Cedar Valley Pride is often asked why Pride still matters. We believe in the mission of supporting the LGBTQ+ community by planning an event that positively promotes and celebrates love, inclusion, and diversity. We believe that through entertainment, education, support and respect that we can come together to build and nurture a safe community for both members of the LGBTQ+ community and allies alike. However, the recent events at Peet Junior High show that even in communities like ours that have made great strides there is still work to be done.
Here’s what we have to say about it — We stand with the students, parents, teachers and administrators who saw the value in promoting an inclusive, safe learning environment for all students.
We especially applaud the students who took the steps to plan the donut event with the goal of supporting their peers and positively engaging with their school community. Whether you are an ally or a member of the LGBTQ+ community, ideas and events like your donut table matter! Talking about inclusion of everyone and promoting equality is such valuable work. We were saddened to see a vocal minority try to turn your amazing idea into hateful rhetoric. But your continued leadership and vigilance to stand up for your friends and neighbors won’t let them silence you. You deserve more from the adults in your community and we encourage you to keep having these conversations with your peers.
In short, if you are a LGBTQ+ student or a peer who identifies as an ally in the Cedar Valley we see you, we hear you, and we support you and so do the 6,500+ others who attended Cedar Valley Pridefest in 2019.
The work of promoting inclusion and diversity continues and is as important now as it ever has been. For more information about why Pride matters, see the page Why Pride Matters. It's clear from this incident and others happening all over the country, the fight is far from over. Below you can find resources that may be helpful if you want to make your school a more inclusive place or learn about LGBTQ rights issues.
Sincerely,
Cedar Valley Pride
Here’s what we have to say about it — We stand with the students, parents, teachers and administrators who saw the value in promoting an inclusive, safe learning environment for all students.
We especially applaud the students who took the steps to plan the donut event with the goal of supporting their peers and positively engaging with their school community. Whether you are an ally or a member of the LGBTQ+ community, ideas and events like your donut table matter! Talking about inclusion of everyone and promoting equality is such valuable work. We were saddened to see a vocal minority try to turn your amazing idea into hateful rhetoric. But your continued leadership and vigilance to stand up for your friends and neighbors won’t let them silence you. You deserve more from the adults in your community and we encourage you to keep having these conversations with your peers.
In short, if you are a LGBTQ+ student or a peer who identifies as an ally in the Cedar Valley we see you, we hear you, and we support you and so do the 6,500+ others who attended Cedar Valley Pridefest in 2019.
The work of promoting inclusion and diversity continues and is as important now as it ever has been. For more information about why Pride matters, see the page Why Pride Matters. It's clear from this incident and others happening all over the country, the fight is far from over. Below you can find resources that may be helpful if you want to make your school a more inclusive place or learn about LGBTQ rights issues.
Sincerely,
Cedar Valley Pride
Resources.
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Iowa Safe Schools
Are you concerned about the safety of your school for LGBTQ students? Reach out to Iowa Safe Schools to learn more what you can do as a parent, educator or a student. Vertical Divider
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American Civil Liberties Union
The ACLU works to ensure that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people can live openly without discrimination and enjoy equal rights, personal autonomy, and freedom of expression and association. |
