It’s been 45 years since the dawn of the AIDS crisis and, alarmingly, the coldhearted bigotry of that era still echoes today.

In 1987, Senator Jesse Helms —with support from President Reagan— passed legislation that prohibited the use of federal funds for any educational efforts on HIV/AIDS that would “promote or encourage, directly or indirectly, homosexual activities,” undermining LGBTQ+ community-led public health efforts.

Today’s leaders give Helms and Reagan a run for their money. SCOTUS has permitted states to ban gender-affirming care, blocked a California law that prohibits teachers from outing students to their parents, and ruled in Mahmoud v. Taylor, which grants parents the right to opt their children out of instruction on LGBTQ+-inclusive storybooks.

Nevertheless, One Institute continues a legacy of connecting and empowering intergenerational queer and trans communities by defying censorship and educating honestly on our histories and culture. Join us in fighting against this repeating history. Your support fuels our K-12 education programming that is crucial in a climate determined to silence the needs of LGBTQ+ youth. We will not allow conservative lawmakers to continue this disgusting pattern. We need your help to empower our programming and ensure we can provide LGBTQ+ history education in this time of need.

HISTORY OF LGBTQ+ YOUTH ACTIVISM

Our fight to support youth was galvanized in 1983 when 20-year-old Dan Albertson founded the Community Youth Education Project (CYEP). CYEP began organizing weekly forums on coming out, identity, family, and school, having previously launched a 24-Hour Youth Events Line in 1982. CYEP explored gay history and culture and paved the way for the modern intergenerational programming of One Institute.

This mission continues in our work today as One Institute:

Co-led the Rainbow Education Coalition Los Angeles (RECLA) to successfully advocate and steer implementation of an additional $2 million towards LGBTQ+ resources in LAUSD.
Published ten new K-12 LGBTQ+ history lesson plans, authored by local public school teachers in alignment with California’s FAIR Education Act.
Reconvened our K-12 LGBTQ+ History Teacher Symposium to develop guidance on Mahmoud v. Taylor with ACLU SoCal.
Mentored our largest cohort of Youth Ambassadors for Queer History, providing all students with scholarships, and produced the EXISTENCE=RESISTANCE exhibition of their archival research projects.

Our newest chapter of youth programming will center STORIES: The AIDS Monument. In partnership with the City of West Hollywood, we are eager to develop youth and educator programming that remembers those we lost, celebrates those who step up when others step away, and educates future generations through lessons learned.

Make your gift today to support our work and protect K-12 LGBTQ+ and HIV/AIDS History Education!

Protect K-12 LGBTQ+ History Education!

Make an impact with your gift and support One Institute Education Programs.