Approved
by the San Diego Board of Education last week, Lambda Literary will
introduce San Diego Unified high school students to the program
by uniting LGBTQ authors with District classrooms via video Skype or
in-class visits to discuss the author's work and LGBTQ issues.
"I
am excited about our partnership with Lambda writers to provide high
school students with the opportunity to learn as critical thinkers and
engage authors through Skype," said Kevin Beiser, President of the San
Diego Unified School Board. "This aligns with our vision of providing
quality schools in every neighborhood."
LGBTQ Writers in Schools
was founded in 2012 as the newest initiative of Lambda Literary.
Designed for teachers of high school classes, universities and colleges,
and student organizations, the LGBTQ Writers in Schools program is an
opportunity for writers to discuss their work openly with students and
to encourage diversity not only in the students' reading and writing
lives, but also in society at large. This initiative broadens the
foundation of experience for students of literature, creative writing,
English, secondary education, history and social studies.
While
Lambda Literary's LGBT Writers in Schools Program is available to
teachers in any city, this is the first such partnership adopted by a
major U.S. school district.
"We're
thrilled to be working with San Diego Unified to introduce great LGBTQ
books to their high school students to enrich their reading lives and
further their understanding of the LGBTQ experience," said Tony
Valenzuela, Lambda Literary's Executive Director. "This is an historic
partnership advancing Lambda Literary's work with young people that we
hope will be a model for school districts across the country looking to
take San Diego's lead."