Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Teachers Network (GLSTN) Chicago Papers

The Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSTN) was formed in 1990 to work with educators, policy makers, community leaders, and students to address homophobic and heterosexist behavior and bias in schools. The organization changed its name to the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) in 1997 and continues to aim to protect students from bullying and harassment, to advance comprehensive safe schools laws and policies, to empower principles to make their schools safer, and to build the skills of educators to teach respect for all people.

The Chicago chapter of GLSTN was founded in 1994 and focused on community organizing, advocacy, and in-school programming. The chapter later renamed itself to Creating Safe Schools for Illinois and then in 2007, merged with the Coalition for Education on Sexual Orientation (CESO) to found the Illinois Safe Schools Alliance (the Alliance).