Ally Week
(the following information is brought to you by glsen.org and all the links on this website will re-direct you to their own website for more information)
What is GLSEN's Ally Week?
GLSEN and students across the county, often as members of Gay-Straight Alliances (GSAs) or similar student clubs, will celebrate Ally Week on October 18-22 in schools and communities nationwide.
Ally Week is a week for students to organize events that serve to identify, support and celebrate Allies against anti-LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) language, bullying and harassment in America's schools. Students plan events appropriate to their school community.
Most students will encourage their peers and school staff to sign an Ally Pledge which states:
I believe all students, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression,
deserve to feel safe and supported. That means I pledge to:
Other student-let activities include workshops, trainings, film screenings, school climate discussions and more.
GLSEN encourages students to participate in Ally Week in cooperation with their schools. We encourage students to get support from their principals and educators and participate fully in their school day. Principals, counselors, teachers and all school staff are encouraged to be Allies too!
Students and GSAs are strongly encouraged to register for GLSEN's Ally Week in order to receive free resources and to help us determine the total number of schools and students taking part.
To register for Ally Week, visit: www.studentorganizing.org
Buttons, wristbands, stickers, t-shirts and posters for Ally Week can be purchased online at www.glsenstore.org
To find organizing resources, go here.
What is an Ally?
We refer to Allies as people who do not identify as LGBT students, but support this community by standing against the bullying and harassment LGBT youth face in school. While straight allies are an intregral part of safe, healthy and respectful schools, Ally Week engages a broad base of allies who support ending anti-LGBT bias in school. For instance, a bisexual adult can be an Ally to LGBT students.
Who started Ally Week?
In 2005, members of GLSEN's Jump-Start National Student Leadership Team came up with an idea to celebrate Allies committed to ensuring safe and effective schools for all and to encourage students to take action. The idea turned into the first Ally Week celebrated in schools nationwide in October 2005.
Why do we need an Ally Week?
The unfortunate truth is that anti-LGBT bullying, violence and harassment are commonplace in America's schools. Actual and perceived sexual orientation and gender expression are two of the top three reasons teens report that students are harassed at their schools, according to From Teasing to Torment: School Climate in America, a GLSEN-commissioned report by Harris Interactive. In other words, all students - LGBT and straight alike - perceive anti-LGBT bullying and harassment as a serious problem in their schools. The vast majority of these same students said their schools would be better of if this issue was better addressed. GLSEN's 2007 National School Climate Survey found that nearly nine out of ten LGBT students report experiencing verbal harassment at school and over 32% report missing at least a day of school in the past month out of fear for their personal safety. GLSEN's Ally Week brings us closer to making anti-LGBT bullying, harassment and name-calling unacceptable in America's schools.
Are there other Days of Action?
Ally Week is a great way to start organizing in the school year, but it is not the only opportunity to engage the school community. GLSEN supports students and GSAs in thoughtful, year-long organizing.
Be sure to register your participation in Ally Week on StudentOrganizing.org and you will get information on other actions you and your GSA can take through the year.
And don’t forget to plan for the National Day of Silence on Friday, April 15, 2011! Visit Day of Silence for more information.
What do we do after Ally Week is over?
GLSEN's Ally Week is one part of a larger effort to create safe schools for all students. There is much you can do throughout the year to help make your school safer. Start by signing up on www.StudentOrganizing.org where you can get information on other organizing tools, Days of Action, and ideas for ways you can make your schools safer!
Learn all about the Safe Schools Improvement Act and how you can support it here.
And make sure to check out the other Days of Action, including the And make sure to check out the other Days of Action, including the Day of Silence.
What are the facts about sexual orientation?
A resource prepared by a coalition of 13 education, health, mental health and religious organizations called Just the Facts About Sexual Orientation and Youth: A Primer for Principals, Educators, and School Personnel, can be found here.
GLSEN and students across the county, often as members of Gay-Straight Alliances (GSAs) or similar student clubs, will celebrate Ally Week on October 18-22 in schools and communities nationwide.
Ally Week is a week for students to organize events that serve to identify, support and celebrate Allies against anti-LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) language, bullying and harassment in America's schools. Students plan events appropriate to their school community.
Most students will encourage their peers and school staff to sign an Ally Pledge which states:
I believe all students, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression,
deserve to feel safe and supported. That means I pledge to:
- Not use anti-LGBT language and slurs;
- Intervene, if I safely can, in situations where other students are being harassed;
- Support efforts to end bullying and harassment.
Other student-let activities include workshops, trainings, film screenings, school climate discussions and more.
GLSEN encourages students to participate in Ally Week in cooperation with their schools. We encourage students to get support from their principals and educators and participate fully in their school day. Principals, counselors, teachers and all school staff are encouraged to be Allies too!
Students and GSAs are strongly encouraged to register for GLSEN's Ally Week in order to receive free resources and to help us determine the total number of schools and students taking part.
To register for Ally Week, visit: www.studentorganizing.org
Buttons, wristbands, stickers, t-shirts and posters for Ally Week can be purchased online at www.glsenstore.org
To find organizing resources, go here.
What is an Ally?
We refer to Allies as people who do not identify as LGBT students, but support this community by standing against the bullying and harassment LGBT youth face in school. While straight allies are an intregral part of safe, healthy and respectful schools, Ally Week engages a broad base of allies who support ending anti-LGBT bias in school. For instance, a bisexual adult can be an Ally to LGBT students.
Who started Ally Week?
In 2005, members of GLSEN's Jump-Start National Student Leadership Team came up with an idea to celebrate Allies committed to ensuring safe and effective schools for all and to encourage students to take action. The idea turned into the first Ally Week celebrated in schools nationwide in October 2005.
Why do we need an Ally Week?
The unfortunate truth is that anti-LGBT bullying, violence and harassment are commonplace in America's schools. Actual and perceived sexual orientation and gender expression are two of the top three reasons teens report that students are harassed at their schools, according to From Teasing to Torment: School Climate in America, a GLSEN-commissioned report by Harris Interactive. In other words, all students - LGBT and straight alike - perceive anti-LGBT bullying and harassment as a serious problem in their schools. The vast majority of these same students said their schools would be better of if this issue was better addressed. GLSEN's 2007 National School Climate Survey found that nearly nine out of ten LGBT students report experiencing verbal harassment at school and over 32% report missing at least a day of school in the past month out of fear for their personal safety. GLSEN's Ally Week brings us closer to making anti-LGBT bullying, harassment and name-calling unacceptable in America's schools.
Are there other Days of Action?
Ally Week is a great way to start organizing in the school year, but it is not the only opportunity to engage the school community. GLSEN supports students and GSAs in thoughtful, year-long organizing.
Be sure to register your participation in Ally Week on StudentOrganizing.org and you will get information on other actions you and your GSA can take through the year.
And don’t forget to plan for the National Day of Silence on Friday, April 15, 2011! Visit Day of Silence for more information.
What do we do after Ally Week is over?
GLSEN's Ally Week is one part of a larger effort to create safe schools for all students. There is much you can do throughout the year to help make your school safer. Start by signing up on www.StudentOrganizing.org where you can get information on other organizing tools, Days of Action, and ideas for ways you can make your schools safer!
Learn all about the Safe Schools Improvement Act and how you can support it here.
And make sure to check out the other Days of Action, including the And make sure to check out the other Days of Action, including the Day of Silence.
What are the facts about sexual orientation?
A resource prepared by a coalition of 13 education, health, mental health and religious organizations called Just the Facts About Sexual Orientation and Youth: A Primer for Principals, Educators, and School Personnel, can be found here.