Dear John,

Since our organization was founded in 1990, our name, GLSEN, has represented the network of teachers and educators who first took action, alarmed by the bullying and discrimination towards LGBTQ+ youth they witnessed.

Today, organizations like ours are facing unprecedented challenges at the local, state, and federal levels. We cannot step back or give up in the face of erasure from anyone. It is more critical than ever for us to double down on our mission for all LGBTQ+ youth across the nation.

This is why we are reintroducing ourselves today. We are continuing our mission to create safe, affirming schools for all, with a fresh outlook and renewed energy. “Glisten” is what we called ourselves out loud for decades. However, unlike an acronym, the name Glisten expresses the essence of the work that we do. It stands for what we represent.

This is a year for transformation—not just for the Glisten team as individuals, but as an organization. This is not just a name change—it’s a name evolution. Much like the LGBTQ+ community, Glisten isn’t solely defined by the letters that represent the acronym. The name Glisten acts as a beacon for all LGBTQ+ youth, providing a shining, visible lifeline in schools and creating spaces where everyone can feel safe being visibly who they are.

We invite you to learn more about our new name and website, and join us in continuing to support LGBTQ+ youth and educators.