ESJ's Solidarity Statement with the LGBTQ+ Community
Educators for Social Justice mourns the senseless loss of human life in the recent massacre in Orlando. As educators, we are reminded that we can raise awareness and cultivate a love and appreciation for diversity through our teaching, in and out of the classroom. To remember the lives of those who were killed and to plant new seeds of love, hope, and peace, we offer the following events and resources.
There is a walking tour on Saturday, June 18th at noon and 3:30 (downtown St. Louis) called Queer St. Louis that features the contributions of the LGBTQ community. Transgender Memorial Park in the Grove, for example, is the first of its kind in the United States. http://explorestlouis.com/discover/st-louis-lgbt/
You might also explore the 2016 Rainbow book list. The Rainbow List is a bibliography of books with significant gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, or queer/questioning content, and which are aimed at youth, birth through age 18. You can find the list here: http://glbtrt.ala.org/rainbowbooks/archives/1207
Here is a list of LGBT resources, centers, and organizations in St. Louis that may be helpful in your work as an educator. http://www.lgbtcenterstl.org/local-lgbt-community-organizations.html
We also recommend Katy Paul with Safe Zone. She has presented at ESJ’s Educating for Change conference and coordinates presentations across St. Louis. Her email is: katyp@safeconnections.org
In recognition that homophobia is prevalent throughout American society and often unacknowledged, here is an article by the editors of Rethinking Schools who offer suggestions to minimize homophobia in our schools and classrooms. They ask, “How do we create classrooms and schools where each child, parent, and staff member’s unique, beautiful self is appreciated and nurtured?” http://www.rethinkingschools.org/archive/28_03/edit1283.shtml
The Human Rights Campaign started an online vigil where people can contribute their thoughts and condolences. Here is the url:
http://act.hrc.org/ea-action/action?ea.client.id=1954&ea.campaign.id=52151&ea.url.id=633117
Educators play an important role in introducing important ideas, perspectives, and taking action. As part of our own professional development, it is important to learn about diverse and intersecting identities. The following essay is published in the Georgetown Journal of International Affairs addresses the issue of gender and sexual liberation across the Muslim world. http://journal.georgetown.edu/afghanistans-gay-revolution-can-liberate-the-muslim-world/
You can find children’s books with Muslim and related cultural themes at this website:
http://www.rukhsanakhan.com/muslimbooklist/muslimbooklist.html
Perhaps closer to home, CAIR-MO works to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding. They promote “meet your Muslim neighbor” events locally.
http://cair-stlouis.com/
There is a walking tour on Saturday, June 18th at noon and 3:30 (downtown St. Louis) called Queer St. Louis that features the contributions of the LGBTQ community. Transgender Memorial Park in the Grove, for example, is the first of its kind in the United States. http://explorestlouis.com/discover/st-louis-lgbt/
You might also explore the 2016 Rainbow book list. The Rainbow List is a bibliography of books with significant gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, or queer/questioning content, and which are aimed at youth, birth through age 18. You can find the list here: http://glbtrt.ala.org/rainbowbooks/archives/1207
Here is a list of LGBT resources, centers, and organizations in St. Louis that may be helpful in your work as an educator. http://www.lgbtcenterstl.org/local-lgbt-community-organizations.html
We also recommend Katy Paul with Safe Zone. She has presented at ESJ’s Educating for Change conference and coordinates presentations across St. Louis. Her email is: katyp@safeconnections.org
In recognition that homophobia is prevalent throughout American society and often unacknowledged, here is an article by the editors of Rethinking Schools who offer suggestions to minimize homophobia in our schools and classrooms. They ask, “How do we create classrooms and schools where each child, parent, and staff member’s unique, beautiful self is appreciated and nurtured?” http://www.rethinkingschools.org/archive/28_03/edit1283.shtml
The Human Rights Campaign started an online vigil where people can contribute their thoughts and condolences. Here is the url:
http://act.hrc.org/ea-action/action?ea.client.id=1954&ea.campaign.id=52151&ea.url.id=633117
Educators play an important role in introducing important ideas, perspectives, and taking action. As part of our own professional development, it is important to learn about diverse and intersecting identities. The following essay is published in the Georgetown Journal of International Affairs addresses the issue of gender and sexual liberation across the Muslim world. http://journal.georgetown.edu/afghanistans-gay-revolution-can-liberate-the-muslim-world/
You can find children’s books with Muslim and related cultural themes at this website:
http://www.rukhsanakhan.com/muslimbooklist/muslimbooklist.html
Perhaps closer to home, CAIR-MO works to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding. They promote “meet your Muslim neighbor” events locally.
http://cair-stlouis.com/