As educators, let's consider opening the dialogue for LGBTQ+ conversations
PRIDE Month is celebrated every June with waves of rainbow flags and support for the rights of the LGBTQ+ community. Even though pride isn’t limited to just June, it draws attention to the fight for the rights of the LGBTQ+ community as a whole.
According to the California Student Survey and California Healthy Kids Survey, "10% of students in California's public middle and high schools identified as LGBTQ."
Here are some quick FAQs about PRIDE month and some ways you could have conversations:
Is PRIDE an acronym?
Yes! PRIDE has its origins in the 1966 California-based group, Personal Rights in Defense and Education, which fought for equal rights. While "pride" commonly represents personal achievement and dignity, for the LGBTQ+ community, it signifies authenticity, visibility, and the continuous pursuit of rights. PRIDE hence honors both this advocacy group and the shared ethos of the LGBTQ+ community.
Is there a historical basis for PRIDE month?
It’s generally thought that PRIDE month occurs on the anniversary of the beginning of the Stonewall Riots, when members of the LGBTQ+ community marched together in protest. The Stonewall Riots of June 28, 1969, began with a police invasion of a gay establishment in Greenwich Village of NYC, a common event of the time to expose the community. Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera were prominent figures during this rebellion. It was the straw that broke the camel’s back, and it was seen as a turning point even though it was a violent protest and many were arrested.
How can we discuss the history of PRIDE with kids?
Opening the dialogue for future conversations can begin with this moment in time.
Lindsay Amer, the founder of the popular YouTube channel Queer Kid Stuff, suggests keeping it simple when discussing the history. She notes, “The way I tell the story around Stonewall is like, ‘Marsha and Sylvia went out one night…dancing with their friends. And then, someone like a police officer knocked on the door and told them they couldn’t dance. How would you feel if someone…told you [that] you couldn't dance with your friend just because of who you are?” You can then discuss the riot as being something they “fought for and had to be proactive about” and, in doing so, “empowering them to make change.” (Care.com).
Alma Therapist Parker Morris adds that kids understand fairness, which can be a place to start the conversation, and then moving into the concept of resilience gives a framework for fighting against discrimination while still being true to ourselves.
More resources for educators and families to keep the conversation open include:
GLSEN’s Educator Network - Organization supporting school communities
The Human Rights Campaign - the country’s largest LGBTQ+ Civil Rights organization
A Queer Endeavor - nationally-recognized center for LGBTQ+ education
Pride and Less Prejudice - ally organization that donate age-appropriate books to PK-3 classrooms
Rainbow Parenting - a podcast for parents & caregivers, educators, and others
SPLC Learning for Justice’s Best Practices for Serving LGBTQ Students