Local
LGBTQ-inclusive social studies standards for D.C. schools up for public comment
Gay school board member urges community to submit supportive remarks
In a little-noticed development, D.C. public schools officials on Dec. 16 released for public comment a proposed revision to the standards for teaching social studies from kindergarten through the 12th grade in the city’s public schools that include LGBTQ-related topics.
The proposed LGBTQ-inclusive social studies standards were released a little over a year after the D.C. State Board of Education voted unanimously to approve a resolution introduced by gay education board member Allister Chang calling for inclusive education standards that “reflect on the political, economic, social, cultural, and scientific contributions and experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people.”
Chang, who played a role in drafting the proposed social studies standards, has called on members of the LGBTQ community and its allies to submit comments in support of what he calls an important advancement in opening up the teaching of LGBTQ-related topics in social studies classes in the city’s public schools. He said the LGBTQ-related topics would be for social studies classes taught at high schools.
At the time the D.C. State Board of Education approved Chang’s resolution in October 2021, supporters pointed out that while D.C. public schools have been supportive of LGBTQ students, the city’s public school system was far behind school systems in several states in the inclusion of LGBTQ topics in school curricula.
In observing developments in states across the country in which a wave of anti-LGBTQ legislation has been introduced related to public schools, with much of it focused on transgender students, Chang said he was concerned that conservative advocates from outside D.C. might attempt to push for blocking the proposed social studies standards from being adopted.
The public comment period of 45 days for the proposed standards is scheduled to end on Jan. 30. At the conclusion of the comment period, the D.C. State Board of Education will make the final decision on whether to approve the revised social studies standards.
“These draft social studies standards were developed by a group of social studies educators, administrators, and academics,” a statement released by the D.C. Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) says. “They were guided by a set of guiding principles that were approved by the D.C. State Board of Education,” the statement says.
Chang provided the Blade with these excerpts of the draft standards’ LGBTQ provisions from a document that is 160 pages long:
• Explain the causes of World War II and the rise of fascism in Italy and Germany, and understand how bias and prejudice led to the scapegoating of marginalized groups in Europe, including Jewish, Romani, Slavic, disabled, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and LGBTQ+ communities.
• Evaluate the reasons for the rise of fascism and Nazism in Europe and the scapegoating of historically marginalized peoples (including Jewish, Romani, Slavic, disabled, and LGBTQ+ communities) by Hitler, Mussolini, and Franco.
• Identify different kinds of families and caregivers within a community (e.g. single parent, blended, grandparent-headed, conditionally separated, foster, LGBTQ+, multiracial, etc.) and discuss the importance of demonstrating respect for all people.
• …Engage students in an analysis of the political development of Washington, D.C. and the ways in which local Washingtonians fought for economic, political, and social equality…Students should understand this time period through the study of the perspectives of different segments of the Washington, D.C. population, including but not limited to immigrants, indigenous people, freed people, and members of the LGBTQ+ community.
• Analyze the rise in Black art, music, literature, businesses and queer culture in the Black Renaissance period including but not limited to Harlem and D.C. (e.g. Black Broadway).
• Analyze the impact of the Harlem Renaissance and the Black Renaissance in Washington, D.C. on American culture, including analysis of literature, music, dance, theater, queer culture and scholarship from the period.
• Analyze the ways that young people, including but not limited to Native Americans, Black Peoples, Indigenous Peoples, People(s) of Color (BIPOC) and queer youth are impacting change.
The full text of the proposed LGBTQ inclusive D.C. public schools social studies standards and a link for submitting public comments on the standards can be accessed here.
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Congratulations to Jaime Christopher Pierce on their appointment to serve as a member of the Virginia Governor’s LGBTQ+ Advisory Board. Pierce was sworn in on Sept. 3 by Greg Parks, clerk of the Alexandria Circuit Court.
Pierce currently serves as vice chair of the Alexandria City LGBTQIA+ Task Force and as a member of the Alexandria Pride planning committee. They previously served on the board of directors of Equality Virginia.
Upon being sworn in, Pierce said, “Public service has been a central part of my life for more than 30 years, and this appointment gives me an opportunity to serve the Commonwealth in a different and very personal way. My career has allowed me to work with people and communities throughout Virginia, and I hope to bring that experience, along with my own lived experience and my involvement in the LGBTQ+ community, to the work of the Board.” They added, “Having Greg administer the oath makes the occasion even more meaningful because of his own historic role as Virginia’s first openly gay elected circuit court clerk.”
Pierce also serves as Circuit Court Services Manager for the Department of Judicial Services, at the Office of the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court of Virginia. They began their career in Virginia’s judiciary in 1994 as a deputy clerk with the Virginia Beach Circuit Court and have since held several professional and leadership positions within the court system. Pierce is a member of the National Association for Court Management (NACM) and the Mid-Atlantic Association for Court Management. At the national level, Pierce participated in the workgroup that developed the National Association for Court Management’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Guide, a resource designed to help court professionals advance inclusive practices and strengthen access, fairness and belonging within the justice system.
Pierce earned a degree in Criminal Justice from Liberty University, and a certificate in Paralegal Studies from Norfolk State University.
Maryland
Md. groups receive state grants to fight hate crimes
Pride Center of Maryland among recipients
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention and Policy are awarding a total of $10 million in grants in the 2027 fiscal year to nonprofit organizations that work to prevent hate crimes in the state.
The funds will be used to support those who feel targeted or discriminated against because of their race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability status.
The Pride Center of Maryland is among the recipients. Churches, synagogues, mosques, and LGBTQ organizations are all eligible to receive grants
“The safety and security of all Marylanders is my top priority, so we are drawing a hard line because we have no tolerance for hate,” said Moore, according to media reports. “We are committed to protecting and ensuring safe and sacred spaces stay that way by investing in non-profit organizations, houses of worship, and community centers to protect and honor every community that makes our state so diverse and special.”
“Protection Against Hate Crime funding has strengthened the Pride Center of Maryland’s ability to protect, educate, and support the communities we serve … at a time of heightened concern associated with the Trump administration’s anti-LGBTQ/SGL (same-gender-loving) policies and pressures,” Pride Center of Maryland CEO Cleo Manago said. “PAHC funding helps us do more than improve physical security — it strengthens our community’s knowledge, preparedness, connection to resources, and ability to respond to hate with greater awareness and support.”
Maryland’s hate crimes law includes both sexual orientation and gender identity. The state’s nondiscrimination statute is also LGBTQ-inclusive.
District of Columbia
Blade welcomes fall intern
Alexis McLean is student at University of North Florida
The Washington Blade this week welcomed Alexis McLean as its fall intern.
Alexis is studying political science at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville, Fla. She is interning with the Blade as part of a continued partnership with the Washington Center.
“I am looking forward to spending my time in the fall with the Washington Blade, as this is a new experience for me,” said Alexis. “I have not experienced any journalist jobs in the past so this would be my first time, and I am excited to better my writing and communications skills with this internship.”
Alexis’s internship with the Blade ends in early December.
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