SAN JOSE, CA – On Wednesday, May 19, 2021, the Santa Clara County Board of Education (SCCBOE) unanimously passed a resolution recognizing the month of June as National Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning (LGBTQ) Pride Month.
Pride Month is celebrated in honor of the 1969 Stonewall riots and highlights the work necessary to achieve equal justice and equal opportunity for the LGBTQ community. This celebration also acknowledges the landmark decision made on June 15, 2020 by the U.S. Supreme Court that ruled that employment discrimination based on a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity is illegal, based on Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act.
“Communities today are undergoing rapid cultural and political change around the treatment of sexual minorities and gender diversity,” said Santa Clara County Superintendent, Dr. Mary Ann Dewan. “We applaud and support federal and local policies and practices that increasingly acknowledge and focus on LGBTQ youth and numerous national advocacy and other organizations that give greater attention to LGBTQ youth in their work. Acceptance and support for all youth, including those who are LGBTQ, make communities and schools safer places.”
The SCCBOE also recognizes May 22nd as Harvey Milk Day, in honor of California’s first openly gay elected official in the state’s history, and at the time of his death, the most recognized political advocate for LGBTQ rights in the United States. His election to office in the United States marked an important moment for LGBTQ political representation, inspiring countless LGBTQ people to become active in local, state, and national legislative policy.
Dr. Dewan stated, “The Santa Clara County Office of Education (SCCOE) is actively working to create inclusive programs and practices that support, and uplift LGBTQ youth, and encourages students, staff, and community members to utilize the SCCOE LGBTQ website (https://www.sccoe.org/LGBTQ/) for resources and current information on LGBTQ legislation and policy. As an Out-for-Safe-Schools collective, the SCCOE supports schools with practices and initiatives focused on safe and supportive learning environments.”
The SCCOE, in partnership with the County of Santa Clara Office of LGBTQ Affairs; The Q Corner, a peer-driven program of the Santa Clara County Behavioral Health Services Department; The LGBTQ Youth Space; and the Bay Area Municipal Elections Committee (BAYMEC) provides LGBTQ youth and community support to districts and stakeholders through services available through county office and agency programs.
“The SCCOE cultivates a positive environment by offering wrap-around services through our Foster & Homeless Youth programs, suicide prevention, student wellness, and school climate supports, and Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports (PBIS) program,” said Santa Clara County Board of Education President, Claudia Rossi. “Adoption of this resolution further acknowledges the commitment made by the SCCBOE, our County Superintendent and the County of Santa Clara and demonstrates solidarity to the LGBTQ community and support of inclusive and welcoming environments for all.”
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About the Santa Clara County Office of Education
Working collaboratively with school and community partners, the Santa Clara County Office of Education (SCCOE) is a regional service agency that provides instructional, business, and technology services to the 31 school districts of Santa Clara County. The County Office of Education directly serves students through special education programs, alternative schools, Head Start and State Preschool programs, migrant education, and Opportunity Youth Academy. The SCCOE also provides academic and fiscal oversight and monitoring to districts in addition to the 22 Santa Clara County Board of Education authorized charter schools.