Hello John, 

Today we were surprised, like many of you, to see that Missouri’s Grain Valley School District has called for the removal of GLSEN’s Safe Space signage from teachers’ classrooms. 

In a community newsletter, the School Board said there has been, “display of cards and stickers by some high school teachers to signal students could feel safe approaching them regarding personal LGBTQ questions… The use of these cards, however, is determined to not be an appropriate step at this time.” 

These signs act as important signals to LGBTQ+ youth that these educators will listen to them, affirm their chosen or shared names, pronouns, or other identities, and that they can provide resources on LGBTQ+ identities. 

We know that LGBTQ+ students feel unsafe at school, 32.7% of LGBTQ students missed at least one entire day of school in the past month because they felt unsafe or uncomfortable, 8.6% missed four or more days in the past month. Removing visual cues of support and respect will leave youth in the dark on who are community allies. 

While the possibility of Safe Space Symbols being removed from schools is scary, GLSEN is proud of our educators living the Safe Space ideology. GLSEN's Safe Space Kits are not merely stickers, but concrete strategies that help educators support LGBTQ+ students, fight anti-LGBTQ+ bias, and advocate for change in schools. 

Simply put, supportive educators will not be silenced so easily. 

Together, 

Melanie Willingham-Jaggers

Executive Director

Pronouns: She, Her, Hers/They, Them, Theirs

Ps. Want to help GLSEN respond to this attack on LGBTQ+ youth? Make a donation today to ensure educators are trained on supporting LGBTQ+ students.

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

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