Building A Library for a Queer (LGBT) History Class
My students need books to explore LGBT History. Titles include: Queer Beats, Gender Outlaw, South Africa & the Dream of Love to Come, & Boots of Leather, Slippers of Gold.
Next year I will be offering a High School course in Queer History. This course is the first of its kind for my district, and we need resources to make it work. This project will build on previous projects, and expand our resources to cover more topics around the globe and across the spectrum.
The 1700 students at our school represent a good mix of the diversity that learning in a modern, urban, public high school has to offer.
They represent a variety of backgrounds (ethnic, religious, citizenship, economic, etc.). They also provide a supportive environment for students who are openly lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, pansexual, genderqueer, and even CIS-Gendered.
Thanks to our amazing students, our school is often highly ranked (locally, statewide, and even nationwide) in terms of achievement in academics, sports, and extracurricular activities. These students are inspiring, and they definitely have great plans to make our future world a better one.
My Project
I am requesting books to study LGBTQ History. The intent behind this new Queer History course is, first and foremost, to help students engage in history. Students will explore the major political, social, and economic movements of the past. However, the course will focus specifically on how these movements were influenced by LGBT individuals, as well as how LGBT identity was shaped and reshaped by the patterns. For example, "A Little Gay History" provides an overview of important LGBT individuals around the globe & across time, while a title like "Defiant Desire" focuses specifically on the role the LGBT community played in resisting apartheid in South Africa.
Identity is formed by being part of the shared narrative, a common history. All students need to see, even if they do not take the course, that Queer History is a significant part of our collective history. But in particular, LGBT students need to see that they, too, have a visible place in the story.
"Democracy requires tolerance, fairness and an informed citizenry.” LGBT issues are constantly in the news and discussed in the media, in the hallways, and around the dinner table.
If they are going to be able to understand and dialog intelligently about these issues, students must understand the historic roots of the contemporary discussion.
Your support of this project will help to create students who understand the significance of Queer History, and are prepared for global citizenship.
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Mr. Fox and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
