For Students
There are many ways to push for change in your community. Glisten is here to help you get started and come up with ideas.
This resource hub is the perfect place to start. Find collected writings from other LGBTQ+ youth, resources to create change, and frequently asked questions here.
Create Change
When youth lead the way, real change happens. These resources are here to support you as you navigate creating schools and communities where LGBTQ+ youth can thrive.
Rainbow Writes
Our Rainbow Writes competition is now accepting submissions until March 31st!
Rainbow Writes is a competition initiated by the 2022-2023 National Student Council cohort in direct response to widespread book bans throughout the nation. It emerged as a contest designed to amplify youth perspectives and revel in the exuberance of queer experiences.
This year’s theme is Insiders. It invites LGBTQ+ young writers to tell stories from the inside, exploring the places, relationships, languages, and moments where they feel seen. Rather than focusing on queerness as something defined by exclusion or otherness, youth have the power to reclaim the idea of being a part of something larger, defining what being an “insider” means for youth and their communities. This theme centers on belonging: the group chats, classrooms, fandoms, friendships, and chosen families where youth are simply being themselves. Insiders asks writers to reflect on what it means to share an unspoken understanding, a secret language, or a sense of affirming community. These stories uplift queerness as lived experience and collective connection, spotlighting the worlds young people build for and with one another.
Submit your piece todayRules and guidelines for the competition:
Eligibility
- Applicants must be currently enrolled in a U.S. high school.
- There is no entry fee to participate.
Submission Limits
- Students may submit one entry per category (up to three total submissions).
- Categories: Prose, Poetry, and Zines.
Length Requirements
- Prose: Maximum 3,000 words
- Poetry: Maximum 1,500 words
- Zine: Standard 8 pages
Content & Originality
- All submissions must be original work.
- Entries must not be previously published.
- Submissions may not reflect collaboration with generative AI.
- Pieces should be inspired by the competition prompt; however, the prompt may be interpreted loosely.
Submission Guidelines
- All entries must be submitted by March 31, 2026.
- No extensions will be granted.
- Please submit final draft versions only. We expect pieces to be thoughtfully edited, with minimal formatting or grammatical errors.
- Do not include your name or any identifying information within the submission document.
Awards & Publication
- One winner will be selected from each category.
- Three honorable mentions will also be considered for publication.
- Winning pieces will be published in the glisten anthology.
- Each category winner will receive a $500 prize.
Rainbow Writes Anthology
Rainbow Writes Anthology
Get inspiration for your submission! Read the works of the 2025 Rainbow Writes contest.
Get inspiration for your submission! Read the works of the 2025 Rainbow Writes contest.
Find Your Community
Get Involved
You can make a difference! LGBTQ+ student-led clubs and GSAs (Gender and Sexuality Alliances) are leading the work to create safe and inclusive schools. Find out how to start a GSA, get free resources, and register to join the national network of GSAs.
You can make a difference! LGBTQ+ student-led clubs and GSAs (Gender and Sexuality Alliances) are leading the work to create safe and inclusive schools. Find out how to start a GSA, get free resources, and register to join the national network of GSAs.
Learn about the National Student Council
The National Student Council (NSC) is a dynamic and empowering youth leadership and engagement program for high schoolers. The NSC, comprised of LGBTQ+ student representatives, provides invaluable feedback on GLSEN's processes, programs, resources, and overall strategy.
The National Student Council (NSC) is a dynamic and empowering youth leadership and engagement program for high schoolers. The NSC, comprised of LGBTQ+ student representatives, provides invaluable feedback on GLSEN's processes, programs, resources, and overall strategy.
Student-to-student Resources
Learn from your peers! Find resources from other LGBTQ+ youth working to create more equitable schools.
Frequently Asked Questions
We recommend looking outside of your school at community opportunities for community and support. If there is nothing locally in-person, you can source an online community as well. A great place to start is with our partners at the Trevor Project and their TrevorSpace.
We recommend looking outside of your school at community opportunities for community and support. If there is nothing locally in-person, you can source an online community as well. A great place to start is with our partners at the Trevor Project and their TrevorSpace.
Yes, GSA’s and similar clubs are open spaces for LGBTQ+ and allied youth to share community, network, and grow together. For more information about your school’s GSA talk with the advisor. If you do not know who that is you can often look it up on your school’s website or ask your school counselor.
Yes, GSA’s and similar clubs are open spaces for LGBTQ+ and allied youth to share community, network, and grow together. For more information about your school’s GSA talk with the advisor. If you do not know who that is you can often look it up on your school’s website or ask your school counselor.
There are many avenues you can take to advocate for more inclusive school policies. If you are not part of your school’s GSA, we suggest you start there. If your school does not have a GSA or you are not comfortable in that space, find a trusted educator at your school to support you. This trusted adult could be a counselor, teacher, coach, etc.
There are many avenues you can take to advocate for more inclusive school policies. If you are not part of your school’s GSA, we suggest you start there. If your school does not have a GSA or you are not comfortable in that space, find a trusted educator at your school to support you. This trusted adult could be a counselor, teacher, coach, etc.
Glisten has a lot of great resources for students, so we suggest you check-out our website for resources. You can also connect with your school counselor for local resources or send us an email at students@glsen.org and we can work to support you in finding resources.
Glisten has a lot of great resources for students, so we suggest you check-out our website for resources. You can also connect with your school counselor for local resources or send us an email at students@glsen.org and we can work to support you in finding resources.