The 2013 National School Climate Survey is GLSEN’s eighth national survey of LGBTQ youth. It is a crucial tool in GLSEN’s mission to fight anti-LGBT bias in K-12 schools across the nation. The information gathered from this survey will help GLSEN to inform education policymakers and the public about the right of all students to be treated with respect in their schools. Many students in the past have also used the survey information to advocate with their teachers and principals for safer schools for LGBT students. The survey is completely anonymous.

The survey is available in English and Spanish and asks questions about your experiences in school, including hearing homophobic remarks, being harassed because of your sexual orientation and/or how you express your gender and how supportive your school is of LGBT students.

To take the survey, click here.

If you have any questions about the survey, contact Dr. Neal Palmer, Research Associate, at npalmer@glsen.org. A report of findings from the 2013 National School Climate Survey will be available in Fall 2014. If you would like to see how GLSEN has used the survey information in past years, you can see key findings from our 2011 survey or read the full report by going here: 2011 National School Climate Survey.

GLSEN is launching a revamped tool, part of our ThinkB4YouSpeak Ad Council campaign, to demonstrate how shockingly often anti-LGBT language is used on Twitter.

 The #ThinkB4YouSpeak Twitter Counter shows in real time the number of tweets containing anti-LGBT language, with a live feed showing actual tweets containing “fag,” “dyke” or “so gay.”  

 “Fag” was casually tweeted 14,563 times today.

 “Dyke” was casually tweeted 25,065 times this week.

 “So gay” was casually tweeted 279,540 times in April

Below are a couple of stories we received. If you’d like to share your Day of Silence experiences, we’d love to hear from you!

Sadie isn’t on FB yet (she’s only 11), so mom is sending this for her. Her middle school, New School for the Arts & Academics in Tempe, AZ, is recognizing DOS by encouraging all students to pledge/participate & by respecting their choice to remain silent. They will “end the silence” later this afternoon with a viewing & discussion of the documentary BULLY.
Thanks for all of YOU for your efforts for positive change in the world!

-Jean R.

I am so excited for tomorrow’s Day of Silence!! I asked my teachers if I could participate and they were all more than welcoming to the idea. They even said they will help me communicate with my peers when needed in any way possible without speaking. Even my math teacher (she is lesbian) said she was very proud of me for standing up for the LGBT community and she said there needs to be more people like me, willing to support a cause without worrying about what people will think of me. I’m taking the pledge to stay completely silent all day long to echo the silence of others. Your foundation truly has made a difference and I cannot thank you enough for it!

-Rianna

I liked how a lot of people that I didn’t normally socialize with would ask me why I wasn’t talking, and I’d give them one of the print-out cards, and they would be so supportive and agreeable. There were just so many people who thought it was really cool, and before today I didn’t know a thing about them.

-Nicole C.

In my school, every year a week before the Day of Silence, high school students visit middle school classes to discuss LGBT issues, bullying, and the day of silence itself. This day is called The Day of Acceptance. This past Thursday, I decided to participate in this event, and the response I received from the 8^th grade class could not have been more positive.  We discussed what it would feel like keeping one’s identity a secret, and we also discussed how to not be a bystander when bullying happens, but an up-stander. The ideas and comments that were coming from these 8^th graders were so mature and supportive. Because this class was so responsive, we went on to discuss the Day of Silence. I was happy to find out that the middle school already knew about this day and what it meant, and I was also happy to learn that acceptance and maturity about the topic of sexuality has increased since the time I was in middle school, which was not even so long ago.

Although there are not many out students at my school, there are many straight allies, like myself, that are willing to advocate for those voices that could not be heard today. Overall, I think that only good can come out of the Day of Silence. Each year I see more students participating, more students becoming aware of LGBT issues, and more students showing their support. The enthusiasm is spreading, and this year will be my first year participating in the Day of Silence. I have always thought about doing so, and although I am already a senior at my school, it is better late than never.

As a high school senior, I look back on the times at my school, and I am so proud that so many people stay silent throughout this day to signify the silence that many people in the LGBT community, especially teens in high school,  are subjected to because of their sexual orientation. Even though I see some students begin to talk toward the end of the day, it just shows how hard it is to be silent. I have spoken to students and faculty about their silence and they all say how difficult it is to not express themselves for just one day. That one day of silence can signify a lifetime in the eyes of someone who is closeted, bullied, or a part of the LGBT community. One day is definitely not too much to ask because just one day of being silent can help and support others around the world to find their voice to speak up.

We want to let you know that today, April 14th, is the last day to order merchandise and be sure it arrives by the Day of Silence without paying extra for rush shipping! Express, overnight shipping is available as well, so you can still order next week.

Check out this video that our student ambassador Camile made:

Make sure to order your t-shirts, buttons, stickers or posters before next week! You can get all the official Day of Silence gear at our brand new webstore!

If you haven’t already, don’t forget to register!

The students can’t go to their teachers for help because the bullies at Sultana aren’t their classmates; they’re the educators and administrators who should be protecting them.

The ACLU Foundation of Southern California (ACLU/SC) sent a formal complaint to the school district today, objecting to the school’s systematic discrimination of the GSA and of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) and gender non-conforming (GNC) students.

Teachers at the school discriminated against students who are or are perceived to be LGBT and GNC, often using biased remarks in the classroom. In one case, a teacher told a student who had not received a valentine on Valentine’s Day that it was “because you’re gay and nobody wants to be with you.” Administrators also blocked the posting of GLSEN “Think Before You Speak” flyers which explained why the slurs used by some educators — such as “that’s so gay”— have no place in schools.

Students observing GLSEN’s Day of Silence also encountered resistance from school staff and teachers. For instance, a teacher forced one participant to sit in a corner by herself for the duration of a class period. On last year’s Day of Silence, another teacher remarked to the class that “the gays are the real bullies.” Thorough it all, school administrators have refused to effectively reprimand and educate the offending teachers. Changing this is vital, because fostering supportive teachers gives LGBT students a greater sense of belonging in their school communities, according to GLSEN’s 2011 National School Climate Survey.

In addition, school officials treated the GSA differently than other student clubs, censoring its speech and obstructing its activities. They changed the club’s announcements to omit any reference to LGBT youth, and routinely blocked movie viewings at the club. GLSEN’s 2011 National School Climate Surveyfound that GSAs are a huge asset for LGBT youth in schools, making students feel less unsafe because of their sexual orientation than those without a GSA (54.9% vs. 70.6%).

Teachers and administrators have a duty to create safe and affirming schools for all students, including those who are LGBT or GNC. GLSEN is seriously concerned that the school is blocking proven resources that improve school climate from reaching students. We encourage the district to listen to the ACLU/SC and take actions that help, not hurt, all of its students.

Last month we launched our new store, making it easier for you to get gear for actions, reports and research, and fun swag to show off your support for GLSEN and safer schools.

Now, Day of Silence is just a little more than a month away, so it’s time to start preparing! We have the awesome shirts you see here, as well as posters, buttons, stickers, and temporary tattoos.

There’s everything you and your GSA need to make your Day of Silence a success!

Saad, a 2010-2011 GLSEN Student Ambassador, shares how silence on the Day of Silence is used as a powerful tool for direct action and social change:

Are you participating? Make sure you’re registered so that we can support you and your school.

Register today and join the movement!

If you’re sad that you can’t be at the Capitol today – don’t be! We’ve got live updates and videos to transport you from the halls of your school to the halls of power.

Here’s what’s happened so far today:

10:38 am 

After breakfast, Emma and César filmed a message as they got ready for their first meetings:

11:45 am

Emma had a great meeting with the office of Senator Dick Durbin:

12 pm

César might have been super nervous before his meeting with Senator Kay Hagan’s office, but it went perfectly!

1:15 pm

Emma met with the office of one of the co-sponsors of the Safe Schools Improvement Act, Senator Mark Kirk. What a great chance to say, “Thanks!”

2:30 pm

That’s a full day for Emma! Three meetings down, three great opportunities to discuss safer schools. Check out her video:

3 pm

César is heading into his next meeting…

3:30 pm

… and leaving the meeting:

5 pm

César rounded out the day with a late visit to Senator Burr’s office:

We weren’t the only ones impressed, apparently, as the movie received an Oscar nomination today for Best Documentary. How to Survive a Plague is one of the best documentaries I’ve ever seen, and I couldn’t be more excited to see it receive national recognition.

The film follows two coalitions, ACT UP and TAG (Treatment Action Group), through the HIV/AIDS crisis during the late ’80s and early ’90s. The groups used political activism and civil disobedience to help shift AIDS from a near-certain death sentence to a manageable, but still serious, disease.

Eliza Byard, our executive director, noted the connection between the atmosphere of the era and the birth of GLSEN:

“My mother attended a founding meeting for GLSEN’s New York City chapter at the time,” she said, “walking through one of the very ACT UP meetings depicted in the film to a boiler room off the back where Kevin Jennings was greeting volunteers.”

How to Survive a Plague will compete with 5 Broken Cameras, The Gatekeepers, The Invisible War, and Searching for Sugar Man for the award.

If you’re interested in other documentaries about the HIV/AIDS crisis, check out We Were Here, which focuses on San Francisco, and  30 Years From Here, which reflects on three decades of HIV/AIDS in the US.

Congratulations again to the director/producer David France and everyone else connected with the film!