GLSEN Celebrates 12th Annual LGBT History Month

NEW YORK – GLSEN, or the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, is proud to support LGBT History Month in October, a time to acknowledge, celebrate and take pride in the many contributions LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) people have made to America and the world.

First celebrated in 1995, LGBT History Month is recognized by schools and states across the country as an opportunity for all students to learn the accurate and important roles LGBT people and issues have played in shaping American society. Like months celebrating the contributions of women, African-Americans, Latinos, Asian-Americans and other communities, LGBT History Month is an important opportunity to embrace America's cultural diversity.

“LGBT people are rarely recognized for their accomplishments in the context of being a part of the LGBT communities,” said GLSEN Founder and Executive Director Kevin Jennings, who helped form the first LGBT History Month. “ LGBT History Month gives us a chance to bring to light and celebrate the fact that some of our country’s most innovative, inspiring and influential people also happen to be LGBT.

“What’s more important, when LGBT students see other LGBT-identified people portrayed accurately and positively, those students feel more of a connection to the educational process, perform better and develop a greater sense of belonging.”

In GLSEN’s 2005 National School Climate Survey, LGBT students who reported positive representations of LGBT issues in their curriculum were much less likely to miss school because of feeling unsafe than those who did not report positive representations (17% vs. 31%). Additionally, students who reported LGBT inclusion in their curriculum were much more likely to feel comfortable talking to their teachers about LGBT issues than those who did not report LGBT inclusion (76% vs. 56%).

GLSEN offers many resources to support LGBT History Month and the positive and fair portrayal of LGBT people throughout the school year, including:

Booklink is GLSEN’s gateway to the highest quality resources for students, educators, families and community allies working to end anti-LGBT bias in K-12 schools.

Ally Week, October 15-21, is the national youth-led effort empowering students to be allies against anti-LGBT bullying, harassment and name-calling. (http://www.glsen.org/allyweek)

GLSEN’s No Name-Calling Week, January 22-26, is an annual week of educational activities aimed at ending name-calling of all kinds and providing schools with the tools and inspiration to launch an ongoing dialogue about ways to eliminate bullying in their communities.

The GLSEN Lunchbox is a comprehensive training program aimed at providing educators and community members with the background, knowledge, skills and tools necessary to make schools safer and more affirming places for LGBT students.

GLSEN offers Gay-Straight Alliances resources and a place to register as one of the more than 3,000 GSAs across the country.

New GLSEN promotional and public education videos are available through www.glsen.org

About GLSEN
GLSEN, or the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, is the leading national education organization focused on ensuring safe schools for all students. Established nationally in 1995, GLSEN envisions a world in which every child learns to respect and accept all people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression. For more information on GLSEN’s educational resources, public policy agenda, student organizing programs, research, public education or development initiatives, visit www.glsen.org.