GLSEN

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In a groundbreaking move, Governor Jerry Brown has signed a new law–AB1266–into effect in California that allows transgender youth to use the bathroom in school that corresponds to their gender identity.

Although Fox News hosts thinks transgender rights don’t make sense, saying it’s “an impetus to pander to political correctness,” this new law is a major breakthrough for transgender students like 16-year-old Ashton in Ohio. Watch this video in which Ashton shares his struggles as a transgender student.

Thanks to your generosity, we are expanding our resources for transgender students like Ashton through a student-created grassroots initiative called Transgender Student Rights.

Transgender Student Rights provides an online community of resources to support transgender and gender nonconforming students. With this new partnership, the program will become a recognized vehicle for action, events and community engagement through Facebook, Twitter and other social media, to help students like Ashton who must deal with harassment born out of misunderstanding on a daily basis.

Learn more about Transgender Student Rights at http://www.glsen.org/students/tsr

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We want you to change the world.

Applications are open for GLSEN’s 2013 - 2014 Student Ambassador team. You’ll gain access to exclusive online resources for telling your story, blogging, creating videos, writing op-eds, and more. We’ll work with you to share your story on our networks and in news outlets such as CNN, The Huffington Post, ABC News, The Advocate and more.

And… if that wasn’t enough. A select group of ambassadors will be able to join us in Los Angeles for an all-expenses-covered 4-day media summit from August 7 - 10.

If you’re passionate about using the media and digital tools to tell your story and create safer schools, and will be a middle or high school student next year, apply today.

Only students in the United States are able to attend the media summit in Los Angeles.

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Apply for GLSEN’s Student Ambassadors team (and a free trip to LA)

Inspired by today’s Supreme Court decisions? Like social media? Like networking with fellow students? Like sharing your story to advocate for safe schools for all, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression?

If the answer is yes, yes, yes, yes, then you could be a perfect fit for our Student Ambassadors program.

Click here to learn more about the program. Students entering grades 8-12 next school year are eligible to apply. A select group of ambassadors will be part of an all-expenses-paid summit taking place in Los Angeles from Aug. 7-10 so submit part one of your application today!

GET STARTED

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As we continue our #GLSENPROUD celebration this Pride Month, today I want to tell you about GLSEN Student Ambassador Matt Shankles, a shining example of how students really can make a difference.

A native of Marion, Iowa, Matt faced his own set of challenges at school when he came out as LGBT. He experienced name-calling, bullying and harassment from his peers simply for being himself.

Matt chose to take action. He looked for ways to change his school climate. He began a Twitter campaign to tweet encouragement to students who had been bullied.

Matt also participated in GLSEN’s Safe Schools Advocacy Summit in Washington where he met with lawmakers to push for the Safe Schools Improvement Act (SSIA) and the Student Non-Discrimination Act (SNDA).

But Matt’s work didn’t stop there. He joined GLSEN’s Student Ambassadors team. He spoke on a cyberbullying panel hosted by Iowa’s Governor. He also went on to testify at a Senate committee hearing in Iowa chaired by Senator Tom Harkin to discuss the need for safer schools.

Just a couple of weeks ago, Senator Harkin introduced an education bill that included provisions from both SSIA and SNDA. We can’t help but believe this was partly made possible because of Matt.

We celebrate students like Matt and others who are working to make their own schools and communities better. These incredible young people continue to inspire and challenge GLSEN to work harder for a better tomorrow for every student in K-12 schools. 

Are you proud of a student leader in your community? Tweet to us about it using #GLSENPROUD.

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Watch LZ Granderson accept the 2013 Hero Award at GLSEN’s 2013 Respect Awards - New York

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“You gotta give ‘em hope.” It’s Harvey Milk Day.

Thank you to each and every one of you for being part of the change that Harvey Milk dreamed of. You are a hope and inspiration and we are honored to have you as partners, participants and supporters.

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Day of Silence is in just two days!!! We want to make sure that you know your rights–and that they’re protected–so we asked Jeremy from North Dakota to record a short video explaining them.

If you think your rights are being violated, let us know and our friends at Lambda Legal will investigate! http://www.dayofsilence.org/legalhelp

Signal boost this so everyone knows!

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So many beautiful people working to end the silence that LGBTQ youth face.

What are you doing to end the silence? Grab a pic & take a selfie!

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This is what Washington-Lee High School’s GSA is doing to prepare for the Day of Silence.

What are you doing? Let us know in a reblog or leave a comment on YouTube! 

Better yet, make your own video response!

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Sultana High School is censoring and discriminating against its Gay-Straight Alliance. The Hesperia, CA school is limiting the GSA from using LGBT-inclusive language and participating in activities like GLSEN’s Day of Silence and Ally Week.

Today is the first school day since news broke last week during Spring Break that the ACLU of Southern California sent a letter demanding the school district stop discriminating against the school’s GSA.

Tell them that they are not alone

As they return to school today, the GSA members could face retaliation for their decision to stand up to their school district.

Along with our partners at the ACLU Foundation of Southern California, It Gets Project, and the California-based GSA Network, we want to send a clear message to Sultana High GSA members as they head back to school:

We are proud of you and we’ve got your back.

Will you join us? Click here to send your own message to the brave LGBT students and allies.

They believe that every student deserves to be safe and treated with respect, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. Help us show them that people all across the country stand with them against discrimination.