Governors Across the Country Join GLSEN’s Rise Up Campaign

Governors Across the Country Join GLSEN's Rise Up Campaign, Pledge to Protect LGBTQ+ Youth

Today, Governors across the country joined GLSEN’s Rise Up campaign and released proclamations declaring their communities a safe and affirming place for LGBTQ+ youth.

Governors from Arizona, Colorado, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, and Washington State pledged to rise up for LGBTQ+ youth in their communities. Local electeds in California, Nevada, Washington State, North Carolina, and Florida also joined in supporting the campaign.

“Attacks against LGBTQ+ youth have become more frequent and more vicious, and we can’t wait to take action,” said GLSEN Executive Director Melanie Willingham-Jaggers (they/she). “We’re grateful for the leaders who have pledged to rise up in support of LGBTQ+ youth and policies that promote safe and inclusive schools. We stand in solidarity with LGBTQ+ youth and supportive parents and educators across the country, and we’re never going to stop fighting for safe, inclusive, and affirming learning environments for all students.”

“Leaving no one behind requires a community approach and relies on all of us working together,” a letter from Maryland Governor Wes Moore reads. “On behalf of the Moore-Miller administration and the people of Maryland, I want all young Marylanders in the LGBTQIA+ community to know that you are not alone and have my full support, always.”

“On behalf of the people of Maine, I write this letter in support of GLSEN's Rise Up for LGBTQI+ youth campaign,” reads a letter from Maine Governor Janet Mills, “Schools in Maine — and all over the country — must be free of the violence of racism, transphobia, homophobia, sexism, ableism, and all forms of systemic oppression. To that end, we must do everything in our power to ensure that all students have an equal educational opportunity, free of bullying, harassment, and discrimination.”

Since the kickoff of GLSEN’s Rise Up for LGBTQ+ Youth campaign, Governor Healy (MA) has proclaimed March 15 2023 as Rise Up for LGBTQI+ Youth in Schools Day, Governors Katie Hobbs (AZ) and Jared Polis (CO) have proclaimed the month of June 2023 as Rise Up for LGBTQ+ Youth Month, Governor Tim Walz (MN) has proclaimed June 23, 2023 as LGBTQ+ Youth Day, and Governor Jay Inslee (WA) has proclaimed the month of July 2023 as Rise Up for LGBTQ+ Youth Month.

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. 

Governors pledging to rise up for LGBTQ+ youth in their communities:

Katie Hobbs, Arizona
Jared Polis, Colorado
Muriel Bowser, D.C. Mayor
Janet Mills, Maine
Wes Moore, Maryland
Maura Healey, Massachusetts
Tim Walz, Minnesota
Kathy Hochul, New York
Phillip Murphy, New Jersey
Jay Inslee, Washington State

Mayoral proclamations: 

Ashville, North Carolina Mayor Esther Manheimer
Hillsborough, North Carolina Mayor Jenn Weaver
Tacoma, Washington Mayor Victoria R. Woodward
El Cerrito, California Mayor Lisa Motoyama
Las Vegas, Nevada Mayor Carolyn Goodman
Tampa, Florida Mayor Jane Castor
St Petersburg , Florida Mayor Ken Welch
Orlando, Florida Mayor Buddy Dyer
Ft Lauderdale, Florida Mayor Dean Trantalis
Miami Beach, Florida Mayor Dan Gelber
Tallahassee, Florida Mayor John Dailey
Gainesville, Florida Mayor Harvey Ward
Wilton Manors, Florida    Mayor Scott Newton
Hallandale, Florida Mayor Joy Cooper

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.