Pride Month

Pride Month commemorates the Stonewall Uprising in June 1969, when LGBTQ+* patrons at the Stonewall Inn in New York City fought back against police harassment. The one year anniversary of the uprising was demonstrated through a march called the Christopher Street Liberation Day March which is more widely 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. To further honor Pride Month, he designated the Stonewall National Monument, “a 7.7-acre around the Stonewall Inn where the modern day gay rights movement began” (History, Pride Month 2024). Pride Month now honors LGBTQ+ identities, culture, and continued advocacy for equality.

*LGBTQ+: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer/Questioning)

Gender identity is who you are at the core. It is who you identify as and can change over time. You may not identify as a specific gender and you might identify as a man, woman, boy or girl. It is your “internal sense of self”. Learn more here and use this gender triangle infographic to increase your understanding.

More terms can be found here, such as:

• Non-binary: An adjective describing a person who does not identify exclusively as a man or a woman. It can also encompass agender, bigender, genderqueer, or gender-fluid.
• Transgender: An umbrella term for people whose gender identity and/or expression is different from cultural expectations based on the sex they were assigned at birth. Being transgender does not imply any specific sexual orientation.

Note: Students can identify as multiple categories (ex: questioning and nonbinary).

“Gender is personal (how we see ourselves), while sexual orientation is interpersonal (who we are physically, emotionally and/or romantically attracted to).”

- Gender Spectrum, Understanding Gender -

Sexual orientation or sexuality identity is your physical, emotional and/or romantic attraction to others.
Note: Your sexuality is separate from your gender identity. For instance, if a boy likes to play with dolls (gender expression), it does not signify that the boy is gay (sexual orientation).

More terms can be found here, such as:

• Asexual: Often called “ace” for short, asexual refers to a complete or partial lack of sexual attraction or lack of interest in sexual activity with others.
• Bisexual: A person emotionally, romantically or sexually attracted to more than one gender, though not necessarily simultaneously, in the same way or to the same degree. Sometimes used interchangeably with pansexual.

Note: Students can identify as multiple categories (ex: pansexual and bisexual).

Learn more about District 196 regulations:

• 503.9AR - Gender Inclusion Regulation
  
• 503.8AR - Bullying Prohibition Regulation: Spanish version, Somali version

• 12 Easy Steps Towards Gender Inclusion - Find ways to help set up your classroom, to get attention, to share, and more!
• Genders, Sexualities, and Alliances (GSA) - Read more about how these student-led organizations empower LGBTQ+ students.
• Pronoun Guide - Learn about pronouns and why sharing your pronoun is gender affirming.
• Simple Ways to Incorporate LGBTQ and Gender Inclusive Material Across the Curriculum - Find ways to be inclusive through content areas and SEL.
• What Do You Say to 'That's So Gay' & Other Anti-LGBTQ+* Comments? - Learn how to stop it, don't ignore it, educate, and be proactive.
• Words That Hurt And Words That Heal - Teach and learn through books, such as One by Kathryn Otoshi.
• For more practices, click here.

• Human Rights Campaign: We Show Up
  
  
• IGLTA: 2024 International Gay Pride Events
  
  
• Misterb&b: Gay Pride Events in United States
  
  
• Outfront Minnesota: Where to find Outfront Minnesota
  
  
• Pride Twin Cities: Twin Cities Pride Festival

Belonging is the Answer. When each of us enters a new space, we look to see if all of who we are will be welcomed, valued, and respected. Those of us with non-dominant social identities around race/ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, religion/faith, ability, country of origin, etc., are especially aware of the culture within the space. We wonder about bringing our whole selves each and every day...AmazeWorks helps schools and organizations create the conditions for belonging. Read more here.

Gender Spectrum's mission is to create a gender-inclusive world for all children and youth. To accomplish this, we help families, organizations, and institutions increase their understanding of gender and consider the implications that evolving views have for each of us. Read more here.

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.

Leading Minnesota Toward LGBTQ+ Equality. OutFront Minnesota was founded in 1987 to fight for LGBTQ+ justice and equity. Over the past 36 years we have worked to ensure that our values of liberation and intersectional justice guide our work until full equality under the law and full equity in practice is realized. Read more here.

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.