Mississippi Safe Schools Coalition

Izzy and Matthew in front of the Capitol Building

Members of MSSC attended the first-ever Federal LGBT Youth Summit, hosted by the Department of Education’s Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools. Attendees included invited youth from across the country as well as researchers, teachers, and other members of the academic community.

Attendees included U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius; Assistant Deputy Secretary Kevin Jennings, Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools, U.S. Department of Education; as well as representatives from GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network) and Hudson Taylor, Columbia University wrestling coach and founder of Athlete Ally.

The summit intends to bring together students, educators, administrators, and heads of federal and nonprofit agencies in order to provide information and seek solutions to issues facing LGBT youth.  According to the U.S. Department of Education’s website, “LGBT youths are a uniquely vulnerable population in America’s schools. Because they suffer at a higher rate than many of their peer groups from physical violence, bullying, anxiety and depression, LGBT youths are more prone to exhibit high-risk behaviors such as substance abuse, sexual risk-taking and running away from home.”

Daniel Cook and Hudson Taylor

While the goals of the summit may be long-range, the youth attendees have stated that  networking was one of the greatest benefits they gained from the summit. One MSSC member, Daniel Cook, created a Facebook page to help organize the attendees and their ideas about next steps. From the summit, MSSC board members have made connections with national groups like GLSEN and Athlete Ally as well as made connections to researchers in the area of LGBT research. These connections will only help to further MSSC’s Stories Project and School Climate Survey work.  For more information regarding this and other conventions please contact info@mssafeschools.org.