LGBTQ History and Heroes

This film, The Top 10 Important LGBTQ Movements in US History, looks at the most important LGBTQ milestones in US History. These moments include the Stonewall Riots, the first Pride parade, the publishing of The Transsexual Phenomenon,  the passing of the Matthew Shepard Act, and more. Although the introduction of bills and laws is definitely monumental, the filmmakers have chosen to exclude events like the introduction of the Equality Act and instead focus on the legislation once they have been passed.

Marsha P. Johnson was an American gay liberation activist who was a prominent figure in the Stonewall Uprising of 1969. After learning about Marcha P. Johnson, research the Stonewall Uprising. Who were others involved? Share their story with MY HERO.

In 1978, Harvey Milk was one of the first gay public officials in San Fransisco. His dream was for a better tomorrow filled with hope for equality and a world without hate. It is recommended students read the essay and research Harvey Milk. Discuss how he was influential as an early LGBT activist. Do you know anyone in your community who is a LGBT activist? Consider sharing that story with MY HERO.

Harry Hay was an American Gay Rights Activist and the co-founder of Mattachine Society, the first sustained gay rights group in the United States. 

"Out of the mists of our long oppression,
We bring love for ourselves and each other,
And love for the gifts we bear,
So heavy and so painful the fashioning of them,
So long the road given us to travel them. A separate people,
We bring a gift to celebrate each other,
'Tis a gift to be gay!
Feel the pride of it!"

- Harry Hay -

Learn about Karl Heinrich Ulrichs - the first known activist for gay rights and Lili Elbe who was one of the first transgender women to receive sex reassignment surgery.

Alan Turing is known as the Father of Computer Science for developing the idea for the first computer and a test for artificial intelligence. The first story has text and audio allowing students to listen as they read along.

How was each of the individuals in the stories and portraits of trailblazers and early LGBT activists?  

Do you know anyone in your community who is an LGBT activist? Share their story with MY HERO. 

Janet Miller is a teacher at Hoover Middle School who wanted to create a safe learning environment for all students regardless of their sexuality.

After watching the movie and reading the story, students discuss the benefits of a Gay Straight Alliance and what they can do to ensure their school is accepting and supportive of all members of their community. Share your story with MY HERO.

Students watch the film, I Have Four Parents, about Daniel Roy who has four parents: two moms and two dads. They're not divorced and he is not adopted. His dads are gay and his moms are lesbian. The two couples had been friends for many years and then decided to have a child and co-parent. 

After viewing the film, discuss the different structures of student families in your class.

What is your reaction to the opinions expressed in these films? Do you know anyone who is transgender, or a family with a transgender member? Share their story with MY HERO.