Donations spotlight: Help GLSEN create safe, inclusive K-12 learning environments where all students can succeed

Note from the CREDO Mobile team: This April, GLSEN is among three amazing groups that will receive a share of our monthly grant. Funding from the CREDO Mobile community will be vital to the nonprofit as it works to ensure that LGBTQ+ students can learn and grow in a school environment free of bullying and harassment.

 Read this important blog post from GLSEN, then visit CREDO Donations and cast your vote to help send much-needed grant money to the group to assist its efforts—and the efforts of our other outstanding April grantees.

In classrooms across America, LGBTQ+ students are facing unprecedented challenges. These challenges are impacting their wellbeing and their ability to thrive throughout their education journey. Indeed, today’s young people are confronting a coordinated assault on their very existence, especially in K-12 learning environments. More than 380 anti-LGBTQ+ bills have already been introduced in state legislatures this year, with nearly 50% of those bills aiming to restrict student and educator rights.

Additionally, GLSEN, like many of our peer organizations and the communities we serve, is not immune to the widespread and sudden changes occurring across political, social and economic landscapes—changes that have brought a stark decrease of critical support and funding for LGBTQ-focused organizations and their missions.

The overall message is clear: Some people believe that LGBTQ+ identities don’t belong in our nation’s schools and they don’t deserve to be represented within the curriculums that are taught or the content that’s available to students. But at GLSEN we stand firm in our conviction that every student deserves to learn in an environment free of bullying and discrimination.

The impact of safe, affirming schools

When LGBTQ+ students have supportive educators and inclusive policies, their educational outcomes improve dramatically. They experience less harassment, miss fewer school days, earn higher GPAs and have stronger feelings of belonging. Most important, they see a future for themselves.

As Ollie (they/them), a former member of GLSEN’s National Student Council, shares, “GLSEN has given me community, a purpose and a platform. Having an organization that advocates for my equality and gives me the opportunity to meet like-minded people made a frightened, uncertain middle-schooler realize that change is possible. Now, I’m able to provide support to other people who are as vulnerable as I was and to empower my community because GLSEN provides me mobilization space, the educational resources to inform myself, the community to make change with and the resources to develop events and spaces where queer youth can feel recognized and protected.”

Ollie’s journey exemplifies what is possible when young people have the support they need. From a “frightened, uncertain middle-schooler” to an empowered advocate, Ollie’s transformation illustrates why we can’t abandon this work—especially now.

Meeting this moment

In the face of growing hostility, GLSEN is focused on advancing our most impactful work to meet the needs of students, educators, families and our broader community. We continue to advocate for inclusive and equitable policies, shape the national conversation on systemic change and education justice (informed by young people themselves), strengthen our national movement by working locally with communities across the country and equip stakeholders year-round with the support, training, tools and community-building networks they need.

But we can’t do this work alone. We need help. Here are a few key ways you can get involved.

• Use GLSEN Navigator: Understanding the landscape of LGBTQ+ education policy is crucial for effective advocacy. Whether you’re a student seeking to know your rights, an educator working to improve your school environment or an advocate pushing for policy change, GLSEN Navigator equips you with evidence and tools you can use to drive meaningful action.

• Download and share GLSEN resources: Our extensive library of free downloadable resources offers something for everyone who’s working to create safer schools. From inclusive curriculum guides and lesson plans to GSA toolkits and inclusive sports models, these evidence-based materials are designed for real-world implementation. Each download and share extends our reach, helping more people understand how to create affirming spaces for LGBTQ+ youth.

• Support educators: Teachers and school staff are on the front lines. Share GLSEN’s professional development opportunities and resources with educators in your community, as well as our Rainbow Library program. Our research-based approaches help create affirming classrooms even within the context of challenging policy environments.
• Amplify GLSEN’s voice: Follow GLSEN on social media (@GLSEN) to stay updated on our latest initiatives, success stories and calls to action. You can also subscribe to our email newsletter for in-depth updates and exclusive content. When you share our posts or forward our emails, you help expand our message beyond existing supporters to reach new allies and advocates.

Despite current challenges, we remain hopeful about the future we’re creating together. Every day, we witness the resilience of LGBTQ+ youth and their allies who continue to organize, support one another and advocate for positive change.

Our vision—of schools where all students thrive regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression—is one worth pursuing, not just because it’s right but because we’ve seen the transformative impact it has. Students like Ollie remind us that when we provide supportive environments young people flourish and go on to create positive change in their own communities.

Will you join us? Visit GLSEN.org today to find your place in this movement.