As of last week, October is officially recognized as “LGBTQI2S+ History Month” in Corvallis, as approved by the Board members of the Corvallis School District.
The resolution, prepared by CSB Co-Vice Chair Luhui Whitebear, reads, “The Corvallis School District recognizes and pays tribute to the significant contributions made in our community by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and Two-Spirit people as well as people from the multitude of other gender and sexual identities (LGBTQI2S+)…”
Fellow Board members Tina Baker and Shauna Tominey were also involved in the development of the resolution, which passed unanimously during the Oct. 14 School Board virtual meeting.
“As a member of the Queer community, I really want to let everyone know that this is really an important resolution for recognizing not just our students but our families too and parents that identify as part of the [LGBTQI2S+] community,” said Whitebear.
“I just want to show appreciation for the sponsors of this resolution, for bringing it forward and continuing the work of raising these recognition months and getting them on this Board’s calendar where they belong,” said fellow CSB member Vincent Adams.
The goals of LGBTQI2S+ History Month are to affirm and celebrate everyone in the community who identifies as LGBTQI2S+; highlight their contributions, leadership, and histories; and continue to educate the public on the matter — including Oregon’s history of anti-LGBTQI2S+ actions.
“Education is a necessary component for creating a more equitable and anti-racist community, nation, and world,” claims the resolution.
The motion is in effect for the remainder of October 2021 and every October moving forward.
“We want to let the community know that even though we are halfway through the month, we recognize and celebrate everybody for the whole month,” said Whitebear. “Sometimes, the way that meetings play out, we don’t get to have conversation right when we want to for these sorts of recognitions, and I wanted to let the community and all LGBTQI2S+ members that we didn’t forget, and thank you for your grace and patience as we got this resolution prepared and ready for tonight’s meeting.”
By: Rebekah Harcrow
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