Examining stories of LGBTQ+ activism from an antiracist and Ethnic Studies framework, participants will experience how to connect historical narratives, focusing on Bayard Rustin’s life work, to explore the many forms of social justice activism that can lead to cultural and political transformations. Participants will learn about and discuss ways to empower our student to assert their voices through social justice activism, with a focus on the intersections of race, gender and sexual orientation. We will view parts of videos to examine historical LGBTQIA figures and the story of high school students who tried to start a GSA in Utah in the face of right-wing opposition. We will also look at poems, excerpts of Rustin’s writings and our own “hero-activists” to help us determine what skills make a powerful activist. The stories will serve as a catalyst for activities that engage students in reflecting on their own lives and the possibilities for creating social, political and cultural changes in their schools, communities, and their world. We will use a variety of activities to experience the collaborative effort at defining activism that we want our students to experience.

This session should particularly benefit GSA/QSA advisers, BSU and other social justice student clubs, social studies, Ethnic Studies and language arts educators, counselors or others working with LGBTQ+ students and families, and human rights/social justice activists in their unions.