Students Across the Country Take “Pledge” to be Allies

Sep 19, 2005

Inaugural Ally Week recognizes the importance of allies in safer schools movement

New York, NY – Ally Week, the newest project of The Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network, or GLSEN, officially kicked off in schools nationwide today. More than 300 student clubs have registered their participation in Ally Week, a week-long action that seeks to empower straight students, faculty and administration to be allies in making anti-lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) name-calling, bullying and harassment unacceptable in K-12 schools.

"Allies have always been an integral part of the safer schools movement," said GLSEN Founder and Executive Director Kevin Jennings. "As this project seeks to encourage straight allies to make a visible stand, it also celebrates their key role in ensuring safer schools for all students."

Students are participating in Ally Week by wearing stickers and passing out cards that ask students to make a yearlong commitment to:

1. Not use anti-LGBT language or slurs
2. Intervene, when possible, in situations where other students are using anti-LGBT language or harassing other students
3. Actively support safer schools efforts.

Chris Sailas, a student organizer from Colorado noted, "Our [student] club is going to all of the other clubs and organizations explaining to them what Ally Week is and why it is so important. I know we will have many, many pledge cards signed!"

GLSEN’s 2003 National School Climate Survey found that more than 4 out 5 LGBT students routinely experience verbal, sexual and physical harassment at school. Ally Week is another way students and their allies are making anti-LGBT name-calling, bullying and harassment unacceptable in America’s schools.

About GLSEN
GLSEN, or the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, now in its 10th year, 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 educator resources, public policy agenda, student organizing programs, research or development initiatives, visit www.glsen.org.