Pride Month Activities

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Pride Month is celebrated in the United States every June. What began as a tribute to those involved in the Stonewall Uprising which occurred at the end of June 1969, is now a month dedicated to the uplifting of LGBTQIA+ voices, celebrating LGBTQIA+ culture, and the support of LGBTQIA+ rights. It is part activism and part celebration of all the LGBTQIA+ community has achieved over the years.

As a result, many pride events are held during this month to recognize the impact LGBTQIA+ people have had in the world, as well as to show support to our LGTBQ+ friends and family members. There are lots of ways you can get involved — as well as learn some important social history along the way.

Thank you to staff members and students - both past and current, who posted the enclosed #FPSPrideDay photos between 2018 - 2022.

Please join us in creating a visual representation of the supportive community that we have for our LGBTQIA+ colleagues, students, and families.

We invite members of the FPS Community to participate by wearing purple or rainbow attire on Tuesday, June 13th. We hope you join us!

Get your gear ready and share your photos with us!

How to show your support:

1. Wear purple or rainbow colors on Tuesday, June 13th.

2. Snap a selfie or a group photo.

3. Share your photos using the instructions below.

BONUS! Be sure to let us know what School you represent!

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Not on social media? That's ok! You can upload your selfie(s) or group photo(s) to share from the District's social media channels throughout the day: UPLOAD PHOTO

The graphic above was designed last year by a Barbieri student who is excited to celebrate #FPSPrideDay in school on June 13th!

Since its first flight at 1978’s Gay Freedom Day Parade in San Francisco, the rainbow flag has evolved multiple times. It now contains 6 horizontal color stripes, a multi-color chevron, and now a purple circle. See below for the explanation of colors.

• Red in the flag represents life.
• Orange represents healing.
• Yellow represents sunlight.
• Green, seen in nature represents prosperity and growth.
• Blue in the original pride flag was for serenity
• Purple, represents spirit.
• Black and Brown represents people of color.
• Pink, Baby Blue, and White represent Trans people

The intersex community uses the colors of purple and yellow as an intentional counterpoint to blue and pink, which have traditionally been seen as binary, gendered colors.

There’s a deeper meaning behind the circle, too. The symbol of the circle is “about being unbroken, about being whole,” adding that “it symbolizes the right to make our own decisions about our own bodies.”

Source: https://www.them.us/story/progress-pride-flag-intersex-inclusive-makeover

Memorial Building Plaza

150 Concord Street

The City of Framingham invites community members to attend the Progress Flag Raising. Mayor Charlie Sisitsky, City Councilors, and other community leaders will be in attendance. The event will feature:

• LGBTQIA+ friendly tables with free give-a-ways
• DJ playing music
• Inspiring speeches
• Framingham Public Library’s Bookmobile
• Take photos with the library’s pride-themed green screen
• Snacks & refreshments

Collaborators include Out Metrowest, Framingham Library, Framingham Public Schools, and Downtown Framingham, Inc (and local businesses)! Don’t miss out on this annual event celebrating unity and pride! For more information, visit FraminghamMa.Gov/Pride.

The word ‘pride’ means so many different things! Students are going to focus on how they can be proud of themselves for being who they are! Everyone is unique and special. This means that everyone has something great to bring to the world. In order to do this, students should be proud of the way they look, their family, their religion, how they identify, their achievements, their personality and so much more!

LGBTQIA is an acronym meaning lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex and asexual.

• Queer is an umbrella term for non-straight people;
• Intersex refers to those whose sex is not clearly defined because of genetic, hormonal or biological differences; and
• Asexual describes those who don't experience sexual attraction.

These terms may also include gender-fluid people, or those whose gender identity shifts over time or depending on the situation.

In the early hours of June 28, 1969, police raided the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in New York's Greenwich Village, and began hauling customers outside. Tensions quickly escalated as patrons resisted arrest and a growing crowd of bystanders threw bottles and coins at the officers. New York's gay community, fed up after years of harassment by authorities, broke out in neighborhood uprising that went on for three days.

The uprising became a catalyst for an emerging gay rights movement as organizations such as the Gay Liberation Front and the Gay Activists Alliance were formed, modeled after the civil rights movement and the women's rights movement. Members held protests, met with political leaders and interrupted public meetings to hold those leaders accountable. A year after the Stonewall uprising, the nation's first Gay Pride marches were held.

See below for a few read alouds, an interactive video, book recommendations, and a movie trailer for 'Wonder' - a story about a little boy who is proud of who he is, even though he looks different than other kids.

In partnership with Open Spirit in Framingham, here are some custom made mediation and yoga videos about Pride.

Meditation for Pride

Meditation for Pride - Spanish

Meditation for Pride - Portuguese

Yoga for Pride

Yoga for Pride - Spanish

Yoga for Pride - Portuguese

The 'I Can't' Monster (English)

El Monstro 'No Puedo' - Niños Cósmicos (Spanish)

O Monstrinho do 'Eu Não Consigo' (Portuguese)

I Like Me (English)

¡Me gusto como soy! (Spanish)

Eu Gosto de Mim (Portuguese)

Ish (English)

Casi (Spanish)

Quase (Portuguese)

What Should I Know About Gender: Amaze Jr. is a resource regularly promoted by Jeff Perrotti from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). If you or a family you know is interested, and not sure how to talk about gender with young children - this brief video and related conversation starters / resources is a great start: https://amaze.org/video/amazejr-what-should-i-know-about-gender/

Sylvia and Marsha Start a Revolution!: The Story of the Trans Women of Color Who Made LGBTQ+ History by Joy Michael Ellison

Author's Website | Book Trailer

This illustrated book introduces children to the story of Sylvia Rivera and Marsha P. Johnson, the two transgender women of colour who helped kickstart the Stonewall Riots and dedicated their lives to fighting for LGBTQIA+ equality. It introduces children to issues surrounding gender identity and diversity, accompanied by a reading guide and teaching materials to further the conversation.

Who Was Harvey Milk? by Corinne A. Grinapol

Publisher's Website

Although he started out as a teacher without aspirations to be an activist or politician, Harvey Milk found himself captivated by the history-making movements of the 1960s. He would eventually make history of his own by becoming the first openly gay elected politician in California. While in office, Harvey Milk advocated for equal rights for the gay community.

This Book Is Gay by Juno Dawson

Amazon Link

This candid, funny, and uncensored exploration of sexuality and what it's like to grow up LGBTQ also includes real stories from people across the gender and sexual spectrums, not to mention hilarious illustrations. Readers will find the answers to questions spanning various topics like:

• Stereotypes―the facts and fiction
• Coming out as LGBT
• Where to meet people like you
• And so much more!

This book is for: LGBTQIA+ teens, tweens, and adults; Readers looking to learn more about the LGBTQIA+ community; Parents of gay kids and other LGBT youth; Educators looking for advice about the LGBTQIA+ community

What's the T?: The Guide to All Things Trans and/or Nonbinary by Juno Dawson

Amazon Link

In What's the T? Readers can learn about labels, identities, and uncensored advice on coming out, sex, and relationships with the Author's trademark humor and lightness of touch. It is informative, helpful, optimistic, and funny but with a good dose of reality and some of the things that can downright suck too.

This book is for: Anyone with questions; Parents of trans and/or non-binary kids; Educators looking for advice about the transgender community

The GenderCool Project is a youth-led movement bringing positive change to the world. Through Champions they are helping replace misinformed opinions with positive experiences meeting transgender and non-binary youth who are thriving. Through resources, content, and corporate partnerships, GenderCool is changing understanding, business, and culture

Who Are The Champions?

They are the next generation of CEOs. Filmmakers. Doctors. Teachers. Tech leaders. Journalists. Athletes. These are the stories they tell.

Meet Ashton...

In this short clip, Ashton's message encourages openness to new ideas and that when we're open, we can create change that helps everyone.

"I want the world to know that we are all better when we are able to contribute as our authentic selves."

OUT MetroWest provides free programming for LGBTQ+ youth from pre-k through age 29. They are based in Downtown Framingham at 160 Hollis Street (2nd floor) and offer satellite programs in Acton, Medway, and Waltham. All of their programs offer an inclusive and welcoming space for LGBTQ+ youth to be themselves and build community with other queer youth and supportive LGBTQ+ adults. They have free snacks, free hygiene products, and an LGBTQ+ therapist available during all programs held in their Framingham center. New youth are always welcome! Check out their website for more information and resources!