Editing GLSEN

{{Short description|American nonprofit organization}}
{{more citations needed|date=November 2015}}
{{Use American English|date = October 2019}}
{{Use mdy dates|date = October 2019}}
{{Infobox organization <!-- See: [[Template:Infobox non-profit]] -->
| name              = GLSEN
| image             = GLSEN logo.svg
| type              = LGBT Youth Awareness Campaign & Education Lobbying Institution
| founded_date      = 1990
| leader_title      = Executive Director
| leader_name       = Melanie Willingham-Jaggers
| founder           = [[Kevin Jennings]]
| location          = [[New York City]]
| area_served       = [[United States]]
| former name       = Gay and Lesbian Independent School Teachers Network
| homepage          = {{Official URL}}
}}

'''GLSEN''' (pronounced ''glisten''; formerly the '''Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network''') is an American education organization working to end [[discrimination]], [[harassment]], and [[bullying]] based on [[sexual orientation]], [[gender identity]] and [[gender expression]] and to prompt [[LGBT culture|LGBT cultural inclusion and awareness]] in [[K–12 (education)|K-12]] schools. Founded in 1990 in Boston, Massachusetts, the organization is now headquartered in [[New York City]] and has an office of public policy based in [[Washington, D.C.]]

{{As of|2018|post=,}} there are 39 GLSEN chapters across 26 states that train 5,000 students, educators, and school personnel each year.<ref name="GLSEN chapters">{{cite web|url=http://www.glsen.org/chapters |title=GLSEN chapters |access-date=2018-02-24}}</ref>{{better source needed|date=August 2019}} The chapters also support more than 4,000 registered school-based clubs—commonly known as [[gay–straight alliance]]s (GSAs)--which work to address name-calling, bullying, and harassment in their schools.   GLSEN also sponsors and participates in a host of annual "Days of Action", including a No Name-Calling Week every January, a [[Day of Silence]] every April, and an [[Ally Week]] every September. Guided by research such as its ''National School Climate Survey'', GLSEN has developed resources, [[lesson plans]], classroom materials, and [[professional development]] programs for teachers on how to support [[LGBTQ]] students.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.glsen.org/safespace|title=GLSEN Safe Space Kit: Be an ALLY to LGBTQ Youth!|website=GLSEN|language=en|access-date=2019-05-31}}</ref>{{better source needed|date=August 2019}}

Research shows that in response to bullying and mistreatment, many LGBTQ students avoid school altogether; this can lead to academic failure.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Palmer |first1=Neal A. |last2=Greytak |first2=Emily A. |title=LGBTQ Student Victimization and Its Relationship to School Discipline and Justice System Involvement |journal=[[Criminal Justice Review]] |date=17 May 2017 |volume=42 |issue=2 |pages=163–187 |doi=10.1177/0734016817704698 |s2cid=149429285 }}</ref> To combat this problem, GLSEN has advocated for LGBTQ-inclusive anti-bullying laws and policies. GLSEN has also worked with the U.S. Departments of [[United States Department of Education|Education]], [[United States Department of Justice|Justice]], and [[United States Department of Health and Human Services|Health and Human Services]] to create model policies that support LGBTQ students and educators. GLSEN has considered their signature legislation to be the Safe Schools Improvement Act and has been honored by the White House as a "Champion of Change".

{{TOC limit|3}}

== History ==
=== 1990s ===
==== 1990 ====
* [[Kevin Jennings]], a high school history teacher in [[Massachusetts]], Kathy Henderson, Assistant Athletic Director at Phillips Academy, Andover, and Bob Parlin, a high school history teacher at Newton South High School lead a coalition of gay and lesbian educators to form what was then called the Gay and Lesbian Independent School Teacher Network (GLISTN).

==== 1993 ====
* In Massachusetts, the Governor's Commission released its report, ''Making Schools Safe for Gay and Lesbian Youth''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=25 February 1993 |title=Making Schools Safe for Gay and Lesbian Youth |url=https://archives.lib.state.ma.us/server/api/core/bitstreams/4c45a237-d352-461c-b06d-29fa422f1ddf/content |access-date=17 January 2024}}</ref>

==== 1994 ====
* GLSTN became a national organization with the founding of the first chapter<ref name="GLSEN chapters"/> outside Massachusetts in St. Louis.
* GLSTN launches the first [[LGBT History Month]] in October with official proclamations from the governors of [[Connecticut]] and Massachusetts.

==== 1995 ====
* GLSTN hired its first full-time staffer, founder and Executive Director Kevin Jennings.
* GLSTN accredits chapters for the first time.<ref name="GLSEN chapters"/>

==== 1996 ====
* GLSTN started annual celebration of [[Day of Silence]] at the [[University of Virginia]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2017-04-21 |title=Annual 'Day of Silence' combats anti-LGBTQ hate and bias |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/annual-day-silence-combats-anti-lgbtq-hate-bias-n749331 |access-date=2024-01-18 |website=NBC News |language=en}}</ref>

==== 1997 ====
* GLSTN staged its first national conference in [[Salt Lake City]], [[Utah]], in response to the legislature's effort to prevent the formation of GSAs in the state by banning all student groups. 
* GLSTN changed its name to GLSEN (the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network) in order to more accurately reflect the importance of straight educators in shaping safe schools.
* Kevin Jennings meets with President [[Bill Clinton]] at the White House to discuss anti-LGBT bias in America's schools—the first meeting of its kind in the Executive Office of the United States.

==== 1998 ====
* ''Out of the Past'', a GLSEN-sponsored documentary developed as a resource for high school history classes, wins the Audience Award at the [[Sundance Film Festival]] and is broadcast nationally on [[PBS]]. [[Eliza Byard]], the film's co-producer, would become GLSEN's Deputy Executive Director in 2001.

==== 1999 ====
* GLSEN conducts the National School Climate Survey—the first and only national study regularly documenting the experiences of LGBT youth in schools.  The survey is conducted and published biennially.
* GLSEN, the [[American Academy of Pediatrics]], and a coalition of national education, mental health, and religious organizations release ''Just the Facts about Sexual Orientation and Youth: A Primer for Principals, Educators and School Personnel'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.apa.org/pi/lgbt/resources/just-the-facts.pdf|title= Just the Facts about Sexual Orientation and Youth: A Primer for Principals, Educators and School Personnel |access-date=2015-11-11}}</ref> which provides authoritative statements about how "[[conversion therapy]]" is harmful to youth. Sixteen years later, President [[Barack Obama]] would call for an end to the practice.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/04/08/obama-lgbt-conversion-therapy_n_7029648.html|title= Obama calls for an end to conversion therapy|website= [[HuffPost]]|date= April 9, 2015|access-date=2015-11-11}}</ref>

=== 2000s ===
==== 2000 ====
* The Chicago chapter of GLSEN was inducted into the [[Chicago Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.glhalloffame.org/index.pl?page=inductees&todo=year |title=Inductees to the Chicago Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame |publisher=Chicago Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame (GLHF) |access-date=2015-11-01 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017032241/http://www.glhalloffame.org/index.pl?page=inductees&todo=year |archive-date=2015-10-17 }}</ref>

==== 2001 ====
* Students ask GLSEN to become the first national sponsor of the Day of Silence. Participation grows from hundreds of college students to thousands of middle and high school youth.

==== 2002 ====
* GLSEN begins a partnership with the [[National Education Association]], which asks school districts to protect LGBTQ students and staff by adopting policies that protect students from bullying and harassment on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity/expression.

==== 2003 ====
* U.S. Representative [[Linda Sánchez]] introduces the Safe Schools Improvement Act,<ref name="SSIA">{{cite web|url=http://www.glsen.org/article/safe-schools-improvement-act-s-311hr-2902 |title= SSIA|date= May 5, 2009|access-date=2015-11-11}}</ref> an LGBT-inclusive federal anti-bullying bill that includes protections for sexual orientation and gender identity/expression.

==== 2004 ====
* GLSEN's No Name-Calling Week launches as an annual week of educational activities aimed at ending name-calling of all kinds.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=No Name-Calling Week |url=https://nationaltoday.com/no-name-calling-week/ |access-date=2024-01-18 |website=National Today |language=en-US}}</ref>
* Vermont becomes the first state to pass an LGBT-inclusive anti-bullying law that includes protections on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity/expression.

==== 2005 ====
* GLSEN and [[Harris Insights & Analytics|Harris Interactive]] release ''From Teasing to Torment: School Climate in America, A Survey of Students and Teachers,''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.glsenboston.org/GLSENFromTeasingToTorment.pdf |title=From Teasing to Torment: School Climate in America, A Survey of Students and Teachers |date=2005 |access-date=2015-11-11 |archive-date=October 22, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161022194530/http://www.glsenboston.org/GLSENFromTeasingToTorment.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> the first national study of the general population of secondary students and teachers to address LGBT issues. This study documents disparities between LGBTQ and non-LGBTQ students and finds that LGBT students were more than three times as likely to not feel safe at school. 
* GLSEN's Jump-Start National Student Leadership Team develops an idea that turns into the first Ally Week that is now in schools nationwide every October.

==== 2006 ====
* GLSEN launches the "Think Before You Speak" public service announcement initiative with the Ad Council, the nonprofit advertising company's first LGBT-focused campaign.

==== 2007 ====
* GLSEN helps develop the [[New York City Department of Education]]'s "Respect for All" initiative.

==== 2008 ====
* [[Murder of Larry King|Lawrence King is murdered]] by his eighth-grade classmate at E.O. Green Junior High in [[Oxnard, California]]. GLSEN's Day of Silence is held in Larry's honor as students from more than 8,000 schools participate. 
* Lance Bass films a public service announcement in the GLSEN office that is viewed more than 300,000 times on [[YouTube]].
* GLSEN releases, ''The Principal's Perspective: School Safety, Bullying and Harassment,''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.glsen.org/sites/default/files/The%20Principals%20Perspective.pdf |date=2008 |title=The Principal's Perspective: School Safety, Bullying and Harassment |access-date=2015-11-11 |archive-date=February 2, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202001222/http://www.glsen.org/sites/default/files/The%20Principals%20Perspective.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> a report conducted in collaboration with the [[National Association of Secondary School Principals]].

==== 2009 ====
* Eleven-year-old Carl Joseph Walker-Hoover takes his life after enduring anti-gay bullying at school. His mother, Sirdeaner Walker, becomes a GLSEN spokesperson and later joins GLSEN's National Board of Directors.
* GLSEN releases ''Harsh Realities: The Experiences of Transgender Youth in Our Nation's Schools,''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.glsen.org/sites/default/files/Harsh%20Realities.pdf|title= Harsh Realities: The Experiences of Transgender Youth in Our Nation's Schools|access-date=2015-11-11}}</ref> the organization's first report that focuses specifically on the experiences of transgender students. The study finds that transgender youth face much higher levels of harassment and violence than LGB cisgender students, and as a result, miss more school, receive lower grades and feel more isolated from their school community.
* GLSEN releases ''Shared Differences: The Experiences of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Students of Color in our Nation's Schools.''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.glsen.org/sites/default/files/Shared%20Differences.pdf|title= Shared Differences: The Experiences of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Students of Color in our Nation's Schools.|access-date=2015-11-11}}</ref> The study focuses specifically on the school experiences of LGBTQ students of color and provides insight into the ways in which LGBTQ students' school experiences differ based on race or ethnicity. The report finds that the majority of LGBTQ students of color faced both LGBTQ-based harassment and race-based harassment at school.

=== 2010s ===
==== 2010 ====
* GLSEN officially launches the Safe Space Campaign,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.glsen.org/safespace|title= Safe Space Kit|access-date=2015-11-11}}</ref> designed to give educators the tools to be visibly supportive allies to LGBTQ students. The campaign goes on to place a Safe Space Kit in every school in the United States.{{citation needed|date=August 2019}}

==== 2011 ====
* GLSEN's Executive Director Eliza Byard participates in the first-ever [[United Nations]] international consultation to address anti-LGBT bullying in schools.
* Several representatives from GLSEN attend the White House Conference on Bullying Prevention, pressing for effective federal action to address bullying, and highlighting bullying prevention programs and approaches that benefit all students.
* The White House names GLSEN a "Champion of Change",<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/lesbian/news/ARTICLE.php?AID=33519|title= White House honors GLSEN|date= August 31, 2011|access-date=2015-11-11}}</ref> honoring the organization's two decades of work to fight bullying, violence, and stigma directed at LGBTQ people in K-12 schools and for GLSEN's efforts to prevent suicide among at-risk youth.
* GLSEN, the [[Anti-Defamation League]], and National Public Radio's [[StoryCorps]] launch "Unheard Voices", an oral history and curriculum project that will help educators integrate LGBTQ history, people and issues into their instructional programs.

==== 2012 ====
* GLSEN releases ''Strengths and Silences: The Experiences of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Students in Rural and Small Town Schools''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.glsen.org/sites/default/files/Strengths%20%26%20Silences.pdf |title=Strengths and Silences: The Experiences of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Students in Rural and Small Town Schools |date=2012 |access-date=2015-11-11}}</ref> The report documents the experiences of more than 2,300 LGBTQ students who attend secondary schools in rural areas. Findings demonstrate that compared to LGBTQ students in urban and suburban areas, LGBTQ students in rural schools are more likely to hear negative comments about gender expression and sexual orientation; feel unsafe at their schools due to their sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression, and experience verbal and physical harassment and assault due to these characteristics.
* A [[GuideStar]]/[[Philanthropedia]] survey of 110 experts on LGBTQ issues names GLSEN one of the country's top three LGBTQ nonprofits making significant contributions on a national level.
* GLSEN partners with the leading school mental health professional associations, the [[National Association of School Psychologists]], the American School Counselors Association, the School Social Workers Association of America, and the American Council for School Social Workers, to conduct a national study of school mental health professionals on their preparation and practices related to LGBTQ youth in schools.

==== 2013 ====
* GLSEN convenes first-ever research symposia on LGBTQ students' experiences and homophobic and transphobic bullying internationally at the World Comparative Education Congress in [[Buenos Aires]], Argentina – with more than 15 countries, including Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Cyprus, Israel, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, the Netherlands, Nigeria, Poland, Slovenia, South Africa, and Turkey. GLSEN, in partnership with [[UNESCO]], also coordinates an all-day strategic planning meeting with the global group of experts to coordinate collective resources and reduce homophobic and transphobic prejudice and violence in schools globally.
* GLSEN publishes ''Out Online: The Experiences of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Youth'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.glsen.org/sites/default/files/Out%20Online%20FINAL.pdf|title= Out Online: The Experiences of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Youth |access-date=2015-11-11}}</ref> the first national report to examine the online experience of LGBTQ youth. While LGBTQ youth experience nearly three times as much bullying and harassment online, they also find greater peer support, access to health information, and opportunities to be civically engaged.
* Transgender Student Rights, a youth-created grassroots organization, becomes a GLSEN program.
* By youth nomination, GLSEN Executive Director Dr. Eliza Byard speaks at the [[Let Freedom Ring]] Commemoration and Call to Action event at the [[Lincoln Memorial]], where [[Martin Luther King Jr.]] delivered his famous "[[I Have a Dream]]" speech in 1963. Fellow speakers include Presidents Obama, Bill Clinton, and [[Jimmy Carter]]. GLSEN is the only representative from an LGBTQ organization to speak at the event.

==== 2014 ====
* GLSEN partners with the [[American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education]] and the Association of Teacher Educators to research and support the inclusion of LGBTQ issues in teacher preparation.
* The [[Office for Civil Rights]] in the [[U.S. Department of Education]] issues official guidance making clear that transgender students are protected from discrimination under [[Title IX]], stating that "Title IX's sex discrimination prohibition extends to claims of discrimination based on gender identity or failure to conform to stereotypical notions of masculinity or femininity."
* The GLSEN National School Climate Survey finds that school climate for LGBTQ students has improved somewhat over the years, yet remains quite hostile for many. LGBTQ students in the survey experienced lower verbal and physical harassment based on sexual orientation than in all prior years, and the lowest physical assault based on sexual orientation since 2007. 
* The Safe Schools Improvement Act,<ref name="SSIA"/> federal legislation that would require schools to adopt LGBTQ-inclusive anti-bullying policies, garners its highest support yet, with 208 bipartisan co-sponsors in the U.S. House of Representatives and 46 in the U.S. Senate.

==== 2015 ====
* GLSEN's No Name-Calling Week generates nearly 1,000,000 impressions of #celebratekindness on Twitter. 
* GLSEN and Chilean partner organization Todo Mejora release a Spanish-language version of the GLSEN Safe Space Kit to be used in Chilean schools.

=== 2020s ===

==== 2022 ====
* GLSEN appoints [[Melanie Willingham-Jaggers]] as the organization's first Black and [[non-binary]] executive director.<ref name="nbc-26jan2022">{{cite news |last1=Yurcaba |first1=Jo |title=National LGBTQ group GLSEN appoints first Black, nonbinary executive director |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-community-voices/national-lgbtq-group-glsen-appoints-first-black-nonbinary-executive-di-rcna13674 |access-date=January 30, 2022 |work=[[NBC News]] |date=January 26, 2022}}</ref>

==== 2023 ====
* [[Wilson Cruz]] becomes chair of the board, with [[Imara Jones]] as vice-chair.<ref>{{cite web |title=GLSEN Announces Wilson Cruz as Chair of Board, Imara Jones as Vice Chair |url=https://www.glsen.org/news/glsen-announces-wilson-cruz-chair-board-imara-jones-vice-chair |website=GLSEN |access-date=10 May 2024 |date=27 July 2023}}</ref>

==== 2025 ====
* With the support and guidance of [https://www.cause-capacity.com/ Cause Capacity], [https://www.advocate.com/news/glsen-layoffs-restructuring GLSEN laid off 60% of its employees]. 

== Campaigns and programs ==
=== GLSEN's Day of Silence ===
{{Main|Day of Silence}}

GLSEN's [[Day of Silence]] is a national day of action that began at the [[University of Virginia]] in 1996 in which students vow to take a form of silence to call attention to the silencing effect of anti-LGBTQ bullying and harassment in schools.<ref name=":0" /> GLSEN's [[Day of Silence]] takes place in 8,000 U.S. schools every year and has spread to more than 60 countries.

=== GLSEN's No Name-Calling Week ===
Every January, thousands of elementary and middle schools participate in GLSEN's No Name-Calling Week to end bullying. No Name-Calling Week was inspired by the popular young adult novel entitled ''The Misfits'' by popular author [[James Howe]], and is supported by over 60 national partner organizations.<ref name=":1" />

=== GLSEN's Ally Week ===
{{Main|Ally Week}}

Every fall, GLSEN's [[Ally Week]] serves to educate allies about the role they play in creating safer spaces for LGBTQ youth. Ally Week was started in 2005 by GLSEN's Jump-Start National Student Leadership team.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Campbell |first=Hailey |title=Suffolk reflects during LGBTQ+ History Month |url=https://thesuffolkjournal.com/30886/news/lgbtq-history-month/ |access-date=2024-01-18 |website=The Suffolk Journal}}</ref>  Ally Week is supported by over 20 endorsers.

=== Think Before You Speak campaign ===
{{Main|Think Before You Speak (campaign)}}

On October 8, 2008, GLSEN and [[Ad Council]] released the [[Think Before You Speak (campaign)|Think Before You Speak]] campaign, designed to end homophobic vocabulary and raise awareness about the prevalence and consequences of anti-LGBTQ bias and behavior in America's schools among youth, through the use of television, radio, print, and outdoor ads.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://thinkb4youspeak.com/TheCampaign/ |title=The Campaign |date=2008-10-08 |access-date=2008-10-09 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081011074318/http://www.thinkb4youspeak.com/TheCampaign/ |archive-date=2008-10-11 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://pinkisthenewblog.com/home/2008/10/think-before-you-speak/ |title=Think Before You Speak |date=2008-10-09 |access-date=2008-10-10 |archive-date=October 12, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081012110549/http://pinkisthenewblog.com/home/2008/10/think-before-you-speak/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
The campaign also aimed to raise awareness among adults, school personnel, and parents.  It includes three television [[public service announcement]]s (PSAs), six print PSAs and three radio PSAs. Television commercials for the campaign include singer [[Hilary Duff]] as well as comedian [[Wanda Sykes]]. In 2008 the campaign won the [[Ad Council]]'s Gold Bell award for "Best Public Service Advertising Campaign".

=== GLSEN Research ===
GLSEN has been conducting research and evaluation on LGBTQ issues in K-12 education since 1999. GLSEN became the only organization to regularly document the school experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) middle and high school students in the U.S. using GLSEN's National School Climate Survey.  Other research reports GLSEN has put out include ''From Statehouse to Schoolhouse: Anti-Bullying Policies in U.S. States and School Districts'', ''Shared Differences: The Experiences of LGBTQ Students of Color in Our Nation's Schools'',  ''Harsh Realities: The Experiences of Transgender Youth in Our Nation's Schools'', as well as many other reports, articles, and book chapters.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.glsen.org/research |title=GLSEN Research |access-date=2015-11-11 }}</ref>

=== GLSEN National Student Council ===
The GLSEN National Student Council, formerly known as the Student Ambassadors program, is one of GLSEN's student leadership teams.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.glsen.org/participate/student-action/leadership-team|title=GLSEN National Student Council |access-date=2015-11-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151102010449/http://www.glsen.org/participate/student-action/leadership-team |archive-date=2015-11-02 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Each year, GLSEN selects a small group of middle and high school students to serve as GLSEN youth representatives for the upcoming school year. Students of the National Student Council advise GLSEN on campaigns, bring GLSEN resources to their schools, represent GLSEN in the media, and have their own work published in local and national outlets.

===GLSEN Chapters===
GLSEN Chapters, with the support and guidance of the national office, work to bring GLSEN programs to their specific communities on a local level. Chapter board members and volunteers are students, educators, parents and community members who volunteer their time to support students and Gay-Straight Alliances, train educators and provide opportunities for everyone to make change in their local schools. GLSEN has 38 volunteer-led GLSEN Chapters in 26 states that work with student leaders, provide professional development for educators, and encourage policymakers to enact LGBTQ-inclusive policies.<ref name="GLSEN chapters"/>

==GLSEN Respect Awards==
GLSEN organizes the annual GLSEN Respect Awards to honor leaders, personalities, and organizations who have made significant contributions to LGBTQ youth. Awards are given to organizations, celebrities, students, educators and [[gay–straight alliance]]s. Since 2004, there have been over four dozen honorees and over $15 million raised in all.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.glsen.org/2019-respect-awards-new-york|title=2019 GLSEN Respect Awards - New York|website=GLSEN|language=en|access-date=2019-05-31}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.glsen.org/press|title=Press {{!}} GLSEN|website=www.glsen.org|access-date=2019-05-31}}</ref> The first Respect Awards were in New York in 2004 and honored [[Andrew Tobias]], author and Treasurer of the [[Democratic National Committee]]; [[MTV]]; and student Marina Gatto. Since then, the Respect Awards are held annually in New York in late May and in Los Angeles in late October. Since 2004, there have been over four-dozen honorees and over $17 million raised.
 
{| class="wikitable"
! scope="col" | Year
! scope="col" | New York awards
! scope="col" | Los Angeles awards
|-
! rowspan="5" scope="row" | [https://www.glsen.org/respect-awards 2018]
| [[Rosario Dawson]] 
| [[Ellen Pompeo]], Inspiration Award
|-
| [[Hollister, California]]
| [[Yara Shahidi]], Gamechanger Award
|-
| [http://info.music.indiana.edu/releases/iu/2013/11/jacobs-honorary-degree.shtml David Henry Jacobs]
| [[Max Mutchnick]] & [[David Kohan]], Champion Award
|-
| [https://www.glsen.org/GLSEN-HONORS-EDUCATOR-GSA-RESPECT-AWARDS Stephanie Byers] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180516104136/https://www.glsen.org/GLSEN-HONORS-EDUCATOR-GSA-RESPECT-AWARDS |date=May 16, 2018 }}
| [[20th Century Fox|Twentieth Century Fox Films]], Visionary Award
|-
| [[E.O. Green Junior High School]] 
| Ruby Noboa, Student Advocate of the Year
|-
! rowspan="5" scope="row" |2017
| Ryan Pedlow
| [[Kerry Washington]], Inspiration Award
|-
| Ann Clark
| Bruce Bozzi, Champion Award
|-
| [[First Data]]
| [[Zendaya]], Gamechanger Award
|-
| Roland Park, GSA of the Year
| [[DC Entertainment]], Visionary Award
|-
| [[Carla Gugino]]
| Ose Arheghan, Student Advocate of the Year
|-
! rowspan="5" scope="row" | 2016
| [[George Stephanopoulos]] & [[Ali Wentworth|Alexandra Wentworth]]
| [[Kate Hudson]], Inspiration Award
|-
| [[Ilene Chaiken]]
| [[Connor Franta]], Gamechanger Award
|-
| Optimedia
| [[Target Corporation|Target]], Champion Award
|-
| Amber Schweitzer
| Jess Cagle, Visionary Award
|-
| Academy for Young Writers, GSA of the Year
| Edward Estrada, Student Advocate of the Year
|-
! rowspan="5" scope="row" | 2015
| [[Johnson & Johnson]] || [[YouTube]]
|-
| [[Matthew Morrison]] || [[Justin Timberlake]] & [[Jessica Biel]]
|-
| [[Jon Stryker]] || [[Zachary Quinto]]
|-
| Desiree Raught, Educator of the Year || Mars Hallman, Student Advocate of the Year
|-
| Nixa High School GSA, GSA of the Year || 
|-
! rowspan="4" scope="row" | 2014
| [[AT&T]] || Danny Moder & [[Julia Roberts]]
|-
| [[Janet Mock]] || [[Robert Greenblatt|Bob Greenblatt]]
|-
| Laura Taylor, Educator of the Year || [[Derek Hough]]
|-
| The Park City High School GSA, GSA of the Year || Cliff Tang, Student Advocate of the Year
|-
! rowspan="6" scope="row" | 2013
| [[Jason Collins]] || [[Lionsgate]]
|-
| [[JPMorgan Chase|JPMorgan Chase & Co.]] || Todd Spiewak & [[Jim Parsons]]
|-
| [[LZ Granderson]] || Linda Bloodwort-Thomason
|-
| Farrington High School, GSA of the Year || Laila Al-Shamma, Student Advocate of the Year
|-
| Matthew Beck, Educator of the Year || 
|-
| [[USA Network]]'s Characters Unite campaign || 
|-
! rowspan="4" scope="row" | 2012
| [[National Basketball Association|NBA]] || Marilyn & [[Jeffrey Katzenberg]]
|-
| Marguerite Kondracke || Simon Halls & [[Matt Bomer]]
|-
| Janet Sammons, Educator of the Year || [[Bob Weinstein|Bob]] and [[Harvey Weinstein]]
|-
| Allies 4 Equality, GSA of the Year || Luis Veloz, Student Advocate of the Year
|-
! rowspan="5" scope="row" | 2011
| [[Barclays Capital]] || [[Wells Fargo]]
|-
| Susie Scher & Allison Grover || [[Chaz Bono]]
|-
| [[Chely Wright]] || Michele & [[Rob Reiner]]
|-
| Rich Espey, Educator of the Year || [[Rick Welts]]
|-
| || Emmett Patterson, Student Advocate of the Year
|-
! rowspan="5" scope="row" | 2010
| [[American Express]] || ''[[Modern Family]]''
|-
| [[Pfizer]] || Out & Equal Workplace Advocates
|-
| David Dechman & Michael Mercure || Dan Renberg and Eugene Kapaloski
|-
| [[Cyndi Lauper]] || Ferial Pearson, Educator of the Year
|-
| Danielle Smith, Student Advocate of the Year || 
|-
! rowspan="4" scope="row" | 2009
| [[KPMG]] || [[HBO]]
|-
| [[PepsiCo]] || [[David Bohnett|David C. Bohnett]]
|-
| Mary Jane Karger, Educator of the Year || [[Shonda Rhimes]]
|-
| || Austin Laufersweiler, Student Advocate of the Year
|-
! rowspan="4" scope="row" | 2008
| [[DiversityInc]] || [[Lance Bass]]
|-
| [[Goldman Sachs]] || [[Darren Star]]
|-
| [[Lloyd C. Blankfein]] || [[American Broadcasting Company|Disney / ABC Television Group]]
|-
| Ronald M. Ansin || 
|-
! rowspan="4" scope="row" | 2007
| [[National Education Association]] || Hon. [[James C. Hormel]]
|-
| Elizabeth Duthinh || [[Greg Berlanti]]
|-
| [[John J. Mack|John Mack]]<!-- See https://www.glsen.org/article/glsens-respect-awards-new-york-honorees-announced for ref that it's [[John J. Mack]], former CEO of Morgan Stanley, rather than some other John Mack -->
| Dr. [[Neal Baer]]
|-
| || Hon. [[Sheila Kuehl]]
|-
! rowspan="3" scope="row" | 2006
| [[Citigroup, Inc.]] || [[James Howe]]
|-
| Kerry Pacer, Student Activist || [[Cisco Systems, Inc.]]
|-
| The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling || Dr [[Virginia Uribe]], Ph.D.
|-
! rowspan="4" scope="row" | 2005
| [[Lehman Brothers]] || Jeffrey C. Quinn
|-
| Talia Stein || Moses Kaufman
|-
| Hon. [[Richard Gephardt]] & [[Chrissy Gephardt]] || [[IBM]]
|-
| || Frankie Martinez
|-
! rowspan="3" scope="row" | 2004
| [[Andrew Tobias]] || 
|-
| Marina Gatto || 
|-
| [[MTV]] || 
|}

== Fistgate controversy ==
{{main|Fistgate}}

In 2000, the leader of the conservative Parents' Rights Coalition of Massachusetts (now known as [[MassResistance]]) secretly taped one of the 50 workshops in "Teachout 2000", titled "What They Didn't Tell You About Queer Sex and Sexuality in Health Class: Workshop for Youth Only, Ages 14–21".<ref name="Recorded">{{cite web |title=The Fistgate Report |url-status=dead |access-date=June 8, 2008 |url=http://www.massnews.com/past_issues/2000/Schools/fistrep.htm |website=Massachusetts News |archive-date=April 7, 2003 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030407022910/http://www.massnews.com/past_issues/2000/Schools/fistrep.htm }}</ref> Students discussed sex in a workshop "billed as a ''safe place'' for youths to get their questions about their sexuality answered" in the session's Q&A section.  A question was asked about [[fisting]] a minor and an explanation was provided.<ref>{{cite news |title=Firestorm over GLSEN sex education workshop worsens |url=http://www.baywindows.com/index.php?ch=news&id=63595 |newspaper=[[Bay Windows]] |date=May 25, 2000 |first=Laura |last=Kiritsy |access-date=June 8, 2008 }}{{dead link |date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} via [[EBSCOHost]] accession number [https://web.archive.org/web/20130630140106/http://connection.ebscohost.com/c/articles/15750379/firestorm-over-glsen-sex-education-workshop-worsens 15750379]</ref>  Greg Carmack subsequently suggested that the question might have been planted by those making the recordings.<ref>{{cite news |title=Was GLSEN 'fistgate' controversy a contrivance? |first=Greg |last=Carmack |date=August 3, 2000 |newspaper=[[Bay Windows]] |access-date=October 22, 2017 |url=http://www.baywindows.com/was-glsen-fistgate-controversy-a-contrivance-63681 |archive-date=November 19, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181119053339/http://www.baywindows.com/was-glsen-fistgate-controversy-a-contrivance-63681 |url-status=dead }}</ref>  MassResistance dubbed the incident "Fistgate"<ref name="Recorded"/><ref name="Critics">{{cite news |title=Critics contend safe-sex forum far too graphic |newspaper=[[The Republican (Springfield)|The Union-News]] |date=May 17, 2000 |access-date=June 8, 2008 |url=http://www.personproject.org/Alerts/States/Massachusetts/controversy.html |archive-date=July 4, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080704113324/http://www.personproject.org/Alerts/States/Massachusetts/controversy.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> and the tapes generated controversy when they were broadcast over radio.<ref name="CCSSFF">{{cite news |title=Graphic gay-sex workshop under fire |first=Ed |last=Hayward |newspaper=[[The Boston Herald]] |url=http://business.highbeam.com/3972/article-1G1-62145428/graphic-gaysex-workshop-under-fire |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170311042541/https://business.highbeam.com/3972/article-1G1-62145428/graphic-gaysex-workshop-under-fire |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 11, 2017 |date=May 17, 2000 |access-date=June 8, 2008 }} [http://www.personproject.org/Alerts/States/Massachusetts/controversy.html Paywall-free copy] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080704113324/http://www.personproject.org/Alerts/States/Massachusetts/controversy.html |date=July 4, 2008 }}</ref>   A state employee who participated in the discussion and was subsequently dismissed filed suit against Camenker and Scott Whiteman as a result of the distribution of the tape recordings,<ref name="Greenberger">{{cite news |title=Educator fired for sex discussion sues to reclaim job |newspaper=[[The Boston Globe]] |url=http://www.personproject.org/Alerts/States/Massachusetts/lawsuit.html |first=Scott |last=Greenberger |date=November 28, 2000 |access-date=June 8, 2008 |archive-date=August 8, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080808140624/http://www.personproject.org/Alerts/States/Massachusetts/lawsuit.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> while others pointed out the legal prohibition against recording people without their knowledge or permission.<ref name="CCSSFF"/>  According to ''[[Bay Windows]]'', a "Massachusetts Superior Court judge ruled that the tape was illegally acquired and therefore an invasion of privacy against those individuals present, who were never told they were being recorded."<ref>{{cite news |title=GLSEN national poll shows wide support amongst parents for gay youth protections |first=Beth |last=Berlo |date=December 20, 2001 |newspaper=[[Bay Windows]] |access-date=October 22, 2017 |url=http://www.baywindows.com/glsen-national-poll-shows-wide-support-amongst-parents-for-gay-youth-protections-60097 |archive-date=November 19, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181119060548/http://www.baywindows.com/glsen-national-poll-shows-wide-support-amongst-parents-for-gay-youth-protections-60097 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|United States|LGBTQ}}
* [[LGBT rights in the United States]]
* [[List of LGBT rights organizations]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Official website}}
* [https://www.glsen.org/no-name-calling-week No Name Calling Week] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220210222552/https://www.glsen.org/no-name-calling-week |date=February 10, 2022 }}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20081011073317/http://www.thinkb4youspeak.com/ Think Before You Speak Campaign]
* [http://www.dayofsilence.org/ GLSEN's Day of Silence]
* [http://www.glsen.org/chapters Chapters]

{{LGBTQ}}
{{Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network}}
[[Category:Anti-bullying organizations in the United States]]
[[Category:Educational organizations based in the United States]]
[[Category:LGBTQ and education]]
[[Category:LGBTQ political advocacy groups in the United States]]
[[Category:LGBTQ youth organizations based in the United States]]
[[Category:Organizations established in 1990]]
[[Category:1990 establishments in Massachusetts]]