Introduction

So what's this whole GLSEN business anyway, and why should I care?

GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network) is an organization that effects positive change in schools concerning the LGBTQI community. The work that GLSEN does is extremely important, especially in the today's context, where every politician and school legislation officer appears interested in this hot topic. But why do they care if they themselves are not gay? Heck, why does anybody care if they're not gay?

The answer is simple: gay rights are human rights. To deprive a person of the rights that everyone is entitled to is the equivalent of saying that some people don't deserve to do what everybody else can do, simply because of who they're atttracted to.

This is where GLSEN gets really awesome. They understand, as we do, that the education system is paramount in conveying important ideas, both academic and moral, to the younger generation. If our future legislators and change-makers are taught to respect and accept everybody in their community, and to be intolerant of intolerance, then nothing short of social progress and change can and will occur.

GLSEN's influence and support has grown immensely since its conception in 1990, and now many of GLSEN's smaller chapters and allies throughout the community are doing amazing things to support the issue of LGBTQI rights.   The GLSEN Cincinnati chapter created this video about the treatment of LGBTQI students in schools. In the video, students talk about how they can not focus on academics because of harassment and do not even feel safe in the institution that promises all American people the right to further their own knowledge so that they can be successful in today's society.  If a student is bullied so much that being safe in school is a larger issue for them than their final in math, then schools are not fulfilling their promise.  

Mission

The Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network strives to assure that each member of every school community is valued and respected regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression.
We believe that such an atmosphere engenders a positive sense of self, which is the basis of educational achievement and personal growth. Since homophobia and heterosexism undermine a healthy school climate, we work to educate teachers, students and the public at large about the damaging effects these forces have on youth and adults alike. We recognize that forces such as racism and sexism have similarly adverse impacts on communities and we support schools in seeking to redress all such inequities.
GLSEN seeks to develop school climates where difference is valued for the positive contribution it makes in creating a more vibrant and diverse community. We welcome as members any and all individuals, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity/expression or occupation, who are committed to seeing this philosophy realized in K-12 schools.