LGBTQ+

LGBTQIA+ Inclusiveness in Schools

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Mission

 

Importance

This group is important because it provides training and resources to students, teachers, and communities to make schools more inclusive for everyone regardless of their gender and sexual orientation.

History

GLSEN is an education organization that is working to make schools more inclusive for students/educators who are apart of the LGBTQIA+ community. It was founded in 1990 by Kevin Jennings. While the main headquarters is located in New York, the organization is located all throughout the United States. The purpose of GLSEN is to end bullying and harassment and have more inclusive education in K-12 schools. 

Service

This organization is for students, teachers/educators, and communities from K-12.

Programs 

Many programs are provided. For students, you can join the SHINE student council with is a group of student leaders working to create safer schools. This program focuses on building leadership and activism skills and tackling systematic issues in the LGBTQIA+ community. There is also the In-cluded Sexual Health Program that centers around learning how to be safe if you are sexually active, learning tools to advocate for your sexual health, and educate health centers to provide inclusive healthcare. There are programs that help build your school’s GSA club and get support for it. Lastly, for students, there are also programs that help educate you on important days of action such as freedom week, day of silence, and solidarity week. When it comes to educators, GLSEN provides many resources to further your understanding and support. Such as incorporating LGBTQIA+ topics into your lesson plan. 

What could they do better?

Overall, this organization is amazing and provides many resources to help schools become more inclusive. The only suggestion I would make is having a more in depth history of the organization. I was able to find their mission on the website, but had to go and do outside research to get the history of GLSEN.

Was information about the organization accessible? Red flags?

The information was accessible in the sense of being able to located, but unfortunately it does not seem that they have any way to help people who are visually impaired. Besides that, I think that the website and organization is well throughout and credible. 

What other organizations are doing similar work?

Lambert House

Trans Youth and Equality Foundation

Picture Credit: GLSEN, Space Needle with the company’s name on it, 2021