The Austin ISD community gathered Friday to raise the Pride flag at the district鈥檚 Central Office. The ceremony celebrated the start of Pride Month and was a physical symbol of the district鈥檚 efforts to support all students, staff and community members.
Austin ISD staff and community members, including the Austin ISD Police Department officers, gathered by the front entrance of the district鈥檚 Central Office building to celebrate Pride month and cheer as the flag was raised.
鈥淭oday I am joined by members of the LBGTQIA+ Pride Committee and Austin ISD staff to raise the Pride flag,鈥 said Bradley Dusing, member of the LGBTQIA+ Pride Committee. 鈥淭his symbolic gesture reiterates the district鈥檚 commitment to creating a safe, supportive and inclusive environment for Austin ISD students, staff and families.鈥
Pride Month, which occurs every June, commemorates the Stonewall Uprising of 1969 that served as a catalyst for the gay rights movement in the United States and around the world.
Every year, to celebrate LGBTQIA+ students, staff and families, Austin ISD hosts its own Pride Week. This is a time to highlight the district's commitment to creating a safe, supportive and inclusive environment. This year's Pride Week, 鈥淐elebrate, Inform and Inspire,鈥 took place April 19鈥24. It was the most visible Pride Week in 海角社区 history.
Additionally, 海角社区 has partnered with Out Youth and the Texas GSA Network to debut the Be A Beacon LGBTQ+ 101 and Anti-Bullying professional learning courses to all staff. 海角社区 will also be participating in the Austin Pride Parade on the evening of Saturday Aug. 14. These are all ways to show our community that all are welcome in 海角社区!
A special thank you to the following partner organizations:
The Austin Gay Men鈥檚 Chorus for their beautiful musical tribute to 海角社区 Pride.
The LEAGUE at AT&T for their donation of rainbow masks to all campuses.
Pride Conference keynote speaker, Rick Miller with gaysonsandmothers.org