GLSEN strives to assure that each member of every school community is valued and respected regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression.
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.
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 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)
“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.”
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.
GLSEN and Campus Pride’s LGBTQ-Friendly Online College Fair is TODAY!
What is the LGBTQ-Friendly Online College Fair?
The LGBTQ-Friendly Online College Fair is a collaboration between GLSEN and Campus Pride to help LGBTQ students find colleges that will affirm and respect them, no matter how they identify. We know how important it is for LGBTQ students to feel safe and supported at school, and we also know that not everyone has the means to visit a plethora of college campuses in person to find the right one for them. Through the Online College Fair, students can chat live with representatives from different schools and get a chance to follow up with the schools they liked – all from the comfort and convenience of their own computers. Plus, it’s completely free for students.
Who will be there?
Representatives from 50 colleges (see the full list here) will be standing by to answer your questions, plus moderators from GLSEN, Point Foundation and Campus Pride!
Why should I sign up?
The LGBTQ-Friendly Online College Fair is a space where LGBTQ students can feel comfortable bringing their full selves into the college search process. Campus Pride has a long history of creating college fairs where LGBTQ youth feel safe bringing up LGBTQ issues and needs as they look for a school that’s right for them. The online format of this fair gives you access to tons of college representatives who are prepared to answer questions about LGBTQ issues on their college campuses, without the need to travel long distances.
What happens when it’s over?
First, we hope you’ll come away with a stronger sense of what colleges might be right for you! You’ll also be able to access any notes you take during your chats with college reps, as well as request additional information or follow-up conversations with any colleges you like.
Cool! How do I join?
Register here and join the conversation starting at 1:30PM EST! We’re also hosting three live Twitter chats throughout the day on finding an LGBTQ-friendly school, financial aid, and the transition from high school to college. Follow along on Twitter using the hashtag #LGBTQcollege411.
2-3pm: Finding an LGBT-Friendly Campus (feat. campuspride)
3:30-4:30pm: How Do I Pay For College? (feat. pointfoundation)
5-6pm: Tips for Your First Year On Campus (feat. glsen)
Campus Pride would like to recognize the 50+ colleges and universities who will be present at the first-ever LGBTQ-Friendly Online College Fair presented by Toyota. These colleges are coming out as LGBTQ-friendly for students and will have live representatives at the fair from 1:30pm–6:00pm EST....
Stories of LGBTQ+
people have been everywhere lately, from Netflix to ESPN to ABC News.
Now, it’s
time for YOU to tell YOUR story.
LGBTQ+ youth have the opportunity to be heard, be counted, and contribute to research read around the world. Take GLSEN’s 2015 National School Climate Survey today: glsen.org/survey.
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)
worriesconstantly