This week, we’ve blogged about respect and acceptance among the older gay and lesbian population, and Patricia even noted in her post that we need to start the process of inclusion at an early age. Those posts are timely as, just last week, the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, GLSEN, presented its annual Respect Awards to public figures who have helped create environments for LGBT students to feel safe.
Those honored with Respect Awards were Neal Baer, executive producer of NBC’s "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit"; Greg Berlanti, executive producer of ABC’s "Brothers & Sisters"; James C. Hormel, the first openly gay man to serve as a U.S. ambassador; and California Sen. Sheila Kuehl, who led the effort to pass the California Student Safety and Violence Prevention Act of 2000. Information on the recipients and their efforts can be found here.
GLSEN, whose mission is to create a future in which "every child learns to respect and accept all people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression," is following the award ceremony this week by sponsoring Ally Week Oct. 14-20, in which allies of the Safe Schools Movement pledge their support for addressing anti-LGBT language and actions in schools.
Activities vary per school and member organizations; however, the most common Ally Week activity involves students signing pledge cards. The cards state that the signed ally is “taking a stand for a safe and harassment-free school for all students, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression.”
Those involved also pledge support to:
- Not use anti-LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) language or slurs
- Intervene, when I feel I can, in situations where others are using anti-LGBT language or harassing other students
- Actively support safer schools efforts
It’s an effort that reaches our society at an early age, and it’s an effort that also can take be duplicated at other times in life and in other organizations. Corporate communications leaders, internal communicators and LGBT employee groups can create similar programs to raise awareness among employee ranks, perhaps creating their own “Ally Week” within an office or entire company.
We’d like to know if you’ve created or experienced similar programs in the professional world. Do you think these activities can have an impact beyond the school environment? Let us know your thoughts.
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