Introduction
In working to stop discrimination, harassment and violence against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students in schools, advocates have several choices for action. One choice involves creating or changing statewide laws and policies, which can have some of the most direct and positive impact on students and on school climate. This document is a part of our ongoing educational outreach to the youth and their advocates who struggle everyday in schools to get a safe and sound education. GLSEN and Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund have joined forces to pool our expertise in this area of statewide laws and policies. First, Lambda presents the key legal considerations that should inform advocates’ decisions about what actions to take at the state level. Then GLSEN fills in the legal framework with the important political considerations for advocates. These two informational pieces, when combined with the necessary consultation with those people in the state with knowledge and experience on the issues, form a solid launching pad for grassroots action. Remember, your grassroots work on statewide laws and policies can make an enormous difference in the lives of young people harmed everyday in our schools by anti-LGBT attitudes and attacks. We hope this resource provides information that makes your grassroots efforts as strategic and effective as possible.