Governor Whitmer and Governor Pritzker Join GLSEN’s Rise Up Campaign

Governor Whitmer and Governor Pritzker Join GLSEN’s Rise Up Campaign, Pledge to Protect LGBTQ+ Youth

Today, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker joined GLSEN’s Rise Up campaign and released proclamations declaring Michigan and Illinois communities a safe and affirming place for LGBTQ+ youth. 

“Governor Whitmer and Governor Pritzker have long been supporters of the LGBTQ+ community, and we’re thrilled to see them rise up for LGBTQ+ youth in Michigan and Illinois,” said GLSEN Executive Director Melanie Willingham-Jaggers (they/she). “As attacks become more frequent and more intense, we stand in solidarity with LGBTQ+ youth and supportive parents and educators, and we’re never going to stop fighting for safe, inclusive, and affirming learning environments for all students.”

Whitmer and Pritzker join 10 other Governors from across the country in supporting GLSEN’s Rise Up campaign via proclamation, resolution, or letter of support.

GLSEN’s Rise Up for LGBTQ+ Youth campaign calls on every adult and ally in a position of authority who supports equal educational opportunity and believes that schools must be free from transphobia, homophobia, racism, and all forms of bigotry and discrimination to rise up and say so. 

About GLSEN

GLSEN is a multi-racial, intergenerational LGBTQ+ organization working nationally and locally to transform K-12 educational systems in the United States. 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.