#pridevents

🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ Queer joy for your dash straight from Nashville, Tennessee!

Last year, we awarded $500,000 in grants to schools across the U.S. for student-led projects that support LGBTQ+ youth. Just over a year later, it's time to see how their projects turned out!

Meet one of our 50 States. 50 Grants. 5000 Voices. grantees - this school in Nashville, TN used their grant funds to put on a series of Pride Week events at their school!

We asked their teacher how it went:

"In general, the reaction to our project has been positive. However, some parents and students were not pleased. When Pride Week was announced, we had angry parents coming into our school office or calling angrily. Student reactions were more ignorant, attempting to push boundaries as we laid out what it meant to be respectful. By the end of Pride Week though, some of the same students who voiced hate, participated wholeheartedly, asked good questions, and showed immense growth. This progress in our students shows me that the programming was worthwhile, even for those who pushed back against it." 💜

These students built a Peace and Pride garden from the ground up at their school!

Last year, we awarded $500,000 in grants to schools across the U.S. for student-led projects that support LGBTQ+ youth through our 50 States, 50 Grants, 5,000 Voices initiative. Just over a year later, we wanted to show y'all how their projects turned out:

This school in Baldwin Park, CA used their grant funds to transform an empty lot into a welcoming Peace and Pride garden, complete with places to relax and meditate, LGBTQ+ decorations and education, and workshops on mental wellness!

We asked teacher Michelle what her favorite part was:

"For me I have loved watching kids light up when they are gardening, literally getting their hands dirty. Their faces when they see what they have grown are fantastic. Also I have been struggling to increase LGBTQ awareness on the campus for a decade. I finally feel like I'm being heard. Also I learned a ton of stress relief activities and other mental wellness tips during the project. Drum circles. I learned how to host a drum circle!"

And student Cilla what the impact has been:

"As an LGBTQ+ student myself I feel more seen as I love there's a place on campus that will always have a flag up, and not only during June. Before, this used to be a random place in our school that just had bare walls and dirt and weeds growing, so it was not much for sightseeing, but now it is a beautiful, aesthetically pleasing garden that not only is beautiful, but calming." 💜

Cilla also has some advice for fellow LGBTQ+ students:

"Honestly, I just wanted to say, who cares what others think? And it's not a straight line because clearly, you're not straight, so why should the journey of finding your true self be? It is OK to learn new things about yourself. The journey is not going to be a simple one, but it is a journey that needs to be taken. And yes, there are going to be homophobic people, and honestly, there is always going to be someone judging in your life, so who cares? Do you babe! Be yourself, Love yourself!! Because honestly, no one's going to do it better than you do it to yourself. Also work it, All year round, 365 days a year."

These students in Connecticut hosted a multi-school Pride conference

Last year, we awarded $500,000 in grants to schools across the U.S. for student-led projects that support LGBTQ+ youth through our 50 States, 50 Grants, 5,000 Voices initiative. Just over a year later, it's time to see how their projects turned out!

This school in Connecticut used their grant funds to host Valley Pride Conference, with a day full of workshops about gender and sexuality, activism, safety, dating, and so much more!

We asked student Aaron how it went:

What did you hope to accomplish with your grant project? Do you think it was a success and if so how?

With this Grant project we hoped to bring a Community together, A community of Students who needed to find a space that was not just safe but a space where they could be free to speak with one another and learn what it feels like to be in an environment where there was no hate mixed in with the respect that they were given. It was Just respect. Along with that, we hoped that students could find a space where they could learn about the things that maybe wouldn't have learned otherwise, things concerning their own personal safety along with the safety of those similar to them. With this in mind, I believe that we did exactly what we had planned. We brought these students together and through our different workshops, these students were able to learn according to their own personal interest and they were able to meet and talk to people who may have similar experiences to them. 

Has it made LGBTQ+ students at your school feel more seen and supported? How so?

Although I can’t speak for everyone, I know that this event has certainly made me feel more seen and supported and I know that it has done the same for others. It's not often that our school does something for its LGBTQ+ students if at all, and I know many other schools are the same. I have high hopes that maybe this event will help stir the pot for change in both this school and in many others. I know many of our school's student that may have wanted to attend this event didn’t get the opportunity to for many possibly reasons but I hope in years to come, that these same students find it in themselves to come out of their comfort zone and join the safe space that we have tried our best to create. 

What surprised you most about the process of completing your grant project?

What surprised me the most about the process of completing the grant project was simply seeing how many people were absolutely eager to be participating in the event itself. We didn’t know what the outcome would be but even when all we had was an idea, we wanted this to happen and so did many others. Even after the registration due dates had passed, people still wanted to participate. We had a community of people eager to be united. 

What has the reaction been to your grant project?

At this event we had about 80 students and teachers join us and I am certain that if we did something similar in the years to follow, we would have many more. We had a real community in this conference and many of the students I had the privilege of speaking with both during and after the conference could not stop talking about the amazing time they were having being able to speak with people who could understand them on a deeper level than most people in their lives. They absolutely loved the workshops and I know a lot of them walked to the bus afterwards with big smiles on their faces. These students were glowing and I know this conference made an everlasting impact on each of their lives. 

What was the most exciting part of participating in this program?

I believe the most exciting part of participating in this program was simply seeing everything all put together and seeing everyone together. I knew from the beginning that this event was going to be an important one but it wasn't until I saw the room filled with students that it really occurred to me what we had accomplished. All the work that everyone had put into it and all the time it took suddenly seemed absolutely worth every second. 

What message do you want to share with LGBTQ+ youth as the new school  year begins?

The message I want to share with LGBTQ+ youth as the new school year begins is that even when it seems like the world is crashing down and you are struggling with whatever you may be struggling with, there is a community of people who have your back and will stand with and support you. You are important, and even when you seem small, everyone has the ability to help make a difference. 💜

These students in Indiana planned and hosted their city's own Pride festival!

Last year, we awarded $500,000 in grants to schools across the U.S. for student-led projects that support LGBTQ+ youth through our 50 States, 50 Grants, 5,000 Voices initiative. Just over a year later, we wanted to show off how their projects turned out to y'all:

This school in Carmel, Indiana used their grant funds to host the city's official Pride festival, Carmel Pride, with concerts, food trucks, vendors, and more to bring the local community together!

We asked student Marielle what was most surprising about creating the event:

"How many adults were willing to step up and help us. During the beginning of our planning, we asked if there were any adults able to assist us with finances and logistics. Over 20 adults showed up to support us and offer their help and advice. We didn’t expect much support from adults and it’s very heartwarming to know how many supportive adults are out there."

And whether or not it made students at the school feel more supported:

"Yes! While Carmel Pride is open for everyone to attend, there was a large amount of teenagers at the festival. Being surrounded by your community is an indescribable feeling. Outside of the festival, we see students wearing Carmel Pride pins on their backpacks and our shirts to school. It makes me really proud that students feel comfortable enough to openly express themselves like that at school."

And we asked teacher Caitlyn what the reaction was from the community:

"Largely positive. The people who attended our event had great things to say and were very happy with their experience. A lot of people have expressed how proud they are that people so young are doing something so big, and that's an amazing thing to hear after working so hard on this. However, our local Moms for Liberty group had issues with our drag performances which they posted about on their Facebook. They also had issues with the fact that a school club received a grant for this, questioning the legitimacy of the ways we were using the grant, for a community event and not a strictly school related thing. While there will always be some people who are upset by what we’re doing, its important to remember who we’re doing this for and why. The community we cater to is happy with what we’ve done and so are we, that's all that matters." 💜

🏳️‍🌈 Not everyone gets to attend Pride events in person...

So that's why we're bringing back Digital Pride, the Pride events you can attend from anywhere! Stay tuned throughout June as we host your favorite queer artists, musicians, educators, creators, and influencers live from our IG, Twitch, Youtube, and TikTok channels!

Check out the FULL lineup on our website here so you don't miss a moment 👀

The first IG Live takes place Wednesday 6/8 at 6pm EST/3pm PST...

...followed by the second episode of our new vodcast, Perfectly Queer on Twitch at 6:30 EST/3:30 PST!