GLSEN

In response to an opinion expressed in Tech News, I feel the need to relay my personal experience regarding the Gay, Lesbian, & Straight Education Network. GLSEN provides educational resources and legal support for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and straight allied students and teachers. The main focus is on the high school level with hopes to form heightened sensitivity to homophobia and decrease anti-gay bias and violence. Notably, this past year along with MTV, GLSEN ran public service announcements featuring Judy Shepard speaking out against anti-gay violence. She spoke about her son Matthew, who was brutally assaulted during an anti-gay hate crime in Wyoming and eventually died from the injuries.

I was able to attend Teaching Respect for All, a yearly conference GLSEN hosts that allows students and educators to learn about youth activism and support. It gave a professional view on lowering the homophobia against its own students and educators in American schools.

I also worked with my local GLSEN chapter, and other agencies dedicated to helping gay youth, to create a Gay-Straight Alliance at my former high school. We organized youth panels open to the staff and students and responded to questions the heterosexual community had about gays and lesbians. More enlightening, the GLSEN member who worked with me is a straight female teacher. Open-mindedness and acceptance such as hers helped to improve my life and many others along the way. If nothing more, GLSEN gives gay and lesbian youth hope for a brighter future.