Students celebrate Ally Week in Austin, Texas, October 2007

This year Ally Week is October 14-20, 2007!
Who can help
us the most to end anti-LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender)
bullying and harassment in your school? ALLIES!
An "ally" is anyone who supports ending anti-LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) bullying, harassment and name-calling in K-12 schools. The term traditionally refers to straight allies. While straight allies are an integral part of GLSEN’s Ally Week, the term "ally" is more inclusive within the safer schools movement. For example, a bisexual adult can be an ally to students, and a lesbian student can be an ally to a transgender student.
GLSEN is proud
to be encouraging students to end anti-LGBT bullying and harassment
in K-12 schools with the 3rd Annual Ally Week! What better way to
kick-off the school year than to have individuals and student clubs commonly known
as gay-straight alliances (GSAs) identify and support allies in
your school? Ally Week can be simple, passing out stickers to allies
who sign the pledge, or more advanced with an event or series of
events planned throughout the week.
Remember, Ally
Week is about identifying and supporting allies in your school and
asking them to sign the Ally Pledge to intervene in bullying and
harassment throughout the school year. Your Ally Week activities
will be most successful if they help support allies to know how
to intervene but also make them feel good and proud to be allies!
Check
out some of the possible Ally Activities you could organize in your
school!
• Tabling in school cafeteria
• Student and/or Teacher Training
• Lunchtime ZAPs
• Ask allies to attend GSA meeting
• Ally Bagel Breakfast or Ally Lunch/Pizza
Party
• Bulletin boards
• After-school activities like LGBT jeopardy
or LGBT bingo
• Bring the local LGBT center, theatre group
or other speaker to school
VISIT the new GLSEN store at www.glsenstore.org!
Check out other Ally Week supporters:
The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) has produced a new series of PSAs called “Be an Ally & a Friend.” The spots feature 22 celebrities from your favorite shows like “Ugly Betty” and “Grey’s Anatomy.” The new PSAs can be viewed at www.glaad.org/ally, or embedded from LiveVideo here: http://www.livevideo.com/GLAAD. For more information, or to broadcast these videos at your school during Ally Week, please send an email to entertainment@glaad.org.
The Matthew Shepard Foundation has created a new youth-focused website called Matthew's Place. It links to GLSEN's GSA information, research reports and showcases the new Jump-Start Guides. Just look for the link that says "GSA Info."
TELL ALLIES about the Safe Schools Improvement Act (H.R. 3132) - Ask them to support this federal legislation. Download an info sheet to hand out during Ally Week: CLICK HERE.
You can also take action online at GLSEN's page at the Youth Policy Action Center, CLICK HERE.
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