The Secular Student Alliance stands in solidarity with national civil rights organizations and secular advocacy groups to oppose the growing attacks against LGBTQ+ Americans. With the rise of harmful legislation and rhetoric, we remain steadfast in our commitment to building a society rooted in equality, respect, and dignity for all—where public policy is based on… The post The Secular Student Alliance’s Steadfast Commitment to Protecting LGBTQ+ Rights appeared first on Secular Student Alliance.

  For nearly 25 years, the Secular Student Alliance has stood steadfast in our commitment to nonreligious youth and the unyielding principle of state-church separation. Our students have made and continue to make significant strides in normalizing nonreligion, promoting secular values, and actively advocating for the separation of state and church at local, state, and… The post Our Students Face the Next Wave of Christian Nationalism’s Agenda appeared first on Secular Student Alliance.

  This fall, Secular Student Alliance chapters nationwide are mobilizing to educate their peers about the critical impact of Project 2025 and exposing efforts to restrict voting rights for youth and marginalized communities ahead of the upcoming presidential election. To spread awareness about the dangers of Project 2025, SSA chapters are hosting free screenings of… The post Fighting Project 2025 and Youth Voter Suppression appeared first on Secular Student Alliance.

  Last year, the Secular Student Alliance chapter at the University of Texas, San Antonio, took a courageous stand for reproductive rights during the National Day of Action for Reproductive Rights. Amid a harsh political climate in Texas, where some of the nation’s strictest abortion laws had taken effect, these students organized a protest and… The post Standing for Reproductive Rights on Campus appeared first on Secular Student Alliance.

The Secular Student Alliance is announcing a partnership with The Satanic Temple on their After School Satan Club (ASSC) in public schools where religious clubs are present. This initiative is designed to offer students a safe and inclusive environment that emphasizes critical thinking, science, and the arts. The ASSC is founded on the principle that… The post Secular Student Alliance partners with The Satanic Temple for After School Satan Club appeared first on Secular Student Alliance.

  The Secular Student Alliance is pleased to announce the appointment of five new members to its Board of Directors: Victoria Anderson (student member), Stephanie Hlywak, Joey Hunziker, James Modisette, and Dr. Eric Solomon. Elected at the April Board meeting, these members will begin serving this month and will join the full Board along with… The post Appointment of New Board Members appeared first on Secular Student Alliance.

  Congratulations to Dr. Ryan Bodanyi, who has been elected as the new Board Chair of the Secular Student Alliance! The Secular Student Alliance is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and the only national organization dedicated to atheist, humanist, and other non-theist students. Our mission is to empower secular students to proudly express their identity, build welcoming… The post Welcome new Board Chair, Dr. Ryan Bodanyi appeared first on Secular Student Alliance.

Written by Luke Fisher Since its decision on Trump’s ballot access, the Colorado Supreme Court has been confronted with an unfortunate reality – the ominous specter of violence looms over its justices, individuals tasked with upholding the bedrock principles enshrined in the United States Constitution. The source of this threat? The principled enforcement of Section… The post Upholding Constitutional Integrity: The Imperative of Section 3 of the 14th Amendment appeared first on Secular Student Alliance.

After end-of-the-semester papers are turned in, and you take your final exams before the winter break, students can be excited and anxious about going home for the holidays. College is an important time and amazing experience that shapes who you are and your values for the rest of your life. For most students, college is… The post Home for the Holidays appeared first on Secular Student Alliance.

Andrew Seidel Speaks At WTAMU In Drag To Protest And Educate   In March, West Texas A&M University President Walter Wendler canceled a student drag show organized by several campus student clubs including members of the Secular Student Alliance. In an email to all students, faculty, and staff, President Wendler cited his personal religious beliefs and… The post A Lawyer In Drag In Texas appeared first on Secular Student Alliance.

While the First Amendment to the US Constitution guarantees us the freedom of, and from, religion, there have been an increasing number of incidents of high school students being forced into prayer in Oklahoma, Missouri, Alabama, Texas, and Florida. Unfortunately, Colorado students are not immune from this growing attack on the separation of church and… The post Defending the Wall of Separation: The Power of Student Advocacy appeared first on Secular Student Alliance.

For two hours in the first debate, 8 Republican Presidential candidates spouted canned responses with cheers from conservative baby boomers. The evening put a glaring spotlight on just how out-of-touch the Republican party is with the future leaders of our nation. Those candidates on the debate stage pandered to a small conservative splinter of the… The post GOP Candidates Shutting Out GEN Z and Millennials in Presidential Debate appeared first on Secular Student Alliance.

  The Secular Student Alliance Announces the Appointment of New Board Members The Secular Student Alliance (SSA) announced today the appointment of seven new members to its Board of Directors: Clinton Herndon (student member), Lishore Kumar (student member), Michael Bills, Olivia Fines, Ron Zakay, Stephanie McGreevy, and Wilds Ross. Andrew Seidel also joins SSA as… The post Announcing the Appointment of New SSA Board Members appeared first on Secular Student Alliance.

  Open Letter to Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Regarding Faith-Based Outreach Hilda Solis, Holly Mitchell, Lindsay Horvath, Janice Hahn, and Kathryn Barger   Last year, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved funding for a consultant to explore effective ways and solicit feedback on how faith-based organizations can complement, and perhaps… The post Faith-Based Outreach: Open Letter to Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors appeared first on Secular Student Alliance.

In an address to all students, faculty, and staff at West Texas A&M University President Walter Wendler canceled a student drag show organized by several campus student clubs including members of the Secular Student Alliance. The show and its proceeds were organized to raise funds for the Trevor Project. While President Wendler stated raising funds… The post West Texas University President Cancels Student Drag Show Citing Religious Beliefs appeared first on Secular Student Alliance.

  As a result of our lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Education, the DOE announced that it is rescinding part of a regulation enacted by the Trump administration that forces universities to financially support religious student groups that discriminate. The Department of Education is inviting public comment on the proposed rule and is requesting… The post Experiences with Favoritism for Religious Student Groups? appeared first on Secular Student Alliance.

We are strongly encouraging you not to sponsor or attend the National Prayer Breakfast. The annual event takes place in the first week of February and is framed as a large bipartisan forum for political, social, and business leaders to gather and pray together, but the reality is different. The National Prayer Breakfast is controversial… The post Secular leaders urge Biden not to sponsor National Prayer Breakfast appeared first on Secular Student Alliance.

The Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in 303 Creative v. Elenis, a case that stands to upend over fifty years of nondiscrimination law. The case involves a Colorado web design company that claims it has a free speech right to deny services to customers based on its owner’s religious beliefs. In particular, the owner… The post 303 Creative v. Elenis appeared first on Secular Student Alliance.

Most Black Americans identify as Christian and are highly religious by traditional measures of belief. According to Pew Research, Black Americans remain more religious than other groups and more likely than the average American to stay in the religious tradition they were raised in. As a result, some predicted that young Black adults would resist… The post The Secular Student Alliance Reaches 80,000 Students At Historically Black Colleges and Universities appeared first on Secular Student Alliance.

Matthew Korn is the new national organizing manager for the Secular Student Alliance. Born in Colorado and raised in St. Louis, Matt was a resident of Austin, Texas for over 20 years before recently moving to Los Angeles. During his time in Austin, Matt was an activist in a variety of movements, including anti-death penalty,… The post Private: Welcome Matthew Korn appeared first on Secular Student Alliance.

We are pleased to introduce our 2022 student activist scholarship recipients. This year’s scholarship recipients exemplify the mission of the Secular Student Alliance by proudly expressing their secular identities, building welcoming and inclusive communities, and promoting strong secular values. We know they will continue to enrich our society through their activism. Please learn more about… The post 2022 Student Activist Scholarship Recipients appeared first on Secular Student Alliance.

American Crusade: How the Supreme Court Is Weaponizing Religious Freedom Critically acclaimed author and constitutional attorney Andrew L. Seidel looks at some of the key Supreme Court cases over the last decade to show how a hallowed legal protection, freedom of religion, has been turned into a tool to advance privilege and impose conservative Christianity… The post How the Supreme Court Is Weaponizing Religious Freedom appeared first on Secular Student Alliance.

This morning, the Supreme Court’s religiously-conservative majority overturned Roe v. Wade, eliminating the federally-protected right to a safe and legal abortion. This devastating and dangerous decision takes away fundamental rights and bodily autonomy from pregnant people, and will disproportionately impact people of color, people in rural communities, people with lower income, and women. In fact,… The post Secular Student Alliance Denounces SCOTUS Decision Overturning Roe v. Wade appeared first on Secular Student Alliance.

On Friday, May 13, students from the Secular Student Alliance at the University of Texas, San Antonio hosted a live event and fundraiser at the UTSA campus with the popular Youtube show ‘Truth Wanted’ with host ObjectivelyDan. The show is about getting to the bottom of beliefs, whether it’s karma or Christ, Bigfoot or crystals… The post Truth Wanted at the University of Texas, San Antonio appeared first on Secular Student Alliance.

Please join us in welcoming four new members to the SSA Board of Directors. Michelle Campbell has 17 years of experience working in education and the non-profit sector. She currently serves as the Vice President for Institutional Advancement and Middlesex College in New Jersey. As Vice President, Michelle leads a comprehensive institutional advancement division that… The post Welcome New SSA Board Members appeared first on Secular Student Alliance.

Sarah talked about running for office when she was in elementary school and she has always been passionate about making a difference in her community! When student members of the Secular Student Alliance leave college, they go off to do great things. We are proud to have Sarah as an alumna of the Secular Student… The post Sarah Henry for Florida Representative appeared first on Secular Student Alliance.

Over the past 20 months with campus closures due to the COVID 19 pandemic, many nonreligious students were forced to be at home with unsupportive religious families and communities and cut off from their other nonreligious friends. Coming out of the pandemic, the Secular Student Alliance launched a nationwide organizing campaign, reaching 1.4 million students,… The post Direct Outreach to 1.4 Million Students appeared first on Secular Student Alliance.

There is only one race of people on the face of the earth: the HUMAN race, of which we are all members. The solution to the problem of the ignorance about ‘race’ lies in stopping the lies. Jane Elliott, internationally known anti-racism activist, educator, feminist, and LGBTQ activist, exposes prejudice and bigotry for what it… The post The Anatomy of Prejudice appeared first on Secular Student Alliance.

The Freedom From Religion Foundation is filing an appeals court brief on behalf of the Secular Student Alliance, in support of an Indiana school district’s actions to rein in discrimination against transgender students by a religious music teacher. After Brownsburg High School music teacher John Kluge sought to avoid using the name of a transgender student, the… The post Court brief takes on anti-trans Indiana public school teacher appeared first on Secular Student Alliance.

Bobbie Kirkhart died on October 31, 2021, in her home in Los Angeles, CA. She was 78 years old. For nearly four decades, Bobbie was a fixture in atheist movement building. She served as President of both Atheist Alliance International and Atheists United, served on the board of Camp Quest and the advisory board for… The post SSA Freethought Backbone Awardee and Atheist Icon, Bobby Kirkhart Died appeared first on Secular Student Alliance.

  On August 19, 2021, the U.S. Department of Education announced that it is reviewing and anticipates rescinding parts of a regulation enacted by the Trump administration that, among other things, forces universities to financially support religious student groups that discriminate. American Atheists and Americans United for Separation of Church and State, who are challenging this provision in… The post Secular Student Alliance v. U.S. Department of Education appeared first on Secular Student Alliance.

By Christopher Hood Christopher Hood is the President of the Secular Student Alliance at the University of North Georgia. Last October, Chris took a pledge to join the Kappa Sigma fraternity. Shortly after, he was removed from the fraternity because he is an atheist and would not profess that he believed in God. Christopher sought… The post The Discrimination of Kappa Sigma appeared first on Secular Student Alliance.

Today, the national civil rights organizations American Atheists and Americans United for Separation of Church and State, on behalf of the Secular Student Alliance and a California university student, filed a lawsuit against the Trump Administration’s Department of Education to challenge a recently published regulation that forces universities to financially support religious student groups that discriminate. “The… The post Lawsuit to Overturn Department of Education Regulation that Forces Universities to Fund Discrimination by Student Groups appeared first on Secular Student Alliance.

Helena Robertson, president of the Secular Student Alliance at Vanderbilt University, is one of six student leaders invited to join the first Cohort of Interfaith Fellows, sponsored by the Office of Inclusive Excellence and the Office of Religious Life. The fellows will meet (virtually) weekly to discuss issues of peace, justice, religion and how to engage… The post SSA president at Vanderbilt joins first Cohort of Interfaith Fellows appeared first on Secular Student Alliance.

Growing up, Kayley’s family identified as “Chreasters,” going to Catholic Church on Christmas and Easter. When she started weekly religion classes in second grade, she said, “I always felt the most judged in the Church, the very same space where I was told to let God do the judging.” That disconnect in values led her… The post Kayley Rettberg: Shaping her life and career with secular values appeared first on Secular Student Alliance.

Tuesday, September 29, 2020 4pm (pacific) Register Here Join us for this exciting and informative training on how to successfully advocate for secularism in politics. Sarah Levin is a political strategist and veteran lobbyist. Formerly with Secular Coalition for America, Sarah is the founder of Secular Strategies. The post How to Make an Impact in Politics appeared first on Secular Student Alliance.

How closely do your values align with the two candidates for President of the United States? Use our Presidential Debate Scorecard as you watch the first debate on September 29. Begin by indicating to what degree you agree or disagree with a list of values statements. Then, as you listen to the debate, mark where… The post SSA Debuts Presidential Debate Scorecord appeared first on Secular Student Alliance.

Ask An Atheist Day is an opportunity for secular groups across the country to work together to defeat stereotypes about atheism and encourage courteous dialogue between believers and nonbelievers alike. The day is intended to be an opportunity for the general public—particularly people of faith—to approach non-theists and ask questions about secular life. Use social media:… The post Host Your Own Virtual Ask An Atheist Day This Thursday appeared first on Secular Student Alliance.

Graduation is an important milestone and benchmark of achievement for all students. The class of 2020 enters an increasingly connected and complicated world, in which the values of compassion, equality, and justice are needed more than ever. Our atheist, humanist, and nonreligious graduating students have a unique opportunity to create the future they want to… The post The world needs more secular students appeared first on Secular Student Alliance.

This article originally appeared in The Humanist (May 8, 2020). The COVID-19 pandemic has turned our world upside down. Nowhere is this more true than on college campuses. Seven weeks ago, colleges and universities began to close down in compliance with state and federal advice to stay at home and avoid spreading the novel coronavirus… The post Secular Student Alliance to Hold Virtual Graduation Celebration appeared first on Secular Student Alliance.

On January 8, Hannah Kelly introduced House Bill 1926 in the State of Missouri. If passed Missouri would join thirteen states who have passed what American Atheists describe as campus “license to discriminate laws.” States with existing laws include; Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia. Religious… The post Secular students testify against “right to discriminate” law in Missouri appeared first on Secular Student Alliance.

‘Much Better Sex’ is traveling to five universities this spring, beginning with Utah State University, on February 28 (RSVP). Sponsored by the Secular Student Alliance, the program will address questions such as: ~ What does science say about sexual satisfaction? Sexual “normality”?   ~ Which common beliefs about sex aren’t true? ~ Can you really… The post Utah State kicks off ‘Much Better Sex’ tour appeared first on Secular Student Alliance.

Illinois Wesleyan senior, Kayley Rettberg, was recently named 2019 Student Laureate by the Lincoln Academy of Illinois. According to Illinois Wesleyan University’s website, the Lincoln Academy Student Laureate Awards are presented to one senior from each of Illinois’ four-year, degree-granting colleges and universities and community colleges, who demonstrate excellence in curricular and extracurricular activities. When… The post Student leader receives prestigious academic award appeared first on Secular Student Alliance.

The cover story of The Humanist (Sept/Oct 2019) is about the Secular Student Alliance. We excerpt a portion here. Read the story in it’s entirety at TheHumanist.com. _________ IN MY CAPACITY as the national organizing manager for the Secular Student Alliance, I’ve had the opportunity to meet thousands of students across the country who eschew religious… The post Secular Students Are Leading the Way (The Humanist, Sept/Oct 2019) appeared first on Secular Student Alliance.

The Secular Student Alliance is pleased to offer a growing number of scholarships this year. SSA Student Activist Scholarships Several $3,000 scholarships are available this year, up from $2500 because of special donation. We continue to offer several $1,000 scholarships as well. One of the $1,000 scholarships is reserved for a secular student attending an… The post 2019 SSA scholarship application now open! appeared first on Secular Student Alliance.

A lively exchange about moral philosophy took place in the Missouri State University newspaper, The Standard, last month, where SSA student, Dalton McCart stood up for ethical atheism in a letter to the editor. The back and forth began when a columnist for the paper, Isaac Demotta, wrote a column provocatively titled, “Subjectivism and atheism… The post SSA student stands up for goodness without God appeared first on Secular Student Alliance.

by Elliott Pickett Turning Point USA, a national organization represented on over 1000 campuses in the country, is a conservative political action organization. The TPUSA chapter at Sonoma State University has been mostly inactive until recently. In April, they began advertising for a tabling event: “There Are Only Two Genders; Change My Mind.” They advertised… The post Students rally in response to anti-trans message on campus appeared first on Secular Student Alliance.

Dan Barker, co-president from the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) shared his secular point of view and displayed his debate skills by embarking on a speaking tour to eleven SSA chapters across the country this spring semester. His talks ranged from how to be good without god, the importance of the separation of church &… The post Dan Barker Tours SSA Chapters Across the Country appeared first on Secular Student Alliance.

We hope you will join us in Cincinnati on April 19-21, 2019, for the American Atheists 2019 National Convention! Three days of speakers, workshops, community events. The next generation in the United States is more secular and social justice-oriented than previous generations. SSA executive director, Kevin Bolling will speak about the mindset of millennials and… The post Join SSA at the American Atheists National Convention appeared first on Secular Student Alliance.