GLSEN Helps Create Change at National Conference on LGBT Equality

LGBT issues in K-12 schools will be GLSEN's focus during a pre-conference workshop next week at Creating Change, the 23rd national conference on LGBT equality that will be held in Minneapolis.

This day-long institute will bring Safe Schools advocates and others committed to? Safe Schools up to speed on the latest issues in education policy, bullying prevention strategies and national education reform work and their implications for efforts to improve school climate and culture. With a complex system including local control, state mandates, and federal funding, U.S. schools can be incredibly difficult to navigate. To help that process, GLSEN staff will discuss the education landscape with the backing of our 10 years of research. We will look at interventions and solutions both in the schools and on the policy level.

One session will examine the successful efforts of the Gay Equality Team of the nearby Minnesota School District of Anoka Hennipan which was the site of several student tragedies this past year. GLSEN's Southern Maine chapter will co-present a workshop on student leadership and Ferial Pearson, GLSEN Educator of the Year, will speak about the role of supportive educators.

This interactive institute will help participants overcome roadblocks they may face in their efforts to combat anti-LGBT bias in schools. One way to do this is by demystifying the U.S. education system and providing concrete tools to engage with the system.

We hope to have strong attendance of both adult and youth participants. They will have the opportunity to learn how to advocate for and implement effective evidence-based actions at the state and local level from experienced advocates from all regions of the country.