The Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network's (GLSEN) report "State of the States: A policy analysis of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) safer schools issues" presents a thorough and comprehensive analysis of the 50 states and the District of Columbia. State grading is based on five categories, which include the existence and character of: (1) general education, 20 possible points, including teacher/student ratios, teacher salaries, and student funding; (2) state safe schools law, 30 possible points, including sexual orientation and/or gender identity; (3) state non-discrimination law, 20 possible points, including sexual orientation and/or gender identity; (4) sexuality education, 15 possible points, whether or not required by the state and whether or not it includes HIV/AIDS education; and (5) local safe schools policy, 15 possible points, including sexual orientation and/or gender identity. States also lost points based on the presence of a "state law that stigmatizes LGBT people." The results are troubling, but not surprising. Forty-two states earned a failing grade. Only New Jersey and Minnesota earned an "A." What does this really mean? As GLSEN explains, the data document that, of the over 47 million K-12 students in the United States, two-thirds are unprotected by "any" form of state law or local policy. Additionally, their report asserts that the presence of such laws and policies is but a first step towards creating safe learning environments for students. Although the climate of any school or district cannot be determined definitively from this report, it is a striking backdrop for the work of educators, students, parents, and community leaders. This interview-based feature highlights the effective practices of one U.S. educator against the backdrop of the GLSEN's "State of the States" report.