2022 Mid-Year
Impact Report
Thank You In 1990, bullying and harassment were part of the everyday experience of LGBTQ+ youth. In the three decades since, GLSEN has worked to build a world where LGBTQ+ students can go to school with not only an absence of violence, but with a sense of safety. While we’ve made great progress, our most marginalized students — including LGBTQ+, Black, Indigenous, students of color, students with disabilities, transgender, nonbinary, two-spirit, and students of all genders — are still fighting to be recognized and included in their schools. This report highlights how together we have the power to make real, impactful change that leads to greater visibility, equality, and acceptance of all students. As the school year comes to a close, we remain steadfast in our commitment to achieving our mutual goal of ensuring LGBTQ+ students thrive in school and receive the education every child is entitled to.
Melanie Willingham-Jaggers Executive Director Pronouns: She, Her, Hers / They, Them, Theirs
A Message from GLSEN Board Chair GLSEN begins an exciting new chapter in the organization’s history with the appointment of Melanie Willingham-Jaggers as Executive Director. A true leader for their community, Melanie always looks first to the grassroots leadership of the LGBTQ+ youth of color, trans youth, and youth with disabilities who are on the frontlines, and centers their experiences and needs in all GLSEN’s work. Melanie is exactly the leader our movement needs to bring our fight for LGBTQ+ justice to the next level as GLSEN’s Executive Director. Young queer students are calling for support, are calling to be heard, and are calling to have access. Under Melanie’s leadership, GLSEN will answer the call. Rocío Inclán GLSEN Board Chair Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
In our last report we committed to achieving several goals as we strive to create safe and affirming schools for LGBTQ+ youth. Here are just some of those successes you helped make possible.
5 young adult leaders
97% of Chapters
1,500,000
100% of GLSEN
620,666
#1 downloaded
became regional GLSEN Freedom Fellows to build support for the LGBTQ+ movement.
Chapters committed to prioritizing racial equity throughout their Chapter network.
participated in GLSEN’s Racial Equity Cohort to develop skills for strengthening commitment to racial equity.
downloads of GLSEN resources through March 2022. (+57% vs. FY YAG)
students have been reached through the Rainbow Library in 3,000 schools, across 28 states.
resource was GLSEN’s Pronoun Guide, highlighting the impact our message of inclusivity is having in K-12 schools.
As anti-LGBTQ+ legislation sweeps across the country, it is clear there is an attempt to erase LGBTQ+ identities in K-12 schools. From bans on trans inclusive healthcare to laws making it illegal to support LGBTQ+ youth in our schools, the opportunity for our youth to thrive is being threatened. That is why we are inviting you to join GLSEN and Rise Up on behalf of our youth.
#RISEup to #protectLGBTQstudents In honor of the 2 million+ LGBTQ+ youth in the US, we will invite communities nationwide to participate in this campaign by showing 2 million displays of public support. Whether it is wearing a shirt or hanging a poster or yard sign, we will display symbols of support to show we will protect LGBTQ+ youth.
GLSEN programming works to create safe and inclu LGBTQ+ youth. Here are a few programs your supp
IN A YEAR WHERE TRANS AND NON B targets of hateful rhetoric, invalidating sc number of anti-trans legislative policies,
We re-launched Changing the Game wit development, and an ambassador progra leaders to advocate for LGBTQ+ rights in
Over 150 ambassadors registered to em advocate for LGBTQ+ inclusive sports.
GLSEN’S DAY OF SILENCE is a student LGBTQ+ students and allies take a vow o of the harm bullying and discrimination h
Thousands of students go without speak with Breaking the Silence rallies to bring and communities can become more inclu
Day of Silence was supported with a na including high profile visibility in Times S media activations, and new resources w 100 influencers, brands, and celebrities s of Day of Silence.
39 CHAPTERS, made up of volunteers w their communities, serve 5 million K-12 s of professionals with expertise in areas s relationships, community service, schoo and family law.
GLSEN Chapter leaders provided 10,000 to build their skills on LGBTQ+ issues su and athletics. Turn over to see some of the amazing work a few of our Chapters are doing.
$5,000 grants were awarded to GLSEN Summit Events that provided training, sh opportunities to youth leaders, GSAs, an
usive schools for port made possible.
BINARY STUDENTS were chool policies, and a record protecting them was a priority.
th new resources, professional ram that encourages student n their communities.
mpower student athletes to
t-led day of action where of silence to raise awareness have on LGBTQ+ youth.
king for an entire day, ending g attention to ways their schools usive.
ationwide billboard campaign, Square. Webinars, social were made available. Over shared silent videos in support
who bring GLSEN’s programs to students. Each is a diverse group such as mental health, family ol administration, government,
0 school professionals training uch as inclusive classrooms
Chapters to host Youth hared learning, and networking nd supportive adults nationwide.
GLSEN Policy Wins & Challenges GLSEN IS TRACKING 193 BILLS in 38 states that would negatively affect over 40 million of students attending K-12 schools. These bills are an attack on: • Honest teaching about race (“critical race theory”) • Trans students participating in athletics • Trans affirming medical care for minors • Trans students using bathrooms that match their gender identity • Student privacy by requiring parental consent to join a GSA, or teachers to notify parents when students request to go by names/pronouns that affirm their gender identities. 32 negative bills that would have created hostile environments for 12 million students were defeated. 22 affirming bills that either establish LGBTQ+ inclusive curricular standards, enumerate LGBTQ+ anti-bullying protections, or support transgender student participation in athletics are being advocated for by GLSEN.
Your continued support makes life-saving interventions like the ones listed here possible. Please consider making a donation by visiting: glsen.org/support