FROM THE GSEA CHAIR

Welcome,

Thank you for visiting the website of the Gay Straight Educators’ Alliance, an assembly of the National Council of Teachers of English. It has been less than twenty years since a group of LGBT educators and allies first gathered at the NCTE convention in Seattle, WA. Who would have imagined at that meeting in 1991 that this group would grow to be such a productive and influential force in NCTE.

Much has changed since that first meeting. More and more high schools have formed Gay Straight Alliances and support groups for LGBT students. Queer Studies has become a legitimate field of post-secondary academic pursuit. LGBT issues such as marriage equality and domestic partner benefits have become increasingly visible in the media and in political discourse. This year, over a dozen LGBT sessions were presented at the annual NCTE convention.

While the progress is encouraging, there is still much to be done. A 2005 survey conducted by the Gay Lesbian Straight Education Network (GLSEN) reports that 64% of LGBT students feel unsafe in their schools. LGBT youth remain nearly four times more likely than other adolescents to attempt suicide. A significant number of LGBT educators still feel their jobs would be in jeopardy if they were to be out at work.

I invite all of you to join us in the important goal of bringing and keeping LGBT issues before the NCTE membership and leadership. Whether you are LGBT yourself; have LGBT friends, family, or students; or are concerned about LGBT issues and equality, we need the power of your voice.

I want to thank all of those who have come before me in leading and guiding this assembly. I especially want to thank my predecessor, John Foster III, for his tireless dedication to GSEA, and Paula Ressler, chair of the LGBT Advisory Committee, whose energy and dedication have served as my role model. I also want to thank the GSEA membership, who have entrusted me with their leadership and contributed to our progress.

I welcome you again. I look forward to seeing you all at the 2009 NCTE Convention in Philadelphia.

Michael Weinberg
GSEA Chair

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