What’s the
story?
1
1963
Johns Committee
The Florida legislature
established a legislative
investigative committee to
“investigate freedom riders,
communists, and
homosexuals” in federal
agencies, including schools.
This became known as the
Johns Committee.
2
1963
Johns Committee
The committee was in operation
for eight years. The product of
their work was a list of
homosexual teachers in the state
of Florida. The list was submitted
to the state superintendent. Adult
gay teachers were arrested, put in
jail, and in some cases give
electroshock therapy. Many never
taught again. Many committed
suicide.
3
1969
Stonewall Riot
A fight between the police and
the customers at a gay bar in New
York City called Stonewall
erupted, ending in the arrest of
many LGBT customers. This event
received a lot of national and
international attention, and is
often referred to around the
world as the start of the global
gay rights movement.
4
1976
“Save Our Children”
launched in Florida
Anita Bryant, a beauty queen, singer, and Orange Juice
spokeswoman, launches the “Save Our Children” campaign in
Miami, Florida in an effort to defeat an ordinance that would grant
gay and lesbians protection from discrimination in housing and the
workplace. She rallies support by appearances on the Jim Bakker
and Pat Robertson TV shows and producing television commercials.
A pillar of her campaign is that gay and lesbian teachers are
perverts and harmful to students.
5
1976
“Save Our
Children”
a success
With the help of the media and local evangelical community, Anita
Bryant successfully defeats the non-discrimination ordinance in a 21 majority. Many LGBT teachers in Miami/Dade were fired from
work the next day. Anita Bryant receives national attention for her
work targeting gay teachers. During this time in American History,
the fight for LGBT civil rights was primarily a “teacher problem,”
according to Jackie Blount, author of Fit To Teach (2005).
6
1977
Briggs
Initiative
(Proposition 6)
California Senator John Briggs walks up to the steps of the San
Francisco city hall and declares that he will remove “openly”
homosexual teachers from all California schools. He begins to spread
his ideas for a state referendum (which is decided by vote) to purge
LGBT teachers in California. This referendum later becomes known as
“Proposition 6,” and his campaign is called the “Brigg’s Initiative.”
7
1978
Proposition 6
on the ballot
John Briggs successfully gets Proposition 6 on the ballot, with over
500,000 signatures. Anita Bryant flew to California to Florida to help
with the campaign. Similar to Bryant’s campaign in Florida, their
platform is that LGBT teachers are perverts and harmful to children.
The campaign was funded by anti-gay groups associated with the
Anita Bryant Ministries.
8
1978
Proposition
6 defeated
Proposition 6 (The Briggs Initiative) is defeated by wide
margin in California: 58 to 42 percent. Anita Bryant goes
back to Florida after the campaign is defeated.
9
1978
Harvey Milk
assassinated
Twenty days after Briggs Proposition 6 was defeated, Harvey Milk,
the first openly gay city council member in San Francisco, was shot
by San Francisco supervisor Dan White. Milk was instrumental in
the campaign to defeat Proposition 6 (The Briggs Initiative).
10
1982
Growing Up Straight
George Allen Meekers publishes a book called
“Shaping your Child’s Sexual Identity and
Growing Up Straight: What Families Should
Know about Homosexuality.” Rekers later
coined the term Gender Identity Disorder (GID)
and promoted therapy for LGBT youth to
convert them to heterosexuality. These ideas
were later criticized by the American
Psychological Association for being harmful to
LGBT youth, their families, and not grounded in
evidence.
11
1985
Socrates, Plato, and Guys Like Me:
Confessions of a Gay Schoolteacher
Eric Rofes, a gay school teacher from
Boston, publishes an autobiography
that was one of the first to document
the personal experiences of a gay
teacher in American schools. In this
detailed personal account, Rofes
shares stories of the homophobia he
experienced as a teacher in Boston.
12
1989
First Gay-Straight
Alliance (GSA)
Kevin Jennings starts
the first GSA at Concord
Academy, an
independent school in
Massachusetts.
13
1990
Ryan White dies of
AIDS, CARE Act
The death of Ryan White draws national attention to the AIDS epidemic
and its impact on schools, families, and communities after he is expelled
from his middle school in 1894. After his diagnosis in 1984, parents at his
local Indiana high school demanded that he not be allowed to return to
school. After this incident, Ryan became a national spokesperson for AIDS
awareness and education. After his death, congress passed the CARE Act,
the Comprehensive AIDS Resource Emergency Act, that provided
emergency funding to persons with HIV and AIDS.
14
1992
Students take action
in Massachusetts
LGBT students from across the state write letters to
their congress members urging them to pass legislation
that gives LGBT students the right to file lawsuits if they
have experienced anti-gay bias in schools. The law
successfully passes, and isthe first legislation in the
country that granted LGBT youth this right.
15
1995
First Gay/Straight Youth Pride
March in Boston
Hundreds of LGBT youth take a list of demands to the
statehouse in Boston, asking for Gay/Straight Alliances
in every school, out teachers, protection for LGBT
youth, penalties for bullies, LGBT history in the
curriculum, and more. This becomes known as the first
Youth Pride March.
16
1995
GLSEN Founded
The Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network is
founded in 1995. This organization provides teachers and
students with ways to get involved in helping create safe
spaces in schools.
Visit www.glsen.org to learn how to organize a “Day of
Silence,” “No Name Calling Week,” or an “Ally Week” at
your school. GLSEN has chapters in Grand Rapids and
Southeast Michigan.
17
1996
Legal victory against bullying
In Wisconsin, Jamie Nabozny (an LGBT student) wins a
nearly $1 million court case, claiming that the
administration of his school did nothing to stop bullying
and anti-gay abuse from teachers and classmates at his
school. This victory contrasts many instances of
unchecked bullying in other parts of the country. Some
of these stories of bullying and suicide begin to receive
national attention.
18
1996
“It’s Elementary” is released
It’s Elementary: Talking about Gay Issues in School the
movie is released, providing teachers with one of the
earliest resources for how to discuss LGBT issues in
schools.
19
1998
Matthew Shepard murdered
The murder of Matthew Shepard, a gay student in
Laramie, Wyoming, gains national attention and is
today one of the most widely recognized hate crimes
in US history. The Laramie Project, a play that tells
the story of the murder, plays on college campuses
around the country. The murder sparked the passage
of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate
Crimes Prevention Act of 2009, a federal law that:
“provides funding and technical assistance to state,
local, and tribal jurisdictions to help them more
effectively investigate and prosecute hate crimes.”
–www.justice.gov
20
2003
Harvey Milk High School
Opens for LGBTQ youth
The first high school specifically for LGBTQ youth opens in the East Village, New York,
New York. From their Missions Statement:
“The mission of Harvey Milk High School (HMHS), a small transfer school, is to establish
and promote a community of successful, independent learners by creating a safe
educational environment for all young people. HMHS is designed for students in grades
10-12 who have not met success in at least one other high school prior to admission and
who want to continue their education in an alternative, small school environment. The
school strives to provide all students with a rigorous academic experience for college
and career readiness that emphasizes critical thinking skills and student
collaboration. This nurturing educational setting at HMHS not only challenges and
promotes academic success, but it also fosters and supports a diverse, self-respecting,
confident community.”
21
2005
TransGeneration
includes MSU student
A television documentary about transgendered students
in the United States features an MSU student, Trent
Jackson Jourian, a male-to-female transexual. “TJ” was a
visiting student from Cypres on a fullbright scholarship.
His life during the year of 2004-2005 was documented in
TransGeneration, along with other students at other
universities around the country. The show was broadcast
on the Sundance Channel and shown in festivals around
the world.
22
What’s
happening in
schools now?
23
2008
Matt Epling, a Michigan Teenager,
commits suicide
Matt Epling commits suicide in 2002
after an episode of hazing and bullying.
After Matt’s death, Matt’s parents
become active in the national antibullying campaign in schools across the
country. Matt’s father, Kevin, works at
Michigan State University and works in
Michigan and around the country to raise
awareness about bullying in K-12
schools.
24
2010
Tyler Clementi suicide
A college student at Rutgers University, Tyler
Clementi, commits suicide after his
roommate posts a video online of Tyler
engaged in a sexual activity with another
man. Tyler’s suicide and the ensuing Tyler
Clementi Foundation raises awareness of the
increasing rate of suicides related to LGBT
assault, intimidation, and abuse (sometimes
referred to as bullying in the contexts of
schools).
25
2010
Matt’s Safe School Law proposed
in Michigan
This legislation was met with controversy
and received national attention because
some members of the house of
representatives wanted to include a
clause that added protection for those
who bully as a result of a religious or
moral conviction against homosexuality.
Matt Epling’s parents, congresswoman
Gretchen Whitmer, and other local and
national organizations fought to remove
this clause from the law.
26
2011
Matt’s Safe School Law passes in
Michigan
The Revised School Code Act 451 of
1976, Section 380.1310b: Policy
prohibiting bullying; adoption and
implementation by board of school
district or intermediate school district or
board of directors of public school
academy; public hearing; submission of
policy to department; report; contents of
policy; reporting act of bullying;
definitions; section to be known as
"Matt's Safe School Law.”
-www.legislature.mi.gov
27
2011
California’s FAIR Education Act
Congress passes the California FAIR Education Act (SB 48), which requires schools in
California to include LGBT history in their curriculum. From the press release from the
office of Senator Mark Lemo’s Office (the bill’s sponsor):
Research indicates that students who learn about LGBT people find their school environments more
accepting of LGBT youth. Students are also more likely to report that their LGBT peers are treated
fairly at school - and that other types of peer-to-peer disrespect also declines - when LGBT people and
issues are included in instructional materials.
In addition to including the role and contributions of LGBT Americans in educational materials, Senate
Bill 48 ensures that the contributions of disabled people are included. The bill also adds sexual
orientation to the state's existing anti-discrimination protections that prohibit bias in school activities,
instruction and instructional materials. The bill is co-sponsored by Equality California and the GayStraight Alliance Network.
28
2011
A report from the Centers for
Disease Control indicate that
LGBT students are 4 times more
likely to attempt suicide than
their straight peers.
29
2013
Gay/Straight
Alliances spreading
As of 2013, there are over 1000 GSAs registered in 37
states.
30
2013
Detroit teacher suspended for
playing “Same Love” in class
Susan Johnson, a teacher at
Centennial High School in South Lyon,
Detroit, is suspended from work
without pay for allowing one of her
students to play the song (not the
video) called “Same Love” by
Macklemore and Ryan Lewis. The
ACLU became involved in the case and
she was eventually restored pay.
31
2013
GLSEN has more than 6
campaigns available online
These campaigns come with free materials that help teachers, students,
parents, and administrators work to create safe spaces in K-12 schools. The
campaigns include:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Safe Schools Kit
ThinkB4YouSpeak
GSA (Gay-Straight Alliance)
No Name Calling Week
Ally Week
Day of Silence
32
What Can
We Do?
33
You can…
Start or support a Gay-Straight
Alliance (GSA) at your school.
Gay-Straight Alliances (GSAs) are student clubs that work to improve school climate for
all students, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression. 4,000 GSAs
are registered with GLSEN.
-www.glsen.org
Visit or www.glsen.org to download a free Jump-Start Guide for organizing a GSA
at your school. The website has historical information, networks to find other
registered GSAs near your school, and materials to help you and your students
organize your GSA.
34
You can…
Learn about the policies in your
state that impact LGBT youth.
Each state is different! Talk to your administrators to
find out about district and state policies that impact the
lives of LGBT teachers and youth in your school. Contact
your congress representatives, get involved, and stay
informed.
35
You can…
Help students organize a
ThinkB4YouSpeak campaign.
Visit www.thinkb4youspeak.com to download a free “Educator’s
Guide.” This guide contains instructions on how to work with
students to organize a ThinkB4YouSpeak campaign at your school.
It contains background information, 5 lesson plans, and other
resources to help you and your students educate your school
community about the power of anti-LGBT slurs like “that’s so gay”
and “no homo.”
ThinkB4YouSpeak is a GLSEN program
36
You can…
Order a Safe Space kit.
GLSEN's Safe Space Campaign is a nationwide effort to deliver a Safe Space Kit to
middle and high schools across the country. Responding to the persistent reports of
bullying and harassment facing LGBT students, GLSEN has created this ambitious
campaign to create visible allies and ensure safe learning environments for all our
country's students.
-www.glsen.org
Visit or www.safespace.glsen.org to order a Safe Space kit for $20. The kit comes
with a guide that tells you how to lead a safe space training at your school, and
also stickers, posters, and promotional materials. Encourage your students to take
leadership roles in the organization of Safe Schools!
Safe Space kits are organized in part by GLSEN
37
You can…
Work with students to organize
an Ally Week.
GLSEN and students across the country, often as members of Gay-Straight Alliances
(GSAs) or similar student clubs, will celebrate Ally Week on October 15-19 in schools
and communities nationwide.
Ally Week is a week for students to identify, support and celebrate Allies against antiLGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) language, bullying and harassment in
America's schools.
-www.allyweek.org
Visit www.allyweek.org or www.glsen.org, download the “Educator’s Guide,” and
learn how to help your students organize an Ally Week at your school.
Ally Week is an event supported by GLSEN
38
You can…
Help your students organize a No
Name Calling Week.
No Name Calling Week is held annually in schools and communities across the
country. It is a week of educational and creative activities aimed at ending name
calling of all kinds and supports efforts to eliminate bullying.
-www.glsen.org
Visit www.NoNameCallingWeek.org or www.glsen.org to learn how to help your
students organize a NNCW at your school. The website has kits with lesson plans
for elementary, middle & high school, and art classes. It also includes stickers,
posters, and anti-bullying resources for you and your students to use.
No Name Calling Week is organized in part by GLSEN
39
You can…
Help your students organize a Day
of Silence.
The Day of Silence is a student-led national event that brings attention to anti-LGBT namecalling, bullying and harassment in schools. Students from middle school to college take a vow
of silence in an effort to encourage schools and classmates to address the problem of anti-LGBT
behavior by illustrating the silencing effect of bullying and harassment on LGBT students and
those perceived to be LGBT.
-www.dayofsilence.org
Visit www.dayofsilence.org or www.glsen.org to learn how you and your
students can organize a Day of Silence at your school. Tip: work with parents
and administrators and students long before the event to gather support for the
campaign.
No Name Calling Week is organized in part by GLSEN
40
You can…
Organize a viewing
of “Bully” the
movie in your
school.
This film was released in 2013 and premiered in schools across the country in an
effort to raise awareness about actions that educators and school communities can
take to help combat bullying and its negative impacts in schools. You can download
the Educator’s Guide and Toolkit on their webiste: www.thebullyproject.com/
41
You can…
Download lessons from Teaching
Tolerance lesson plan database.
www.tolerance.org
42