GLSEN (pronounced glisten; formerly the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network) is an American education organization working to end discrimination, harassment, and bullying based on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression and to prompt LGBT cultural inclusion and awareness in K-12 schools.

Founded in 1990 in Boston, Massachusetts, the organization is now headquartered in New York City and has an office of public policy based in Washington, D.C. As of 2018,[update] there are 39 GLSEN chapters across 26 states that train 5,000 students, educators, and school personnel each year.

[1][better source needed] The chapters also support more than 4,000 registered school-based clubs—commonly known as gay–straight alliances (GSAs)--which work to address name-calling, bullying, and harassment in their schools.

[2][better source needed] Research shows that in response to bullying and mistreatment, many LGBTQ students avoid school altogether; this can lead to academic failure.

GLSEN has considered their signature legislation to be the Safe Schools Improvement Act and has been honored by the White House as a "Champion of Change".

Every January, thousands of elementary and middle schools participate in GLSEN's No Name-Calling Week to end bullying.

[26][27] The first Respect Awards were in New York in 2004 and honored Andrew Tobias, author and Treasurer of the Democratic National Committee; MTV; and student Marina Gatto.

[28] Students discussed sex in a workshop "billed as a safe place for youths to get their questions about their sexuality answered" in the session's Q&A section.

[32] According to Bay Windows, a "Massachusetts Superior Court judge ruled that the tape was illegally acquired and therefore an invasion of privacy against those individuals present, who were never told they were being recorded.