GLSEN

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slate.com

Sappho Goes to Hollywood: Lesbian Movies From Desert Hearts to Carol

A group of young people sits in a claustrophobic women’s studies class circa 1994. The professor approaches the board, chalk in hand, and says, “Let’s make

The sheer size and scope of [Carol] represents a new era in lesbian filmmaking—an era Hollywood has seemingly claimed for itself. Whether the big push behind Carol is a trend destined to wither or whether it marks a genuine, long-term interest in lesbian narratives is unclear. Either way, lesbian narratives are more visible than ever, and after almost three decades of relative exclusion, that’s a good thing.

[GLSEN]

buzzfeed.com

Meet Dhee, Bangladesh's First Lesbian Comic Book Character

Her stories will be used to conduct 15 countrywide campaigns to educate people about gender and sexuality.

Imaan Sheikh

“Dhee” is a Bangla word which translates to knowledge, wisdom, or comprehension…. “Dhee makes human beings curious, innovate and seek out the unknown. When knowledge merges with our human instinct of compassion, we simply become better human beings,” states BoB’s press release about Dhee.

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Sometimes all it takes is one ride on a New York City subway train…

And sometimes, it takes a year and a half.
But either way, don’t give up on love, if that’s what you’re looking for.

This video was too cute not to share. 

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Are you attending the 26th National Conference on LGBT Equality: Creating Change in Houston this week? So are we! Make sure to stop by GLSEN’s table and workshops throughout the weekend! 

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Each year, we select a group of outstanding students from around the country to serve as GLSEN Student Ambassadors.  These hard-working and enthusiastic young people help advance our work by sharing their stories and advocating for LGBT issues in K-12 education in all forms of media.  Watch this video and meet our nine newest Ambassadors for the 2013-2014 school year!

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Ally Week is about identifying and supporting allies to LGBT youth. Why? Because our research shows that when LGBTQ students can identify supportive educators and peers, their school experience is better.

This year, we want to make sure it’s absolutely clear: Ally Week is about learning to be better allies and recruiting more folks to step up to the plate.  Whether you’re a lesbian adult working to make schools safer for today’s youth, or a gay student organizing to create safe spaces for your trans* friends, everyone has an opportunity this week to recognize their allyship and take action to become better at it.

Are you organizing? Get resources and register at glsen.org/allyweek

[GLSEN]

huffingtonpost.com

Where Courage is Found

These days, I find that I feel greatest urgency not because I myself am a lesbian, but because I am a mother, an education advocate and someone fighting for a brighter future for so many young people who lack the opportunity to thrive.

[GLSEN]

“Let Freedom Ring” Commencement Speech & Call to Action
Dr. Eliza Byard, GLSEN Executive Director
August 28, 12013

Fifty years ago, Bayard Rustin stood on this stage leading the vast crowd reciting the demands of the March on Washington.

A movement spoke through him, but the world would not embrace him because he was gay.

Today, LGBT voices are welcomed to this stage. And President Obama has awarded Bayard Rustin the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

But we have not yet seen Dr. King’s “great vaults of opportunity” thrown open to everyone. We have so far to go before a truly great education is offered every child.

GLSEN and the LGBT community are your partners in this fight. We fight for millions of LGBT students and all those seen as “different.” They deserve a welcoming audience for their dreams. They deserve to be embraced by their communities for who they are.

Yet every day these youth endure the silence imposed by violence and fear. 

Some have been silenced forever, and we raise our voices in their memory:

Sakia Gunn.

Gwen Araujo.

Carl Joseph Walker-Hoover.

Lawrence King.

Bayard Rustin was a Quaker. He attended Meeting each week, listening for the voice of the Divine that can speak through any one of us. 

Across this nation, voices are ready to rise for opportunity and justice for every young person, regardless of who they are, what they look like or who they love.

Listen for those voices. 

Lift them up so they can be heard.

When we do that, we all shall rise. 

Thank you.

Photo by Rea Carey

[GLSEN]

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.

[GLSEN]

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!

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