Mississippi Safe Schools Coalition
The Mississippi Safe Schools Coalition [1] (MSSC) is an organization in Mississippi that promotes for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, or young people who are mistakenly perceived to be queer. The group was founded in 2008 and has already hosted events such as: the and the . The Second Chance Prom was made famous due to Constance McMillan not being able to wear a tuxedo or take her girlfriend to the prom.
About[]
The Mississippi Safe Schools Coalition is a collaboration of people and organizations, who believe that no student should ever feel too afraid to go to school. Harassment, bullying, and unfair can make schools into hostile places for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer youth or young people who are mistakenly perceived to be queer. MSSC trains students and allies to make schools safer, while fighting for long-term policy change. MSSC's work is made possible through a grant from the Liberty Hill Foundation’s , making MSSC the first Mississippi LGBT group to receive foundation funding.
The MSSC actively works in numerous ways to address bullying in Mississippi schools. During their 2010 Queer Youth and Allies Summit, MSSC screened the Southern Poverty Law Center film "Bullied: A Student, a School and a Case That Made History."[1]
Mission[]
The mission of the Mississippi Safe Schools Coalition is to ensure that all students have a safe learning environment by protecting students’ constitutional rights, ending homophobia, transphobia, sexism, and all forms of discrimination, and fostering acceptance of students regardless of their actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity through public education and advocacy.
Leadership[]
MSSC believes that it is impossible to make schools safe without giving young people a voice; for this reason, the coalition is entirely youth led. Our governing body is the (or QYAB). QYAB is made up of diverse high school and college age youth activists from across the state.
External links[]
References[]
- LGBT political advocacy groups in Mississippi
- Organizations established in 2008
- 2008 establishments in Mississippi