Blog Post
VA School Board Rejects It Gets Better Grant
Feelin’ rejected – In the last two years, we’ve awarded grants to more than 120 schools in the U.S. and Canada — and 99% of the time, we have no issues getting schools these funds. But earlier this month, a Virginia school board rejected our $10,000 It Gets Better grant for students!
We started our 50 States. 50 Grants. 5000 Voices initiative two years ago, and since then we’ve been able to grant more than $1 million to schools across the U.S. and Canada for student-led projects that support LGBTQ+ students.
Students have used the grant funds to host Pride parades and educational conferences for LGBTQ+ students and allies, create educational materials for parents on gender and sexuality, build gender-affirming closets and gender-neutral restrooms, and so many other amazing projects.
GSA club students at E.C. Glass High School in Lynchburg, VA successfully applied and were chosen for one of our grants for their idea to create a calming, affirming, safe space for fellow students. But unfortunately, we learned that their school board has rejected the grant.
GSA Co-President Brittany said, “We worked so hard to get this. We submitted videos and testimonials from our students and how they have conquered so much; it was so surreal to be awarded the grant.”
Co-President Chester said, “I’ve had panic attacks in classes before and have been sent to the hallway. I used to sit on the floor and cry. Having a room where I could actually go calm down and not worry about the other students judging me – it would be amazing.”
Our Senior Director of Communications and PR, Ross von Metzke, talked to Advocate.com, saying — “The sole purpose of our 50 States. 50 Grants. 5000 Voices. initiative is to empower LGBTQ+ students to create more inclusive environments for themselves and their peers at school. The Lynchburg City School Board’s rejection of It Gets Better funding intended to create a safe space for LGBTQ+ students is deeply disappointing.
“Students and educators at E.C. Glass High School poured their hearts into this proposal because they understood the positive impact grant funding would have on local LGBTQ+ students who feel othered and unsupported. This is just the latest example of how adults are failing today’s youth. The It Gets Better Project will continue to advocate for a world where all LGBTQ+ youth are free to live equally, connect to their communities, and know their power as individuals.”
Just another example of how anti-LGBTQ+ biases and misinformation hurt real-life queer youth. Let’s hope the school board has a change of heart. If you want to help amplify this story, share on social media, read the original Advocate.com article, and commit to being an ally to LGBTQ+ students by taking our pledge.