GLSEN Northern New Jersey’s Statement Addressing Attack on Transgender Stud
Attack on Transgender Student
GLSEN Northern New Jersey’s Statement Addressing Attack on Transgender Student
NEWARK, NJ (October 3, 2017) – "We, at GLSEN: Northern New Jersey, were sad and outraged to learn of the biased attack against a transgender student that occurred at East Side High School in Newark, NJ last week. We express our support and concern for the victim and the victim’s family. Violence, of any kind, is unacceptable in our schools; however, when someone is targeted specifically for who they are it is especially insidious. At GLSEN we work to ensure that all students, regardless of sexual orientation and/or gender identity, are safe and respected in schools. Our chapter leadership has met with school officials to provide our expertise, support, and guidance as they address this incident. We have plans to provide support to students and professional development to staff so that they can create safe spaces in their school that are free of anti-LGBTQ+ bias. We will also engage the district around the creation of policies that protect students from bias on the basis of sexual orientation and/or gender identity. We call on the entire student body and school community to aid us in this effort."
About GLSEN
GLSEN creates safe and affirming K-12 schools for all students. We envision a world in which every child learns to respect and accept all people, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, and/or expression. Each year, GLSEN programs and resources reach tens of thousands of K-12 schools across the United States, and our network of community-led chapters brings GLSEN’s expertise to local communities. GLSEN's progress and impact have won support for our work at all levels of education in the United States and sparked an international movement to ensure equality for LGBTQ students and respect for all in schools. For more information on GLSEN’s policy advocacy, student leadership initiatives, public education, research and educator training programs, please visit glsen.org.