Celebrating its 25^th anniversary, the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN) is the leading national organization dedicated to ensuring safe schools for all students. GLSEN promotes a healthy, positive and progressive education system that allows children of all backgrounds to thrive and grow together. This means eliminating all bullying, harassment and discrimination, particularly that toward lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students.

Friends of GLSEN enjoyed a wonderful evening June 1 at the New York edition of the 12^th Annual GLSEN Respect Awards. Guests were greeted by beaming high school GLSEN ambassadors to a festive atmosphere at Cipriani 42^nd Street, where the organization introduced a star-studded lineup of honorees and projected a mini-documentary highlighting the work of its most spirited students, educators and volunteers.

“I remember a reporter once asked me how I felt about people thinking I’m ‘gay’ because I’m into musical theater,” said Glee actor Matthew Morrison, who received the GLSEN Inspiration Award. “My response, ‘I love gay people...so I'm not going to be insulted or angry by being called gay.’ As a straight man standing up for the LGBT community, I feel a sense of responsibility to make sure that people know that being ‘gay’ is NOT a negative.”

We also heard from GLSEN’s leadership and corporate sponsors, each of whom reminded us how far equal rights have come since the first grassroots gay-straight alliances of the 1980s.

As a proud supporter of GLSEN, Duggal left the Respect Awards truly moved and exceedingly inspired. It was an honor for us to not only join the celebration, but also help decorate the night with podium graphics, postcards and 600 custom table pieces featuring the artwork of an inspiring GLSEN student.

“We were honored to work with Duggal in bringing the amazing artwork of Casey Hoke, one of our student ambassadors, to life,” said GLSEN’s Executive Director, Dr. Eliza Byard. “The custom treatment of his artwork allowed each attendee at the GLSEN Respect Awards – New York to take home a meaningful reminder of the work we do to create schools that are safe and welcoming for LGBT students. It is only through the support of partners like Duggal that we can achieve our vision of a world where all students learn to value difference for the positive contribution it makes in creating a more vibrant and diverse community.”