Clay Aiken – Congratulations to GLSEN

Congratulations to GLSEN, the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network.  The following was sent out in a press release on Tuesday, August 30th:

“The White House named GLSEN, the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network, a Champion of Change for the organization’s two decades of pioneering work to fight bullying, violence and stigma directed at lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people in K-12 schools, and its contributions to efforts to prevent suicide among at-risk youth.”

The “Champions of Change Series: Winning the Future Across America” is a White House initiative that honors Americans and organizations making an impact in issues of critical importance to the nation and helping it address today’s challenges.

Last week, Eliza Byard, the executive director of GLSEN and public policy manager Alison Gill were invited to the White House to meet with representatives from the Substance Abuse Mental Health Services.  The meeting also included eight other award recipients.  They discussed their initiatives and shared the best way to practice the ideas.

A proud Byard said of the distinction:

“This White House honor recognizes the amazing work that the staff, volunteers and student leaders of GLSEN have done for more than two decades to alert the nation to the ways that anti-LGBT bias in our schools is a serious barrier to both educational excellence and individual well-being. My colleagues and I are dedicated to identifying and implementing solutions to the problem that work for schools and for students, instilling hope and staving off despair. It is so gratifying to gain this kind of recognition for our efforts to create better, safer schools for all.”

GLSEN is most widely known for beginning the first gay-straight alliances in schools. But they do so much more. The organization works to reduce anti-LGBT bullying, harassment and violence in K –12 schools

One of their successful programs is called The Safe Space Campaign…a program that promotes visible support for LGBT students in American middle and high schools.  Their goal is to place a Safe Space Kit in all middle and high school in the United States.  The kits contain Safe Space stickers and posters along with a guide for steps that individual school staff members can take to build support for vulnerable students and reduce anti-lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) bullying and harassment in their school.

GLSEN also has projects like No Name-Calling WeekChanging the Game: The GLSEN Sports Project and the Jump-Start Student Leadership Program.

According to their website:

GLSEN’s proven programs and initiatives have earned the organization the partnership of most major national education associations, including the American Association of School Administrators, the National School Boards Association, the National Association of School Psychologists, the National Association of Elementary School Principals, and the National Education Association. GLSEN is also a member of the National Human Service Assembly and its National Collaboration for Youth, ASCD’s Whole Child Initiative, and the America’s Promise Alliance.

Clay Aiken is a big supporter of  GLSEN.  On his Official Fan Club Website, Clay lists three cause that are important.  They are The National Inclusion Project, UNICEF, and GLSEN.

In November of 2010, Clay appeared in a video for GLSEN to promote the “Safe Space” kits for schools.

Clay also visited Washington DC in November, 2010.  He spoke in support of two important bills that were coming up for votes.  He spoke in a public forum to Senators Bob Casey and Al Franken and Representatives Jared Polis and Linda Sanchez. Clay said:

I never had someone who told me that it was OK to be different…that it was okay to be me.  What I did hear was that it would get better once I was out of high school…that things would get better.  But from where I sat, I could not possibly believe that to be true.  We need federal leadership from Congress to encourage all states and districts and each and every school to create safe learning environments where all students can learn and succeed.

GLSEN and Clay Aiken make a great partnership.  They both work hard to make sure that all students are valued and respected regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

CONGRATULATIONS TO GLSEN!  The honor is most deserved!

For more information, visit the GLSEN website.

Clay Aiken News Network is an unofficial fansite. We are not affiliated in any way with Clay Aiken or his management. This website was made by fans for fans and makes no impression or impersonation of the official site, which can be found under the domain clayaiken.com.

10 thoughts on “Clay Aiken – Congratulations to GLSEN

  1. Congratulations to GLSEN….and, also, to Clay Aiken for his part in helping to make our schools safe for everyone.

  2. This is such wonderful news. GLSEN does such good work, and it's good to know that kids have a safe place to go to when in school. No one should be bullied…. They are definitely on the right track. Clay always speaks up for those in need, and GLSEN, I'm sure is proud to have Clay on board with them. Great work!!!!

  3. Congrats to GLSEN!!! Great organization, doing amazing work (and one of the many causes that Clay Aiken has brought to my attention – thanks Clay). I supported them during their Safe Space campaign, sending campaign packets to the schools that my children attended (attend) in our district. I believe that this type of movement will most definitely have an effect on all children, regardless of their sexual orientation. It gives teachers the tools on what to look for and how to deal with bullying. We will all benefit from this amazing program.

  4. This is good news…congratulations to GLSEN! But just to see how far we still have to go, check out all the bad press about Dancing with the Stars for including Chaz Bono on the list of dancers on the upcoming season. These are adults complaining…not school kids.

  5. this is amazing news congradulations glesen and to clay aiken and also please check all the bad press about dancing with the stars for including chaz bonoon the list of the dancers in the upcomeing season now theres are adults that are complaing about chaz bono being in danceing with the stars and there not school kids

  6. Thanks for this wonderful information. GLSEN is such a worthwhile and needed organization.
    I am so glad that Clay is involved in this organization and their safe space kits.

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