During LGBTQ+ History Month we celebrate, affirm, and highlight the deep history and significant achievements of the LGBTQ+ community in our schools, our community, and our country.
October 1, 2025
Dear Berkeley Unified Family,
In Berkeley Unified, we know that the strength and beauty of our district come from the diversity of our students, families, and staff. Each culture, identity, and lived experience adds a vital thread to the fabric of our schools and community. This October, we are proud to honor two communities whose histories, resilience, and brilliance have deeply shaped our world and continue to enrich the lives of our students every day: Filipina/x/o American History Month and LGBTQ+ History Month.
These observances are not simply about looking back—they are about recognizing the ongoing ways Filipina/x/o and LGBTQ+ individuals lead, create, teach, and inspire across every sector of society. They remind us that our schools thrive when every story is told, every identity is affirmed, and every contribution is celebrated.
Aligned with BUSD’s values of Equity, Excellence, Enrichment, and Engagement, these celebrations deepen our collective commitment to building schools where every child feels seen, valued, and empowered to reach their fullest potential.
LGBTQ+ History Month is an annual month-long observance of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer history, and the history of the gay rights and related civil rights movements. It was founded in 1994 by Missouri high-school history teacher Rodney Wilson. This month provides an opportunity for our schools to share the stories of LGBTQ+ trailblazers in all fields, from the arts and sciences to politics and civil rights and to uplift the rich histories, traditions, and experiences of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer community.
We have updated BUSD’s LGBTQ+ Pride Reading Lists in time for LGBTQ+ History Month. BUSD libraries remain committed to providing access to books that celebrate and showcase the beautiful diversity of all of our students and families. These reading lists, organized by grade level, include recently published books that affirm and celebrate LGBTQI+ identity and voices, uplift queer history, and foster welcoming inclusion for all students and their families.
Read BUSD’s Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Student Policy.
Our commitment to creating a safe and welcoming environment for every student, staff member, and family is year-round. Observances like these affirm our powerful, purposeful, and uniquely Berkeley commitment to uplifting the rich diversity within our schools. Together, we continue to live out our commitments of fostering equity, striving for excellence, enriching learning, and engaging with our community in ways that ensure every student can thrive.
We invite you to join us in these celebrations by exploring BUSD’s history and heritage month resources and learning more about the diverse experiences that enrich our schools, community, and country.
#BerkeleyPROUD!
In community,
Enikia Ford Morthel
Superintendent
LGBTQ+ History Month: October 2025
LGBTQ+ History Month began with a 1994 high school history lesson in which Missouri teacher Rodney Wilson came out to his class. Wilson, who became the first out gay teacher in Missouri, would go on to found “Gay History Month,” which would eventually become the October celebration of LGBTQ+ History Month we know today. National Coming Out Day, which celebrates and supports the coming out of LGBTQ+ people, is celebrated on October 11.
At the December 9, 2020 Berkeley Unified School District (BUSD) School Board meeting, the Board of Education approved a Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Student Policy that fosters an educational environment from PreK through Adult Education that is safe, welcoming, and free from stigma and discrimination for all students, regardless of gender identity or expression. The Policy facilitates compliance with local, state and federal laws concerning bullying, harassment, privacy, and discrimination, and ensures that all BUSD students have the opportunity to express themselves and live authentically.
LGBTQ+ History Month (October) and Pride Month (June)
LGBTQ+ History Month is celebrated in October to recognize and honor lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer achievement by historical figures. It is a time to learn more about the history of the LGBTQ+ rights and related civil rights movements.
Pride Month is celebrated in June to commemorate the 1969 Stonewall Riots and is focused on honoring the visibility of LGBTQ+ people as well as the movement toward equality.
While BUSD recognizes LGBTQ+ Pride Month in June, it comes at a busy time while students are preparing for final exams, graduation, and summer. Since summer break begins during the first week in June, the district’s comprehensive celebration occurs in October. This gives BUSD a full month to honor and uplift the beautifully diverse LGBTQ+ community and its many contributions to our schools, city, and country.
National Coming Out Day – October 11
The first National Coming Out Day (NCOD) was celebrated on October 11, 1988. Organized by Jean O’Leary and Dr. Robert Eichberg with the National Coming Out Day organization, and celebrated on the first anniversary of the National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights, NCOD supports countering homophobia by coming out of the closet and living openly.
Visit the Human Rights Campaign National Coming Out Day webpage for resources for recognizing and celebrating this important day.
LGBTQ+ Reading Lists
Please take some time to review BUSD’s recently updated Pride Reading Lists. BUSD libraries remain committed to providing access to books that celebrate and showcase the beautiful diversity of all of our students and families. These reading lists, organized by grade level, include recently published books that affirm and celebrate LGBTQI+ identity and voices, uplift queer history, and foster welcoming inclusion for all students and their families.
LGBTQ+ Flags
“In the LGBTQ+ community, we signify our pride with flags. With many different identities in the community, there comes many different flags to know.”
-The Human Rights Campaign (HRC)
The HRC has collected many flags and a guide to learn about all of the different colors of the LGBTQ+ community’s rainbow. They acknowledge that this may not be all of the flags that represent the community, and indicate they will update the page with new flags as they become popular.
LGBTQ+ Community Resources
Pacific Center for Human Growth: Founded in 1973, Pacific Center for Human Growth is the oldest LGBTQIA+ center in the Bay Area, located downtown Berkeley, and operates the only sliding scale mental health clinic for LGBTQIA+ and QTBIPOC people and their families in Alameda County. Includes Youth Programs.
Our Family Coalition: Our Family Coalition advances equity for the full and expanding spectrum of LGBTQ families and children through support, education, and advocacy.
Somos Familia: Somos Familia builds leadership in our Latinx families and communities to create a culture where people of diverse genders and sexual orientations can thrive.
PFLAG Oakland-East Bay: Local chapter of the nation’s largest organization dedicated to supporting, educating, and advocating for LGBTQ+ people and those who love them.
Family Acceptance Project: LGBTQ youth and families resources to decrease mental health risks and promote well‐being.
Gender Spectrum: Gender Spectrum works to create gender sensitive and inclusive environments for all children and teens. Child, teen, and parenting support groups.
Trevor Project: National organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning/queer, intersex, and asexual (LGBTQIA) young people ages 13-24.
Additional Resources
GLSEN: Creating safe and inclusive schools; youth advocacy
GLAAD: Media advocacy and promotion of LGBTQ+ stories
HRC: Works to ensure that all LGBTQ+ people are treated as full and equal citizens
Lifting Up BUSD Staff LGBTQ+ Voices
(A campaign from LGBTQ+ History Month 2024)
In celebration of our LGBTQ+ community, last year BUSD participate in “Lifting Up LGBTQ+ Voices,” a campaign to share our staff LGBTQ+ narratives with our students and community by creating posters featuring the stories and experiences of LGBTQ+ staff. In October 2024, these posters were displayed at schools, work sites, and on the BUSD website. Sharing these narratives with our students allowed them to deepen connections with LGBTQ+ adults in the district.
Please click on each name to see a full-sized poster.
