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Pride Month
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What is Pride Month?
Pride Month is a yearly celebration in June to honor and recognize the LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer/Questioning) community. While acknowledgement should be made year long, June is the month to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community's history, achievements, and ongoing struggles for equal rights. Pride Month is to commemorate the Stonewall Riots of June 1969. The one year anniversary of that uprising was recognized through a march called the Christopher Street Liberation Day March which is now known as the Gay Pride Parade. In 2000, President Clinton designated June as Gay and Lesbian Pride Month. In 2009, President Obama chose a more inclusive name, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month. He also created the Stonewall National Monument in 2016. To learn more, click on Pride Month 2023.
-Image from history.com
In District 196, we believe...
Students come first.
- All students can learn.
- High expectations inspire students and staff to excel.
- Learning is maximized in a safe, respectful and inclusive environment.
- A well-rounded education includes opportunities in academics, the arts and athletics.
- Learning is a lifelong pursuit.
- Effective management of resources is critical.
- Partnerships and collaboration enhance educational programming.
- A culture of innovation and continuous improvement prepares students to be college and career ready.
- An informed and engaged community guides effective decision making.
How can you support the LGBTQ+ community?
USE ACCURATE PRONOUN(S)
Pronouns are self-identifiers. They may or may not identify a person's gender.
Intentional inclusive implementations:
- Instead of saying, "What's your preferred pronoun?," ask, "Which pronouns do you use?" because pronouns are not preferred, they are just what must be used.
- Introduce yourself and your pronoun(s) to invite others to do the same. Include your pronouns in your email signature.
- More understanding on pronouns can be found in the Pronoun Guide.
- Here is An Educator's Guide to Respecting Student's Pronoun.
-Image from glsen.org
SUPPORT GSAs
Historically, GSA stood for Gay-Straight Alliances (GSA). Presently, it stands for Genders and Sexualities Alliances (GSA). It is a student-led organization that provides a welcoming space in schools for LGBTQ+ students.
Intentional inclusive implementations:
- Click here to learn about how GSAs build power.
- Talk to District 196 schools who have GSAs and how our LGBTQ+ students are supporting each other.
-Image from glsen.org
USE GENDER INCLUSIVE PRACTICES
There are alternative ways to the common "boy-girl" language and pairing.
Intentional inclusive implementations:
- Instead of asking students to line up as boys and girls, try asking them to line up by odd and even birth dates/table teams.
- Instead of getting attention by saying, "You guys./Ladies and gentlemen," try saying, "Good morning folks./Could all the athletes come here."
- For more tips, click on this site or this PDF.
-Image from freepik.com
LGBTQ+ RESOURCES
AMAZEWorks
Gender Spectrum
Gender Spectrum is a national organization committed to the health and well-being of gender-diverse children and teens through education and support for families, and training and guidance for educators, medical and mental health providers, and other professionals. Read more here.
Human Rights Campaign Foundation's Welcoming Schools
HRC Foundation's Welcoming Schools is the nation's premier professional development program providing training and resources to elementary school educators to:
- Embrace All Families
- Create LGBTQ+ and Gender Inclusive Schools
- Prevent Bias-Based Bullying
- Support Transgender and Non-Binary Students
Read more here.
OutFront Minnesota
Transforming Families
Getting your family to understand your gender identity can be a long, complicated, and stressful process. Sometimes families feel alone when a family member comes out as transgender, and don't know how to be supportive and affirming.
Transforming Families is a community where transgender, gender non-conforming, and questioning youth and their families come together to support each other in a safe, welcoming space. Read more here.