Post submitted by Kimmie Fink, Welcoming Schools Consultant

HRC Foundation and Welcoming Schools are thrilled to announce our second National I Am Jazz School and Community Readings on May 18, 2017. Inspired by the community of Mt. Horeb, Wisconsin, which  stood up to an anti-LGBTQ hate group in 2015, these readings remind us that we can all be active in helping our communities become more inclusive.

On May 18, parents, caregivers, educators, community leaders, faith leaders and students across the country will come together for community readings and discussions of the critically acclaimed children’s picture book I Am Jazz.

Last year, more than 3,500 people came together in schools, libraries, community centers, places of worship and living rooms to support transgender youth by reading I Am Jazz. Can you help us reach even more people this year?

It’s easy! All you have to do is read the book aloud with members of your community and use our ready-to-use guide to discuss the story.

Once you sign-up, you’ll receive our organizing kit, complete with talking points, discussion questions, and tips to host a successful event. We will also provide you graphics to promote the event, sample text for social media and a flier template you can customize for your event.

Now, more than ever, transgender youth need your messages of love, affirmation and support. After a year of difficult and harmful setbacks for transgender people, and transgender youth in particular, we must send a clear message that trans students are seen, loved, and affirmed.

Welcoming Schools will be there to help you every step of the way, so sign-up today!

HRC's Welcoming Schools is the nation's premier program dedicated to creating respectful and supportive elementary schools in embracing family diversity, creating LGBTQ-inclusive schools, preventing bias-based bullying, creating gender-expansive schools, and supporting transgender and non-binary students.