National Student Council
GLSEN’s Mission
GLSEN strives to ensure that each member of every school community is valued and respected regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, and/or expression. We believe that such an atmosphere engenders a positive sense of self, which is the basis of educational achievement and personal growth. Since homophobia and heterosexism undermine a healthy school climate, we work to educate teachers, students and the public at large about the damaging effects these forces have on youth and adults alike.
We recognize that forces such as racism and sexism have similarly adverse impacts on communities and we support schools in seeking to redress all such inequities.
GLSEN seeks to develop school climates where difference is valued for the positive contribution it makes in creating a more vibrant and diverse community. We welcome any and all individuals as members, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and/or occupation, who are committed to seeing this philosophy realized in K-12 schools.

The 2017-2018 National Student Council Members in a closing circle at the 2017 summit
Summary of NSC
The National Student Council is a GLSEN-sponsored youth leadership and engagement program. It is open to all youth currently enrolled in high school in the United States. Members of the National Student Council dedicate their time, passion, and commitment to the safer schools mission while also elevating the voices of marginalized groups within the LGBTQ community, including (but not limited to) youth of color, youth with different abilities, immigrant and undocumented youth, youth who are HIV positive, youth in rural communities, and transgender, non binary, intersex, and gender nonconforming youth.
Goals
The National Student Council members advise GLSEN programming and campaigns, offer valuable insight to GLSEN’s staff and Board of Directors, and share their stories with movers and shakers in the LGBTQ movement, from policymakers to media to donors. Their purpose is to be the experts of their experiences and to bring depth and breadth into GLSEN’s student work to create safer K-12 schools for LGBTQ students and staff.
Responsibilities
- Meet bi weekly with the entire National Student Council.
- Attend an all-expenses-paid, four-day leadership summit in New York City, NY this summer, where you'll participate in workshops and gain valuable leadership experience through group exercises, and thoughtful discussions about power, privilege, oppression, and intersectionality.
- Advise and participate in curating resources for GLSEN Days of Action, including Ally Week, No Name Calling Week, and Day of Silence.
- Share your truth and network with influencers and talent within the LGBTQ movement at the bi annual GLSEN Respect Awards.
Benefits
- Travel to GLSEN and partner sponsored events and programs
- Network and organize with student leaders, community organizers, and influencers from across the country.
- Gain professional development through mentorship and workshops
- Resume building for college and work applications
- Build leadership skills
- Be a part of a movement focused on creating safer schools for LGBTQ youth K-12
Meet the 2022-2023 National Student Council!
In the News
- These Young Trans Folks' Activism Goes Beyond LGBTQ Rights, MTV News
- Move Over, Millennials: How Generation Z Is Disrupting Work As We Know It, Time
- Betsy DeVos' Bathroom Decision Makes Trans Students Feel Like They Don't Matter, Mashable
- Rocky River Student Named Leader Of Safe Student Movement, Lakewood Patch
- Transgender Students Prevail with School Policy in Maryland, Washington Post
- LGBTQ Students Are Asking These Simple Things Of Their Allies At School, A Plus
#LGBTQ students, what do you need from YOUR allies? Share using #MyAllies! pic.twitter.com/hyLjZohPFg – GLSEN (@GLSEN) September 16, 2017
In Their Own Words
- 3 Ways Your GSA Can Make Your School More LGBTQ Inclusive
- My GSA Is About to Disappear. Here’s What That Means
- 6 Questions About Allyship Answered by LGBTQ Students
- 9 LGBTQ Students Share What They Need From Their Allies
- These Trans and Gender Nonconforming Folks Share What They Need From Their Allies
- I’m a Gay Chicana High Schooler. Here’s What I Need from My Allies
- I’m a Bi Student in High School I Should Belong Here, Too
- Why Every Child Should Read Books About Diverse Cultures
- 7 Things This Bisexual Latinx Teen Needs from Her Allies
- LGBTQ Latinx Students Share 12 Must-Reads
- Why These 10 Latinx Icons Are Inspiring to LGBTQ Youth
- 8 Affirmations from Trans Folks for Students Struggling with Pronouns
- 4 Ways to Support Trans Students of Color
- What Happened When I Studied a Trans Civil War Soldier for History Class
- I’m a Trans Student of Color. Supporting Me Means Fighting White Supremacy
- I’m a Trans, Disabled Young Person, Not One or the Other
When we take down slurs and stereotypes, what we see is so much better. Register to end name-calling in your school: https://t.co/SY62HNZenu#KindnessInAction#NoNameCallingWeek pic.twitter.com/HTSWdNpoJh – GLSEN (@GLSEN) December 14, 2017