An international public-private partnership in support of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender youth, that is working to help schools - at home and all over the world - become safe places where every family can belong, where every educator can teach, and where every child can learn, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation.

Contents:

1.) LGBTQ- Inclusive Planning Guide for February

2.) Black Heroes of the LGBT Community

3.) GLAAD Resources: Black History Month Resource Kit

4.) Using LGBT-Inclusive Children's Books & Looking at Gender Through Books

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General Questions

1.) Safe Schools Coalition: LGBTQ- Inclusive Planning Guide for February

As you are planning your lessons for February, you may find it helpful to integrate some of the following, to infuse LGBTIQ/2-spirit* cultural awareness into the every day life of your classroom. Especially those teaching history, civics, social studies, family & consumer sciences, or language arts, items #5-6 will be useful as journal prompts for teaching writing skills. Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) advisors and student leaders, we offer this message partly for you. It will provide tools for discussions within your GSA and also to educate your entire student body. Please follow this link to access those resources.

(1) Important events to recognize in February

(2) February is National LGBT History Month in the United Kingdom

(3) In honor of African-American History Month: Same-gender loving and gender-

nonconforming people of African descent

(4) Essay: Martin Luther King Jr. and Gay Rights

(5) Quotes from African and African-American LGBT folks and heterosexual allies

(6) Quotes specifically for Valentines Day ... from LGBTQ voices of various ethnicities

2.) Black Heroes of the LGBT Community
GLSEN will be recognizing the African American heroes who have made significant contributions to the LGBT and safe schools movement. Click on the following link to access those resources.

3.) GLAAD Resources: Black History Month Resource Kit

For more than 85 years, Americans have set aside time in February to recognize the many accomplishments and contributions of African Americans. Originally founded by Carter G. Woodson as Negro History Week in 1926, Black History Month was officially exapanded to a month-long celebration in 1976 by President Gerald Ford to "seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history."

While the annual celebration has since expanded in reach to include festivals, public forums and celebrations across the country, far too often the contributions of black lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) people are often left out of the picture. From civil rights leader Bayard Rustin to community advocate Mandy Carter to well-renowned inventor George Washington Carver, black LGBT people have enriched our nation and our lives.

GLAAD offers resources to learn more about these prominent figures. Please follow this link to learn more.

4.) Using LGBT-Inclusive Children's Books & Looking at Gender Through Books
Welcoming Schools has published a guide to choosing LGBT-inclusive children's books for your classroom. Please follow this link to access the resource.

Leadership Team:

Co-Chairs:

Lead Chair -- Matthew Wilson (Oasis Youth Center): send a message or call 253-671-2838
Back-up Lead Chair -- Seth Kirby (Oasis Youth Center): send a message or call 253-671-2838

Co-Secretaries:

Airen Lydick (Camp Ten Trees): send a message
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