Stories of Us–GLSEN Joint Initiative

Stories of Us and GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network) have established a joint initiative composed of a lesson plan and an addendum to the Make-Your-Own-Film curriculum designed to focus the curriculum on exploring the effects of bullying and harassment due to perceived or actual sexual orientation, gender expression and gender identity.

Grade Level

While the Stories of Us P3R resources and training are designed for use with middle and high school students, the Stories of Us–GLSEN initiative is recommended for high school students, grades 9-12.

About GLSEN

GLSEN is the leading national education organization focused on ensuring safe schools for all students. Established in 1990, GLSEN envisions a world in which every child learns to respect and accept all people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression. GLSEN seeks to develop school climates where difference is valued for the positive contribution it makes to creating a more vibrant and diverse community. >More

GLSEN-Stories Of Us Lesson

A free lesson developed by Stories of Us and GLSEN is available here for download. “Lights, Camera, Action: Using Film to End Anti-LGBT Name-calling, Bullying and Harassment ” combines a PDF lesson plan and a link to video material on this website.

The lesson engages high school students in exploring the effects of bullying and harassment due to perceived or actual sexual orientation, gender expression and gender identity. At the same time the lesson serves to introduce the Stories of Us Make-Your-Own-Film curriculum and GLSEN’s No-Name Calling Week, an annual week of educational activities aimed at ending name-calling of all kinds. 

Download Lesson Plan

GLSEN Make-Your-Own-Film Curriculum Addendum

The Promoting Positive Peer Relationships (P3R) Make-Your-Own-Film curriculum was originally designed to cover a broad range of school bullying incidents. Stories of Us and GLSEN have developed an Addendum to the Make-Your-Own-Film curriculum that outlines how to focus on exploring the effects of bullying and harassment due to perceived or actual sexual orientation, gender expression and gender identity, and is designed for use with high school students.

This longer project maximizes the benefits in promoting social cohesion and helping reduce bullying while teaching a range of 21st Century literacy skills which meet English Language Arts and Health Education standards.

Student films produced using the GLSEN Addendum also qualify for the 21st Century Skills Bullying Prevention Film Competition.

Download GLSEN Addendum

No Name-Calling Week (January 2010)

During No Name-Calling Week (January 25-29, 2010), Stories of Us will feature sample films that have been created with students using the Make-Your-Own-Film curriculum method to address bullying and harassment. Students can view these films and then submit their own short films to the No Name-Calling Week Creative Expression Contest.

For more information visit the No Name-Calling Week website.

View the No Name-Calling Week Contest example films.