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LGBTQ Reads (choose your age level)

Queer Books for Teens

Stonewall Book Award

YA Pride (choose your age level)

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There are many ways to push for change in your community. GLSEN is here to help you get started and come up with ideas.

Make a powerful statement by participating in the Day of Silence. Bring your school community together with Solidarity Week. Teach respect in and out of the gym/field by learning about GLSEN's Changing the Game. Foster connections and organize together year-round by starting a Gender and Sexuality Alliance at your school.

Student leaders are the most valuable, powerful base of action that exists in our country today. When students lead the way, real change happens. Use these resources to work for positive change and build community in your school!

GLSEN's Youth Membership Program

Are you interested in growing your leadership skills? Join GLSEN's Youth Membership program! For youth ages 14-19.

GSA (Gender and Sexuality Alliances)

You can make a difference! LGBTQ student-led clubs and GSAs (Gender and Sexuality Alliances) are leading the work to create safe and LGBTQ-inclusive schools, and student organizers are the nation's most powerful base for creating change. Along with providing space to organize, GSAs are spaces where students can receive support, socialize, and find community together.

GLSEN research indicates that students at schools with a GSA were less likely to feel unsafe because of their sexual orientation or gender expression and missed less school than their peers who attended schools without a GSA. LGBTQ students with a GSA at their school also reported less anti-LGBTQ discrimination.

Find out how to start a GSA, get free resources to support your GSA's work, take part in the Day of Silence, Solidarity Week, and GLSEN's Changing the Game, and join the national network of more than GSAs by registering your student club today!

GLSEN Programs

GLSEN's Day of Silence, Solidarity Week, and Changing the Game are designed to give you the tools that you need to urge your school to address and help end anti-LGBTQ+ bullying and help build a school community around solidarity and respect for all.

GLSEN School Calendar

Every school year, we put together a calendar of GLSEN events that address LGBTQ+ and social justice issues, and that allows youth and educators to learn about diverse communities and take action to create safe inclusive schools for all.

Check out our 2022-2023 School Year Calendar

Want to make a lasting difference in your school?

GLSEN proudly supports student organizers in schools across the country. As a student, you have the power to make change in your school and community.

Need some ideas for inspiring GSA meetings, information to provide to teachers, or suggestions for events to engage the entire student body? We have resources to help make your GSA an awesome engine for change as well as a fun, safe space for LGBTQ youth and allies.

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Make a powerful statement by participating in the Day of Silence. Bring your school community together with Solidarity Week. Teach respect in and out of the gym/field by learning about GLSEN's Changing the Game. Foster connections and organize together year-round by starting a Gender and Sexuality Alliance at your school.

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trans and queer youth uniting for racial and gender justice

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The It Gets Better Project exists to uplift, empower, and connect LGBTQ+ youth around the globe.

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Our Mission:

JASMYN supports and empowers LGBTQ young people by creating safe space, providing health and wholeness services and offering youth development opportunities, while bringing people and resources together to promote equality and human rights.

LGBTQ young people are affirmed in their identities, confident in their futures, and are a valued asset in the Northeast Florida community.

Our Core Values:

Community Partners

JASMYN partners with organizations across Northeast Florida to accommodate the needs of LGBTQ youth. We refer or introduce young people to other providers for services we don't provide, such as primary care, behavioral health counseling and shelter. This community safety net is important to the wholeness we strive to provide our youth and JASMYN is proud to be a thread in it.

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JASMYN supports and empowers LGBTQ young people by creating safe space, providing health and wholeness services and offering youth development opportunities, while bringing people and resources together to promote equality and human rights. LGBTQ young people are affirmed in their identities, confident in their futures, and are a valued asset in the Northeast Florida community.

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Out of Yer Shell is a curated database of resources and supports by transgender and gender non-conforming people, for transgender and gender non-conforming folx and those who support them. We use research and lived experiences to provide the most up-to-date and accurate information about gender dysphoria, mental health interventions, and a myriad of other topics related to trans folx and their loved-ones.

At Out of Yer Shell, we're working toward a world where transgender & gender non-conforming (GNC) kids are appreciated and celebrated for their identities.

By providing a comprehensive list of resources and supports for transgender & GNC youth, their loved-ones, and service providers, we hope to make the coming out process easier, safer, and more affirming for our trans & GNC kids.

We believe that transgender and GNC kids deserve access to resources and supports that speak to their lived experiences instead of cis-heterosexual standards of normalcy. We believe that black and brown lives matter, no human is illegal, climate change is a global crisis, and families of all genders and sexualities have a right to marriage, adoption, and fostering children. We reject neuronormativity and the systems of oppression that perpetuate human suffering and support our siblings with disabilities. We are trans-INCLUSIONARY radical feminists who believe in intersectional identities and the voices of marginalized communities. In the spirit of healing, we acknowledge and honor the original people of the land upon which we live.

Snail Power

"When a person hides in The Closet, we act as if it is their responsibility to come out. But when a snail hides in its shell, we don't delegate responsibility the same way. A snail only hides in its shell because the world outside feels hostile. If a snail recoils at the sight of you, it's not because the snail is cowardly or lying or deviant or withholding, it's because you've scared it. When queer people hide our identities, it's because the world and people around us felt predatory; because someone scared us - intentionally or unintentionally - and we were trying to protect ourselves."
Jacob Tobia - Sissy: A Coming-of-Gender Story

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Welcome Out of Yer Shell is a curated database of resources and supports by transgender and gender non-conforming people, for transgender and gender non-conforming folx and those who support them. We use research and lived experiences to provide the most up-to-date and accurate information about gender dysphoria, mental health interventions, and a myriad of other...

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We're glad you're here

Find and give support, have fun, connect around shared interests, and get good information. Chat with like-minded peers in live chats designed for you & by you, facilitated by folks who care. Learn more.

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Q Chat Space is a digital LGBTQ + center where you can join live chat, professionally facilitated, discussion groups.

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Making Schools Safe for LGBTQ+ Community

Schools should be a young person's primary center for learning, growing, and building a foundation for success in the world. High school can be challenging for any student, but LGBTQ+ youth face additional obstacles of harassment, abuse, and violence.

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer bullying is alarming. In fact 9 out of 10 LGBTQ+ students reported being harassed and bullied last year.

Over one-third of LGBTQ+ students are physically assaulted at school because their sexual orientation and gender identity are different than those of heterosexual students.

About two-thirds of LGBTQ+ students reported having ever been sexually harassed (e.g., sexual remarks made, being touched inappropriately) in school in the past year.

Over half of all students report hearing homophobic remarks often at school. More than 30% reported missing at least a day of school in the past month out of fear for their personal safety.

LGBTQ+ students at schools with comprehensive policies on bullying and harassment are much more likely to report harassment to school authorities who, in turn, were more likely to respond effectively.

The average GPA for students who were frequently physically harassed because of their sexual orientation was half a grade lower than that of other students.

LGBTQ+ students are twice as likely to say that they were not planning on completing high school or going on to college.

Gay teens are 8.4 times more likely to report having attempted suicide and 5.9 times more likely to report high levels of depression compared with peers from families that reported no or low levels of family rejection.

Treating LGBTQ+ Students With Respect

The language used against LGBTQ+ students is unconscionable. LGBTQ+ Students, like any other students deserve to be treated with tolerance, respect and dignity because the reality is, it should never matter what your sexual orientation or identity is.

Principles guiding the rights approach on sexual orientation relate to equality and non-discrimination. Human rights advocates and other activists seek to ensure social justice and guarantee the dignity of LGBTQ+'s because like anyone else an LGBTQ+ student is a person just like you are. The ONLY difference is their sexual orientation.

Maybe you're different because you're tall, underweight or dress differently than others. NO MATTER what our differences are everyone one deserves to be treated with respect and dignity!

We cannot accept ignorance

We cannot accept intolerance

We cannot accept name-calling

We must all respect each other

We must all accept others

We must all be tolerant of others

We must all be allies

We are ALL the same - NO MATTER™! We are ALL people!

Let's create a world of love, kindness, compassion and respect. There is no reason to call someone a name for any reason! If you don't understand an LGBTQ+'s sexual orientation -- learn more. Educate yourself! Educate others!

Creating a safe environment for all students - LGBTQ+ and straight alike - begins with being acceptance, tolerance and respect.

CELEBRATE our differences and HONOR our similarities! NO MATTER™!

LGBTQ+ Bullying Prevention | Start a Gay-Straight Alliance at Your School

Establish a GSA the same way you would establish any other club. Look in your Student Handbook for the rules at your school. You will need permission from a school administrator, as well as finding a faculty adviser and writing a constitution.

Find a faculty advisor teacher who you feel would be supportive or who already has proven to be an ally around sexual orientation issues.

Discuss your plans with school administrators at the onset. You want an administrator on your side who will be your school liaison with administration, teachers, students, parents, community members and the school board. Share your plans with school guidance counselors and social workers. Forming a GSA is protected under the Federal Equal Access Act.

Select a meeting place that is private and offers confidentiality. If your meeting place is high-profile members may be discouraged to participate.

Advertise your alliance through fliers at school, school bulletin announcements, and word of mouth. If your advertising materials are torn down or defaced, keep putting them back up. Posting fliers with words like "end homophobia" or "discuss sexual orientation" can help raise awareness and can make other students feel safer - even if they don't attend meetings.

Start out with a discussion about why people think the group is important. You can also brainstorm things your club would like to do this year. Offer snacks.

Create ground rules to ensure that group discussions are safe, confidential and respectful. Adopt a rule that no assumptions or labels are used about a group member's sexual orientation. This helps all members gay and straight to feel comfortable about attending meetings.

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lgbtq bullying, bullying, anti gay bullying, Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer bullying is alarming. In fact 9 out of 10 LGBTQ students reported being harassed and bullied last year. Over one-third of LGBTQ students are physically assaulted at school because their sexual orientation and gender identity are different than those of heterosexual students.

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The Trevor Project | For Young LGBTQ Lives

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The Trevor Project provides 24/7 crisis support services to LGBTQ young people. Text, chat, or call anytime to reach a trained counselor. Free and confidential.