Lead With Pride’s three-day event centered on recognizing implicit bias, creating welcoming school environments for all genders and examining the legal rights of the LGBTQ+ community in California. Post-session receptions offered participants opportunities to network and discuss the work being done in their own districts.

The summit’s planning committee chair, Lester Powell, opened the event by welcoming attendees and previewing the upcoming sessions.

“Take what you learn here and bring it back to your schools,” he said. “Let’s make the next three days unforgettable.”

Keynote speaker Mason Funk, the founder and executive director of the Outwords Archive, discussed his project’s mission to spotlight the experiences of LGBTQ+ elders and leaders across the country. The Outwords Archive selects its participants with the intention of amplifying traditionally marginalized voices, Funk said. He acknowledged his own role in the project as a white, cisgender man.

“I knew if I was going to spearhead a credible repository of queer history — its flaws and warts, as well as our indisputable status as one of the most remarkable social change movements in the history of this country — I was going to have to listen to the right people and get out of the way,” he said.

Funk also addressed the goals of the Outwords Archive within the national context of challenges the LGBTQ+ community is currently facing.

“We make space for — and celebrate — difference,” he said. “It isn’t easy. It’s a lot easier to exclude than include.”

The summit’s breakout sessions reinforced the theme of inclusion. Maria Al-Shamma of Oceanside Unified School District spoke about the Human Rights Campaign’s “Welcoming Schools” bullying prevention program, implementing “ally behaviors” and why this work is important today.

“The data reminds us how critical it is to provide an environment where kids can feel safe at school,” Al-Shamma said.

Angelica Chavez of Simi Valley Unified School District introduced the idea of “narrative scarcity” in her session on addressing implicit bias.

“Growing up, I never knew about gay Latinos,” she said. “We’re not seeing ourselves, so I have to make up stories, or I hear about what other people are saying about me. Narrative scarcity means there’s not a lot of stories written about people like you.”

Keynote speaker Tonya Moore opened the second day of Lead With Pride by sharing her background and experience as the Providing Relevant, Inclusive Support that Matters (PRISM) program coordinator at Los Angeles County Office of Education. The California Department of Education partnered with LACOE to develop the six-course program, which provides LGBTQ+ cultural competency training. The training is now mandatory for all certified educators in California.

As Moore gave more details on the program, one concept she revisited was to remind students that each of them is important.

“What’s one thing an educator can do?” she asked. “Every student said that one tiny symbol, action or word shows that we’re seen. That we matter.”