GLSEN Coming to a Theater Near You!

New York, NY – The Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, or GLSEN, today announced that a new “Teach Respect” public service announcement (PSA) featuring Judy Shepard is hitting theaters around the country beginning Friday, April 2, 2004. The PSA will run in theaters for three weeks and features Ms. Shepard, the mother of Wyoming college student Matthew Shepard who was murdered in a hate crime.

Take Action for Safer Schools at www.teachrespect.com!

“We are pleased to bring this stirring PSA to a wide audience in order to bring attention to the often frightening environments of bullying, violence and harassment faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students in our schools,” noted GLSEN founder and executive director Kevin Jennings. “This PSA serves as a call to action by encouraging viewers to take part

Judy Shepard

in the Safe Schools Action Network at www.TeachRespect.com, a growing grassroots movement working to ensure safe schools for all students.”

In the PSA, Judy Shepard, sitting alone in a classroom, directly addresses the camera and says, "Two young men went to school and learned it was OK to hate. Because of them, my son is dead. Isn't it time to teach our kids something new?"

Viewers are encouraged to visit www.TeachRespect.com to learn what they can do to end anti-LGBT bias and harassment in America’s schools and to take part in GLSEN’s Safe Schools Action Network. The action network allows users to communicate directly with education decision makers including school superintendents, Congress and the White House.

GLSEN has worked with the company Screenvision to secure theaters in major markets around the country. Los Angeles based Public Interest Productions helped to produce the PSA. In addition to theaters, the PSA will be available on Friday, April 2, 2004, on GLSEN’s website, www.glsen.org, and by visiting www.TeachRespect.com. Complete copies of the PSA, along with digital stills for print, can be obtained by contacting GLSEN at msims@glsen.org.

About GLSEN
GLSEN, or the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, is the leading national education organization focused on ensuring safe schools for all lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender 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 agenda, student organizing programs or development initiatives, visit www.glsen.org.