Who We Are & What We Do
We are GLSEN Los Angeles
We are LA’s leading organization for LGBTQ+ youth in K-12 schools.
As the Los Angeles chapter of GLSEN, a national organization providing research, advocacy and programming serving LGBTQ+ youth, we are here to make every K-12 school in Los Angeles County safe, inclusive and affirming.
We serve students and educators in public, private, charter and parochial schools in Los Angeles County, across 88 cities and 78 school districts.
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GLSEN Los Angeles is a grassroots initiative, working locally in our community to ensure safe schools for all students, regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity. There are 43 Chapters around the country doing this important work. Join us today!
Vision
Creating a Better World for LGBTQ Students
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As GLSEN was founded by a group of teachers in 1990, we knew that educators play key roles in creating affirming learning environments for LGBTQ youth. But as well as activating supportive educators, we believe in centering and uplifting student-led movements, which have powered initiatives like the Day of Silence, Ally Week, and more.
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We conduct extensive and original research to inform our evidence-based solutions for K-12 education.
We author developmentally appropriate resources for educators to use throughout their school community.
We advise on, advocate for, and research comprehensive policies designed to protect LGBTQ students as well as students of marginalized identities. We’ve brought record support to the Safe Schools Improvement Act and the Student Non-Discrimination Act and fought discriminatory legislation in over 15 states.
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Today, after over 25 years of leading the movement, GLSEN’s national network is more than 1.5 million strong, with students, families, educators, and education advocates working to create safe schools. More than 500,000 GLSEN resources are downloaded by students and educators each year.
Every day GLSEN works to ensure that LGBTQ students are able to learn and grow in a school environment free from bullying and harassment. Together, we can transform our nation’s K-12 schools into the safe and affirming environment all youth deserve.
Current Board Members
Alex Rhodes, they/them, Co-Chair, Director of Youth Engagement
Jackie Fernandez-Santos, she/her, Co-Chair, Director of Community Engagement
Caroline Olsen-Van Stone, she/her, Treasurer
Air Perea, they/them, Director of Volunteers
Owen Grossman, he/him/any pronouns, Youth Board Member
Larry Lane, he/him, Director of Digital/Social Media
Evelyn Larios, she/her/ella, PD Coordinator, Director of Programming
Benjamin Nguyen, he/him/his/genderqueer, Secretary
Lucia Davidson, any pronouns, 2024-2025 Freedom Fellow
For more information about the Freedom Fellowship, visit https://www.glsen.org/freedomfellowship
