GLSEN's Statement on Fulton v. Philadelphia

A statement from Melanie Willingham-Jaggers, GLSEN Interim Executive Director

"Today’s ruling was a blow to LGBTQ+ families in Philadelphia to be sure, but the news isn’t all bad -- thankfully the court’s limited ruling does not extend a free pass to other agencies to discriminate. As an advocate for LGBTQ+ youth who urgently need strong nondiscrimination protections, I’m relieved to see that the Court firmly refuses to extend sweeping exemptions and affirms the need for consistent policies and government. Community leaders will continue to be able to develop and enforce nondiscrimination protections in their communities, and we will continue to fight to ensure that all districts and schools have inclusive policies in place for LGBTQ+ families. This ruling shows us once again the need for comprehensive protections like the Equality Act at the federal level. LGBTQ+ families in Philadelphia deserve the same rights and opportunities as families in other cities and states, and we all deserve to live our lives free of discrimination."

About GLSEN
GLSEN works to create safe and inclusive schools for all. GLSEN envisions a world in which every child learns to respect and accept all people, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity and/or gender expression. Each year, GLSEN programs and resources reach millions of students and educators in K-12 schools, via action at the national, state and local level. Since 1990, GLSEN has improved conditions for LGBTQ students across the United States and helped launch an international movement to address LGBTQ+ issues in education.