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Overview

In this lesson, students will explore and discuss the history and context surrounding Pride Month. Topics explored will include the history of Pride, the meaning behind Pride Month and a breakdown of what Pride parades entail. Additionally, students will be encouraged to explore the emotions that are evoked by Pride among the LGBTQ community.

Estimated time

One 50-60 minute class period

Grade level

Grades 6-12

Essential questions

• Why was Pride month created?
• What purpose does it serve?

Warm-up activity

View the following video on the origin of the Stonewall Riots. Once the video has finished playing, give students time to discuss what they have just observed. Questions that can be used as guidance are listed below:

• Why did the LGBTQ+ community choose to finally stand up against police forces?
• What are reasons for why hatred is developed toward the LGBTQ+ community?
• When did the Stonewall Riot take place?
• Why was being gay considered to be a mental disability? Who came up with the methods used to try and convert gay men back to heterosexuality?
• How do you think gay men felt when told that their sexuality was a mental illness?

Main activity

Create your own form of protest/awareness! Take time to think back on the method of retaliation used by LGBTQ+ individuals during the Stonewall Riots. Afterward, brainstorm and develop your own form of creative protest that could be used to support the LGBTQ+ community. Here are some ideas:

• Posters
• Essays
• Poetry
• Art
• Speech
• Signs

Debrief

After you are done with your project, answer the following questions:

• What does Pride month celebrate?
• Who does Pride celebrate?
• How does Pride month create a moment of joy and honor for those whose identity falls under the LGBTQ+ umbrella?
• How does your project help support these ideals?

Extension activities

For more information on activities that happen during Pride, students can use Pride Finder to help locate Pride events that exist in their state.

Additionally, you can check out Mommy Poppins, as they share 25 Family-Friendly activities that can be done to celebrate Pride.

This lesson was written by Justin Vasquez, News Hour Classroom intern, and News Hour's Victoria Pasquantonio.

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