Martin Wong

Grades 6-12
Explore the life, work and legacy of Martin Wong, an openly gay Chinese American visual artist. Synonymous with the Lower East Side, he was equally at home with Nuyorican poets, graffiti artists, social non-conformists, and political activists. Through video, discussion questions, primary sources, and paintings, students gain a thorough understanding of who Wong was as a painter, a supporter of the arts, and as a chronicler of the Lower East Side in the 1980s and 1990s.

Ma Rainey

Grades 9-12
Throughout her 30-year career, Ma Rainey sang about the hardship of poor Black people and of Black women in particular, portraying herself and the personas she created as powerful heroes of their own stories. Rainey was a uniquely talented performer and a successful entertainer whose legacy transformed American music. Using video, teaching tips, discussion questions, and an independent student activity, students explore the life and legacy of the “Mother of the Blues,” Ma Rainey.

Bayard Rustin

Grades 9-12
Students explore the life and achievements of Bayard Rustin—the legendary civil rights leader, peaceful organizer and openly gay human rights activist. Using video from First Person: Classroom and supporting educational materials, students examine primary source documents to learn about Rustin in his own words.

A Personal Journey | Oliver Sacks: His Own Life

Grades 9-12
This video from American Masters’ Oliver Sacks: His Own Life highlights Oliver Sack’s personal journey from coming out at age 18 to finally finding true love in his late 70s. Sacks, a legendary neurologist and storyteller known for his literary works Awakenings and The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat, was a fearless explorer of unknown cognitive worlds who helped redefine our understanding of the brain and mind, the diversity of human experience, and our shared humanity.

Marsha P. Johnson

Grades 9-12
In this video, learn about trans activist Marsha P. Johnson and her impact on the LGBTQ Movement. Utilizing video, discussion questions, teaching tips, and examination of important terms to know, your students will gain a thorough understanding of Johnson’s goals as an activist and organizer—and her lasting impact on the LGBTQ movement. Then students apply what they’ve learned from Johnson’s work and develop a platform around an issue that matters to them in an effort to organize their local community.

Understanding LGBTQ+ Identity: A Toolkit for Educators | PBS LearningMedia

Grades 6-12
Understanding LGBTQ+ Identity: A Toolkit for Educators offers a series of digital media resources to help teachers, administrators, guidance counselors, and other educators understand and effectively address the complex and difficult issues faced by LGBTQ students. All video content is scaffolded by a suite of materials (informational text, conversation guides, discussion questions, and teaching tips) to facilitate their use in either classroom or professional development settings. When used in tandem, the videos and accompanying educational resources will help promote understanding, awareness, and self-esteem.

Talking to Your Child About Identity: A Resource for Parents – Planned Parenthood

Grades PreK-12
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and gender nonconforming people are a part of every community and beloved members of many families. Learn how to discuss sexual orientations and gender identities with your kid, and how to support them if they’re LGBTQ. Find resources and tips for talking to children of all ages.

Adirondack North Country Gender Alliance

A safe space and environment for LGBTQI-Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Gender Queer/Non-Conforming, Intersex youth, adults, family members & allies. Adirondack North Country Gender Alliance hosts peer support groups, book readings, the annual Adirondack North Country – Plattsburgh Pride parade, and distributes resources and tools to support the LGBTQ+ community.

The Trevor Project

Founded in 1998 by the creators of the Academy Award winning short film Trevor, The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & questioning (LGBTQ) young people under 25.

Support for LGBTQI Individuals – NAMI

The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, Intersexed (LGBTQI*) community represents a diverse range of identities and expressions of gender and sexual orientation. While belonging to the LGBTQI community can be a source of strength, it also brings unique challenges. For those who identify as LGBTQI, it’s important to recognize how your experience of sexual orientation and gender identity relates to your mental health. Find steps towards seeking LGBTQI-competent care, and a list of resources for educational and support topics on a range of LGBTQ+ topics.

Thursday, June 29

1 PM: The Lodge: LGBTQ+ Seniors

Fountaingrove Lodge in Santa Rosa, California, is the nation’s first state-licensed continuing care retirement community (CCRC) that’s specifically for LGBTQ+ seniors and their allies. The Lodge looks inside this unique experiment in gay/straight living to show us the daily lives, hopes, and fears of people in their 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s. What you discover will surprise you.

2 PM: Out in Rural America

Out in Rural America is a film that explores the struggles and joys of being lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, transgender, and genderqueer in rural America. Following five stories from the LGBTQ+ community over six years, the film explores the issues of self-doubt, discrimination, acceptance, and small-town and Midwestern LGBTQ+ life from a cultural, social, familial, and religious perspective.