GLSEN Acknowledges Progress of the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights

WASHINGTON (May 4, 2016) – GLSEN's Director of Public Policy, Nathan Smith, recognized the achievements of the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights upon today's release of the Department's Fiscal Year 2015 Report to the President and Secretary of Education.

"GLSEN is proud to have worked closely with the U.S. Department of Education throughout the Obama Administration to successfully advance safe and affirming learning environments for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students nationwide. As is evident in the Department's report, the last several years have seen monumental progress, especially in anti-discrimination protections for transgender and gender nonconforming students.

"We applaud the Department's achievements and look forward to collaborating on building upon the advancements of the last seven years to maximize safe and affirming schools for LGBT youth in the remaining months of the Administration."

The latest edition of GLSEN's National School Climate Survey found 74 percent of LGBT students were verbally harassed in the past year because of their sexual orientation and 55 percent because of their gender expression. LGBT students who experienced discrimination and bullying and harassment at school were more than three times as likely to have missed school in the past month as those who did not, had lower GPAs than their peers, and had lower self-esteem and higher levels of depression. 

About GLSEN

GLSEN is the leading national education organization focused on ensuring safe and affirming schools for all students. 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.