April 23, 2012

April 20, 2012 – A Day to Remember

The 17th annual Day of Silence was another record breaking year as students’ silence echoed through the hallways and classrooms of more than 9,000 schools in over 70 countries.  And equally as remarkable was news that we were proud to break that very same day from our friends at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

In a statement released just before the White House screening of “Bully,” President Obama officially endorsed his support for the Safe Schools Improvement Act (SSIA) and the Student Non-Discrimination Act (SNDA). Two bills that GLSEN and the National Safe Schools Partnership believe are critical pieces of federal legislation that address the issues of bullying and harassment of LGBT students.

From the White House,

“The President and his Administration have taken many steps to address the issue of bullying.  He is proud to support the Student Non-Discrimination Act, introduced by Senator Franken and Congressman Polis, and the Safe Schools Improvement Act, introduced by Senator Casey and Congresswoman Linda Sanchez.These bills will help ensure that all students are safe and healthy and can learn in environments free from discrimination, bullying and harassment.”

For those of us here in the GLSEN office this was a celebratory event; complete with congratulatory staff emails, “Breaking News” Facebook posts to friends and exclamations like, “How about that!” and “What a day!” heard over the cubicle walls. This supportive gesture meant a great deal to GLSEN and to everyone dedicated to making schools safer for all students, including those very students the bills would protect.

On the heels of this monumental occasion, GLSEN Student Ambassador Carly F. created a four-part informative video about the importance of safe schools policies from her viewpoint as an outspoken ally and provides specific examples of how we concerned citizens can fulfill our civic duties from the comfort of our homes.

Take action. Become a part of the change.

1. If you are a student leader in grades 8-12 for the 2012-2013 school year and want to join GLSEN in making schools safer for LGBT students, apply to become a GLSEN Student Ambassador.
2. If you are a student or adult who would like your representatives to support the Safe Schools Improvement Act, let them hear from you.

   

About Elizabeth Free

       

Elizabeth Free is the communications manager at GLSEN--the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network. Elizabeth joined GLSEN in 2009 to make schools safer for all students and says one of the best parts of her job is working with GLSEN's Student Ambassadors. She is originally from Texas and has a B.A. in Public Relations and Advertising from the University of Houston.