Democratic Governors ‘Rise Up’ to Join in Support of LGBTQ+ Youth

Governors across the country have taken part in GLSEN’s Rise Up campaign, releasing proclamations affirming the safety of LGBTQ+ youth in their communities.

Governors from Arizona, Colorado, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, and Washington State vowed to protect LGBTQ+ youth. Local elected officials in California, Nevada, Washington State, North Carolina, and Florida also provided support for the campaign.

GLSEN is a nonprofit organization that works to create safe spaces for LGBTQ+ students in schools.

At least 15 mayors also joined the call in pledging to rise up for LGBTQ+ youth in their communities, a press release said.

“Attacks against LGBTQ+ youth have become more frequent and more vicious, and we can’t wait to take action,” said GLSEN Executive Director Melanie Willingham-Jaggers. “We’re grateful for the leaders who have pledged to rise up in support of LGBTQ+ youth and policies that promote safe and inclusive schools.”

They added, “We stand in solidarity with LGBTQ+ youth and supportive parents and educators across the country, and we’re never going to stop fighting for safe, inclusive, and affirming learning environments for all students.”

Despite Republican and far-right extremist attacks on educators and school systems that claim the institutions are sexualizing kids, GLSEN recently found that LGBTQ+ students rarely receive instruction in matters of sexual orientation or gender identity.

Researchers and experts in children’s development say that providing young LGBTQ+ people with spaces to discuss matters important to their identity significantly decreases the risk of suicidal ideation.

Maryland’s Democratic Gov. Wes Moore said, “Leaving no one behind requires a community approach and relies on all of us working together.”

He continued, “On behalf of the Moore-Miller administration and the people of Maryland, I want all young Marylanders in the LGBTQIA+ community to know that you are not alone and have my full support, always.”

Before he was elected, Moore toldThe Advocate that the rights of LGBTQ+ Marylanders would be at the forefront of his decision-making as the state’s first Black governor.

“On behalf of the people of Maine, I write this letter in support of GLSEN’s Rise Up for LGBTQI+ youth campaign,” Maine Governor Janet Mills also wrote in a letter supporting GLSEN’s Rise Up for LGBTQ+ Youth campaign.

“Schools in Maine — and all over the country — must be free of the violence of racism, transphobia, homophobia, sexism, ableism, and all forms of systemic oppression,” Mills wrote. “To that end, we must do everything in our power to ensure that all students have an equal educational opportunity, free of bullying, harassment, and discrimination.”