Janet Mock — Photo by Aaron Tredwell
GLSEN, the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network, will honor New York Times bestselling author Janet Mock, AT&T, the 2014 Educator of the Year, and the Gay-Straight Alliance of the Year at the 11th annual GLSEN Respect Awards on May 19 at Gotham Hall in New York.
The GLSEN Respect Awards, held annually in Los Angeles and New York, provide an opportunity to celebrate our champions, tally our victories and strengthen ourselves for the battles ahead. The Respect Awards showcase the work of corporations, individuals, students and educators who make a significant contribution to LGBT issues in K-12 education, diversity and inclusion, and who serve as exemplary role models.
“The past year has been one of remarkable advances for LGBT students that we hardly dared dream of even five years ago,” says GLSEN Executive Director Eliza Byard. “Our honorees have all helped to drive progress in critical ways. Janet Mock is a visionary trailblazer who is inspiring LGBT youth to love their true selves, and challenging all of us to greet them with open arms. Her transformative presence on the national scene has catalyzed a new pace of change on transgender issues in this country.”
Kyra Sedgwick and Kevin Bacon return as Honorary Co-Chairs for the event, joined by GLSEN Board member and country music star Chely Wright, as well as Cindy Armine, as event Co-Chairs.
Established in 1990, GLSEN envisions a world in which every child learns to respect and accept all people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression. GLSEN seeks to develop school climates where difference is valued for the positive contribution it makes to creating a more vibrant and diverse community.
