Facts And Questions about GLSEN

• Average high school students hear anti-gay epithets 25 times a day; 97% of the time, teachers hearing these epithets fail to respond.
• LGBT youth are three times more likely than their non-gay peers to drop out of school.
• 18% of all LGBT students are physically injured to the point where professional medical services are required.
• LGBT students are three times more likely than their non-gay peers to develop a substance abuse problem.
• 76% of our nation's schools fail to train teachers about issues facing LGBT youth.
• Over 30% of teenage suicides are attributed to the youth's sexual orientation.

What is "The Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network"

GLSEN is dedicated to ending this cycle of bigotry by teaching the lesson of respect for all in public, private, and parochial K-12 schools. GLSEN strives to assure that each member of every school community is valued and respected regardless of sexual orientation.

Founded as a small volunteer group in Boston in 1990, GLSEN led the fight that made Massachusetts the first state to ban anti-gay discrimination in its public schools in 1993. GLSEN became a national organization in 1994 and has built a network of eighty-five local chapters since that time. A national office in New York, opened in 1995, and a Western Field office in San Francisco, opened in 1998, provide support to these chapters.

How does GLSEN combat anti-gay bias in schools?

In-School Programming: GLSEN works to create and distribute practical materials that make a day-to-day difference in America's schools. Through staff training materials including our Teaching Respect for All video, curriculum development like our Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual History Project, and the production of age-appropriate educational resources such as the award-winning Out of the Past, GLSEN is providing teachers resources to ensure a safe and affirming learning environment for all.

Advocacy: GLSEN seeks to change the attitudes of those who govern daily scholastic life. Our largest annual advocacy effort, the Back-to-School Campaign, measures school districts around the country on programs and policies protecting LGBT youth. Last year we found that 76% of schools fail to provide any training to teachers on issues facing LGBT students; the average grade for America's schools was a "D-". We also work to build relationships with public policy leaders in Washington, DC, and with mainstream education associations.

Community Organizing: GLSEN has built a network of eight-five chapters, the second-largest such network in the entire gay and lesbian civil rights movement. These chapters help local people organize to address anti-gay bias in their community's schools. In addition, GLSEN's Student Pride Project provides support and resources to nearly 400 high school-based Gay/Straight Alliances.

  The Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network of Fairbanks

Our Chapter has co-sponsored a public viewing of the film "It's Elementary," a film dealing with Gay/Lesbian student issues in the schools.  Fairbanks GLSEn was also a supporting group for the 1990 Searching for Common Ground (SEACOM) Conference, a forum for Gays, Lesbians, and the religious community.  Most recently, Fairbanks GLSEN was instrumental in developing and presenting a section on Gay/Lesbian studen issues (safe schools) at the October district-wide inservice for Fairbanks North Star Borough School District teachers.

  What if I'm a student?

Then you are more than welcomed at GLSEN.  GLSEN actually developed the "Gay-Straight Alliance" student support program which has helped establish clubs in high schools in over 25 states.  GLSEN offers support for helping to find advisors and getting a club going and running-  but the initiative has to come from the students.

  What if I have nothing to do with education?

Then you are more than welcomed at GLSEN.  GLSEN is open to all who want to be involved, regardless of orientation, student status, or occupation.  As long as you are concerned about making out schools safer for all, than you should be a part of GLSEN.