California FAIR Education Act
Bringing LGBTQ Upstanders into the Classroom: A Conversation with Eric Marcus
Brother Outsider
Political Polarization in the United States
This Explainer defines the term political polarization and provides information on how it impacts US politics and society.
![Abstract red, white, and blue painting with thick brush strokes.](/sites/default/files/styles/collection_list_183x118_1x/public/2022-06/PoliticalPolarization_full-res.jpg?h=5eef411c&itok=igZypUAl)
White Nationalism
This Explainer is intended to describe key characteristics of the white nationalist ideology and clarify some of the terms surrounding it. It is important to note that many of the beliefs described here are based on false and dangerous assumptions.
![Overhead image of candlelight vigil.](/sites/default/files/styles/collection_list_183x118_1x/public/2022-07/Candlelight_Vigil_Medium_res.jpg?h=c9f93661&itok=VQpHVxVm)
LGBTQIA+ History and Why It Matters
Students learn about two millennia of LGBTQIA+ history and reflect on how that history is represented in their textbooks and curricula.
![Pride Day Parade in Calgary, Alberta Canada](/sites/default/files/styles/collection_list_183x118_1x/public/2022-07/2018_PrideDayParadeinCalgaryAlbertaCanada_FH2166958.jpg?h=54d1c1f1&itok=Kx63JLBy)
LGBTQIA+ Resources from Facing History
With the commencement of Pride Month, Facing History provides a number of resources that help educators explore LGTBQIA+ histories and experiences to ensure these themes remain central beyond this celebratory month.
![Cropped LGTBQIA+ history and why it matters banner.](/sites/default/files/styles/collection_list_183x118_1x/public/2022-06/UpdatedLGBTQHistoryAndWhyItMattersBannerCropped1800_605px.jpeg?h=82fc6e7e&itok=a0JAEe5-)
Isolating Homosexuals
Find out how Hitler strengthened enforcement of Paragraph 175, a law that made homosexuality a crime in Germany.
![Crackdown on Communists and Social Democrats: arrested in the SA-barracks on Friedrichstrasse, April, 1933](/sites/default/files/styles/collection_list_183x118_1x/public/2022-06/Holocaust_1933_CrackdownOnCommunistsSocialDemocrats_%20FH223594.jpg?h=b4b77820&itok=rwKSQmVm)
The Lavender Scare: Gay and Lesbian Life in Post-WWII America
Learn about the attempts to purge the US military and federal government of gay and lesbian employees during the Cold War and decades later.
Durban Gay Pride Parade, 2017
On October 10, 1990, the inaugural Gay Pride Festival was held in Johannesburg. Since its inception the festival, highlighting the rights of gays and lesbians, grows in size and magnitude.
![On October 10, 1990, the inaugural Gay Pride Festival was held in Johannesburg. Since its inception the festival, highlighting the rights of gays and lesbians, grows in size and magnitude.](/sites/default/files/styles/collection_list_183x118_1x/public/2022-05/2017_DurbanGayPrideParade2017_FH281935.jpg?h=7fb2964e&itok=bStDxjqU)
German National Team Showing Support for LGBTQIA+ Rights
Photo of German team at the World Cup covering their mouths in protest of FIFA’s decision to ban the “OneLove” armband.
![German National Team Showing Support for LGBTQ Rights at World Cup.](/sites/default/files/styles/collection_list_183x118_1x/public/2022-12/AP22327517063172.jpg?h=d45f7eee&itok=050kWw6g)
The Equality Clause: Gay Rights and the Constitution
Marian Drew writes about the strides taken by South African members of the LGBTQIA+ community in earning additional rights after their inclusion in the South African Constitution.
![People gather downtown for pride parade in Cape Town, South Africa.](/sites/default/files/styles/collection_list_183x118_1x/public/2022-05/2022_GayPrideParadeCapeTownSouthAfrica_FH2169992.jpg?h=c9f93661&itok=J5-LbR9Z)
José's Story
In this personal narrative, a young person shares their experience coming out to family as a gay, Latino, Catholic man and their social justice work at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center.
![Two male students write at their desks.](/sites/default/files/styles/collection_list_183x118_1x/public/2022-07/Cleveland_Classroom_2019_FH2100139.jpg?h=78aab1d8&itok=d-bsbHis)
The World Cup: Activism, Upstanding, and Free Speech
Learn about how athletes and fans can engage in activism and consider the limits placed on free speech during professional sports games.
5 Reads for Teachers on LGBTQIA+ History
In order for educators to ensure that LGBTQIA+ histories get their due in the classroom all year long, Facing History provides five reads that reflect on evolving ways of narrating the past, while centering underacknowledged narratives and protagonists who may not have been considered appropriate historical subjects in prior eras.
![Stock photo of rainbow notebooks and tablet.](/sites/default/files/styles/collection_list_183x118_1x/public/2022-06/Untitled%20design%20%2812%29.png?h=a6c55029&itok=sWbe-EB1)
10 New Books on LGBTQIA+ History and Contemporary Life
Facing History shares ten titles released in the last year that bring important themes in LGBTQIA+ history and contemporary life to the fore, exploring the diverse ways in which this extensive topic is explored by educators, intellectuals, and thought leaders.
![Book cover images of ten LGBTQIA+ novels.](/sites/default/files/styles/collection_list_183x118_1x/public/2022-06/queerbooklist2.jpeg?h=ca04aa64&itok=qgrvIje8)
Teaching While Queer: One Teacher on Being Out in the Classroom
Facing History educator Emily Haines discusses what it's looked like for her to bring her full identity into the classroom.
![Picture of rainbow flags.](/sites/default/files/styles/collection_list_183x118_1x/public/2022-10/daniel-james-Dhw68hz9KbA-unsplash.jpg?h=a141e9ea&itok=iLDENU8V)
On Existing: A Personal Reflection
Facing History staff takes a moment to reflect on personal experiences of being a minority amidst a climate of hate and the ability to use reading as a tool for discovering oneself.
![Photo from trans rights march.](/sites/default/files/styles/collection_list_183x118_1x/public/2022-06/transreflection.jpeg?h=c6980913&itok=P9gmYmSP)
Student Essay: Finding My Center
This award-winning student essay describes a queer student’s journey of stepping into leadership and making an impact as an intern at the LGBTQIA+ Center in Greenwich Village.
![Picture of pride flag on wrist.](/sites/default/files/styles/collection_list_183x118_1x/public/2022-08/Finding_center_1440x560_0.jpeg?h=b1512c13&itok=XoC2h6rz)
Student Essay: Gay Olympians are Changing the World
This student essay explores the impact of the increasing visibility of gay olympians, particularly at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea.
![Picture of the ski team in the winter Olympics.](/sites/default/files/styles/collection_list_183x118_1x/public/2022-08/WinterOlympicsSkiingHeroImageGayOlympiansChangingtheWorldStudentEssayFinalistvytautas-dranginis-588110-unsplash_0.jpeg?h=6d1ace0d&itok=t6pq103x)
Learning from GLSEN
Learn about the history behind Gay-Straight alliance student groups and GLSEN, the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network.
![LGBTQ pride flag on chalkboard.](/sites/default/files/styles/collection_list_183x118_1x/public/2022-05/LGBTQPrideFlagChalkboard_iStock-929777058%20%281%29.jpeg?h=8e4088dc&itok=hT8d-tsa)
Student Essay: Why I No Longer Hide My Rainbow
This student essay captures a gay student’s experience navigating the challenges inherent in being visible as a gay person, as well as the responsibility to honor the sacrifices of movement leaders past by being visible today.
![LGBTQ pride flag on chalkboard.](/sites/default/files/styles/collection_list_183x118_1x/public/2022-05/LGBTQPrideFlagChalkboard_iStock-929777058%20%281%29.jpeg?h=8e4088dc&itok=hT8d-tsa)
LA Upstander: Michelle Lebron V.
Michelle has been an ally for LGBTQIA+ friends at our school. She has shared how she offered support for a student who wanted to come out as gay.
![Cartoon picture.](/sites/default/files/styles/collection_list_183x118_1x/public/2022-07/MLV%20Art%20%281%29.png?h=fe61d327&itok=G-w-ajkm)
Helen Zia on the Asian American Movement
This article examines the rise of the Asian American movement through the leading voice of Helen Zia, a Chinese American author and activist working at the intersections of struggles for racial and LGBTQ justice, who helped provide a foundation for AAPI-led resistance against racism and violence.
![Asian American Dreams book cover beside Helen Zia headshot.](/sites/default/files/styles/collection_list_183x118_1x/public/2022-06/HZ%20and%20AAD_Large.jpeg?h=151e6280&itok=ZSU7iZEK)
Finding Confidence
A young woman describes her journey overcoming an inner bully and fear of being different.
![Sample identity chart.](/sites/default/files/styles/collection_list_183x118_1x/public/2022-05/Sample%20Identity%20Chart.jpg?h=73950368&itok=GRwV3fSX)
Anti-Trans Legislation: How We Got Here and Why it Matters
Facing History describes the wave of Anti-Transgender legislation happening in the US, and how this affects our trans youth.
![crowd of people outside with a sign raised to protect trans kids](/sites/default/files/styles/collection_list_183x118_1x/public/2022-04/protect_trans_kids_sign_photo.png?h=a6c55029&itok=qdFKbJCe)
Exploring Identity in Literature and Life
Students explore the complexity and fluidity of identity, both in the world of the text and in their own lives.
![Two female students engage in classroom discussion.](/sites/default/files/styles/collection_list_183x118_1x/public/2022-10/San_Francisco_California_Classroom_2017_%20FH152796.jpg?h=56d0ca2e&itok=K1ckN693)
No Human Being Was Born Illegal
Students at a school in Los Angeles raise awareness about derogatory labels used to describe individuals who immigrated to the United States as well as those who identify as LGBTQIA+.