Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction’s Website Features Activist Group GLSEN’s Model Policy for Transgender Students and GSA Network’s Student Activism Toolkit

The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction dedicates a section of its website to “Safe Schools for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Students.” 

This portion of the website recommends the GSA Network’s Beyond the Binary: A Tool Kit for Gender Identity Activism in Schools and Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN)’s Model Policy on Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming Students.

The GLSEN’s model policy states that if a student has not disclosed his or her gender identity to their parent or guardian, then the student’s name should be listed as “preferred name”.   

Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN) is a national activist group focused on, according to the organization’s website, “championing LGBTQ issues in K-12 education.” GLSEN (pronounced “glisten”) stands for the “Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Educator Network.” It is the primary touchpoint between the LGBTQ activist agenda and K-12 schools.

The recommended GSA Network’s Beyond the Binary: A Tool Kit for Gender Identity Activism in Schools, encourages students to become activists in their schools and states, “If you want to use a restroom that matches your gender identity…you should be allowed to do so.”

GSA Network describes itself as, “a next-generation LGBTQ racial and gender justice organization that empowers and trains queer, trans and allied youth leaders to advocate, organize, and mobilize an intersectional movement for safer schools and healthier communities.”

The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction is, “the state agency that advances public education and libraries in Wisconsin. Our mission is to ensure that every child, regardless of zip code, has access to quality public education programs, enrichment opportunities, and special education supports, so that all of our kids can be successful.”

It is located in Madison, Wisconsin and led by Dr. Underly, State Superintendent of Public Instruction who was elected in 2021.

Learn More:

Gender Identity Guidance – Departments of Education by State
GLSEN: Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network