Culturally Responsive Resources
The Delaware Department of Education (DDOE) promotes culturally responsive education in every district and charter school classroom. DDOE defines culturally responsive education as intentionally acknowledging and valuing the diversity, contributions, and experiences of every educator and learner by providing opportunities for individuals to see themselves and others in their learning.
In June 2022, Delaware’s House of Representatives passed House Concurrent Resolution 90. This resolution requires the Department of Education to identify, and make publicly available, short, age-appropriate historic lessons in LGBTQ+ history that educators can incorporate into their existing curricula for students in grades 7-12 beginning with the 2024-2025 school year.
History Unerased is the first and only complete K-12 LGBTQ – inclusive, intersectional U.S. History and social studies curriculum in the nation for mainstream courses and essential for educational equity. Its mission is ensuring all students, today and beyond, learn a more complete story of America and a more accurate reflection of who “We the people” includes, promoting genuine understanding and equality for all LGBTQ people while improving the history, civics, and social studies education all students receive.
Anti-Defamation League
The ADL’s Unheard Voices: Stories of LGBT History project provides interviews, readings, and lesson plans for middle and high school students to explore episodes of LGBTQ history.
Facing History and Ourselves
Facing History and Ourselves uses lessons from history to challenge teachers and their students to stand up to bigotry and hate. Their collection of LGBTQIA+ Resources is curated to help educators explore LGBTQIA+ histories and experiences to ensure these themes remain central beyond the celebration of Pride Month in June.
Founded in 1985, the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender (GLBT) Historical Society is recognized internationally as a leader in the field of LGBTQ public history. The GLBT Historical Society’s website offers a variety of online exhibits, primary source sets, and digital collections for educators to use in their U.S. History lesson plan development.
The Gay, Lesbian, & Straight Education Network (GLSEN) works to ensure that LGBTQ students are able to grow in a school environment free from bullying and harassment. GLSEN provides resources and lesson plans for educators to use in curriculum development.
Learning for Justice
Learning for Justice provides free resources to educators—teachers, administrators, counselors and other practitioners—who work with children from kindergarten through high school. Their Best Practices for Serving LGBTQ Students podcast provides resources and guidance for educators incorporating LGBTQ History in their classrooms.
Library of Congress
The Library of Congress offers a collection of LGBTQ History resources including a guide to the Library’s excellent collection of LGBTQ+ primary source artifacts.
One Institute
Founded in 1952, One Institute (formerly ONE Archives Foundation) is the oldest active LGBTQ+ organization in the country, dedicated to telling LGBTQ+ history and stories through education, arts, and social justice programs. One Institute’s website includes a variety of resources for educators, including this collection of 16 LGBTQ+ lesson plans.
The Digital Inquiry Group (formerly known as the Stanford History Education Group) is committed to providing educators with free, accessible, high-quality teaching tools. DIG’s The Stonewall Riots is a free, primary source-based LGBTQ+ history lesson plan for educators to include in their U.S. History courses.
The Digital Inquiry Group (formerly known as the Stanford History Education Group) is committed to providing educators with free, accessible, high-quality teaching tools. DIG’s The Stonewall Riots is a free, primary source-based LGBTQ+ history lesson plan for educators to include in their U.S. History courses.
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum hosts an online exhibit dedicated to the history of the Nazi Persecution of Homosexuals, 1933 to 1945 that includes lessons for teaching this important history.
Edited by Leila J. Rupp and Susan K. Freeman
Though largely neglected in classrooms, LGBT history can provide both a fuller understanding of U.S. history and contextualization for the modern world. Understanding and Teaching U.S. Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender History is the first book designed for university and high school teachers who want to integrate queer history into the standard curriculum. With its inspiring stories, classroom-tested advice, and rich information, it is a valuable resource for anyone who thinks history should be an all-inclusive story.
