GLSEN Baltimore is a chapter of the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN). We center our attention on the Baltimore Metro area, and provide support to counties statewide via partnership with our friends at Free State Legal.
Nationally, GLSEN works to ensure safe schools for ALL students, regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity. There are almost 40 Chapters around the country, which work closely with the national staff of GLSEN to implement programs, and to keep national staff informed of local events.
The work that our chapter does covers a variety of subjects and issues, from educating, organizing, and supporting school communities; delivering workshops and professional development trainings for students and school staff on how to address the pervasiveness of anti-LGBTQ bullying; hosting safe space conferences and events for LGBTQ and ally students and educators; providing assistance in the creation of Gender Sexuality Alliances in schools for student activism; and participating in public policy and advocacy efforts around the many needs of LGBTQ youth. Some of our events for youth include our Annual Youth Summit at Towson University, which attracts 50-100 LGBTQ youth from across the state to participate in a day of workshops, dinner, and a dance; our Crossroads Conference, focused on the intersections of identity, unpacking systems of oppression, and supporting community for LGBTQ youth of color; and our Day of Silence March around the Washington Monument in Mt. Vernon, to call attention to the silencing effect of anti-LGBTQ harassment in schools.
Chapters like ours play an important role in bringing GLSEN's programs and visions to local communities. We're always looking for new volunteers to help us ensure safe schools for all students.