History UnErased

History UnErased has received its first federal grant from the Library of Congress for the Teaching with Primary Sources (TPS) program. This grant will support "The Past Is Always Present" project, a collaboration with Houses on the Moon Theater Company to develop an original play paired with a dynamic method of creating and presenting educational content that reaches students, educators, and the community at large with US LGBTQ history that would otherwise be missed or misunderstood. Our mission is to provide pragmatic, scalable solutions for inclusive K-12 education, and this grant enables us to bring LGBTQ history to life in a unique way - and make it available to everyone. Learn more from our dedicated webpage for "The Past Is Always Present"(in comments). #LGBTQ #historyunerased #innovation #creativity #partnership

This week's Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) Annual Meeting was incredible and exceeded expectations! We were there to launch History UnErased's Commitment to Action, "The Past Is Always Present: Illuminating LGBTQ History," spotlighted on the Leaders Stage following President Bill Clinton's announcement of a new Climate Journalism Award. Stay tuned for details about our exciting and impactful Commitment to Action, a collaboration with our partners at Houses on the Moon Theater Company. #lgbtq #historyunerased #CGI2024 #democracy #ushistory #civics #socialstudies #theater #finearts Danny Roberts Christopher Marino Jamie Coker-Robertson Brian Nesbitt Marty Meehan J. Eric Fisher Jocardo Ralston Emily Weiner Kathleen Barker Robb Leigh Davis Sarah Barton Brian Cookstra

OTD 13 years ago, "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" was repealed! There is an inestimable number of people to thank, but most especially Marty Meehan and Patrick J. Murphy. Marty's first act in Congress was to oppose the policy and he was 100% consistent and unwavering during his tenure (1993 - 2007) to repeal the policy with his Meehan Amendment. Patrick carried the efforts forward during his tenure (2007 - 2011) and his Murphy Amendment ultimately led to us celebrating this today. #lgbtq #historyunerased #UShistory #USmilitary #civics

Happy Constitution Day! #lgbtq #historyunerased #ushistory #constitutionday

The Connecticut Department of Public Health's LGBTQ Justice and Opportunity Network has purchased licenses for 30 CT schools (public or charter) to partner with History UnErased. School and district leaders in CT who are interested can message me or Danny Roberts to request a private consultation and demo. Info about the LGBTQ Justice and Opportunity Network: The Network was created and is administered by the Legislature through the Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity and Opportunity (CWCSEO) and consists of representatives from more than a dozen health and human service non-profit agencies as well as some State agencies; most representatives are also part of the LGBTQ+ community themselves. The purpose of the Network is to create a safer and healthier statewide environment for the LGBTQ+ community by providing program grants in the community and policy recommendations to the legislature. Background: History UnErased has provided intensive training for Social Studies leaders in CT on strategic adoption support of LGBTQ-inclusive curriculum. Our facilitators are exceptional - and well-prepared to meet the needs of CT schools as they work to improve the history, civics, and social studies education all students receive! #lgbtq #historyunerased #ushistory #civics #socialstudies Jocardo Ralston Basel Touchan, M.D. Janaya Little M.Ed

Marty Meehan's steadfast, unwavering opposition to "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" during his tenure in Congress (1993 - 2007) is a legacy that deserves its rightful place in mainstream US History classrooms. And the process of bringing Marty's legacy into classrooms begins in the archives! Last Friday, research and development work began at O'Leary Library at the University of Massachusetts Lowell, and we extend tremendous thanks to Head Archivist, Tony Sampas, and everyone at UMASS supporting History UnErased's mission and this development work. Pictured: Tony pulling primary source video of Marty Meehan opposing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" on the House floor on March 31, 1993. Transcript: "Mr. Speaker, I believe that allowing citizens to serve their country regardless of their race, gender or sexual orientation is a simple matter of fairness. I do not question the sincerity of those who oppose lifting the ban, but I do not think their arguments will stand the test of honest debate. I had hoped that the Senate's hearing would be the first part of that debate. Unfortunately, the testimony and questioning alike have been disappointingly one-sided on the first day of the hearing. For example, we heard supposedly neutral experts on military law suggest that homosexuals have to be given affirmative action preferences if they are allowed to serve openly. Promotion boards do not currently give preferences to ethnic or racial minorities. So I have no idea why homosexuals would be entitled to special treatment simply because they were no longer officially persecuted. Gays and lesbians simply want the same rights and responsibilities as other citizens. The idea that this controversy is about special treat treatment turns the real issue on its head. The real issue is equal treatment for everyone; equal treatment that is now denied to gays and lesbians for no rational reason. Thank you, Mr. Speaker." #lgbtq #historyunerased #ushistory #civics #socialstudies Marty Meehan Julie Chen Colin Murphy Colleen Quinn Jamie Coker-Robertson Christopher Marino Brian Nesbitt

Happening right now! Basel Touchan, M.D. and Jocardo Ralston representing History UnErased at Harvard Graduate School of Education's Expo! Part of our safe growth engagement practice is to meet educators in person at events like this to drive reach and impact. Thank you, HGSE, for the invitation! #lgbtq #historyunerased #history #civics #socialstudies

Hot off the press! 24 years ago, Danny Roberts was on one of the earlier seasons of MTV's "Real World" (New Orleans) and became one of a few groundbreakers OUT on national television. His season drew attention to the controversial "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy of the US military due to his on-screen relationship with a covert US Army captain. Danny didn't realize it at the time but his visibility impacted an inestimable number of people. As Danny lived his life openly on national television, he was affirming lives, changing lives, and saving lives. And if you are reading this, you probably don't know the impact this visibility will forever have on Danny's life. The Army captain Danny was dating was serving our country in uniform, but Danny was serving our country too as his visibility on national television was a revolutionary act. It is an honor and joy to work alongside you, Danny. And many thanks to Boston Spirit Magazine for publishing this article about how Danny is bringing 'Real World' Star Power to History UnErased. The time is now to unerase LGBTQ history in our nation's mainstream US history, civics, and social studies courses and classrooms. Let's go! #lgbtq #historyunerased #visibility #ushistory #civics #socialstudies Colleen Quinn, Jamie Coker-Robertson

Out of the Zoom room and into the streets of Lancaster, PA! Our team is scattered across the country, from Long Beach, CA, to Plymouth, MI, to Hollywood, FL, and many other corners of the country. J. Eric Fisher and Dinah Mack had their first in-person meeting this week for a screening of a new film, Banned Together, about book bans and curriculum censorship happening in schools nationwide. Many of History UnErased's team of facilitators will meet each other for the first time (in person) at the National Council for the Social Studies conference in Boston this November - and we cannot wait. #lgbtq #historyunerased #representationmatters #history #civics #socialstudies #k12education

We've made the cut! We are meeting the moment and making a Commitment to Action at #CGI2024 – join us this September as we take action alongside changemakers from around the world: www.clintonglobal.org/2024 UnErasing LGBTQ history in mainstream classrooms is the next frontier in civil and human rights. The time is now! #lgbtq #historyunerased #civics #history #democracy #representationmatters