The Gender and Sexuality Alliance or GSA is working to raise awareness and support for our LGBTQ+ community and its allies. MA's GSA is a student-led and student-organized club that aims to create a safe, welcoming, and accepting school environment for all youth, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. As many of us are aware, the month of June is LGBTQ+ Pride Month. Pride Month occurs to commemorate the Stonewall riots that took place in June of 1969. The Stonewall riots were a series of spontaneous demonstrations by members of the LGBTQ+ community in response to a police raid that began on June 28, 1969, at the Stonewall Inn in the Greenwich Village neighborhood. The Stonewall Riots were followed by several days of demonstrations in New York and were the impetus for the formation of the Gay Liberation Front as well as other gay, lesbian and bisexual civil rights organizations. It's also seen as history's first major protest in favor of equal rights for the community. As a result, many pride events are held during this month to recognize the impact LGBTQ+ people have had in the world.
As a school, we should provide a healthy learning environment where our students receive the support they need to process and discuss complicated issues.
Eighth-grade students had the opportunity to enjoy some special arts enrichment programming on Friday, April 23. Due to the pandemic, original plans to see a theater production could not take place. However, theaters are being very creative about finding ways to provide meaningful programming that audiences can stream. Spiritual Uprising, a passion project made available through People’s Light theater, is conceived and performed by nationally acclaimed musician-actor Zonya Love. In this concert, the importance of Negro spirituals is explored as part of our history and something that can continue to nurture us in the present and into the future. Preparation work for the programming was done in music, English, and social studies classes. The entire eighth grade experienced the performance in their cohort rooms, enjoyed some snacks, and had recess outside following the program.
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