The Equity Extra

Pride Month is dedicated to the uplifting of LGBTQ voices, the celebration of LGBTQ culture, and the support of LGBTQ rights. Throughout the month of June, nationwide, there have traditionally been parades, protests, drag performances, live theater, and memorials and celebrations of life for members of the community who lost their lives to HIV/AIDS. It is part political activism, part celebration of all the LGBTQ community has achieved over the years.

We celebrate in June to coincide with the catalyst of the Gay Liberation Movement that was the Stonewall Uprising. The uprising became the motivation 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 riots, the nation's first Gay Pride marches were held.

North Eugene High School, Kelly Middle School, and Madison Middle School GSAs (and their amazing advisors) banded together to plan a Pride Celebration at North Eugene High School on Friday, June 3rd. A committee made up of dedicated advisors & staff from those schools spent many weeks planning a week of Pride & LBGTQ+ school education which culminated in a morning of activities for the North region Middle School GSAs, hosted by NEHS GSA, and then an after school Pride celebration for 4J GSAs and North region 4j students. While the event is being thrown in support of the LGBTQ+ 4J community, the hope is that it sends the message that ALL underrepresented students in 4J are valued and belong and is the beginning of many more celebrations to come. Happy Pride month!

*NEHS GSA pictured below*

Churchill, North, & Sheldon, as well as several Middle Schools, all observed the Day of Silence this Spring. The GLSEN Day of Silence is a national student-led demonstration where LGBTQ students and allies all around the country—and the world—take a vow of silence to protest the harmful effects of harassment and discrimination against LGBTQ people in schools. The GSAs made posters and announcements for the students & teachers in their buildings. They also handed out stickers so that those who wanted to participate in the Day of Silence, could wear them to explain to teachers and peers why they were choosing to be silent that day.

New to the district this school year is a team of Inclusion Coaches hired to help the district move toward a more fully inclusive system. This team aims to support schools across 4J in increasing equitable access and opportunity for students with disabilities and implementing the district's Learning for All initiative.

Elise Roy, a disability rights advocate who became deaf at age 15, describes how designing for those with disabilities can be beneficial for everyone. When applied to the classroom, designing curriculum and instruction for students with disabilities can provide supports and solutions for all students that may not have previously been considered.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2m97gPI70I

The inclusion team consists of Hank Benz, Tony Lyman, Liz Johnson, and Christi Nicholson