg Berlanti, Hon. James C. Hormel, Hon. Sheila Kuehl at Respect Awards – L.A. Presented by Cisco Systems

NEW YORK – GLSEN, the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, honored four individual leaders Friday – Dr. Neal Baer, Greg Berlanti, the Hon. James C. Hormel and California Senator Sheila Kuehl – who have helped move forward GLSEN’s work to make schools safer for all students at the third annual Respect Awards – L.A. Presented by Cisco Systems at the Beverly Hills Hotel.

“GLSEN’s Respect Awards – Los Angeles recipients exemplify the various ways individuals can raise awareness about the need to ensure safe schools for all students,” said GLSEN Interim Executive Director Dr. Eliza Byard. “We are a step closer to the day when students learn to accept and respect all people because of the support of Dr. Neal Baer, Greg Berlanti, James C. Hormel and Sheila Kuehl. “

Dr. Neal Baer – Executive Producer of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, former Executive Producer of ER. Law & Order: SVU regularly features LGBT characters and has devoted several episodes to school harassment. Dr. Baer’s primary medical interests are in adolescent health, and he has written extensively for teens on issues including teen pregnancy, AIDS, drug and alcohol abuse and nutrition.

Greg Berlanti – Executive Producer of Brothers & Sisters, Creator and Executive Producer of Everwood, Executive Producer of Dawson’s Creek. The hit show Brothers & Sisters features authentic portrayals of LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) characters and made mention of GLSEN during its first season.

Hon. James C. Hormel – First openly gay man to represent the United States as an ambassador (Ambassador to Luxembourg). Hormel has devoted his life to the advocacy of basic human rights and social justice. In addition to his outstanding philanthropic support to GLSEN, Hormel has been instrumental in developing resources for organizations serving people affected by HIV and AIDS, substance abuse and breast cancer.

California State Senator Sheila Kuehl – Kuehl has been a legislative champion of safe schools, working tirelessly in the California State Legislature to strengthen protection for all students. Kuehl sponsored the California Student Safety and Violence Prevention Act of 2000, a groundbreaking law that added sexual orientation and gender identity to the list of prohibited biases for discrimination in publicly funded schools. California is one of only five states with such a policy.

About GLSEN
GLSEN, or the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, is the leading national education organization focused on ensuring safe schools for ALL students. Established nationally in 1995, GLSEN envisions a world in which every child learns to respect and accept all people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression. For more information on GLSEN’s educational resources, public policy and public education work, student organizing programs, research or development initiatives, visit www.glsen.org.