June was an amazing month! There is so very much to be proud of!
Schools in Connecticut will now be much safer places for LGBT students thanks to
vital legislation passed to ensure that no one can be discriminated against based on their gender identity and expression, and by making it clear that LGBT students are indeed legally protected from bullying and harassment.
GLSEN's Executive Director Dr. Eliza Byard
testified before the US Commision on Civil Rights at their briefing on the federal response to peer-on-peer violence and bullying.
Several GLSEN student leaders, including our own Jump-Start Student Coordinator Layne Gianakos,
were invited to the Pride Reception at The White House.
Layne appreciated President Obama's very personal yet matter of fact speech. He met and shook hands with the President, and spent time talking with both Vice-President Biden and Dr. Jill Biden as well. We're so proud that Layne's years of activism on behalf of Connecticut's LGBT students was honored by this administration!
It is wonderful to see so much progress at the state and federal levels, especially since it is a testament to years of hard work. It's equally gratifying to know that we are also making a difference locally, as our article below about the success of the Rainbow Ball attests. Yet sometimes the effects of our work can be realized in completely unexpected ways!
A group of 20 students, teachers and GLSEN Connecticut board
members joined the GLSEN contingent marching in Sunday's New York City Pride parade. Toward the end of an exhilarating yet exhausting day we were finishing lunch in a local restaurant. As everyone was in the midst of sorting out the bill it was whisked away by a waitress.
Suddenly we learned that a couple sitting nearby had picked up the check for all of us! They are supportive of GLSEN's work and were touched that so many students had made the effort to join the parade and were
clearly having such a good time, All of us - youth and adults alike - were completely stunned! This random act of kindness reminded all of us that we never truly know when or how our work will touch others, and the overwhelming love and appreciation we felt that afternoon will be remembered always.
Happy Pride - today and for all the months to come!
Peace,
(GSA), or get more involved with your community? Please consider joining our state-wide Jump-Start Student Leadership Team, a group of high school students from all across the state committed to making our schools safer and more accepting for ALL students, regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity/expression. 
s from all three Stamford High Schools - Westhill, Stamford High and AITE (The Acadamy of Information Technology & Engineering). 
