FAQs: About GLSEN

Sep 21, 2006

GLSEN, or the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network, is a national education organization working to ensure safe schools for ALL students, regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity.

What is GLSEN's vision?

GLSEN envisions a world in which every child learns to accept and respect all people, regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity/expression.

What does GLSEN do?

In support of our overall vision, GLSEN's work can be briefly described in this way:

1. Convince education leaders and policymakers of the urgent need to address anti-LGBT behavior and bias in our schools.

2. Protect students by advancing comprehensive and effective safe schools law and policies.

3. Empower principals to make their schools safe places to learn.

4. Build the skills of educators to teach respect for all people.

Is anti-LGBT (or anti-gay) bullying and harassment a real problem in our schools?

Anti-LGBT name-calling, bullying and harassment are serious problems in America's schools. What should be a safe place for learning is instead a dangerous and isolating place for many students - gay and straight alike - who regularly face anti-LGBT verbal and physical attacks.

Our National School Climate Survey found that more than 4 out of 5 LGBT students experience verbal, physical and sexual harassment frequently or often in their schools. A 2005 national report from GLSEN and Harris Interactive found that a majority of teachers and students across America identify bullying as a "serious problem" in their schools. 65% of America's students report they have experiences bullying with the most common reasons for bullying being students' physical appearance and their real or perceived sexual orientation.

Fortunately these same studies found that inclusive anti-bullying and harassment policies, supportive faculty and the presence of school clubs like Gay-Straight Alliances - all core elements of GLSEN's work - are factors related to safer schools, better school performance and higher student aspirations.

For more on GLSEN research, please visit www.glsen.org/surveys or contact GLSEN's Research Department Director at research@glsen.org.

How can I support GLSEN's vision and work?

There are many ways to support GLSEN's work as a GLSEN Ambassador. To find out more about supporting our work financially as an individual donor, corporate sponsor or to find out if your employer matches your individual gift, visit the development pages at www.glsen.org/donate.

As parents, students and educators, we can all play a role in making anti-LGBT name-calling, bullying and harassment unacceptable in America�s schools.

As a PARENT, you can:

• LEARN: GLSEN's National School Climate Survey is the most comprehensive study of the school-related experiences of our nation's LGBT youth. By studying the still dangerous climate in our schools, you can better learn how to change it.
• READ: Always My Child: A Parent's Guide to Understanding Your LGBT or Questioning Son or Daughter
• JOIN: Become a GLSEN Ambassador and be a part of the growing national movement to make schools safe for all students.
• Take action. Join GLSEN's SSAN Network on www.TeachRespect.com.

• ORGANIZE: Establishing a student club or Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) is the most direct and powerful way to establish a presence in your school and community. GLSEN's student organizing department offers support, guidance and inspiration for all students as they work to make their schools safer. For detailed information on how to start and support a GSA, visit the Jump-Start Library.
• PARTICIPATE: Events such as the Day of Silence, Ally Week and No Name-Calling Week are powerful and direct actions that bring national attention to name-calling, bullying and harassment and the goal of safe schools. At Day of Silence, you can find out how to join in the nation's largest single day of student-led action. Visit www.nonamecallingweek.org for more on this inspiring national school event.
• Take action. Join GLSEN's SSAN Network on www.TeachRespect.com.

• UNDERSTAND: Dealing with Legal Matters Surrounding Students' Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity is a groundbreaking resource sent to every high school principal in the country. In it, learn answers to common questions that arise in schools.
• CONNECT: By reaching out to your local GLSEN chapter, you can help forge important relationships between your school community and national efforts to ensure safe schools. Find out local GLSEN chapters in the chapter section of the website.
• TEACH: Now going into its third year, No Name-Calling Week seeks to call attention to the problem of name-calling in America's schools and to provide students and educators with the tools and inspiration to launch an on-going dialogue about ways to eliminate name-calling in their communities. You can learn more about the program at www.nonamecallingweek.org.