October 2022 Newsletter
Visit the LGBTQIA+ Page for upcoming events, professional development panels, academic resources, and more!
October is LGBTQ History Month!
“History isn’t something you look back at and say it was inevitable. It happens because people make decisions that are sometimes very impulsive and of the moment, but those moments are cumulative realities.” ― Marsha P. Johnson
In 1994 a a Missouri high school teacher named Rodney Wilson, gathered teachers and community leaders in order to discuss celebrating and acknowledging LGBTQ history. They selected October to be the month of recognition as National Coming Out day is October 11th. Eventually this month was endorsed by GLAAD, the Human Rights Campaign, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, the National Education Association and other national organizations.
This is a time to celebrate and acknowledge the many LGBTQ figures who have paved the way; James Baldwin, Audre Lorde, Harvey Milk, Oscar Wilde, and many others. We can also reflect on how they provided a platform for future generations of activists to step up and further the rights of LGBTQIA+ individuals.
While we look to the past, we should also reflect on the future and the work that still needs to be done. Especially now, at a time when there is a resurgence of Anti-LGBTQIA+ legislation across the country, we need to look at the role we play in including LGBTQIA+ voices and perspectives in our work. For those who are not a part of the community it is a chance to learn, educate, and break down harmful misconceptions and microaggressions. For those who are a part of the community, it is a chance to celebrate the history, culture, art, and political activism that the LGBTQIA+ community has brought to the world.
The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is happy to recognize and uplift these voices this month and every other.
October Events & Happenings
September is: Hispanic Heritage Month, Intergeneration Month, National Self-Care Awareness Month, National Recovery Month, National Suicide Awareness Month
The Sixth Annual Indigenous Peoples’ Day Philly!
Monday, October 10th, 2022, 11am – 5pm
1500 Chestnut Street, Suite 2 #1106, Philadelphia PA 19102
The event is hosted by Indigenous Peoples’ Day Philly, Inc (IPD Philly), an Indigenous-led non-profit organization based in Philadelphia, PA. This annual event provides space for different Indigenous communities in the city to shed light on the history and strength of our people from 530 years of resistance. Indigenous Peoples’ Day is an opportunity for Indigenous people to celebrate and share their cultures, as well as bring attention to the needs of their communities.
Indigenous Peoples’ Day, Philly 2022 is a family-friendly event that is open to the public. There will be some amazing vendors, presenters, dancers, and artists showcasing and selling their work! Don’t miss out on the beauty that the local Indigenous community has to offer! Be sure to join the festivities on Monday, October 10th, 2022, and bring your chairs, blankets, and masks!!!
Latinx Heritage Month: Education in our Barrios
Tuesday, October 18th 5 – 6pm
Edwin Mayorga – He is the founder and co-researcher of the Education in our Barrios Project (#BarrioEdProj) in Philadelphia and New York City, a college and high school-aged, participatory action research (YPAR) collaborative, that works with and for urban, Latinx core communities. Dr. Mayorga will speak about his work, particularly in relation to the Latinx community in Philadelphia.
This event will be held virtually over zoom.
Teachers can register on Cornerstone and receive compensation for attending this event. Everyone else REGISTER HERE.
October Spotlights
LGBTQ History Month Teacher Spotlight: Dani Gonzalez
Dani Gonzalez is an art teacher at Sheppard Elementary.
I’m proud to be a genderqueer elementary school teacher. Gender expression is a way to be creative and genuinely represent yourself. All students benefit from seeing adults exist outside the gender binary. Students can better imagine fulfilling futures as adults when they are shown a variety of adults existing happily. I proudly express my gender every day I teach.
Hispanic Heritage Month Leadership Spotlight: Dr. David C. Lugo
Dr. Lugo is the Assistant Principal of The Philadelphia Military.
I’m proud to be Puerto Rican because of the rich heritage, the food, the culture, the music, and cultural traditions. When I moved to the United States and was asked by a school counselor what I wanted to do with my life, I said to become a teacher. My counselor told me Puerto Ricans don’t do well in college and I never forgot that message. I have a Ph.D. from Temple University and I earned that to show my students that Puerto Ricans DO well in college.
DEI Office Updates
Equity Coalition Kick Off Event
The Equity Coalition had their first kick off event October 4th. We discussed the equity wins from this past year and welcomed our new cohort of coalition members. We are excited for the work the Coalition will do to provide events, community learning, and policy review considerations to the district. We will release more details about the event and what the coalition has planned shortly.
Have a person, program, or idea about what should be featured on the Equity Is podcast? Fill out the form below!
Podcast Updates
Listen to our latest Podcast Episodes From this Month:
- Episode 6: Equity Snapshots: Latinx and Hispanic Identifying Communities– Featuring our Equity Training Specialists Ryan and Sia. We also have special guest, Principal Balbuena of Gloria Casarez Elementary School.
- Episode 7: “Equity Is” Special: Parkway NW Peace Day 2022 Event- Members of the DEI Office were invited to join Parkway in their student rally highlighting peace and social justice issues important to them.
ETS Corner: Spotlighting Schools & Programs Picked by our Team!
Sia’s School Shoutout: Julia Ward Howe Elementary
Julia Ward Elementary is currently undertaking “One Book, One Howe” where they are reading inclusive books across grades K-5 and inviting the authors who wrote those books to the school to speak with students. They’re also developing discussion points for teachers to engage deeply with the content of the books (like “Milo Imagines the World” and “And Tango Makes Three”)
Dylan’s School Shoutout: Gloria Casarez Elementary School
Gloria Casarez Elementary recently had an official name changing process through which over 700 people voted between 4 candidates and 46% of the votes went to Gloria Casarez, the first director of Philadelphia’s Office of LGBT Affairs, and an activist within the LGBTQ and Latinx communities.
Check out these articles on the work Casarez Elementary is doing:
In Case You Missed It!
International Day of Peace – Poetry & Artwork Submissions Accepted until October 31st
Submissions will be featured as a digital gallery on the District’s International Day of Peace website as well as the Philly Peace Day website. Artwork/Poetry should be in line with this year’s theme: End racism. Build peace.
Submission Guide:
- Artwork – should be 2 dimensional and include student first name, last initial, and grade level on the front of the piece, easily visible in a photograph.
- Poetry – should be printed and include student first name, last initial, and grade level at the bottom of the piece. Submissions should be no longer than 1 page in length.
- Spoken word poetry – videos can be any length, but should include student first name, last initial, and grade level at the opening of the video.
Recent Comments