SUMMARY
This Hispanic Heritage Month, we return to our “Hidden Histories” series with a look at the legacy of Jose Sarria, a Latino American political activist and drag performer who left his mark on U.S. history by paving the way for gay candidates.
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News wrap alternative: Check out recent segments from the NewsHour, and choose the story you’re most interested in watching. You can make a Google doc copy of discussion questions that work for any of the stories here.
WARM UP QUESTIONS
- Who was Jose Sarria?
- What led Sarria to become a drag performer and political activist?
- Why did Sarria join the military during World War II?
- When was Sarria born?
- How did Sarria continue to advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and charitable causes later in his life?
FOCUS QUESTIONS
How did Jose Sarria's historic campaign for the San Francisco City Board of Supervisors impact the LGBTQ+ community?
Media Literacy: How can the news bring more attention to marginalized communities?
Alternative: See, Think, Wonder: What did you notice? What did the story make you think? What story would you want to find out more about? Where would you go to learn more?
FOR MORE
What students can do: Discuss with a friend, neighbor or classmate — what were some of the challenges Jose Sarria faced during his lifetime? How might Sarria's sense of humor have helped him? Have you ever used humor to make light of serious situations so that they might be a little less painful?
STUDENT VIDEO OF THE DAY
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