Use this resource page to guide your students as they learn about AWTT portrait subjects who have addressed LGBTQIA+ Justice issues.

Essential Questions:

• What is the difference between sexual orientation and gender identity?
• How are sexual identity and gender orientation determined?
• How can one respond to homophobic or transphobic attitudes?
• What kinds of challenges do members of the  LGBTQIA+ community face?
• How can one be a good ally to members of the LGBTQIA+ community?

Truth Tellers and LGBTQIA+ Justice

Lesson: Who are the AWTT Portrait Subjects?

Using our lesson plan Who are the AWTT portrait subjects?, choose three of the portrait subjects listed below. This lesson will help students learn more about the portrait subjects’ lives and their commitment to LGBTQIA+ justice. 

Jane Addams
James Baldwin
Richard Blanco
Betty Burkes
Mary Bonauto
V (Eve Ensler)
Nikki Giovanni
Emma Goldman
Harry Hay
Pat Humphries
Nicole and Jonas Maines
Pauli Murray
Sandy O
Bayard Rustin
Mara Sapon Shevin
Sandra Steingraber
Cecil Williams

Lesson: Speaking Truth to Youth about LGBTQIA+ Justice (video interviews)

Use our Speaking Truth to Youth Intro Lesson to explore three of these portrait subjects and what we can learn from them: 

Mary Bonauto
Betty Burkes
Nicole Maines
Sandra Steingraber

Other resources to explore:

LGBTQ Rights | American Civil Liberties Union
Outright International
The Trevor Project
Human Rights Campaign

Integrate AWTT activities into multiple content areas:

Connect what your students are learning in a variety of content areas – science, social studies, English language arts, math, creative arts – by completing the following activities:

• Select four of the suggested portraits.  After reading the bios, discuss the meaning of the quotes. What challenges do the quotes present? 
• Dig deeper! Register for the Samantha Smith Challenge to help your students take a deeper dive into LGBTQIA+ Justice.