For Educators
Educators play a vital role in creating a learning environment where LGBTQ+ youth feel safe, respected and included.
Glisten is here to support you with tools for professional development, information about your rights, teaching resources, and a robust community of like-minded K-12 educators.
Support Students
Find resources for supporting LGBTQ+ students in your school, including lesson plans for bringing LGBTQ+ visibility into your curriculum, professional development tools, tips for celebrating days of action, and more!
Know Your Rights
Know Your Rights
Harassment and discrimination against LGBTQ+ employees is prohibited by both federal law and the U.S. Constitution. Despite this, many LGBTQ+ educators still experience workplace harassment and discrimination every day. Here’s what you need to know about your rights, and what you can do if they are violated.
Harassment and discrimination against LGBTQ+ employees is prohibited by both federal law and the U.S. Constitution. Despite this, many LGBTQ+ educators still experience workplace harassment and discrimination every day. Here’s what you need to know about your rights, and what you can do if they are violated.
Learn MoreAdvocate for Change
Educator-to-educator Resources
Learn from the experiences of other educators who are making a difference in the lives of LGBTQ+ youth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Any discriminatory law that a state passes can be overridden by a new law. While an immediate change may be unlikely, it is still important for state lawmakers to know that there are people who are going to keep pushing for respect and equality for all young people. There are likely still many ways that you can continue to support LGBTQ+ students. Gender-Sexuality Alliances are protected by federal law so as long as they follow all the rules of any other club, a school or district may not interfere with them.
Any discriminatory law that a state passes can be overridden by a new law. While an immediate change may be unlikely, it is still important for state lawmakers to know that there are people who are going to keep pushing for respect and equality for all young people. There are likely still many ways that you can continue to support LGBTQ+ students. Gender-Sexuality Alliances are protected by federal law so as long as they follow all the rules of any other club, a school or district may not interfere with them.
Glisten offers a variety of resources and lesson plans that can help you create more inclusive lesson plans. Check out the Educators page for these resources. A good rule of thumb is to use windows and mirrors in the curriculum. Where we provide students the opportunity to see themselves in the curriculum via mirrors and other worldviews via windows.
Glisten offers a variety of resources and lesson plans that can help you create more inclusive lesson plans. Check out the Educators page for these resources. A good rule of thumb is to use windows and mirrors in the curriculum. Where we provide students the opportunity to see themselves in the curriculum via mirrors and other worldviews via windows.
The first thing to do is figure out if your district policies are aligned with or in conflict with state law. If state law mandates better policies, then you should raise your concerns at the district level. Make sure they understand that their policies are noncompliant and that it is on them to modify them. If the discriminatory policies are mandated by state law, then you must work to change the law at the state level. If your state has an LGBTQ+ caucus in the legislature – or even a single LGBTQ+ member, that might be a good starting point. A state equality group is another good starting point.
The first thing to do is figure out if your district policies are aligned with or in conflict with state law. If state law mandates better policies, then you should raise your concerns at the district level. Make sure they understand that their policies are noncompliant and that it is on them to modify them. If the discriminatory policies are mandated by state law, then you must work to change the law at the state level. If your state has an LGBTQ+ caucus in the legislature – or even a single LGBTQ+ member, that might be a good starting point. A state equality group is another good starting point.
Starting a GSA at your school is a huge step toward creating safer and more affirming schools, so thank you! Some initial steps are registering your GSA here and checking out our resource library.
Starting a GSA at your school is a huge step toward creating safer and more affirming schools, so thank you! Some initial steps are registering your GSA here and checking out our resource library.