GLSEN strives to assure that each member of every school community is valued and respected regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression.
GLSEN (pronounced "glisten") was founded in 1990 by a small, but dedicated group of teachers in Massachusetts who came together to improve an education system that too frequently allows its lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning (LGBTQ) students to be bullied, discriminated against, or fall through the cracks.
GLSEN LA recently relaunched in July 2018! This past year they have focused on building up community engagement, visibility, and fundraising. Currently, they only have the capacity (e.g. volunteers) and funds to directly provide GLSEN resources on-site at K-12 schools in LA.
They are regularly present at local LGBTQ events!
Every local GLSEN chapter including GLSEN LA is volunteer-led. There are 7 Board Members who dedicate their time outside of their regular full-time jobs to advancing GLSEN LA's mission. Outside of their Board Members, they rely heavily on regular volunteers. If you are interested in learning more about National's organizational structure you can find out more about that here: https://www.glsen.org/connect/staff_directory
They fundraise like any other non-profit organization and procure support through individuals, corporations, online donations, grants, etc.
GLSEN Los Angeles is the LA County chapter of the largest LGBTQ Student support network in the nation, known for leading Day of Silence, Ally Week, Trans Day of Visibility, and other days of action for LGBTQ youth, educators and allies. Their mission locally is to make every school in Los Angeles County - public, private, charter & parochial - a safe one for LGBTQ youth.
Are you interested in getting involved with GLSEN Los Angeles and working to create safe schools for all, regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity and expression? Click above for a couple of ways to get involved and support their work!
Follow @GLSENLosAngeles