Each June, Pride Month serves as a reminder of the importance of inclusion and visibility for the LGBTQ+ community. It is a time to honor their history and reaffirm commitments to equity and respect. In educational settings, this commitment emphasizes creating safe environments where students and educators feel valued.
The Colorado Education Association (CEA) has organized various events for Pride Month. On June 15, participants can join the Colorado Springs Education Association in building a float and marching in the Colorado Springs Pride Parade. Another opportunity arises on June 29 with the Denver PRIDE Parade, where CEA will also be present. Additionally, a Trans Allyship Virtual Panel is scheduled for June 30.
CEA continues its efforts to support LGBTQ+ inclusion amidst challenges such as restrictive policies targeting LGBTQ+ students and educators. The association highlights its participation in last year’s Denver Pride Parade under the theme “Classrooms Without Closets,” advocating for inclusive school environments.
Furthermore, CEA has released an LGBTQ+ in Education Report detailing initiatives from two 2020 board resolutions aimed at supporting LGBTQ+ educators and students through statewide listening sessions.
The National Education Association (NEA) shares similar goals of fostering inclusive environments regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. NEA offers resources such as lessons from the NEA/Making Gay History Teaching Fellowship, emphasizing diverse narratives.
Additional resources include NEA’s blog post featuring Read Across America books that celebrate diversity, empathy, and respect. The NEA LGBTQ+ List of Resources provides tools for supporting transgender and non-binary students and addressing bias in schools.
NEA’s advocacy includes key points to protect LGBTQ+ rights, partner resources offering additional support, a model school board resolution following the Bostock Supreme Court decision, a pronoun guide, gender empowerment messaging focusing on equal access to education opportunities, a guide on harassment and discrimination rights, and professional development training by NEA’s Center for Social Justice aimed at identifying discrimination in classrooms.
