APS is recognizing and celebrating Pride Month this June to support our LGBTQIA+ students and staff and to encourage everyone to honor our diverse community. This is part of our strong commitment to equity and inclusion, to ensure APS is a place where all staff, students and families are welcome, valued and respected.
We encourage you to join in the conversation online using #APSPride23.
History
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex and Asexual (The + sign in this context recognizes that our understanding of labels and vocabulary is personal, and continues to evolve.) (LGBTQIA+) Pride Month is currently celebrated each year in the month of June to honor the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan. The Stonewall Uprising was a tipping point for the Gay Liberation Movement in the United States. Learn more about the history of Pride Month.
Pronouns (from mypronouns.org)
In English, whether we realize it or not, people frequently refer to us using pronouns when speaking about us. Often, when speaking of a singular human in the third person, these pronouns have a gender implied — such as “he” to refer to a man/boy or “she” to refer to a woman/girl. These associations are not always accurate or helpful. Using someone’s correct personal pronouns is a way to respect them and create an inclusive environment, just as using a person’s name can be a way to respect them.
When a person shares their pronouns, they are naming the pronouns that they want to be referred to by in the singular third person (when referring to that person while talking to someone else). Singular pronouns in the first person (when referring to yourself) or second person (when referring to a person when talking to that same person) do not vary.
Learn more by visiting mypronouns.org and consider adding your pronouns to your email signature, social media profiles, etc.
APS Events
Each APS middle and high school Genders & Sexualities Alliance (GSA) groups are planning and hosting many events throughout the month of June. At Swanson Middle School, GSA students are contributing slides for the morning announcements that highlight prominent figures in American history that identified/identify as LGBTQIA+. Students will also participate in many fun events meant to engage LGBTQIA+ students and allies to educate the school community. At Jefferson Middle School, students and staff are planning an annual Pride Spirit Week June 5-10.
We will be adding more events throughout the month.
Community Events
Arlington Public Library will host Pride events:
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- Listen to a virtual talk with author and transgender educator Alex Myers on June 13.
- Participate in a fun discussion of LGBTQIA+ themed books on June 27.
- Learn about the history of the Pride flag on June 28.
- Capital Pride events take place throughout the month of June.
Arlington County will host Pride events:
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- June 7 & 8, 7-8:30pm: Safe Zone Training for the Community (Virtual on Zoom)
- Safe Zone training is an opportunity to explore concepts of sexuality and gender, learn more about LGBTQIA+ identities, and examine prejudice, assumptions, and privilege. Join us so that we can work to create safer and more inclusive environments together. Participants must attend both nights. LEARN MORE AND REGISTER HERE.
- June 14th, 6:30pm-7:30pm: Mental Health in the Queer Community: Risk Factors and Giving Support (Virtual on Zoom)
- This session explores the risk factors associated with the higher rate of mental illnesses in the LGBTQ+ community. Learn ways you can support people in the Queer Community to counter these risk factors. REGISTER AND LEARN MORE HERE.
- June 15, 12:00pm-1:30pm: Arlington County Pride Month Proclamation and Celebration (In-Person, Rain Date June 22)
- Join members of OUTstanding, the Arlington Employee Resource Group (ERG) representing the Rainbow Community, and other County employees to celebrate living, working, and thriving in a safe and supportive community. LEARN MORE HERE.
- June 7 & 8, 7-8:30pm: Safe Zone Training for the Community (Virtual on Zoom)
Other Area Events:
- June 4, 12:00 – 6:00 Reston Pride You Belong Here at Lake Anna – Reston’s 5th annual Pride Festival at Lake Anna. Reston Pride invites the community to enjoy a relaxing and fun space and visit over 65 vendors from local LGBTQIA+ organizations, religious groups, local businesses, artists, and more. There is also a lineup of phenomenal entertainment including drag performers.
- June 4, 1:00 – 4:00 Alexandria Pride at the Charles Houston Recreation Center – Alexandria celebrates the 5th Annual Pride hosted by the Alexandria LGBTQ+ task force. Collect pride swag, enjoy music and food, get creative, pose for pictures, and meet with local LGBTQ-inclusive organizations. Free and confidential HIV testing is available on site.
- June 11, 2:00-9:00 Pride on the Pier at The Wharf – The 3rd Annual Pride on the Pier is a family-friendly alternative to the Capital Pride Parade sponsored by The Washington Blade in partnership with LURe DC and The Wharf. New this year on the Family Pier is roller skating for youth! Skate rentals are $10; adults must bring their own skates. A live DJ, dancing, and entertainment are available at this free event. The Dockmasters Building provides a VIP (ticketed) experience with complimentary drinks and food. The night concludes with a fireworks display on the water.
- June 18, 1:00-9:00 pm Portside in Old Town Summer Festival at Waterfront Park – The City of Alexandria a hosts their free festival of live music and more including, Join Safe Space NOVA for some family friendly games and visit with local vendors while listening to live music and enjoying local craft beer from Port City Brewing Company.
- June 24, 7:00-11:00 PM: Once Upon a Prom (and Party) at The St. James in Springfield, Virginia – Safe Space NOVA is proud to present a regional pride prom for 9th-12th grade students from across the DC Metro area! This year, in addition to the prom itself, we will have a party in Super Awesome and Amazing with a trampoline park, VR games, food, an obstacle course, climbing towers and more. Meet affirming vendors, shop pride merchandise, win prizes, and meet drag kings and queens. A single ticket gets you entry to everything. Come dance, climb, race, soar, and dream with us, Once Upon a Prom.
- June 25, 1:00 – 8:00 PM: Loudoun Pride at Claude Moore Park – Loudoun Pride proudly boasts the “biggest, boldest, and most colorful pride festival in Northern Virginia.” Join dozens of community vendors for a family-friendly pride event featuring live musical acts including Crys Matthews & Heather Mae, Justin Trawick, and Tracy Hamlin & DJ Pope. Tickets are required for entry.
Resources for Students & Families
- Library of Congress – Pride Month
- Capital Pride
- 12 Historic LGBTQ Figures Who Changed the World – National Geographic
- Talking to your Child About Gender Identity – Planned Parenthood
- LGBT Youth Resources– Centers for Disease Control & Prevention
- It Gets Better Project – June 2022
- The Trevor Project – Suicide Prevention and Crisis Intervention for Youth
Classroom Resources for Educators
- Guide to Pride – GLSEN
- Classroom Resources – Educate & Celebrate
- 15 LGBTQ Books for Kids and Teens Recommended by Queer Librarians, Educators, and Independent Booksellers – NY Times
- LGBTQIA+ Resources – National Education Association
- APS Pride – Social Media Graphics (must be logged into APS account)