Use Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Access Restrictions

Collection is open to research.

Preferred Citation

Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network (GLSEN), Richmond Chapter records, 2000-2005, M 324, Special Collections and Archives, James Branch Cabell Library, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA

Acquisition Information

Gift of John Leppo, Co-chair of the GLSEN Richmond Chapter in 2003. Accrual received as gift of John Leppo in 2005.

Historical Information

GLSEN (The Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network) is a national organization fighting to end anti-gay bias in primary and secondary schools. The Richmond, Virginia chapter first met in January 2000 and received official chapter accreditation in July 2001. The chapter's long-term goal is to "end sexual orientation and gender identity bias in Richmond City, Henrico County, Chesterfield County, and Hanover County schools." As of January 2003, GLSEN Richmond included fifty-two members and a mailing list of one hundred and fifty addresses.

GLSEN Richmond is a founding member of the Safe Schools Richmond Coalition, a coalition of community organizations working for the inclusion of sexual orientation and gender identity under the anti-harassment policies of area school systems. GLSEN also helps local students form Gay Straight Alliances (GSAs) in their schools to promote a "safe and respectful environment for all members of the school regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity." GLSEN sponsors GSA leadership summits twice a year to develop youth leaders and to bolster club activities. The organization offers a small grants program to help finance GSA activities, provide resources, and to facilitate the Richmond GSA listserv. Other areas of focus include public education to increase awareness of the needs of LGBT youth, developing resources and a program to provide support and information to LGBT faculty and staff, and providing curriculum development grants for faculty interested in incorporating sexual orientation and gender identity into their curriculum.

Scope and Contents

The bulk of the collection consists of materials and publications created by members of the Richmond Chapter of the Gay Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN), which aimed to improve the school environment of LGBT children. The materials include meeting minutes, organizational records, publications, outreach materials, and audiovisual materials dating from 2000 to 2005. The remaining items in the collection include newspaper clippings and emails collected by GLSEN dealing with LGBT public school children. Researchers will find content containing materials for potential research in homophobia in public schools, Richmond area LGBT organizations, and the ways in which LGBT organizations combatted bias and discrimination. The collection also provides insight into the early years of George W. Bush's presidency and the "No Child Left Behind Act" initiated in 2001 and its effects on LGBT public school children.

Arrangement

Files are arranged alphabetically.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Gay-straight alliances in schools -- Virginia -- Richmond.
• Heterosexism in schools -- Virginia -- Richmond.
• Homophobia in schools -- Virginia -- Richmond.
• Sexual minority students -- Virginia -- Richmond.
• Sexual minority youth -- Virginia -- Richmond.