WHAT'S NEW AT GLSTN?

• 1996 BACK TO SCHOOL LETTER WRITING CAMPAIGN
  GLSTN is asking every gay, lesbian & bisexual adult to write a letter to someone at their former school, using personal experiences to illustrate what homophobia does to young people. Everything you need to know to get involved is here, including sample letter excerpts. Straight allies are encouraged to write letters as well.
  
  
• GLSTN CONFERENCE CALENDAR 1996-97
  A guide to GLSTN conferences planned for the upcoming school year.
  
  
• GLSTN REGIONAL CHAPTER LOCATOR
  Locate the e-mail address of your local GLSTN chapter with this guide.

GENERAL INFORMATION

• THE GLSTN BROCHURE & MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION
  An introduction to GLSTN, the largest national organization working to end homophobia in schools.
  
  
• HOW TO ORGANIZE A REGIONAL CHAPTER OF GLSTN
  A concise action plan for those who would like to establish a GLSTN chapter in their region.
  
  
• PRESS RELEASE: NEW GLSTN VIDEO, "SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT"
  An empowering tool to help educators and community members fight back against anti-gay initiatives in their community. An order form is included.
  
  
• SPRING 1996 NEWSLETTER
  GLSTN's Spring '96 Newsletter includes a summary of important school-related news from earlier this year.
  

• ANNE SIMON'S ADDRESS TO CONGRESS
  Parent and Teacher Anne Simon's testimony, "TEACHING THE VALUES OF RESPECT AND FAMILY," explaining the importance of creating schools where individual differences are respected.
  
  
• I REMEMBER
  GLSTN Executive Director Kevin Jennings shares his story, remembering the defining people and moments in his life as a student and later as a high school history teacher.
  
  
• PRIVATE CONVERSATIONS
  Middle School Teacher Patty Smith's story illustrates the power of everyday conversations with our colleagues.
  
  
• THE REAL ABOMINATIONS
  Steven Leder, Rabbi at Wilshire Boulevard Temple in Los Angeles, California, shares an inspiring letter he wrote to his brother about homosexuality and religion.
  
  
• GLSTN'S FIRST ANNUAL HISTORY MONTH ESSAY WINNER
  Last year's winning history essay about why studying gay, lesbian, and bisexual history is important for all students, regardless of their sexual orientation.
  
  
• STUDENT NEWSPAPERS AND GAY ISSUES
  A collection of articles published in high school newspapers from around the country.
  
  
• HOMOPHOBIA'S IMPACT ON FAMILY
  Personal testimonies illustrate P-FLAG's model of the "coming-to-terms" process experienced by family members of those who are coming out.

• WHAT DOES HOMOSEXUALITY HAVE TO DO WITH EDUCATION? AN ANSWER
  A discussion of why schools should devote time to fighting homophobia, even when they often barely have the resources to teach the basics.
  
  
• WHAT YOU CAN DO: IDEAS FOR EDUCATORS ADDRESSING HOMOPHOBIA IN SCHOOLS
  A list of TEN ACTION POINTS to help end homophobia at your school plus a listing of RESOURCES FOR EDUCATORS DEALING WITH GAY AND LESBIAN ISSUES.
  
  
• HOW TO START A GAY-STRAIGHT ALLIANCE
  Practical advice on how to establish and run a student-led gay-straight alliance at school.
  
  
• HELPING HANDS: BUILDING A SUPPORT NETWORK
  A practical guide for establishing community and school-based support networks to make schools safer for all students and teachers.
  
  
• JUST THE FACTS
  A fact sheet that summarizes important statistics about the impact of homophobia on gay and lesbian youth.
  
  
• UNDERSTANDING THE EXPERIENCE OF OPENLY GAY AND LESBIAN EDUCATORS
  An overview of the many issues which gay and lesbian educators face in their schools and communities.
  
  
• VIOLENCE PREVENTION
  A look at how anti-gay prejudice and school violence contribute to making schools unsafe for gay and lesbian students. Includes strategies for violence and conflict intervention.
  
  
• RESPONDING TO RESISTANCE FROM TEACHERS, ADMINISTRATORS, STUDENTS AND THE COMMUNITY
  A discussion of the commonly expressed concerns of people who resist efforts to end homophobia in schools, with practical strategies for responding to resistance.
  
  
• BREAKING THE SILENCE: A RESOURCE GUIDE FOR INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS
  A comprehensive guide for teachers and administrators who want to create a safe and nurturing climate in their school communities. The emphasis is on creating change at independent schools, but most of the information is useful for all educators.
  
  
• HOMOPHOBIA/HETEROSEXISM: A SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY
  A collection of texts that address the issues of homophobia and heterosexism.
  
  
• YOUTH SUICIDE
  An overview of the issues that contribute to the disturbing prevalence of youth suicides in the GLBT population. Includes case studies, intervention strategies and clinical models of risk assessment.
  
  
• RESOURCES FOR EDUCATORS DEALING WITH GAY & LESBIAN ISSUES
  A listing of recommended organizations, publications and videos for various age groups.
  
  
• OVERVIEW OF THE RIGHTS OF GAY, LESBIAN AND BISEXUAL TEACHERS
  An essay addressing the major legal principles governing the employment of GLBT teachers in public and private school, based on examination of federal and state statues as well as labor union policies.

• LESSONS FROM THE ORGANIZING OF GLSTN
  A study of the strategies GLSTN has used to accomplish its mission to create school environments where all students are respected.
  
  
• HOW TO ASK YOUR LOCAL OFFICIALS TO ISSUE A GOVERNMENT PROCLAMATION
  How to approach your local leaders to provide official recognition of gay and lesbian events.
  
  
• HOW HOMOPHOBIA HURTS EVERYONE: A THEORETICAL FOUNDATION
  A discussion of homophobia's debilitating effects on all sectors of society. Includes suggestions on ways to increase visibility and to reduce homophobia.
  
  
• SCIENCE, SEXUAL ORIENTATION & IDENTITY: AN OVERVIEW
  Warren J. Blumenfeld discusses the complex issues involved in the study of sexual identity and orientation.

GLSTN (The Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Teachers Network) is the largest organization of parents, educators, students and other concerned citizens working to end homophobia in K-12 schools, and to ensure that all students are valued and respected, regardless of sexual orientation.

To fulfill its mission and raise awareness of these issues, GLSTN produces audio, visual and text-based educational materials, provides training, produces community programming and conferences, and organizes a growing national network of over 40 regional chapters.

Membership in GLSTN is open to anyone -- regardless of their occupation or sexual orientation -- who is committed to seeing that the current generation is the last to suffer from homophobia. More than 70% of our budget is funded by individual donations and we need your support to continue to make resources such as this available. GLSTN is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation and all donations are fully tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

GLSTN
122 West 26th Street, Suite 1100
New York, NY 10001 USA
Tel: (212) 727-0135
Email: glstn@glstn.org
Web: http://www.glstn.org/respect/

(c) 1994-1996 Gay, Lesbian & Straight Teachers Network (GLSTN)

You may copy and redistribute these materials for educational purposes, provided that you do not change any material. All notices must remain intact.

(last updated August 23, 1996)