GLSEN Northern Virginia Statement on Family Life Education Curriculum Recommendations

McLEAN, Va. (May 13, 2015) – GLSEN Northern Virginia's Co-Chair, David Aponte, made the following statement on the Family Life Education Curriculum Advisory Committee's recommendations to the Fairfax County School Board, updating the Family Life Education program for Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) to include issues of sexual orientation and gender identity/expression for middle and high school students. These recommendations will be introduced as new business on May 21 and voted on at the school board's meeting on June 25.

"As an organization GLSEN strives to assure that each member of every school community is valued and respected regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression. To help make this possible, school curricula need to be inclusive of different gender identities, different sexual orientations and different gender expressions. We believe that the recommendations of the Family Life Education Curriculum Advisory Committee are a step in the right direction for making lesbian, gay bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students feel more welcome and more affirmed in their schools.

According to the Virginia State Snapshot of GLSEN's latest National School Climate Survey, the only national survey of LGBT middle and high school students in the country, only 17 percent of Virginia LGBT students reported having an LGBT-inclusive curriculum in their schools. As times change, curricula and education materials need to be updated. This committee has shown that they understand this need for change. As a school system, FCPS has a responsibility to support ALL students and provide them with the best and most inclusive education they can. These recommendations reflect those responsibilities, and we strongly urge the school board to vote for them on June 25."

About GLSEN

GLSEN is the leading national education organization focused on ensuring safe and affirming schools for all students. Celebrating its 25th year, GLSEN envisions a world in which every child learns to respect and accept all people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression. GLSEN seeks to develop school climates where difference is valued for the positive contribution it makes to creating a more vibrant and diverse community. For information on GLSEN's research, educational resources, public policy advocacy, student organizing programs and educator training initiatives, visit www.glsen.org.

GLSEN Northern Virginia is a chapter of the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN).