SD Unified School Board designates October as LGBTQ History Month

SAN DIEGO (KUSI) – The San Diego Unified School District Board of Education Tuesday unanimously approved designating October as LGBTQ History Month throughout the district.

According to the board, students involved in the Gay Straight Alliance clubs from multiple district schools spoke in favor of the board resolution and gave personal testimony about their experiences at school.

University City High School senior Alexandria Galvan said she wants the district to include more curriculum on the history of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people.

"I felt that our issues weren’t being addressed,” Galvan said. "It’s gonna help kids understand LGBTQ students more and the students won’t feel so isolated.”

In 1998, October was nationally recognized as LGBTQ History Month.

The district also recognizes Bullying Prevention Month during October.

Board member Kevin Beiser said more needs to be done to create safe spaces at schools for LGBTQ students.

"Thank you for having the courage to come down here and speak out about what’s going on at our schools,” Beiser said.

"There’s bullying going on at our schools and some staff stand by and don’t stop it. We must embrace as a school district the FAIR Education Act and embrace all of our history.”

Vernon Moore with the district’s Officer of Youth Advocacy said the board members voted earlier this year to implement mandatory training for all staff for working with LGBTQ students.

District staff will implement staff training before the end of this year Moore said.   

An art exhibition by district students highlighting LGBTQ History Month is on display at the Eugene Brucker Education Center.

The resolution reflects the priorities of the school board, Beiser said.

"A resolution is a statement of values and this board, I know, values all of our children, including LGBTQ kids,” Beiser said.