On Thursday, March 27, a group of more than 100 supporters gathered outside Luther Jackson Middle School at Falls Church, Virginia, to express their appreciation for the passing of the Fairfax County Board of Education’s Vision Declaration on Transgender Day. The board unanimously passed the declaration at a general meeting held in the junior high school auditorium that night.
Fairfax County Board of Education Chair Carl Frisch introduced a declaration on March 31 that is recognized as transgender days for visibility in Fairfax County public schools.
The Fairfax County School Board passed the declaration, “We encourage people to promote a caring culture of dissemination, inclusion and respect for transgender people, not just this special day, but throughout the year.”
Vanessa Hall, co-chair of FCPS Pride, was one of the speakers and organizers of the Transgender Visibility Rally ahead of the School Board meeting.
“In this world right now, I feel very confused and threatening in this world. This seems to be an over-focus on trans kids and exclude rights. We have used this opportunity to gather our communities, celebrate joy, see each other, and gather strength for the next attack, frankly speaking to Blade.
Pastor Emma Chatin, of Metropolitan Community Church in Northern Virginia, was one of the speakers at the meeting.
“We must see – all of us – friends, family, allies, speak up!” Chatin called out to the crowd. “Otherwise, it will harm the strong souls that have come before us. The struggle they face is ours. The spirits of Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera are now looking to us. Liberation is a long, long struggle.
The Fairfax County Board of Education has issued the date of the declaration of visibility. Washington Blade: First appeared in LGBTQ News, Politics, LGBTQ Rights, and Gay News.
Source: Washington Blade: LGBTQ News, Politics, LGBTQ Rights, Gay News – www.washingtonblade.com
