The NJEA Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Committee (SOGI) held its first “miniconference” on Oct. 6 with two workshops.
Cedar Grove Education Association President Christopher Cannella and SOGI Committee member Dr. Amy Moran led “Enhancing LGBTQIA+: Positive School Climate.” Moran is a middle school teacher in Teaneck. The workshop explored best practices for establishing a high-functioning Gender Sexuality Alliance (GSA) Club that enhances teacher-to-teacher and student-to-student peer leadership. Moran and Cannella noted that GSA’s names vary from school to school.
Philip McCormick, secretary of the South Orange-Maplewood Education Association and a member of the SOGI Committee led “Beyond the Rainbow: Supporting LGBTQIA+ Students, Staff, and Exploring the Intersectionality of Identity.”
With participants, McCormick explored the various sexual orientations and gender identities that make up the LGBTQIA+ community and the concept and implications of social privilege and oppression. They examined “intersectionality,” which incorporates how one’s various identities (race, gender, sexual orientation, etc.) affect an individual’s experience.