Awareness Activities
Here are some great activities you can you use in your GSA, classroom, school, or district to raise awareness about LGBTQ student issues and identities. Go to the website provided to find information, images, handouts, and more.
September
Ally Week
September 24-28
GLSEN’s Ally Week is a student-led program where LGBTQ K-12 students and LGBTQ educators lead the conversation on what they need from their allies in school.
Banned Websites Awareness Day
September 26
Raise awareness of how overly restrictive blocking of legitimate, educational websites and academically useful social networking tools in schools and school libraries stop LGBTQ students and teachers from getting support and accurate information.
http://www.ala.org/aasl/advocacy/bwad#background
Latinx Heritage Month
September 15 – October 15
Honor the history, people, and events of LGBTQ Latinx people.
https://www.glsen.org/article/supporting-lgbtq-latinx-students
October
LGBT History Month
October 1-31
Celebrate the achievements of 31 LGBT icons with videos, bios, images, and other resources.
http://www.lgbthistorymonth.com/
National Bullying Prevention Month
October 1-31
Parents, school staff, and other adults in the community can help kids prevent bullying by talking about it, building a safe school environment, and creating a community-wide bullying prevention strategy.
National Coming Out Day
October 11
Annual LGBTQ awareness day
http://www.hrc.org/resources/national-coming-out-day
National Parents Coming Out Day
October 12
A day when parents can show support for their LGBTQ child.
https://strongfamilyalliance.org/
Spirit Day
October 19
Spirit Day is a means of speaking out against LGBTQ bullying and standing with LGBTQ youth, who disproportionately face bullying and harassment because of their identities.
November
Transgender Awareness Week
November
Raise visibility of gender non-conforming people and address issues the community faces.
https://www.glaad.org/transweek
GSA Day for Gender Justice
November
Celebrate the accomplishments pf gender nonconforming people and fight for gender justice.
Transgender Day of Remembrance
November
Honor the memory of those whose lives were lost in acts of anti-transgender violence.
Native American History Month
November
Honor the history, people, and events of LGBTQ Native people.
https://www.glsen.org/daysofaction/nativeamericanheritagemonth
December
World AIDS Day
December 1
Raise awareness of the AIDS pandemic those who died
https://www.hiv.gov/events/awareness-days/world-aids-day
February
Black History Month, or National African American History Month
February
Honor the history, people, and events of LGBTQ African-American people.
https://www.glsen.org/article/black-history-month
GSA Day for Racial Justice
February
Mobilize for racial justice and celebrate our multiple identities.
April
National Day of Silence
April
Students vow silence to encourage schools and classmates to address anti-LGBTQ behavior.
May
Asian Pacific Islander (API) Heritage Month
May
Honor the history, people, and events of LGBTQ API people.
https://www.glsen.org/article/asian-pacific-islander-heritage-month
Asian Pacific Islander (API) Heritage Month
May 17
A worldwide celebration of sexual and gender diversities.
