R. Brett Weaver’s Post

In 1996, two students at the University of Virginia started Day of Silence, a peaceful protest against anti-LGBT hate speech and harassment. Students would refrain from speaking throughout the day, culminating in Breaking the Silence rallies. Lead by GLSEN, the day is now called Day of (No) Silence in order to encourage a day of action: "With more than 800 anti-LGBTQ+ bills introduced last year, we must Rise Up and Take Action. GLSEN’s Day of NO Silence is a nationally-recognized student-led demonstration where LGBTQ+ students and allies all around the country—and the world— protest the harmful effects of harassment and discrimination of LGBTQ+ people in schools. Silent Option: For those who may not feel safe or comfortable speaking out, the option of participating in a silent protest remains available. This ensures that everyone can contribute to the movement in a manner that aligns with their comfort level." Learn more about Day of (No) Silence and how you can get involved: https://buff.ly/49R98ie #YWBoston #DEI #DayOfSilence #DayOfNoSilence #BreakingtheSilence #RiseUpandTakeAction #RiseUpForLGBTQ

Today is Day of (No) Silence—a day filled with action and support for LGBTQ+ youth across the country experiencing silencing and erasure in schools. While historically participants have taken a vow of silence, GLSEN is encouraging active advocacy and dialogue to combat the surge in anti-LGBTQ+ legislation and to foster inclusivity in educational spaces. We’re just 4 months into the year, and already over 475 anti-LGBTQ+ bills have been introduced. Over 80% of LGBTQ+ students report feeling unsafe at school. Given these alarming statistics, the urgency to mobilize for LGBTQ+ rights and inclusivity has never been greater. Learn how to rise up, speak out, and take action for a brighter future here: glsen.org/dayofnosilence

Phys.org recent shared our most recent evidence summary, looking at five ways schools can support LGBTQ+ students #lgbtq #educationnews #ednews

New article I wrote for Born This Way Foundation for Channel Kindness: "How Schools Can Ensure The Safety + Support for Transgender + Nonbinary Students" https://lnkd.in/dmWXMvPz #lgbt #lgbtq #lgbtqia #pride #pridemonth #Pride2024 #transrights #transrightsarehumanrights

Great article on key terms all school administrators and educators should know, as they lead their school community towards building more welcoming schools that create a sense of belonging for LGBTQ students. Educate yourself! #k12 #LGBTQ #students #teachers #equityineducation #equityandinclusion

🔍 New Research Alert: Exploring School Safety and Wellbeing for the LGBTQ+ Community 📚🌈 Excited to share my latest research on school safety, interpersonal challenges, and self-harm among LGBTQ+ students, staff, and parents. This study sheds light on unique experiences and concerns, offering crucial implications for creating inclusive and supportive school environments. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer (LGBTQ+) individuals often face challenges in school settings. My study, encompassing 1926 students, 198 staff, and 180 parents, delves into perceptions of safety, interpersonal challenges, and self-harm across different roles, school types, locations, and gender identities. Results reveal that LGBTQ+ students, staff, and parents encounter similar concerns, with students showing a higher prevalence across all indicators. Students in government/public, religious affiliated, and nonmetropolitan schools, as well as transgender and gender diverse students, reported particularly high levels of distress. This research emphasizes the need for school-wide interventions to foster positive climates, focusing on safety, anti-bullying, and self-harm tailored to LGBTQ+ community members' needs. Creating safe and inclusive school environments is pivotal for LGBTQ+ wellbeing. This research aims to be a valuable resource for educators, policymakers, and advocates striving towards this essential goal. 🔗 [https://lnkd.in/ezYBK6SN ] #LGBTQ #Research #Education #SchoolSafety #Inclusion #MentalHealth #AntiBullying

As we close out Pride Month, there’s new research we just released with Theirworld among LGBTQ+ youth. The findings are discouraging: • 52% of LGBTQ+ youth face bullying • 38% don’t feel schools are safe • 35% have missed school due to bullying Learning in a safe educational environment is a fundamental right that all children deserve. We need officials at all levels of government who will strongly advocate for more inclusive education policies that help children feel safer in school. https://t.co/3sCf382be7

SUPPORT LGBTQ+ STUDENTS, STOP FORCED OUTING Pass the SAFETY Act (AB 1955) In 2023, at least ten California school districts adopted policies requiring teachers and other school staff to notify parents if a student uses a different name or pronouns at school, even if doing so would put the student’s safety at risk. These forced outing policies targeting trans and nonbinary students violate California’s antidiscrimination and privacy laws. LGBTQ+ youth and their families – not politicians – deserve to decide on their own terms when and how to have conversations about identity. Young people thrive when they have parental support and feel safe expressing their authentic selves at home, but it can be harmful to force them to do so before they’re ready. Policies that require outing students without their consent harm everyone – students, parents and guardians, families, and school staff – by unnecessarily putting students at risk and removing opportunities to build trust. The SAFETY Act (AB 1955) strengthens California law prohibiting school districts from enacting forced outing policies to ensure that ALL students are safe and supported. https://shorturl.at/VCNuW

Dive into ASBJ to explore how you can take action to create safer schools for nonbinary students. Vanessa Ford & Rebecca Kling share key principles for promoting equity and inclusion for LGBTQ+ students. Let's work together to foster environments where every student can thrive!

Community partnerships can significantly enhance educational access for LGBTQ+ students in rural areas. Inclusive education fosters personal growth, but many students in these regions face unique barriers that limit their opportunities. Why collaboration matters: ✔️ Understanding and Awareness: Partnering with local organizations helps identify the specific needs and challenges of LGBTQ+ students. According to The Trevor Project, 42% of rural LGBTQ+ youth report limited access to supportive educational resources compared to their urban peers, underscoring the need for targeted support. ✔️ Shared Resources: Partnerships enable the sharing of essential educational resources, including digital tools and learning materials, making quality education more accessible in remote locations. Successful collaborations, such as those between GLSEN and rural schools, have implemented effective anti-bullying programs and inclusive curricula. ✔️ Support Networks: Establishing strong networks between educational institutions and LGBTQ+ advocacy groups creates integrated systems where students can access both emotional and academic support, helping them to thrive in school and beyond. ✔️ Teacher Training: Through specialized training from organizations experienced in diversity and inclusion, educators gain the skills needed to create safe, welcoming classroom environments. Such training ensures that all students feel seen, heard, and valued. As transgender activist Sarah McBride stated, "True equality is not just about having equal rights but also equal opportunities." This vision inspires our commitment to building partnerships that transform educational experiences, ensuring every student, regardless of identity or location, has the chance to succeed. We’d love to hear your thoughts on how we can further strengthen these collaborative efforts. What innovative approaches do you think would make a difference? Share your ideas below 👇 #LGBTQEducation #RuralInclusion #CommunityPartnerships #EqualOpportunities #InclusiveEducation