Carolyn Laub

Carolyn Laub founded The Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) Network in 1998 to help youth activists establish gay-straight alliances in schools. These alliances fight homophobia and transphobia on campus and throughout the community. I first met Carolyn on a trip to Sacramento to participate in Youth Lobby Day at the state capitol, which along with other grassroots activism eventually led to the signing of Assembly Bill 537, which added sexual orientation and gender identity to the list of groups specifically protected by law from harassment on school campuses. By connecting California GSAs with each other to share resources and form social and activist networks, Carolyn and her organization helped to foster a safe and comfortable environment for thousands of students and teachers who often feel vulnerable or at risk because of their sexual identity.