
GLSEN Freedom Fellowship
Who we are looking for:
The GLSEN Freedom Fellowship is intended for young adults aged 18 and 25 years. With a focus on their region, Freedom fellows learn, organize, and mobilize chapters in support of our mission. This fellowship is a unique opportunity to dive deep into regional needs; drawing on social justice movement history, and exploring organizing opportunities that can make schools a safer place for LGBTQ+ students.
What is GLSEN:
GLSEN has been championing LGBTQ+ issues in K-12 education since 1990. GLSEN works to ensure that LGBTQ+ students are able to learn and grow in a school environment free from bullying and harassment. Together we can transform our nation's schools into the safe and affirming environment all youth deserve.
What is the GLSEN Chapter Network:
GLSEN Chapters are community-based groups of people who work to bring GLSEN’s programs and visions to their communities. They are supported in their work by the GLSEN national offices in New York City and Washington, DC. There are currently 44 GLSEN Chapters serving communities large and small around the country.
Chapter leaders are a range of people from students to parents, teachers to administrators, and any other local community members who have an interest in ensuring safe schools for all. All Chapters work within GLSEN’s mission, vision, and policy platform but no two Chapters have exactly the same list of projects. Local programs include professional development for educators, GSA support and networking, student leadership development, community outreach, and local, state, and federal safe schools legislative advocacy.
Fellow Requirements
- 18-25 years old.
- Dedicated to the GLSEN mission.
- Lived experience of being an LGBTQ+ student in United States education systems.
- Prior experience with a GLSEN Chapter or GLSEN national programming.
- Experience working with organizations and teams, building coalitions, organizing digitally, and supporting LGBTQ+ students.
- The GLSEN Freedom Fellowship prioritizes recent high school graduates, Black and brown LGBTQ+ students, and trans and nonbinary student organizers.
Your Responsibilities:
- Commit to upholding the vision, mission, and values of GLSEN.
- Serve for a term of twelve months.
- Work an average time of 10–12 hours/week.
- Meet weekly with Community Mobilization Manager for 1-hour check-ins.
- Meet with Fellowship cohort bi-weekly (45-60 min).
- Work as the point person in your region for Chapter support. Which will include meeting with your Chapters to build one to one understanding for your region.
- Present back a major activity or program that reflects your region, i.e., identify a program that regionally solves a roadblock that is occurring.
- Support the expansion of the GLSEN Chapter Network by working with communities to form steering committees that will organize to become fully accredited GLSEN Chapters.
- Work in partnership with the community mobilization manager to develop your project that you will present back to the region at the end of your fellowship.
- Join in strategic planning, team-building, and other assistive activities.
- Participate in check-in/assessment during the twelve-month term as a fellowship cohort.
Training & Support:
- Onboarding training to build cohort cohesion, train, and provide tools for the fellowship.
- Once a month training is provided to the fellowship cohort.
- One to one skill development
- Regional organizing experience
- Partnership development
- Program and presentation experience
Compensation:
Each fellow will be provided with a $25,000 stipend for the twelve-month experience beginning January 2023.
APPLICATIONS FOR THE FREEDOM FELLOWSHIP ARE CURRENTLY CLOSED.