GLSEN + Ernst & Young Partnership 2015–16 Planning Guide GLSEN’s Mission GLSEN strives to assure that each member of every school community is valued and respected, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression. We aim to develop school climates where difference is valued for the positive contribution it makes in creating a more vibrant and diverse community. Copyright 2015 GLSEN, Inc., the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network. All rights reserved. 1 The problem 85% of LGBT youth were verbally harassed in the past year. 65% heard homophobic remarks like “fag” or “dyke” frequently or often. 30% missed at least one day of school in the past month because they felt unsafe or uncomfortable. LGBT students whose schools lack GLSEN’s 4 key supports have worse outcomes: Lower GPA: 2.8 vs. 3.3 Higher absenteeism: 50% vs. 15% Less likely to plan to go to college: 92% vs. 95% Source: GLSEN’s 2013 National School Climate Survey Copyright 2015 GLSEN, Inc., the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network. All rights reserved. 2 The GLSEN “Big 4” All of GLSEN’s work increases the presence of the 4 supports our research proves every school must have to be safe and affirming for LGBT youth: 1. Supportive educators 2. Inclusive policies, including anti-bullying and trans policies 3. A curriculum that includes LGBT people, history, and events 4. Leadership opportunities for LGBT youth, like a GSA Copyright 2015 GLSEN, Inc., the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network. All rights reserved. 3 Who supports GLSEN? GLSEN is supported both actively and financially by thousands of individuals, corporations, and foundations as well. Copyright 2015 GLSEN, Inc., the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network. All rights reserved. 4 Why do corporations like Ernst & Young partner with GLSEN? While the mission itself is reason enough to support an organization like GLSEN, our corporate sponsors find that several additional benefits surface as a result of a partnership. Our partners find that GLSEN helps them: • Improve their communities • Signal their values to their employees and customers • Develop a future workforce that embraces diversity • Recruit & retain employees by celebrating diversity and inclusion Copyright 2015 GLSEN, Inc., the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network. All rights reserved. 5 Where does the money go? RESEARCH & STRATEGY Copyright 2015 GLSEN, Inc., the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network. All rights reserved. Providing INSIGHTS into the landscape and how students are truly affected on a day-to-day basis through advanced research and evaluation 6 Where does the money go? RESEARCH & STRATEGY LEGISLATION & POLICY Copyright 2015 GLSEN, Inc., the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network. All rights reserved. Working to build the INFRASTRUCTURE that will enable safe and affirming schools through policy development and advocacy 7 Where does the money go? RESEARCH & STRATEGY LEGISLATION & POLICY SCHOOL-BASED PROGRAMS Copyright 2015 GLSEN, Inc., the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network. All rights reserved. Cultivating safe and inclusive school ENVIRONMENTS by training educators and empowering youth 8 Where does the money go? RESEARCH & STRATEGY LEGISLATION & POLICY SCHOOL-BASED PROGRAMS ORGANIZING & ADVOCACY Copyright 2015 GLSEN, Inc., the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network. All rights reserved. INSPIRATION for youth, families, and educators to stand together to shift perceptions, create environments of acceptance and capitalize on teachable moments through communications and a strong media presence 9 GLSEN’s Days of Action Ally Week: Sept. 28 – Oct. 2, 2015 • Ally Week is a national youth-led effort encouraging students to be allies with the LGBT members of their community by standing against bullying, harassment, and namecalling. GLSEN’s No Name-Calling Week: Jan 18-22, 2016 • No Name-Calling Week was inspired by the popular young adult novel entitled The Misfits by James Howe in which four bullied best friends create a political party, the NoName Party, for student council elections to wipe out name-calling at their school. No Name-Calling Week now has over 60 national partner organizations and is one of the largest bullying-prevention initiatives in the country. GLSEN’s Day of Silence: April 16, 2016 • Day of Silence is a national day of action in which students across the country vow to take a form of silence to call attention to the silencing effect of anti-LGBT bullying and harassment in schools. Founded in 1996, the Day of Silence has become the largest single student-led action towards creating safer schools for all, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. Copyright 2015 GLSEN, Inc., the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network. All rights reserved. 10 How can Ernst & Young help? • Individual employees can share GLSEN information with their friends and family, follow us on social media, and make a personal donation to fund our work. • EY’s College MAP program can require that the schools it supports have the GLSEN Big 4 in place, or a plan of action to implement them • EYers who are parents of K-12 children can advocate the GLSEN Big 4 in their own schools. • EY can support GLSEN’s Days of Action campaigns • Ally Week: Host a selfie station for employees to take a photo with a supportive message for LGBT youth • No Name-Calling Week: Speak to local schools about bullying • Day of Silence: Support Breaking the Silence events • Groups of EYers can volunteer to help some local GLSEN chapters at certain times of year Copyright 2015 GLSEN, Inc., the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network. All rights reserved. 11 What benefits & recognition are available • The GLSEN Respect Awards, held each year in New York and Los Angeles, provide the greatest media visibility. Different benefits are available at different sponsorship levels. • Sponsors can also be associated with GLSEN’s Days of Action, receiving enormous exposure on social media. • Custom brand activation and engagement plans are also available. Copyright 2015 GLSEN, Inc., the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network. All rights reserved. 12 For more information: contact David Murray david.murray@glsen.org (646) 388-6590