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Dear John –

After North Carolina lawmakers passed the notorious HB2 in 2016 – which banned transgender people from using public restrooms and upended local LGBTQ nondiscrimination protections – many students in the state were just plain scared. Were they even welcome in North Carolina? Were they still safe to go to school and go about their lives?

Thankfully, there were so many courageous students who fought back, arm in arm with educators, school officials, and administrators. One of these educators is a personal hero of mine, Ann Clark, who at the time was the Superintendent of Charlotte Mecklenberg School District. She made sure her team went into overdrive to support and protect the LGBTQ students in their care – to ensure that in spite of the horrific legislation, classrooms in the district would not just be a place where LGBTQ students feel safe, but a place where they would thrive.

In 2018, our team at GLSEN named Ann as our Educator of the Year, and we were grateful for the chance to work with her against HB2. Now, we need your help to find the winner of this year’s Educator of the Year Award! Do you know an educator who is going above and beyond to ensure safety and dignity for LGBTQ students? Click here to submit your nomination today. [[link removed]]

Right now, in too many states, LGBTQ students – and especially transgender students – are still feeling the persistent sting of discriminatory legislation. And we want to lift up the educators who are doing everything they can to protect the safety of every student, including LGBTQ students. And it goes beyond safety – it’s about creating a joyful journey for every student and supporting educators across the district to create welcoming and inclusive learning environments.

Every single day, educators across the country are working to improve the lives of LGBTQ students – and GLSEN wants to make sure that their work is recognized.

If you know a teacher, an administrator, cafeteria worker or a custodian who is making a difference in the lives of LGBTQ students, nominate them now for the 2020 Educator of the Year! [[link removed]] GLSEN will fly the winner to New York in May to receive the award.

Nominations close this Friday! Thanks for helping to ensure schools across the country are safe and welcoming for our students.

My best,
Eliza Byard
Executive Director, GLSEN

P.S. We're also looking for outstanding student leaders to recognize for our GSA of the Year Award ! Click here for that nomination form. [[link removed]]

GLSEN Inc. | 110 William Street | 30th Floor | New York, NY 10038| 212-727-0135| [email protected] [[email protected]]
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