GSAFE

06/19/2026

Juneteenth, officially Juneteenth National Independence Day, is a federal holiday in the United States. It is celebrated annually on June 19 to commemorate the end of slavery in the United States. ❤️🖤💚

06/12/2026

🛍️ New Design, New Items, New Store! 🌈

Looking for a way to continue supporting GSAFE? Check out our newly updated online store!

We’ve added brand-new merchandise, including an exclusive new design created by artist Rae Senarighi (), along with new items and stickers now available for purchase. The new design is called “What is your role”

Every purchase directly supports GSAFE’s mission to advocate for and empower LGBTQ+ youth across Wisconsin.

👕 Wear your support.
🌈 Show your pride.
💛 Help make a difference.

Shop now at: gsafewi.org/shop/

06/09/2026

Stop by the GSAFE booth at the first annual Two Spirit Pow Wow June 13th

06/09/2026

Thank you Our Lives Magazine for the great photos again this year!

06/08/2026

“Michael Johnson, the CEO of the Boys and Girls Club of Dane County (BGCDC) and a prominent figure in Madison’s Black and broader community, has died, his family told Madison365. He was 50.”

Michael Johnson, the CEO of the Boys and Girls Club of Dane County (BGCDC) and a prominent figure in Madison’s Black and broader community, has died, his family told Madison365. He was 50. BGCDC…

06/06/2026

Words and article from the “The Dane County Board has unanimously passed a resolution pressing UW Health to resume gender-affirming care for minors, which the hospital system halted in January under pressure from President Donald Trump’s health department and Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.“ full article can be found at the Cap Times and in our stories.

06/06/2026

The Dane County Board has unanimously passed a resolution pressing UW Health to resume gender-affirming care for minors, which the hospital system halted in January under pressure from President Donald Trump’s health department and Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

UW Health says it won’t resume gender-affirming care for minors, despite pressure from elected officials across Wisconsin.

06/03/2026

Pride month in Wisconsin is looking good! Checkout these upcoming June Pride festivals throughout the state for the month of June!!

06/03/2026

Gsafe is launching a new program for the boys, the Tboys! Trans Bois Looking for Community (TBL4C) is a Dane county based community group for Trans boys and Masc’s 13-17! We will be offering a bi weekly space for Trans boi’s to create art, find support, and build community together! to learn more attend our virtual info session on June 26th at 4 pm or email [email protected]!”

06/02/2026

At this weekend's Celebration of Leadership we were honored to receive a Mayoral Proclamation to mark the event's 30th anniversary:

Mayoral Proclamation

WHEREAS, GSAFE has its roots in two all-volunteer grassroots organizations founded in 1991, G**s and Le****ns Against Discrimination in Education (GLADE) and Gay and Le***an Educational Employees (GLEE), which came together in 1996 as GLSEN South Central Wisconsin, brought to life through the early leadership of Martha Popp, Vicki Shaffer, and Larry Palm, before becoming Gay Straight Alliance for Safe Schools — or GSAFE — in 2006; and

WHEREAS, in 1997, GSAFE held its first youth scholarship event at the First Unitarian Society, awarding its first two scholarships to Adam Estes and Megan Lemke, beginning a tradition of recognizing the leadership and courage of LGBTQ+ youth in Wisconsin; and

WHEREAS, in 2001, under the leadership of Executive Director Jason Rasmussen and with board chair Judi Devereux challenging him to dream bigger, GSAFE merged its scholarship ceremony and adult prom fundraiser into a single annual gathering at the Concourse Hotel, creating what became known as the Celebration of Leadership; and

WHEREAS, over the past 30 years, GSAFE has awarded 120 scholarships to LGBTQ+ youth — including the five young leaders being recognized here tonight — recognized more than 32 Educators of the Year, and honored more than 28 community activists and organizations through the Judi Devereux Community Activist Award; and

WHEREAS, the Celebration of Leadership has grown from a small gathering into a beloved annual event drawing hundreds of supporters, youth, educators, and community members from across Wisconsin.

WHEREAS, for 30 years the Celebration of Leadership has provided a platform for LGBTQ+ youth across Wisconsin to be seen, heard, and celebrated for their leadership, courage, and contributions to their schools and communities, with student voices centered at the heart of every event;

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