The We’re All In Initiative began in 2013. It includes We’re ALL In badges that identify School Staff as allies for LGBTQ+ youth.

“We’re ALL In!” badges help educators, administrators, and other school district employees be visible allies to prevent bullying and foster a safe and supportive learning environment for all students and staff. As part of the program, participating staff wear badges identifying themselves as allies in order to make school a safer, more welcoming place.

Recent research in Educational Leadership journal (McGarry, 2013) indicates school-based variables that serve as sources of resilience for many LGBTQ+ youth. Supportive adults, a clear anti-bullying policy, an LGBTQ+-inclusive instructional materials and resources, and student clubs such as Genders and Sexuality Alliances (GSA Clubs) are the four school-based resources that research suggests make a difference for LGBTQ+ students. Considering the extent to which a school provides these sources of resilience and focusing efforts on providing them are important steps for educators to take to build resilience in LGBTQ+ students.

“We’re ALL In!” badges are similar to Safe Space posters and stickers, except that they identify the school staff member as an ally. Some school staff who post Safe Space posters or stickers may move between different classrooms during the day. Our badges identify the supportive staff member, rather than identifying the room.

A similar badge program launched in 2013 as part of the Los Angeles LGBT Center’s Project SPIN (Suicide Prevention Intervention Now) program. The initial campaign included a distribution of 30,000 badges to Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) teachers and staff to indicate they can be approached if an LGBTQ+ youth needs help to feel safe at school. Thanks to funding from the CDC, similar badge programs have expanded to school districts nationwide, including Broward, Duval, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties in Florida, reaching thousands of students.