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GLSEN is the leading national organization fighting to end anti-gay bias in K-12 schools. What is GLSEN's mission statement? The Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network strives to assure that each member of every school community is valued and respected regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression. We believe that such an atmosphere engenders a positive sense of self, which is the basis of educational achievement and personal growth. Since homophobia and heterosexism undermine a healthy school climate, we work to educate teachers, students and the public at large about the damaging effects these forces have on youth and adults alike. We recognize that forces such as racism and sexism have similarly adverse impacts on communities and we support schools in seeking to redress all such inequities. GLSEN seeks to develop school climates where difference is valued for the positive contribution it makes in creating a more vibrant and diverse community. We welcome as members any and all individuals, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity/expression or occupation, who are committed to seeing this philosophy realized in K-12 schools. What does GLSEN do? GLSEN combats the harassment and discrimination leveled against students and school personnel. GLSEN creates learning environments that affirm the inherent dignity of all students, and, in so doing, teaches them to respect and accept all of their classmates-- regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity/expression. GLSEN believes that the key to ending anti-gay prejudice and hate-motivated violence is education. And it's for this reason that GLSEN brings together students, educators, families and other community members--of any sexual orientation or gender identity/expression--to reform America's educational system. How does GLSEN combat anti-gay bias in schools? COMMUNITY ORGANIZING GLSEN has built a network of 85 chapters, the second-largest such network in the entire LGBT civil rights movement. Among other things, GLSEN volunteers educate school officials about the need to pass non-discrimination policies in schools, train teachers to prevent anti-gay name calling, and serve as a community resource for teachers, parents, and students grappling with LGBT issues. In addition, GLSEN's rapidly-expanding Student Pride Project provides resources and technical support to over 400 high school-based Gay-Straight Alliances. EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES GLSEN creates and distributes teacher training materials and LGBT-inclusive curricular resources to elementary and secondary schools across the country. By increasing the availability of high-quality educational resources, such as the Sundance Award-winning documentary Out of the Past, GLSEN provides K-12 teachers the language and tools they need to create safe and affirming learning environments for all. FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL ADVOCACY GLSEN seeks to change the attitudes of those who have influence over daily scholastic life -- from public policy leaders in Washington D.C. to state superintendents of public instruction to local school board members. Using tools such as the annual Back-to-School Campaign, which documents programs and policies protecting LGBT youth in schools, GLSEN helps education leaders understand the pervasiveness of anti-gay bias in schools, and then works with them to stop these harmful forces.