Read more about the article Organizing for change
HEA LGBTQ+ Alliance Committee at Voices Unveiled: A Spotlight on LGBTQ+ Student Experiences. From left (top): Rebecca Balaguer, HHS/SAC School Counselor; Lisa White, HMS School Counselor/SAC/GSA; Debra Porowski, HMS Vice Principal; Jeannette Sena, OT/Alliance Chair; Bill Singer, Esq. Bottom from left: Gabriella Graziano-LoPresti, HHS Health Services Secretary; Stephanie Moore, HES/4th grade; Ian Evans, HMS/7th Literacy.

Organizing for change

By Amy Moran, Ph.D. and Kate Okeson  Since September of 2021, “Rainbow Connection” has engaged members with resources, methods and support to create safer, more affirming schools for LGBTQIA+ youth,…

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Calling out hypocrisy

By Amy Moran, Ph.D. and Kate Okeson In 2023, more than 500 anti-LGBTQIA+ measures were introduced in state legislatures, and over 80 have passed already. They’re largely found in “red…

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Read more about the article Rainbow Connection’s 2023 NJEA Convention Glow-Up!
Members at the SOGI Committee and others at the NJEA Convention. From left: Kate Okeson, Max Rodriguez, Kenneth Bassett, Susan Waldron, Chris Cannella (chair), Carol Watchler, NJEA President Sean M. Spiller, Katherine Beggiato, Edwinta Rhue, NJEA Secretary-Treasurer Petal Robertson, Steve Koumoulis and Sofia Capinha.

Rainbow Connection’s 2023 NJEA Convention Glow-Up!

By Kate Okeson with Amy Moran, Ph. D. This is being written in the days shortly after the General Election, where the stakes felt high for education, which was evident…

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Read more about the article The state of education in NJ is… SUPPORTED
NJEA Leadership, including state, county and local association leaders as well as members of the NJEA Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Committee met on June 9 with NJ Attorney General Matthew Platkin and his staff to discuss inclusive and affirming education. Editor’s note: Rainbow Connection authors, Amy Moran and Kate Okeson, are standing at right.)

The state of education in NJ is… SUPPORTED

By Kate Okeson and Amy Moran, Ph. D.   A common thread woven through Rainbow Connection articles is highlighting what educators have done and can do in classrooms across New…

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Celebrating queer PRIDE

…at the NJEA Carol Watchler LGBTQIA+ Advocacy Conference  By Amy Moran, Ph. D. and Kate Okeson  The Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) Committee’s first overnight conference last month was a…

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Read more about the article Creating the Bergen County GSA Consortium
Andresen (r) with Pastor Mark Suriano of the First Congregational Church of Park Ridge with Rebekah Bruesehoff, speaking about the rights of all students, including transgender students.

Creating the Bergen County GSA Consortium

Educator organizing and activism  By William Andresen with Amy Moran, Ph. D. and Kate Okeson  William Andresen is a social studies teacher and Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA) adviser at…

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