Women’s Rights
How and why was the Declaration of Sentiments modeled after the Declaration of Independence?
Janet Miller – Organize
Janet Miller, a teacher at Hoover Middle School, was blown away by district-wide statistics that revealed the risk of violence that transgender youth experience. Moved by the statistics, Miller stated to her colleagues that it was their responsibility to create a safe learning environment for ALL students and that any type of discrimination should not be tolerated.
Art As Activism
Students will learn about and experience the works of Audre Lorde and James Baldwin and discuss how and why someone might use their passions for activism.
The Legacy of the Civil Rights Movement
How did the black civil rights movement influence other activist movements of the late 1960s and 1970s?
Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr.: Hate Crimes Prevention Act
This lesson provides an opportunity for middle and high school students to understand the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, learn about how hate escalates, connect the understanding of the escalation of hate with Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr.’s murders and consider what young people can do in their schools and communities to prevent hate crimes.
Give Them Hope: Creating Movements, Building Bridges
Students will learn about the life and accomplishments of Harvey Milk. Harvey Milk was an American politician who became the first openly gay man to be elected to public office in the United States. Harvey Milk used a simple problem that affected the everyday lives of San Francisco’s residents to gain support from people outside of the LGBTQ community and work on larger issues.
What role did female impersonations in various soldier camp performances play in allowing soldiers to explore their identity?
Students will engage in quote analysis, photo analysis, letter reading, and collaborative group discussions to answer the inquiry question, understanding the role that cross-dressing played in various soldier camps during World War I.
What is Marriage Equality?
On June 26, 2015, in a 5-4 decision the Supreme Court of the United States held that the 14th Amendment requires a state to license a marriage between two people of the same sex and to recognize marriages lawfully performed in other jurisdictions. This means that marriage equality is now the law of the land in all 50 states. Prior to this historic day, 37 states plus the District of Columbia had legalized marriage for same-sex couples. This lesson provides an opportunity for students to explore marriage equality, gain background information about it, and reflect on their own thoughts and feelings about marriage equality.
Under the Radar: Identity Politics and “Passing”
Students will learn about Billy Tipton, an American jazz musician and bandleader. He was born Dorothy Lucille Tipton. After his death, Billy was discovered to be female assigned at birth. Students will discuss whether you can be both out and “in the closet” and debate whether it was okay for Billy Tipton’s family to “out” him as trans after his death.