The Respect 50
Whether you go to school, went to school or work at school- here are fifty ways for you to make a difference.
1. Don't assume cheerleaders are straight or female athletes lesbian.
2. If you're straight, join the gay-straight alliance at your school
3. Write a letter to the editor about the need to address anti-gay harassment in schools.
4. Observe LGBT History Month in October, celebrate Pride each May.
5. Organize trainings for school personnel.
6. Get involved with your local GLSEN chapter.
7. Make sure that school displays and library collections are inclusive of LGBT people, history and ideas.
8. Ensure that LGBT speakers are represented at school assemblies or in diversity programs.
9. Create a work environment that supports LGBT personnel.
10. Learn about and participate in the Day of Silence Project.
11. Punish anti-gay harassers firmly - as you would perpetrators of other abuse.
12. Clearly post grievance procedures so those who get harassed know how to report it.
13. Support students who want to form book clubs, chess clubs, and gay-straight alliances.
14. If you're a student, start a gay-straight alliance.
15. Organize to include sexual orientation and gender identity in your school district non-discrimination policy.
16. Ensure that your school's prom is safe and welcoming for everyone's date.
17. Come out as a straight ally.
18. Report in-school harassment to your principal.
19. Increase your financial support to GLSEN on an annual basis.
20. Be a GLSEN ambassador- tell your friends to support safe schools for all.
21. Visit www.glsen.org to learn the latest news statistics.
22. Remember that words hurt: "faggot" and "dyke" are put downs.
23. Remember your power as a taxpayer in your school district.
24. Be an out and positive role model in your child's school community.
25. Vote in school board elections
26. Send Just the Facts to your school's counseling offices.
27. Write a letter to your alma mater and share your story.
28. Attend Teaching Respect for All, the premiere national summit to end anti-gay bias in schools.
29. Donate inclusive books to the school library.
30. Establish a zero tolerance policy for name-calling in your classroom.
31. Get involved in efforts to pass statewide student safety legislation.
32. Attend school board meetings.
33. Talk to your child's teachers.
34. Get involved in the PTSA.
35. Make the Honor Roll - support GLSEN with a monthly gift.
36. Run for your local school board.
37. Sponsor a student to attend GLSEN's National Conference.
38. Put up a Safe Zone sticker
39. Make sure that LGBT library and media holdings are prominently displayed and easily accessible.
40. Protect students perceived to be gay from anti-gay abuse- they're frequently victimized, too.
41. Throw a GLSEN house party to expand the growing circle of supporters.
42. Remember that your kindergarten student may have two mommies.
43. Share your story with elected officials.
44. Defend the right of LGBT teachers to be honest at work.
45. Go back to your alma mater and make sure inclusive policies are there for students today.
46. Walk the talk: role model respectful behavior toward others.
47. Be a faculty advisor to a gay-straight alliance.
48. Integrate LGBT issues into the curriculum.
49.Identify warning signs for at-risk youth.
50. Don't assume all football players are straight or thespians gay.
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