Dear John,
 

This is as shocking as it is unacceptable, and it must stop. 

According to GLSEN’s National School Climate Survey, 40% of LGBTQ+ students avoided gym classes because they felt unsafe or uncomfortable; 27% were prevented from using locker rooms aligned with their gender identity; and 10% were prevented or discouraged from participating in school sports because they were LGBTQ+.

It’s heartbreaking when LGBTQ+ youth are not allowed to embrace their identities, made to feel unwelcome and unsafe, or prevented from  having the full educational experience—one that includes participating in school athletics or gym classes. This includes trans and nonbinary athletes participating in traditionally gendered spaces who are frequently targeted by cruel efforts to exclude them from opportunities to exercise, play sports and access school facilities on equal terms with their peers.

As students return to school after a summer fraught with political attacks against transgender and LGBQ youth in athletics, GLSEN is relaunching its Changing the Game initiative and adding new resources to help student-athletes, schools, and coaches create safe and inclusive environments in sports, from locker rooms to soccer fields to overnight field trips.

“I’ve been told by classmates and even politicians that I don’t belong on the team or in the locker room, just because of who I am, and I’m tired of it,” Maria Cheng, a high school swimmer and member of GLSEN’s National Student Council, said. “But Changing the Game is going to help more people see that LGBTQ+ kids are just like everyone else.” 

John, with your support, GLSEN can continue to provide the broadest support for Maria and all LGBTQ+ students like her who just want—and are entitled to—the complete school experience.  

Thank you for helping ensure not only classrooms are as safe and welcoming as possible for all students, but so are gyms, soccer fields, pools, basketball courts, wrestling mats, and all sports venues.

GLSEN is dedicated to advancing racial equity, gender, and disability justice in schools across the country. We’re working to end the hateful rhetoric, invalidating school policies, and dangerous legislation that perpetuate—even embolden—discriminating sentiments and practices. But we need the help of supporters like you to make this a reality.

GLSEN believes that every student has the right to a safe and inclusive K-12 education.

We are a national network working to make this right a reality.

GLSEN Inc.
110 William Street
30th Floor
New York, NY 10038
United States

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