GLSEN is governed by a national board of directors who are ultimately responsible for the organization. The Board establishes GLSEN's mission, strategic imperatives, and public policy platform. The Board hires the Executive Director and delegates the development and implementation of programs to fulfill these objectives to him or her and the staff he or she hires.
GLSEN believes that a quality Kindergarten through 12th grade education is a fundamental right in a democratic society, and calls upon federal, state and local governments to adequately fund K-12 public schools so that all students have access to a quality, discrimination-free education in their communities. GLSEN advocates for the following, with the understanding that adequate funding helps to enhance the efforts to achieve these goals:
- GLSEN affirms the right of all students in publicly-funded K-12 schools to an education free of discrimination and harassment, and calls upon public policy making bodies to ensure equal educational access by adopting and enforcing measurable non-discrimination and anti-harassment policies that include sexual orientation and gender identity/expression.
- GLSEN affirms the right of all students in parochial and private/independent schools to an education free from discrimination and harassment and calls upon the boards and administrators of these schools to ensure equal educational access by adopting and enforcing measurable non-discrimination and anti-harassment policies that include sexual orientation and gender identity/expression.
- GLSEN believes that learning about the diversity of humankind is an essential part of education in a democratic society, and affirms the right of students to learn in classroom environments that nurture diversity. GLSEN encourages schools to allow students in all grade levels access to curricula, trainings, texts and materials -- in all areas including but not limited to, history, literature, family life, sexuality and health education -- that are relevant, comprehensive, age-appropriate, medically-accurate and inclusive of sexual orientation and gender identity/expression. GLSEN calls upon public policy makers to remove any prohibitive laws that forbid or discourage in-school discussions of sexual orientation and gender identity/expression.
- GLSEN affirms the right of all students to participate safely and fully in all aspects of school life, including, but not limited to, school-sponsored co-curricular and extra-curricular programs and activities such as athletics, clubs, and school programs. GLSEN encourages the adoption of policies, procedures and trainings that ensure that these opportunities are made accessible to all students regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression.
- GLSEN affirms the right of all students to have accurate information relating to LGBT people, history, culture and ideas, and to have access to such information through school libraries, guidance, health services and all other resources. GLSEN encourages the adoption of policies, procedures and trainings that ensure that these educational opportunities are made accessible to all students regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression.
- GLSEN values the extraordinary leadership of young people and affirms the right of students to organize and lead school-supported Gay-Straight Alliances and other appropriate groups that address LGBT issues in schools.
- GLSEN believes that all school employees need pre-service and in-service training that includes accurate information about lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues and people. GLSEN calls upon boards and administrators to provide these trainings for current school employees and those studying to enter the profession as part of comprehensive training.
- GLSEN understands that all school employees best serve students when they have workplaces that are free from discrimination and harassment. GLSEN calls upon public policy makers to adopt and enforce measurable non-discrimination and anti-harassment policies that include sexual orientation and gender identity/expression.
- GLSEN supports the rights of all parents/families to participate in their children's school activities and calls upon public policy makers and school officials to adopt and enforce practices that recognize and support diverse families.
Adopted by GLSEN's National Board of Directors on February 18, 2001
