America’s Educators Stand With GLSEN Amid Attacks, Lies from Right-Wing Extremists 

This week, after Target announced it was pulling some Pride merchandise from stores in response to extremist threats, GLSEN and other leading LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations released a statement calling on the business community to rise up against anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric.  

Since then, right-wing media outlets have spread harmful and vicious lies about GLSEN — and these intentional and heinous attacks have spurred an onslaught of hateful messages and threats to their mission and the physical safety of their staff.   

Since GLSEN was founded by a group of teachers in 1990, they have been committed to creating affirming learning environments for LGBTQ+ youth, an imperative that the educators of the National Education Association (NEA) shares with them and the many advocates speaking out against these horrid attacks on LGBTQ+ youth and their advocates.    

NEA President Becky Pringle issued the following statement in response to the attacks.  

 “GLSEN and the NEA are united in our commitment to the wellbeing and success of our LGBTQ+ students. Our common work on behalf of students is grounded in racial justice, disability justice, and gender justice and the fundamental belief that all students deserve dignity and respect. 

 “As we enter Pride month, we must stand ever more resolute in that commitment while extremists attack and deny the right to celebrate LGBTQ+ lives and attempt to curtail all student’s freedom to learn. It’s more important than ever for actionable allyship that centers LGBTQ+ visibility and representation, as well as unwavering commitment to LGBTQ+ equality by institutional allies like employers and businesses.  

“The 3 million educators and members of the NEA call on our allies to stand strong with the GLSEN and the LGBTQ+ community. Caving to extremist ideologies is an abdication of the professional obligation to stand by our fundamental moral responsibilities and our values of diversity, equity and inclusion.” 

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The National Education Association is the nation's largest professional employee organization, representing 3 million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support professionals, school administrators, retired educators, students preparing to become teachers, healthcare workers, and public employees. Learn more at www.nea.org.