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by Laurel Powell •
Major Progressive Organizations Join Parents & Families Standing Up to Bigotry in Schools
WASHINGTON—Today the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization, the National Education Association (NEA), the nation’s largest professional employee organization representing more than 3 million elementary & secondary school teachers & faculty, and the “Greater than Hate” coalition of advocacy groups that share a common goal to oppose hate in all its forms, are joining forces to launch a “Parents Week of Action” from September 23 - September 30th, 2023 to show up & show out for LGBTQ+ youth as students get back in the swing of the school year.
Schools should be places where all of our children are free to be who they are and where the foundation is laid for who they will become. Every student should be free to go to school without fear of discrimination or violence. But this back-to-school season, thanks to the actions of extremist politicians and hate groups, students are being forced into increasingly hostile and dangerous environments. Anti-equality forces have banned our children from seeing themselves in their curriculum, erasing critical lessons that impact their health, safety, and future successes. These forces have prioritized protecting assault weapons over protecting every child’s freedom to learn–all under the guise of “parental rights.”
During this week of action, parents and organizations across the country will hold a variety of events to uplift LGBTQ+ students, equip parents and guardians to stand up for their rights and those of their youth, and raise awareness about the rising tide of book bans, anti-trans legislation, and curriculum censorship that seeks to deprive children of a full and complete education.
Current “Parents Week of Action” events and activations include include:
Arizona:
AZ LGBTQ+ Resilience Network Kickoff, September 23rd, 2023, in partnership with ACLU Arizona, SOS Arizona, Arizona Trans Youth & Parent Organization, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Arizona, One N Ten, and Moms Demand Action.
Pennsylvania
Banned Book Bingo, September 28th, 2023, in partnership with Free Mom Hugs and the LGBTQ Equality Alliance of Chester County.
Tennessee
Mama Bears Screening, September 28th, 2023, in partnership with Free Mom Hugs and the Mama Bears.
Texas:
Austin Banned Book Trivia, September 27th, 2023, in partnership with Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas.
Houston Banned Book Bingo, September 26th, 2023, in partnership with Rice Pride.
Permian Basin Banned Book Bingo, September 29th, 2023, in partnership with Pride Center West Texas, PFLAG, and Out In West Texas.
Greater than Hate Parents’ Pledge, September 23-30, 2023.
Texas Rainbow Homecoming Dance, September 30th, 2023.
Wisconsin:
The Wisconsin Parents Week of Action Toolkit, September 25th-30th, 2023, in partnership with A Better Wisconsin Together, Black Leaders Organizing Communities, Blue Sky Waukesha, Fair Wisconsin, GSAFE, LGBT Center of SE Wisconsin, National Association of Social Workers (NASW), PFLAG Wisconsin Chapter, Project North, and Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault.
Nationwide:
Parents Week of Action Pledge, September 23-30, 2023
As part of the week of action, the coalition launched a website where parents can register their own Week of Action events, browse other efforts happening in their cities and states, and connect with others in the fight against extremism in schools.
To make a general inquiry, please visit our contact page. Members of the media can reach our press office at: (202) 572-8968 or email press@hrc.org.
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