Actor Wilson Cruz is spearheading the efforts of Glisten, a national nonprofit dedicated to making K-12 schools safer for LGBTQ+ students. Cruz joined Glisten, which was formerly known as GLSEN, as its board chair in 2023. The organization works to combat discrimination, harassment, and bullying based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression.
Glisten, founded in 1990, operates 15 chapters across 13 states and reports reaching over 1.5 million members. Cruz emphasizes the interconnectedness of safety, stating, “When you make a school safe for a Black trans girl, you make that school safe for everybody. If she’s safe, we are all safe.”
The urgency of Glisten's mission is highlighted by a significant number of active bills targeting LGBTQ+ rights across the U.S. According to the ACLU, these bills address issues such as curriculum censorship, school sports bans, and restrictions on gender-affirming care. A Glisten survey of 2,800 LGBTQ+ students aged 13 and older found that 67% felt unsafe at some point due to their identity, with 71% of transgender and gender-expansive participants reporting similar experiences. Some students in focus groups indicated that the political climate of the 2024-2025 school year made their school environment feel more hostile.
In recent years, Glisten has faced criticism from right-wing organizations and conservative media outlets, particularly concerning its recommendations for educators supporting LGBTQ+ students. The organization states that this criticism has led to financial challenges, including a 60% staff reduction in 2025. Cruz noted that the organization is undertaking a $2 million fundraising effort to offset lost corporate sponsorships and counter what he described as the "demonization [of our community]."
In February, Glisten announced a rebranding and introduced a new website, marking a new phase for the organization. The expanded mission now includes empowering young people to advocate for inclusive schools and providing resources for their success. Cruz described the new Glisten as being "focused… and more agile" for a "new moment."
Reflecting on the evolution of advocacy, Cruz contrasts his generation's focus on establishing visibility with the current fight for public acceptance. "So much of my generation’s work was about proving we existed,” he said. “The work now is, ‘Do we get to exist in public spaces?’ Knowledge of our existence isn't enough.” He continues to believe that visibility remains a powerful tool against hate, stating, “We can choose to use our lives, our experiences, and our truths to be the antidote.”