National Safe Schools Day is TODAY!

Back-to-school time conjures up images of bright yellow school buses, fresh pencils and notebooks, and green schoolyards to play in at recess. But this picturesque ideal ignores a sobering truth: America’s schools are not safe places for all students. According to GLSEN’s 2009 National School Climate Survey, 61.1% of LGBT students felt unsafe at school because of their sexual orientation and nearly one in five were physically assaulted (e.g., punched, kicked, injured with a weapon) because of their sexual orientation.

Tragic events in recent weeks remind us that there is so much work left to do in order to make schools safe and affirming places for all students. October 5th is National Safe Schools Day – an opportunity to spread awareness of the situation of our schools and work together to change the school environments that fail to protect our youth.

Across the country today – from Michigan to Massachusetts, from California to Arkansas – activists are organizing a variety of events to champion this important cause. The Safe Schools Action Network is hosting a rallies in various cities, including Washington, DC, to support local safe schools campaigns.

Can't be in our nation’s capital for the rally? There’s plenty of work you can do in your own community! Check out GLSEN’s guide on making a positive difference in the wake of multiple tragedies across the country in the past few weeks.

Celebrate National Safe Schools Day on October 5th by taking action to make America’s schools respectful, affirming, and safe places for all students.