Last week, GLAAD released its Back to [Redacted] Guide for students, parents, and school staff heading back to school in this time of uncertainty and censorship. This Guide comes in response to the 93 anti-LGBTQ school policy bills aiming to restrict everything from teaching materials and what teacher can say in class, to the shocking ban of over 1,500 books nationwide.

Our Guide offers tips and tools on reporting anti-LGBTQ discrimination at school, requesting targeted books, running for office with your local school board, starting or joining a student chapter of the American Library Association, and much more.

The Guide also includes reading and resources to support teachers and librarians who are targeted in their schools. Read the full Guide here.

SOCIAL MEDIA

GLAAD calls on Meta and Twitter to take action on ‘Libs of TikTok' amid the account's harmful spread of anti-trans misinformation

GLAAD is urging Meta and Twitter to suspend the ‘Libs of TikTok’ account after multiple posts spread anti-LGBTQ hate and misinformation. The account, run by Chaya Raichik, repeatedly promoted a lie about gender-affirming care at Boston Children’s Hospital. GLAAD shared this statement about the impact of activity like Raichik's:

“Libs of TikTok is synonymous with maliciously targeting LGBTQ organizations, people, and allies by posting lies, misinformation, and blatant hate. Meta and Twitter continue to profit from accounts like 'Libs of TikTok' as doctors and staff members of Boston Children’s Hospital, and other providers of healthcare to transgender people, receive death threats and hate. These [social media] companies are complicit in hosting content which expresses malicious falsehoods and which incite anti-LGBTQ hate.”

Summer Update: Read up on our recent progress

Because of your support, GLAAD's tireless work is resulting in myriad updates on wins in driving LGBTQ media representation and advocacy. Thank you! Check out our online newsletter to learn about the impact we are making together. There, you’ll find powerful stories on making social media safer for LGBTA people, ensuring accurate reporting on harmful legislation targeting transgender youth, celebrating increased visibility in everything from Broadway shows to video games, and more.

TAKE ACTION

Meet the Briggles: Send a message of support to a transgender teen and his family

Earlier this year, GLAAD and partner organizations released this PSA featuring Amber Briggle, the Texas mom, and her transgender teenager, Max. The PSA reminds the world of just how vulnerable our transgender youth are and how much they need vocal allies. Kids like Max are viciously targeted by anti-transgender politicians and school boards across the country every day.

In case you missed it, please take a minute to meet the Briggle family in our PSA. You can even send a note of support their way – we’ll deliver it for you!

GLAAD MEDIA INSTITUTE (GMI)

GLAAD brings advocacy training to LGBTQ advocates across Australia

Ross Murray, Vice President of the GLAAD Media Institute, is conducting a six-week training tour for LGBTQ advocates across Australia. The tour kicked off with an Advocacy Masterclass in Sydney and an LGBTQIA+ Emerging Leaders Program in Adelaide. Through a long-running partnership with The Equality Project, the GLAAD Media Institute consistently provides advocacy training like this, to help LGBTQ grassroots groups and allies build campaigns, media engagement, and messaging with impact. Murray is about to train advocates in Melbourne, Brisbane, and Wangaratta, too, and he will lecture to students at the Australian Film, Television, and Radio School. The Equality Project has put GLAAD's expertise in the spotlight since 2017, having trained over 2500 LGBTQ people, allies, corporations, and media outlets in Australia.

ENTERTAINMENT

Watch: A League of Their Own star Lea Robinson on creating “braver, safer, more inclusive spaces”

GLAAD’s Anthony Allen Ramos recently joined actor and activist Lea Robinson (pronounced as "Lee," and using he/they pronouns) to talk about his role on the new Amazon Prime Video series, "A League of Their Own." The remake of the iconic 1992 film has the same name, only this time, fans get a closer look at what life really was like for queer and Black players.

Robinson gets emotional about bringing the stories of Black and gender non-conforming players to life. “The opportunity to breathe life into this character that I know existed and exists was so powerful. Tt was humbling, and it was an honor to do it.” Enjoy the full interview with Lea Robinson here.

NEWS & RAPID RESPONSE

GLAAD releases Back to [Redacted]: A Guide to Battling Book and School Censorship for Students, Parents, and School Staff