The Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network of South Central Wisconsin will host an open meeting near UW-Madison today to review initiatives to create a safer environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students among Wisconsin public schools.
Though GLSEN works predominantly with high school students, the organization collaborates with a variety of college campuses. The group offers UW-Madison the opportunity to connect with other LGBT organizations across the country, according to Jason Rasmussen, GLSEN's executive director.
Last year, LGBT at UW-Madison worked with GLSEN for the National Day of Silence, during which approximately 200 schools in Wisconsin and more than 1,000 schools nationally held a movement encouraging students to be silent in recognition of the daily pressure LGBT students face to remain mute about their sexuality.
While he acknowledged the importance of an LGBT group specific to UW-Madison, former UW-Madison student Jeremiah Fuller, who participated in last year's National Day of Silence, said he thinks such national efforts among high schools and colleges are imperative.
\[A nationwide movement] does empower. It does give a sense of unity,"" he said.
Megan Jensen, a UW-Madison sophomore and LGBT liaison for university housing said she thinks outreach to high schools is especially crucial because LGBT awareness is lower there than on college campuses.
UW-Madison's recent LGBT awareness efforts include the new LGBT Studies certificate, which students can earn beginning this semester. Rasmussen said he thinks the certificate's addition echoes a larger trend in education.
""I think [the certificate is] a reflection of the movement across the country for education to address LGBT,"" he said.
Additionally, UW-Madison's education department collaborates with GLSEN to train future educators to address LGBT issues in their careers.
The GLSEN meeting will be at the First Unitarian Meeting House, 900 University Bay Drive, and will begin at 6:45 p.m. At 7:45 p.m. Jodi Cohen, a local performer, will dramatize issues facing LGBT students.
""[The meeting is] aimed towards anybody in the community who cares about safe schools,"" Rasmussen said.
