Slay your closet monsters
I want to share about this amazing resource I learned about after a wonderful conversation with one of the co-founders, Deb Fowler. Learn more about History UnErased, a local non-profit working to create visibility for the LGBTQIA+ community and education.
Let’s step in!👇
Q: Where does History UnErased’s story begin? How did the organization get started?
A: History UnErased’s founders, Deb Fowler and Miriam Morgenstern, witnessed first-hand how visibility and representation in the content they taught in their classrooms of new immigrant and refugee students have an immediate and lasting impact, as students deepened their connection to what they were learning while also developing a sense of belonging and respect for each other.
While teaching, Deb produced two documentary films, Hard Truth, Levity, and Hope (2011) and Through Gay Eyes (2013) to promote awareness of students and families who are ignored, marginalized, or excluded within the public school system.
Through Gay Eyes was a spark plug to found the organization, as the voices of students, teachers, parents, and community members, independent of each other, spoke to the dire need to bring LGBTQIA+ visibility and representation into the mainstream curriculum.
Q: What is History UnErased’s mission, and who do you support with your mission?
A: History UnErased is an education nonprofit founded in 2015 by veteran classroom teachers to provide K-12 schools with the curriculum and training they need to teach LGBTQIA+ inclusive history as it intersects with race, gender, and nationality within the mainstream curriculum.
We support schools– educators, administrators, caregivers, and students- to build inclusive communities for LGBTQIA+ youth.
Our mission is to bring life-affirming, life-changing, and life-saving LGBTQIA+ US history into the mainstream curriculum in K-12 schools across the nation.
Q: How does History UnErased create an impact in the world?
A: Education is everything in a democratic society. Imagine how your life might be different if you learned LGBTQIA+ history in school?
People who we label and understand today as LGBTQ have always existed–in every part of humanity–but the absence of LGBTQIA+ narratives in our nation’s classrooms means that students never learn the stories of people and events that were critical to the founding and shaping of the United States or that people like them have existed across the world throughout history!
Erasing this history teaches students that LGBTQIA+ people never existed. The absence of such identities in what students learn about our shared human history has been doing harm as evidenced by the staggering statistics relating to LGBTQIA+ youth and suicidality, homelessness, and risk behaviors.
It is essential that all students learn this history and see themselves reflected in what they learn– this is truly life-saving As one student shared so clearly with us:
“This isn’t LGBTQIA+ history, it’s just history. We should be learning this from elementary school on.”
— Smart Student
Q: Why is it important for more people to learn about this organization and share about it?
A: Our goal is to be in every school across the nation. This is a way to save lives and change futures. Sharing our work will help us reach more schools and students.
Our curriculum allows students to apply their own identity lens(es) as they approach their learning, whether it be race, gender, ethnicity, or nationality. This ensures dignity and equitable representation for all students.
Q: Where can our community find your resources and learn more?
Q: How can our supporters join this organization and its mission?
A: People can donate on our website unerased.org/donate Monetary gifts have a powerful and lasting impact!
We also have a “How You Can Help” page.
Q: What does pride month mean at History UnErased and why is it important?
A: Pride month means continuing the fight for inclusivity and liberation that was started by many brave and powerful people who came before us.
Last thoughts 💭
“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.”
– Ralph Waldo Emerson