GLSEN Central Florida
LightNews LightNews
banner
glsencfl.bsky.social
GLSEN Central Florida
@glsencfl.bsky.social
1.1K followers 70 following 97 posts
Ensuring safe schools for all students, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity
Posts Replies Media Videos
glsencfl.bsky.social
We love hearing stories like this as we wrap up the first week of school in Central Florida! Affirming teachers and schools help LGBTQ+ students thrive and succeed 🫶🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈
Yellow background with text that says: "I helped a trans kid to finally ask their parents to fill out the preferred name paperwork and they did! They are so happy to be called by their preferred name!" Educator success stories make our hearts full! Thank you to this teacher for helping their student overcome and thrive in Florida! #BackToSchool2025
August 16, 2025 at 1:26 AM
glsencfl.bsky.social
🚨THIS WEEKEND!!!

Join us on Saturday for a post-Skrmetti Town Hall with Simone Chriss of Southern Legal Counsel. Simone is one of Florida’s foremost legal experts on trans rights and will share valuable insight on what the ruling means for youth and families in Florida 🏳️‍⚧️
Flyer for the post-Skrmetti Town Hall with Simone Chriss of Southern Legal Counsel. Saturday, July 26th @ 1:00 PM at the Mexican Consulate in Orlando. 2550 Technology Drive 32804.
July 21, 2025 at 3:53 PM
glsencfl.bsky.social
DOE memo ⤵️
Memo from Commissioner Kamoutsas reminding parents of anti-LGBTQ+ laws that have been passed in Florida over the past four years. Memo from Commissioner Kamoutsas reminding parents of anti-LGBTQ+ laws that have been passed in Florida over the past four years. Memo from Commissioner Kamoutsas reminding parents of anti-LGBTQ+ laws that have been passed in Florida over the past four years.
July 17, 2025 at 10:49 PM
glsencfl.bsky.social
On his first day in office, Florida’s new Commissioner of Education went on a new attack against LGBTQ+ students. We strongly reject his bigoted tropes and call on the entire State Department of Education and Board of Education to do better when it comes to our most vulnerable students.
On a light yellow background: GLSEN Central Florida strongly condemns the July 14th memo from Florida Education Commissioner Kamoutsas. Not only is it completely unnecessary to replay to Florida families the extremely hurtful anti-LGBTQ+ and racist laws that have been passed since 2021, his frequent injection of religious sentiment is inappropriate in a state that claims to believe in the First Amendment, which stipulates the separation of church and state. On a light yellow background: Commissioner Kamoutsas makes very clear in this memo his disdain for the LGBTQ+ community and the Florida students who identify as such. This memo is clearly a publicity stunt to let Floridians know there is a "new Sheriff in town" at the Department of Education, and frankly, it's a fail. Doubling down on your hatred for marginalized communities is a sign of weakness and not a standard for which we should hold public officials to. On a light yellow background: If Florida districts have the capacity to send this memo out to every family, then there is no reason that they cannot also send a memo like this to remind families to complete their students' Deviation of Name forms every year, so that we can avoid any more situations like what happened in Brevard County this Spring with the unceremonious dismissal of Ms. Calhoun, a beloved educator in a state in desperate need of them. On a light yellow background: What the Florida Department of Education is missing the mark on, once again, is that students thrive when they are in supportive, inclusive learning environments. Not ones that seek to make every step of their educational journey difficult and demeaning. We urge the Commissioner and the entire State Board of Education to do better.
July 17, 2025 at 10:49 PM
glsencfl.bsky.social
Celebrating the vibrant and diverse non-binary community today and every day! 💛🤍💜🖤
Graphic celebrating Non-Binary People’s Day with bold text against a purple to yellow gradient background, and the GLSEN logo at the bottom.
July 14, 2025 at 2:19 PM
glsencfl.bsky.social
Thank you so much to everyone who came out for Lectures on Tap with Our Florida, Youth Action Fund, Sunrise, Zoa Glows & our hosts at the Drunken Monkey. If you missed this incredible event, hit the QR code in our photos to donate and help keep one of Florida’s only LGBTQ+ affirming schools open 🫶🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈
Lectures on Tap flyer at the Drunken Monkey Coffee Bar in Orlando Dr. Leandra Preston giving a presentation on the state of higher education in Florida Zoa Stardust Glows performing QR code to donate to keep one of Florida’s only LGBTQ+ affirming schools open
July 13, 2025 at 4:15 PM
glsencfl.bsky.social
We had a great time at the Trans March at St. Pete Pride today! Thank you to Gender Advancement Project, the National LGBTQ Task Force and other sponsors for bringing the Orlando crew! #ProudAndFree #HappyPride 🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈
Participants at the Trans March at St. Pete Pride Participants at the Trans March at St. Pete Pride Participants at the Trans March at St. Pete Pride Participants at the Trans March at St. Pete Pride
June 29, 2025 at 1:25 AM
glsencfl.bsky.social
Check out the new zine, the GSA Power Pack, created by NSC member, Gary N from Hawaii.

This guide is full of helpful tips for educators and student leaders who want to learn more about LGBTQ+ student-led organizations, like GSAs ⤵️

www.glsen.org/sites/defaul...
Lined page with purple overlay that says “GSA Power Pack, a guide for teachers & student leaders”
June 16, 2025 at 4:48 PM
glsencfl.bsky.social
Today we solemnly remember the 49 beautiful souls we lost at Pulse and honor them with action 🤍🕊️🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ #Pulse #ForThe49 #KeepDancingOrlando
Remembering the 49 Angles June 12, 2016 STANLEY ALMODOVAR III • AMANDA L. ALVEAR • OSCAR A. ARACENA MONTERO • RODOLFO AYALA AYALA - ANTONIO DAVON BROWN • DARRYL ROMAN BURT II - ANGEL CANDELARIO-PADRO • JUAN CHAVEZ MARTINEZ • LUIS D. CONDE • CORY JAMES CONNELL • TEVIN EUGENE CROSBY • DEONKA DEIDRA DRAYTON • LEROY VALENTIN FERNANDEZ • SIMON ADRIAN CARRILLO FERNANDEZ • MERCEDEZ MARISOL FLORES • PETER OMMY GONZALEZ CRUZ • JUAN RAMON GUERRERO • PAUL TERRELL HENRY • FRANK HERNANDEZ • MIGUEL ANGEL HONORATO • JAVIER JORGE REYES • JASON BENJAMIN JOSAPHAT • EDDIE JAMAL DROY JUSTICE • ANTHONY LUIS LAUREANO DISLA • CHRISTOPHER ANDREW LEINONEN • JERRY WRIGHT • ALEJANDRO BARRIOS MARTINEZ • BRENDA MARQUEZ MCCOOL • GILBERTO R. SILVA MENENDEZ • KIMBERLY JEAN MORRIS • AKYRA MONET MURRAY • LUIS OMAR OCASIO CAPO • GERARDO A. ORTIZ JIMENEZ • ERIC IVAN ORTIZ-RIVERA • JOEL RAYON PANIAGUA • JEAN CARLOS MENDEZ PEREZ • ENRIQUE L. RIOS JR. • JEAN CARLOS NIEVES RODRÍGUEZ • XAVIER EMMANUEL SERRANO-ROSADO • CHRISTOPHER JOSEPH SANFELIZ • YILMARY RODRÍGUEZ SOLIVAN • EDDIE SOTOMAYOR JR. • SHANE EVAN TOMLINSON - MARTIN BENITEZ TORRES • JONATHAN A. CAMUY VEGA • JUAN PABLO RIVERA VELÁZQUEZ • LUIS SERGIO VIELMA • FRANKY JIMMY DEJESUS VELÁZQUEZ • LUIS DANIEL WILSON-LEON •
June 12, 2025 at 2:09 PM
glsencfl.bsky.social
Pride is more than just a month of celebrations and recognition of the LGBTQ+ community. It’s a protest and a fight for equality. It’s collaboration and support across other marginalized communities.
Pink, red and orange background with white letters that say “HAPPY PRIDE MONTH”
June 1, 2025 at 4:44 PM
glsencfl.bsky.social
Sign up for the summer session of Planned Parenthood’s Rainbow Room Series! Sessions are open to ALL! 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

ppswcf-org.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
Planned Parenthood® RAINBOW ROOM SUMMER SESSION A Virtual LGBTQ+ Sex Education Series Join Rainbow Room this summer for the LGBTQ+ sex education you never had - medically-accurate with a focus on navigating queer relationships, realities, and history. Sessions are open to ALL! 6/1 - Our Community: Queer Culture and History 6/8 - Consent 6/15 - Birth Control and Reproductive Justice 6/22 - Celebrating all Bodies and Anatomy 6/29 - Sex and Safety on the Internet 7/6 -What is Gender Affirming Healthcare? 7/13 - Mental Health, Community Support, and Resilience 7/20 - Deconstructing Sexual Scripts (18+) 7/27 - Safer Sex: STls, Birth Control and Stigma 8/3 - HIV/AIDs: Health, History, and PrEPsent of Access 8/10 - Modern Queer Healthy Relationships 8/17 - Body Image, Body Changes, and Transitioning 8/24 - Queer Family Building SUNDAY @ 4PM EST/1PM PST REGISTER NOW!
May 30, 2025 at 9:05 PM
glsencfl.bsky.social
🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️📚 Join us in creating schools where every student can thrive just as they are. Click the link below to learn about how you can help.

Thank you to our partners – @Hollister, @AweInspired, @OutofPrint, @PairEyewear, @UrbanOutfitters, @tempaper_Designs, @elbowchocolates

linktr.ee/glsen2?utm_s...
Lavender background that reads: Students in schools with an LGBTQ+-inclusive curriculum were: 75% more likely to say their peers were accepting. 42% less likely to miss school due to feeling unsafe. GLSEN.org and United for Pride logo in white Lavender background that reads: Inclusive Curricula Works! GLSEN fights to create rights and protections for students to feel comfortable to be themselves in schools. GLSEN.org and United for Pride logo in white at bottom Thank you to our sponsors! awe OUT OF PRINT Christopher Elbow CHOCOLATES HOLLISTER pair POPLPGHT TEMPAPER & CO: URBAN OUTFITTERS glsen.org UNITED PRiDE
May 28, 2025 at 5:04 PM
glsencfl.bsky.social
💛💗💙 Happy Pansexual and Panromantic Visibility Day!
Image description: This image features a vibrant background with a gradient of multiple colors blending from shades of yellow, pink, blue, and green. In bold, white text, the image reads “PANSEXUAL AND PANROMANTIC VISIBILITY DAY.” The text is enclosed by white rays extending outward, resembling a sunburst effect. The logo “GLSEN” is located at the bottom of the image.
May 24, 2025 at 2:33 PM
glsencfl.bsky.social
🏳️‍🌈Calling LGBTQ+ Youth: Your Voice Matters! Help shape national policy by signing up for GLSEN’s National School Climate Youth Focus Groups. Share your experiences and advocate for change! Sign up today at glsen.org/fg-gen!
GLSEN National School Climate Survey LGBTQ+ Youth Conversations Invitation Are you LGBTQIA+ ? Are you 13 years or older? Are you in grades K-12? If yes, we want to understand your experiences in school this year! Compensation: Format: Session Dates: $50 stipend 2 hours on Zoom 6/6, 6/10, 6/18, 6/20, 6/26
May 23, 2025 at 5:03 PM
glsencfl.bsky.social
That’s beautiful! We have a Lyra mural here in Orlando, FL at Zebra Youth ❤️
Mural of Lyra McKee that says “Keep hanging in their kid, it’s worth it. I love you.”
May 22, 2025 at 5:46 PM
glsencfl.bsky.social
Every May 22nd we celebrate Harvey Milk Day and honor the legacy of this trailblazing activist, Navy vet, commissioner of the first Pride Flag and the first openly gay elected official in the United States.

#Pride #HarveyMilk #LGBTQ 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️
Image Description: Progress Pride flag stripes next to a picture of Harvey Milk and “Happy Birthday Harvey Milk, May 22nd” on a black background with the GLSEN Central Florida logo.
May 22, 2025 at 4:35 PM
glsencfl.bsky.social
United for Pride means solidarity with your community.

United for Pride means speaking up and speaking out.
United for Pride means sharing joy and freedom with others.

United for Pride means advocating for those that are too tired, afraid, or vulnerable.
Red, orange, pink and purple background that says “UNITED FOR PRIDE, rise up for lgbtq+ youth” with GLSEN logo
May 16, 2025 at 6:41 PM
glsencfl.bsky.social
Educators deserve more than a single week of recognition.

LGBTQ+ supportive educators save students’ lives. Just one visibly supportive educator in a school can help LGBTQ students feel safer in their school environment.
Image description: Bubble letters that say "National Teacher Appreciation Week" on a background that looks like notebook paper.
May 5, 2025 at 9:19 PM
glsencfl.bsky.social
Check out this exciting summer opportunity for LGBTQ+ young people aged 18-24 across Florida — Camp Peer Ed!

Application link: forms.office.com/r/tUfaqaQyaw
Flyer for the Camp: Peer Ed program, a virtual sex education leadership program designed to center LGBTQ+ voices, providing participants with tools, knowledge, and a stipend to support their work as future educators and advocates. Earn a stipend or volunteer hours! QR code with link address: https://tinyurl.com/CAMPPeerEdFl
April 29, 2025 at 11:35 PM
glsencfl.bsky.social
On Tuesday our chair went to the Brevard School Board meeting to stand with parents, students and community members for Ms. Calhoun. It is beyond ridiculous that we are STILL battling these government attacks on education and LGBTQ+ rights, but we won’t stop fighting back against fascism. 🏳️‍⚧️
April 26, 2025 at 11:07 PM
glsencfl.bsky.social
📢 💙 Stand with Calhoun & against BPS! Use the link below to email the Brevard School Board, then join the peaceful rally on Friday to support Ms. Calhoun & every teacher who puts students first!

Wear blue, make posters & meet at the corner of Jackson & S. Patrick @ 2:15PM.

istandwithcalhoun.com
Blue poster that says “I stand with Callon and how you can too all across Florida” Logos of Our Florida, Brevard Public Schools Watch, GLSEN Central Florida and Defense of Democracy Florida. Blue poster that says “WHY NOW? All eyes are on us and we must lead by example.” As Floridians, we know this story. For the last three years, Florida has become a testing ground for the most destructive and counterintuitive education policies all in the name of "children's interest" From banning DEl in higher ed to Don't Say Gay policies, what happens in Florida sets the runway for a future national project. In this moment, it is imperative we stand with Ms. Calhoun. We are setting the tone for the future. And it is up to us whether that tone speaks to uplift our students or put us on a dark road. Show up and show out this Friday. The future is counting on you. Blue poster that says “STAND WITH CALHOUN RALLY” April 18, 2025 / 2:15pm - 3:15pm / Corner of Jackson and South Patrick All Brevard students, parents & community: JOIN US THIS FRIDAY! “HELLO MY NAME IS pissed” sticker STUDENTS: • Wear blue: it's Ms. Calhoun's favorite! #BlueForCalhoun • Grab a "Hello My Name Is" sticker to wear at the entrance • Make posters & stickers! “HELLO MY NAME IS over it” sticker PARENTS + COMMUNITY: • Wear blue in solidarity with Ms. Calhoun • Meet students at the rally - cheer them on! • Want to speak? DM us ASAP (parents, students, teachers welcome!) Please Note: We want all members of our community to be safe. While our actions are coordinated and enacted with a peacerul nature, we advise all immigrants or non-US citizens to withhold engagement given escalations in deportations.
April 16, 2025 at 4:53 PM
glsencfl.bsky.social
Yesterday, Brevard Public Schools made the decision to fire a beloved Satellite High School AP English teacher for using a student’s preferred name. This comes at the end of the year, when students are focused on finishing off strong and is an emotional distraction for them.
Image description: Packed school board meeting with a sign that says “SHS Loves Mrs. Calhoun.”
April 9, 2025 at 5:32 PM
glsencfl.bsky.social
Today is Day of (No) Silence! Use your voice louder than ever today in protest of the harmful effects of harassment and discrimination of LGBTQ+ people in schools. Being silent is no longer an option. For anything to change, we must take action together.

Learn more at glen.org/dayofnosilence
Image description: Day of (No) Silence logo on black background.
April 4, 2025 at 2:26 PM
glsencfl.bsky.social
Today we spent a day of advocacy in Tallahassee for #DayOfNoSilence. Thank you @annaforflorida.bsky.social for hosting us! #RiseUpForLGBTQ
Members of GLSEN Central Florida, Moms for Hope, Dads for Hope and Come Out With Pride’s Trans and Non-Binary Task Force at the Florida State Capitol with signs that say “Rise Up for LGBTQ+ Youth,” “Rise Up to Protect Trans and GNC Students” and “Rise Up to Protect LGBTQ Students” Members of GLSEN Central Florida, Moms for Hope, Dads for Hope and Come Out With Pride’s Trans and Non-Binary Task Force at the Florida State Capitol with signs that say “Rise Up for LGBTQ+ Youth” Members of GLSEN Central Florida, Moms for Hope, Dads for Hope and Come Out With Pride’s Trans and Non-Binary Task Force at the Florida State Capitol with signs that say “Rise Up for LGBTQ+ Youth,” “Rise Up to Protect Trans and GNC Students” and “Rise Up to Protect LGBTQ Students” at a press conference with Rep. Anna Eskamani Members of GLSEN Central Florida, Moms for Hope, Dads for Hope and Come Out With Pride’s Trans and Non-Binary Task Force at the Florida State Capitol with Senator Kristin Arrington
April 3, 2025 at 1:06 AM
glsencfl.bsky.social
🏳️‍⚧️ Today is Trans Day of Visibility! Today is dedicated to celebrating trans and gender nonconforming people while raising awareness of the work that still needs to be done to achieve justice.
Image description: On a gradient pink, blue, and white background bold text reads "Trans Day of Visibility".
March 31, 2025 at 3:13 PM