Black LGBTQ History: Teachers Must Do a Better Job
![Civil rights and LGBTQ leader Bayard Rustin talking to four students gathered around him.](/sites/default/files/styles/article_thumbnail_s_m_l_xl/public/2019-02/Bayard-Rustin-Before-Demonstration-NYWTS-CIvil-Rights-Movement-1800px.jpg?itok=G1C0lquN)
Educators can use these LFJ resources to recognize, remember and teach intersectional LGBTQ history, including the experiences of young LGBTQ people of color. And this One World poster features a beautiful and timely message from Audre Lorde to inspire your students—all year long.
October is LGBTQ+ History Month. We hope these resources will help you and your students as you celebrate the diverse identities, experiences and histories of LGBTQ activists—and the continuing fight for LGBTQ equality.
Students notice when Black history is taught only in February, but they deserve to learn this American history year-round. These resources emphasize engaging students' communities and lived experiences, including how you can incorporate local stories in lessons—and move Black history from the margins to your everyday curriculum.
Black History Month begins February 1! And while we know anti-racist educators teach Black history year-round, we hope these resources will help you consider how you're framing the month this particular year. Learn more about the need for—and history behind—Black History Month and get support for teaching Black history in a way that moves beyond trauma and embraces liberation and resistance.
We hope you’ll join us—this February and year-round—in teaching Black history beyond trauma and helping students recognize the brilliance, strength and love this history represents. Here’s why that’s so important.
July is Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) Mental Health Month. We know school communities and policies that prioritize mental health literacy can create safer spaces where all young people can thrive—especially BIPOC students, who face disparities in mental health care. We hope you’ll commit to reducing stigma and advocating for policy change in your school, this month and year-round.
This Women’s History Month, as always, it’s important to recognize that women’s rights include trans rights. You can begin by introducing your students to some of the activists and changemakers who fought—and continue to fight—for equal rights for all women.
When it comes to investing in racial justice in education, we believe that the South is the best place to start. If you’re an educator, parent or caregiver, or community member living and working in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana or Mississippi, we’ll mail you a free introductory package of our resources when you join our community and subscribe to our magazine.