Dear John —

Hackensack Middle School in New Jersey is one of 50 recipients of our 50 States. 50 Grants. [[link removed]] initiative to fund projects empowering LGBTQ+ students throughout the United States.

Students at the school are still working diligently to produce their school-wide Pride event, but they wanted to do something NOW to make LGBTQ+ students at the school feel supported. So in December, members of Hackensack's GSA helped write a resolution with the district superintendent to keep the inclusive Pride flag raised year round, not just during Pride Month. It passed with full support from the Board of Education, and at a school-wide celebration, students shared why this show of support will change lives [[link removed]].

Hackensack student Shruti Sangamarat shared on the It Gets Better blog [[link removed]] that while this moment is cause for celebration, it’s the first step of many that need to be taken to make LGBTQ+ students feel seen and supported at school.

"The symbolism of the flag’s permanency is clear — our identities are valid and here to stay, no matter what the ignorant wish to say about it."

Read more from Shruti and watch video coverage of the flag raising ceremony here [[link removed]],.

Applications are open now through March 15 for the 2023-2024 50 States. 50 Grants. 5000 Voices grant cycle. [[link removed]] Join us Monday, Jan 30 at 4pm PT/7pm ET for our first community webinar [[link removed]] to get more information about the grant application process.

And if you're interested in submitting your own proposal and need some inspiration, take a look [[link removed]] at what last year’s grant recipients are doing to create change in their schools.

Thanks for helping us make it better in schools.

- It Gets Better Project

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The It Gets Better Project is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to uplift, empower, and connect lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer youth around the globe. All contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

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