Today we had an adventurous, successful and interesting fieldwork. Fo this fieldwork we went to GLSEN (The Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network) which is located at 90 Broad Street. GLSEN is an organization that researches LGBTQ youth experiences at school and the parents experience of having an LGBTQ. This organization also teaches and helps make schools a safe place for LGBTQ. During this fieldwork we got a tour of the GLSEN office. We got to meet many people who worked there and received a few stickers, bracelets, pens and a book with statistics. It was so cool to see how many people worked there and were committed to helping LGBTQ youth feel safe in their own environment. The goal for this visit was primarily to learn about how GLSEN educates others from grades K-12 about being an ally. The two people we interviewed were Brian Murphy, the online strategies manager and Camille Beredjick, the digital communications assistant. During this fieldwork I was the note taker as well as someone who asked the questions. A few ways to raise awareness about an important topic, in this case LGBTQ would be creating compaigns, joining social medias and working with educators to spread the word. As the interview went on we asked them, “What words of advice would you give to an adolescent member of the LGBTQ community?”. One response that I thought was interesting would be when Camille stated that there is no universal advice that would work for every LGBTQ. It really depends on the situation and background the LGBTQ youth is in, whether it is if they are in a safe environment or an unsafe environment. If the youth was in an unsafe environment the advice that they would give to the child would include being true to yourself, but making sure you are safe. Even though there is no universal or specific advice for all LGBTQ youth, some advice that both Camille and Brian said would be, “Come to terms and know that there is support out there. Love yourself and know that you are important and worthy.” As they said there advice I noticed that many of them portrayed a message saying that you should be proud of who you are and know that someone cares for you, even though you may not think so. In addition, Brian also added that without being your true self, there is something missing in the world and that you are special and have something to offer. Lastly, Brian also states in the interview, “Don’t have to be anything. Free to be you and no one is going to judge you.” I think this quotation means that no matter who you are on the outside, you should never stop being you. After hearing about all the things that GLSEN does to create a safe environment at school, it made a humongous impact on me. I thought it was very interesting learning about how they teach younger children about this important and heavy topic LGBTQ. One of the questions I asked was, “How do you teach kindergarteners this serious topic in away that is appropriate for that age?” When they teach children, such as kindergarteners about LGBTQ they mainly teach them about gender non-comformity. Gender non-comformity is when an assumption is made where there are correct or right ways of being a boy or girl. A scenario where gender non-conformity would be if a girl is playing with trucks and a boy is playing with a doll. Throughout these lessons they are trying to enforce gender expression. Gender expression is how you express yourself physically, biologically or behavior. Gender identity is how you identify yourself personally. When these teachers are teaching their young children GLSEN provides many pamphlets, books and kits for them to use. One of the most used kit would be the Safe Space Kit. The Safe Space Kit provides or includes 42 page book of ways to support an LGBTQ, stickers, pamphlets and lessons plans. I also thought it was very interesting learning that they don’t work with schools specifically they have chapters. Chapters are groups that work with GLSEN and are started in schools, that help spread the word and create safe environments for LGBTQ youth. They have 34 chapters in total around the United States. When you create a chapter you need to have a board and a constitution. GLSEN guides these groups and makes sure these groups are doing the right things that are affective. GLSEN also has two acts one called Student Non Discrimination Act which protects students from school and being treated differently. This act also tries to prevent bullying and punishment for LGBTQ, just because of who they are. The SSIA makes sure that students are safe. It protects students sexual identity, gender and race. Finally I thought it was amazing that they train students to tell their stories and take action. The fact that they are teaching students to stand up and make a change is amazing. After being taught how to make a difference from GLSEN students are leading ally week at their schools. I look forward to educating others about this topic and teaching them how to make a difference and spread awareness in our community.