Palm Beach County School Board Proclaims LGBT History Month

October 17, 2012 Government No Comments

Superintendent Gent and the School Board of Palm Beach County Proclaim October 2012 “LGBT History Month” \

(West Palm Beach, Florida) At this evening’s meeting of the Palm Beach County School Board, Superintendent E. Wayne Gent joined School Board Members Marcia Andrews, Frank Barbieri, Monroe Benaim, Karen Brill, Jennifer Prior Brown, Chuck Shaw and Debra Robinson in issuing a proclamation in support of Lesbian, Gay Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) History Month.

The proclamation was accepted by Dan Hall, gay activist and longtime Treasurer of the Palm Beach County Human Rights Council [http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=0010XOfwsCdrJu2VV_IWzcWVr5eDzQ9ek9uS6qQgglBYPOBmUEUbBD937pti4EDfP2Rlq-DSiRoeSfuZjnvO_cU0Eu60JtMtJwv8QAqxR0jAz4=]. The Council is a local non-profit organization founded in 1988 whose mission is to end discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression. The Council promotes equality, through education, advocacy, direct action, impact litigation, and community outreach. Palm Beach Gardens attorney Jess Blackman, Pahokee Mayor J.P. Sasser and political activist Matthew McWatters, all of whom serve on the Council’s Board of Directors, also participated in the presentation.

“The Palm Beach County School District has recognized African-American History Month and Women’s History Month for many years,” said Rand Hoch, President and Founder of the Palm Beach County Human Rights Council. “We are pleased that Superintendent Gent and the entire Palm Beach County School Board are taking this opportunity to recognize the contributions made by LGBT Americans.” In September, the School Board of Broward County, Florida was the first major school board to pass a resolution declaring its support of LGBT History Month. In early October, the Los Angeles Unified School District announced its collaboration in LGBT History Month. The Los Angeles, Broward, and Palm Beach County School Districts represent the nation’s second, sixth, and thirteenth largest school districts, respectively, with a total of more than 1.2 million students. LGBT History Month is coordinated by Equality Forum [http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=0010XOfwsCdrJvyjhw1NNZYwSNngNCSqcZx-Ba2QoKnvAv0JNoMiiFruegBdtj9pTJjtcayCwl0I7Rw2jBgQNlqL7t8XU9KVIHInjPp9DURNNFYmOPy94KUVz485w9aUl-j], which has provided content, promotion and resources for LGBT History Month since 2006. The LGBT History Month website (http://www.lgbthistorymonth.com [http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=0010XOfwsCdrJs1WxUn4CYra7U2q2wU3LSgXyyLBV5VlDQtUfdqXU2pxOZvvmfhMhMEPLomqQRPrLRus_GbrTPb8kIhxYX_gosvMJTVawZMhwEnzxqDmzIFn6vLalrY63w6]) is featuring an LGBT icon every day in October. Among them are author Truman Capote, actress Jodie Foster and philanthropist Jon Stryker – a part time Palm Beacher. “Previously, the LGBT community was the only minority not taught its history at home, in public schools or religious institutions,” stated Malcolm Lazin, Executive Director, Equality Forum, and founder of LGBT History Month. “Palm Beach County’s recognition of LGBT History Month is giant step in embracing LGBT inclusion and respect.” “LGBT History Month sends an important message to our nation’s teachers, school boards, community leaders, and youth about the vital importance of recognizing and exploring the role of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people in American history,” said George Chauncey, Chair of the History and American Studies Department at Yale University. In 2010, the federal government recognized LGBT History Month when Secretary Arne Duncan led a U.S. Department of Education ceremony. ### ___________ For a Timeline of LGBT History in Palm Beach County, click here. [http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=0010XOfwsCdrJux4DOYJtgEc6FYY9LLfeQn2eKRkYhJMN9l4SbpU0BFRwDwnYuy8FKEYfDEzjBPr2q3dimp7l9O030OWwNndPvucbOFk83EvTtng3LrAhnPy62MrPEyAzxcURg0TZVPNbslhx20dOs4VC56ONc3eM6uAL8blsmfooZAo-7j9mCkp7Hn3mq8JVKL] ___________ PROCLAMATION 2012 LGBT HISTORY MONTH WHEREAS, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Americans have made, and continue to make, great and lasting contributions that continue to strengthen our society; and WHEREAS, LGBT Month reminds both the LGBT and wider communities of important roles LGBT people have taken in creating the social, legal and political worlds we live in today; and WHEREAS, this month, as we recognize the immeasurable contributions of LGBT Americans, we renew our commitment to the struggle for equal rights for LGBT students and staff; and WHEREAS, according to the 2011 National School Climate Survey, 8 out of 10 LGBT students report verbal, sexual or physical harassment at school and more than 30% report missing at least a day of school in the past month out of fear for their personal safety; and WHEREAS, LGBT educators, students and families should be supported to live an affirmative life with dignity and respect; and WHEREAS, community-based organizations and community leaders have partnered with The School District of Palm Beach County to educate, support and provide resources to promote safe learning environments for all students and families; and WHEREAS, The School District of Palm Beach County appreciates and recognizes the importance of LGBT History Month as an effective means of educating and calling to action the citizens of Palm Beach County to work together to promote equal protection of all Palm Beach County students and staff, regardless of sexual orientation, or gender identity or gender expression.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Superintendent and the School Board of Palm Beach County do hereby proclaim October 2012 as LGBT History Month. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

EMBARGOED

for release until after 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, October 17, 2012

____________________

For further information, contact:

Rand Hoch, President and Founder Palm Beach County Human Rights Council, 561-358-0105 rand-hoch@usa.net [mailto:rand-hoch@usa.net] Chip Alfred Communications Director Equality Forum (215) 732-3378, ext. 116 chip@equalityforum.com [mailto:chip@equalityforum.com]

Visit our Website www.pbchrc.org [http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=0010XOfwsCdrJu2VV_IWzcWVr5eDzQ9ek9uS6qQgglBYPOBmUEUbBD937pti4EDfP2Rlq-DSiRoeSfuZjnvO_cU0Eu60JtMtJwv8QAqxR0jAz4=] Visit our Blog: pbchrc.blogspot.com/ [http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=0010XOfwsCdrJtcoQnw7YhpeDPMx_QlBXRj8ChwPJJw0On-d4BaSX1VREGGG7dSA9u-ois8ksjuVHr_X6WVlWBRSZFqvSO-RlAvRAABy8gD3Uzv3hsAIDX-RQ==]

The Palm Beach County Human Rights Council, Inc. is dedicated to ending discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression. The Council promotes equality through education, advocacy, direct action, impact litigation, and community outreach. Palm Beach County Human Rights Council Post Office Box 267 West Palm Beach, Florida 33402 (561) 358-0105 www.pbchrc.org [http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=0010XOfwsCdrJsxv-XMODg9SL77TW35FjEGEY-IQOYNu0lTmvaQ9ae_xclhVRVXhULshdPLP_SwamD_kIMbBihF-eXOdDyzRV8_vmoK1FG7oDwK01njSYj9yw==] pbchrc@gmail.com [mailto:pbchrc@gmail.com]

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