GLSEN's Mission

What does GLSEN do?
GLSEN combats the harassment and discrimination leveled against students and school personnel. GLSEN creates learning environments that affirm the inherent dignity of all students, and in so doing, teaches them to respect and accept all of their classmates- regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity/expression. GLSEN believes that the key to ending anti-gay prejudice and hate-motivated violence is education. And it’s for this reason that GLSEN brings together students, educators, families and other community members to reform America’s educational system.

GLSEN's Work

Local Organizing for Local Results
Thousands of volunteers participate in our national chapter network. These chapters work with local school boards, principals, educators and school librarians to create positive change in hometown schools.

Impacting Public Policy, Shaping Public Opinion
Our public policy department works with elected officials and educational policy leaders at local, state and federal levels. The goal? Ensuring that basic protections are in place for LGBT students, teachers and families. We also bring LGBT education issues into the court of public opinion via public awareness campaigns and coalition building.

Educating the Educators
Today’s students are tomorrow’s parents, neighbors and voters. That’s why GLSEN creates ground breaking teacher training materials and inclusive curricular resources. By ensuring that today’s teachers teach the lessons of respect for all, we ensure that the next generation of Americans will live in a world without anti-gay prejudice.

Helping Students Fight for Their Rights
GLSEN’s student organizing project provides support and resources to youth in even the most isolated of places. We support students as they form and lead gay-straight alliances—helping them to change their own school environments from the inside out.

The Vision