Wait, one more email on the Stonewall Uprising booklet!? It’s July… we don’t have to talk about that anymore, right? Well first, people who are LGBTQ+ are generally LBGTQ+ all year long. Second, more specifically, today is July 4th - United States’ Independence Day - and today also plays a role in the Pride story in the United States.

Doing research for this booklet was a wonderful learning experience for me. There are so many powerful and impactful aspects of American history that we just don't talk about enough because they are wrongly marginalized as a niche aspect of LGBTQ+ human history. Here are some of the resources that I used to unlearn that niche perspective.

An age-appropriate introduction to The Stonewall Uprising, why its called an "uprising", and how it sparked a movement for freedom. The booklet also ties in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Declaration of Independence, and the Civil Rights movement to show the important place of the LGBTQ+ movement in US History.

A running theme throughout the booklet is the importance for both LQBTQ+ people and allies to co-create spaces where you can “act as if you are already free” despite an adversity or discrimination you may face.

The booklet also features the work of the Maryland non-profit Unmatched Athlete and how they are creating freeing spaces for LGBTQ+ youth, families, and allies today.