Embrace the Spectrum: Queer Awareness & Visibility

A community initiative to celebrate diversity, normalize conversations, and build a culture of love and inclusion in Evergreen Public Schools.

Evergreen Public Schools affirms its commitment to equity and inclusion through its Equity and Inclusion page, outlining district goals, strategic priorities, and efforts to support all students—especially those from historically underrepresented communities.

About the Campaign

Born from a simple yet powerful idea—“Celebrate Diversity and Spread the Message of Love”—this campaign launched in 2022 with the goal of affirming LGBTQ+ identities within the Evergreen Public Schools (EPS) community. What began as a grassroots effort has grown into a district-wide initiative that engages students, educators, parents, and community leaders in dialogue, events, and celebration.

This campaign champions the belief that diversity is a strength, love is universal, and everyone—regardless of identity—deserves to feel seen, valued, and safe. Through visibility, education, and storytelling, we’re building a more inclusive future, one classroom and conversation at a time.

Queer Awareness Calendar

We’ve created a Google Calendar of Queer Awareness Dates—a living resource you can integrate into your life, school, or work planning. It highlights important visibility days, cultural observances, and celebration months relevant to the LGBTQ+ community.

Use it to spark discussions, plan inclusive activities, and educate others about the rich and diverse tapestry of LGBTQ+ history and identities.

Vision & Goals

The vision of this campaign is to normalize LGBTQ+ conversations in education and community life while expanding understanding, reducing stigma, and fostering belonging. Our goals include:

• Creating safe, affirming environments for LGBTQ+ students, staff, and families
• Promoting visibility and recognition of queer history and identities
• Challenging heteronormative assumptions in schools and curricula
• Providing tools for inclusive communication and celebration
• Elevating voices that are too often marginalized or erased

We believe that every student deserves an education free from fear—and full of truth, representation, and love.

Evergreen in Context

EPS is one of the most multicultural districts in Southwest Washington. Yet, LGBTQ+ visibility still faces barriers due to outdated norms and a lack of affirming content in classrooms. Local data shows that LGBTQ+ youth—especially those identifying as Gender X—experience higher rates of absenteeism, dropout, and feelings of isolation.

Our campaign aligns with the district’s equity mission and seeks to fill this gap through creative programming, clear messaging, and inclusive practices.

Our Strategy

We take a multi-pronged approach grounded in strategic communication and community collaboration:

• Annual calendar of events: Aligned with national LGBTQ+ dates and customized for our district
• Storytelling & content: Through newsletters, videos, blogs, and school reader boards
• Assemblies & performances: Centering LGBTQ+ joy, resilience, and culture
• Book fairs & art shows: Featuring inclusive stories and student expression
• Allyship education: Workshops, pop-up events, and staff training sessions
• Flag flying & symbols of pride: Visual markers of support and solidarity

Each action is guided by love, purpose, and our belief that change begins in the classroom—but must reach beyond its walls.

Why It Matters

Exclusion from curriculum and school culture sends a harmful message—that queer lives don’t belong. This campaign flips that narrative. When LGBTQ+ students see themselves reflected in school events, literature, media, and language, they gain a sense of safety, empowerment, and possibility.

Educators, parents, and allies play a crucial role in making this possible. Your involvement—whether it’s attending an event, sharing the calendar, or speaking up—makes a difference.

How to Get Involved

Whether you’re a student, educator, parent, or community member, your voice and visibility matter. Here’s how to join the movement:

• Add the Queer Awareness Calendar to your schedule
• Share this campaign with your school or workplace
• Request Pride posters and educational materials
• Volunteer for events or planning teams
• Fly a Pride flag during observance months
• Host or attend school-based pop-up Pride events
• Promote a clothing/book drive featuring LGBTQ+ stories and resources

Measuring Impact

We evaluate the campaign’s success using:

• Stakeholder feedback surveys
• Website and calendar engagement
• Event attendance and social media reach
• Partnerships formed across schools and community groups
• Increased representation in school communications and policies

Our goal isn’t just visibility—it’s transformation.

Special thanks to Kyle Helm for contributing resources and insights that added depth to this project.

Spread the Love

Help us amplify the message of “Embrace the Spectrum.” Share it with your network, host a conversation, or advocate for more inclusive spaces in your corner of the world.

Use hashtags:
#EmbraceTheSpectrumEPS, #CelebrateDiversity, #LoveUnites

Want to collaborate or have questions?

Primary Research & LGBTQ+ Education Data

• GLSEN. (2021). 2021 National School Climate Survey Executive Summary. GLSEN. https://www.glsen.org/research/2021-national-school-climate-survey
• Kosciw, J. G., Clark, C. M., Truong, N. L., & Zongrone, A. D. (2022). The 2021 National School Climate Survey: The experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer youth in our nation’s schools. https://www.glsen.org/sites/default/files/2022-10/NSCS-2021-Full-Report.pdf
• Human Rights Campaign Foundation. (2021). LGBTQ youth report. https://www.hrc.org/resources/lgbtq-youth-report

Equity & Education

• Evergreen Public Schools. (n.d.). Equity and inclusion. https://www.evergreenps.org/Equity
• Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. (n.d.). Equity and civil rights. https://ospi.k12.wa.us/policy-funding/equity-and-civil-rights
• The Education Trust. (2020). The equity imperative: Leveraging ESSA to improve outcomes for LGBTQ students. https://edtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/BB-JUNE-2020.pdf

Gender Identity & School Climate

• Greytak, E. A., Kosciw, J. G., & Diaz, E. M. (2009). Harsh realities: The experiences of transgender youth in our nation’s schools. GLSEN. https://www.glsen.org/research/harsh-realities
• National Education Association. (2018). Schools in transition: A guide for supporting transgender students in K–12 schools. https://www.nea.org/resource-library/schools-transition-guide-supporting-transgender-students-k-12-schools

Inclusive Curriculum and Family Diversity

• Moorhead, G. (2021). LGBTQ visibility and integration in elementary schools. Phi Delta Kappan, 102(5), 18–23. https://kappanonline.org/moorhead-lgbtq-visibility-k-12-curriculum/
• Ryan, C., Russell, S. T., Huebner, D., Diaz, R., & Sanchez, J. (2010). Family acceptance in adolescence and the health of LGBT young adults. Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Nursing, 23(4), 205–213. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1744-6171.2010.00246.x

On Love, Identity, and Culture

• Wolpe, D. (2016, February 11). What is the true meaning of love? TIME. https://time.com/4225777/meaning-of-love/