GLSEN strives to assure that each member of every school community is valued and respected regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression.
“The actress has left a big impression on Hollywood (and
America) in a very short amount of time. Cox’s skillful performance as Sophia
on Orange Is the New Black and her work advocating for
transgender women make her one of our boldest beauties yet.”
Our hero Laverne Cox has landed a co-starring role on a new CBS show! In the legal drama Doubt, she’ll play “a transgender Ivy League-educated attorney, described as ‘competitive as she is compassionate.’” Congratulations!
Laverne Cox makes history as the first trans person nominated for an Emmy! Check out the full list of LGBT nominees here, and stay tuned for a list of GLSEN supporters who were nominated.
Laverne Cox was named to the 2015 Time’s 100 Most Influential People list. The accompanying piece was written by Jazz Jennings, the 14 year old trans advocate, author, and soon to be star of her own reality show on TLC.
“As a transgender child, I was always looking around for someone like me, because I thought I was the only one. It’s hard to feel like that. But having support from my family changed everything. They helped me love myself and embrace who I am. Not all trans kids are so lucky. And for them, having someone as visible and strong as Laverne Cox to look up to is inspiring. She’s done so many amazing things—not just acting on Orange Is the New Black but also loving herself enough to share her story with the world. She’s a pioneer for our community. When Laverne and I met for the first time, it was honestly so exciting. She started screaming like a little girl, because she thought of me as a celebrity! She told me to keep up the good work, and how happy she was about my success. Now I want to do the same for her. Laverne, I love you and I’m so proud of you and you’re definitely making a difference. Keep it up!” (via TIME)
What is the International Transgender Day of Visibility?
It’s a day for celebrating and recognizing trans individuals around us. It was started by Rachel Crandall, the co-founder of Transgender Michigan. As opposed to Trans Day of Remembrance, which remembers those we have lost, Trans Day of Visibility focuses on those who are still with us, celebrating their accomplishments, spreading knowledge about the trans community, and fighting cissexism and transphobia. It’s a day of empowerment and recognition!
How can I celebrate and participate?
There are many ways you can be active in Trans Day of Visibility! If you identify as a trans, today is your day! Take a selfie, be active in discussions, find a local event, or join in at whatever level you feel comfortable.
If you aren’t trans, today is a great day to learn more about trans history, celebrate and honor the trans individuals you love, and listen to the conversations around the Day of Visibility.
May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month! Before we get on with the post, it’s important to note that these are two groups of diverse people who are very unique in many ways! However, in light of the month, (and mainly due to the fact that a lot of the resources available online are for both groups), here is a compilation of resources for Asian and Pacific Islander LGBTQ+ people! Other masterposts can be found here (and don’t hesitate to add anything if you have resources to contribute)!
Kumu Hina (a documentary about the struggle to maintain Pacific Islander culture/values within modern Hawaiʻi, told through the lens of Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu, a Native Hawaiian māhū [someone who embodies both a male and female spirit], and an honored and respected kumu [teacher], cultural practitioner, and community leader)
May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month! Before we get on with the post, it’s important to note that these are two groups of diverse people who are very unique in many ways! However, in light of the month, (and mainly due to the fact that a lot of the resources available online are for both groups), here is a compilation of resources for Asian and Pacific Islander LGBTQ+ people! Other masterposts can be found here (and don’t hesitate to add anything if you have resources to contribute)!
Kumu Hina (a documentary about the struggle to maintain Pacific Islander culture/values within modern Hawaiʻi, told through the lens of Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu, a Native Hawaiian māhū [someone who embodies both a male and female spirit], and an honored and respected kumu [teacher], cultural practitioner, and community leader)