Allies play a vital role in making schools safer for all students, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression. In fact, the first Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) was the idea of a straight ally. 

Students created Ally Week as a way to build upon the unifying work GSAs do across the country by encouraging people to be allies against anti-LGBT name-calling, bullying and harassment in schools. Whether you belong to a GSA or not, Ally Week is the perfect time for you and your friends to sign the Ally Pledge.

GLSEN and students across the county, often as members of Gay-Straight Alliances or similar student clubs, will celebrate Ally Week on October 13-17 in schools and communities nationwide.

Ally Week involves a week of activities designed to encourage students to be Allies against anti-LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) language, bullying and harassment in America’s schools.

Students plan events appropriate to their school community. These may simply include passing out stickers to allies who sign a pledge. Others may take part in larger community events and rallies. Many students will encourage their peers and school staff to sign an Ally Pledge which states:

GLSEN encourages students to participate in Ally Week in cooperation with their schools. We encourage students to get support from their principals and educators and participate fully in their school day. Principals, counselors, teachers and all school staff are encouraged to be Allies too!

Students and GSAs are strongly encouraged to register for GLSEN’s Ally Week in order to receive free resources and to help us determine the total number of schools and students taking part.

To register for Ally Week, visit: www.studentorganizing.org

Buttons and magnets for GLSEN’s Ally Week can be purchased online at www.glsenstore.org

To find resources, visit: www.allyweek.org

Often referred to as ‘straight allies,’ allies generally are non-LGBT people who are committed to ending bias and discrimination against LGBT people. While straight allies are an integral part of GLSEN’s Ally Week, the term “ally” is more inclusive within the Safe Schools Movement to refer to anyone who supports ending anti-LGBT name-calling, bullying and harassment in schools. For instance, a bisexual adult can be an ally to LGBT students, and a lesbian student can be an ally to a transgender student.

In 2005, members of GLSEN’s Jump-Start National Student Leadership Team came up with an idea to celebrate Allies committed to ensuring safe and effective schools for all and to encourage students to take action. The idea turned into the first Ally Week celebrated in schools nationwide in October 2005.

This year, GSAs are working with GLSEN, local chapters and national student leaders to expand Ally Week and encourage more allies to take part.

The unfortunate truth is that anti-LGBT bullying, violence and harassment are commonplace in America’s schools. Actual and perceived sexual orientation and gender expression are two of the top three reasons teens report that students are harassed at their schools, according to From Teasing to Torment: School Climate in America, a GLSEN-commissioned report by Harris Interactive. In other words, all students – LGBT and straight alike – perceive anti-LGBT bullying and harassment as a serious problem in their schools. The vast majority of these same students said their schools would be better off if this issue was better addressed. GLSEN’s 2005 National School Climate Survey found that 4 out of 5 LGBT students report verbal, sexual or physical harassment at school and more than 30% report missing at least a day of school in the past month out of fear for their personal safety. GLSEN’s Ally Week brings us closer to making anti-LGBT bullying, harassment and name-calling unacceptable in America’s schools.

GLSEN’s Ally Week is one element of a larger effort to create safe schools for all students and the first of four GLSEN Days of Action: TransACTION! (11/21), MLK Jr. Organizing Weekend (1/16-19) and the National Day of Silence (4/17). For more on GLSEN’s Days of Action, visit www.dayofsilence.org. We also are asking our national leaders to support policies that create safe schools for all. Many communities are asking their local and state leaders to support and implement similar policies.

GLSEN looks forward to engaging all organizations and individuals who share the Ally Week vision of schools free from anti-LGBT name-calling, bullying and harassment, where all students are free to focus on learning. To learn more, check out the resource Just the Facts About Sexual Orientation and Youth: A Primer for Principals, Educators, and School Personnel, created by a collations of 13 education, health, mental health and religious organizations at www.glsen.org/facts.

GLSEN, the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, is the leading national education organization focused on ensuring safe schools for all students. Established nationally in 1995, GLSEN envisions a world in which every child learns to respect and accept all people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression. For more information on GLSEN’s educational resources, public policy agenda, student organizing programs, research, public education or development initiatives, visit www.glsen.org.

GLSEN: www.glsen.org
Registration and resources: www.allyweek.org
Ally Week t-shirts, buttons, magnets and supplies: www.glsenstore.org
Register your GSA: www.studentorganizing.org
Just the Facts: www.glsen.org/facts
Research:
From Teasing to Torment: www.glsen.org/research
2005 National School Climate Survey: www.glsen.org/research

2007 National School Climate Survey: Nearly 9 out of 10 LGBT Students Experience Harassment