LGBTQ “Safe Schools For All” Campaign

Four of the nation’s leading LGBTQ organizations GLAD, GLSEN, the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) & PFLAG National have come together to create a new website "Safe Schools For All" for students, parents & supporters to take action against bullying, harassment & discrimination. “Safe Schools for All” is a unique resource to help make schools safe & inclusive of all students & is rooted in guidance from the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice & the Office of Civil Rights of the U.S. Department of Education. Brian K. Bond, Executive Director of PFLAG National stated, “When adults act badly by bullying school board officials & staff, kids take note & continue the behavior in the classroom. This is a trend PFLAG families across the country have been working to end. Until LGBTQI+ people are fully protected from discrimination by federal law, resources like ‘Safe Schools for All’ are necessary & useful tools to protect our LGBTQI+ loved ones.” Imani Rupert-Gordon, NCLR Executive Director added, “Study after study has shown that bullying & harassment in schools has long-lasting & dangerous repercussions for the mental health & well-being of students – particularly LGBTQI+ youth. By working with our partners to create the ‘Safe Schools for All’ resource website, it is our hope that we can work with administrators, teachers, staff, students & their families to create learning environments that are free of harassment & discrimination & promote the personal safety of every student in every school in the United States.” Melanie Willingham-Jaggers, Interim Executive Director of GLSEN concluded, “Bullying has overwhelmingly negative effects on a student’s educational outcome & mental health. With positive support & resources like ‘Safe Schools for All’ available, our goal is for all LGBTQI+ students to have a thriving educational experience while feeling safe sharing their identity without judgment or harassment.” For More Info…