What is History UnErased's Intersections & Connections Curriculum?

Our curriculum is the first and only complete K-12 LGBTQ-inclusive US history and social studies curriculum in the nation for mainstream courses – and is essential for lasting LGBTQ rights and equality.

Intersections & Connections is anchored in primary sources curated digital and print collections from libraries and archives across the nation, as well as the Library of Congress, National Archives, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution, and more. The expertise of historians, archivists, classroom teachers, and education policy leaders is woven into every aspect of our curriculum and work with K-12 schools.

"This isn't LGBTQ history, it's just history. Everyone should be learning this from elementary school on." — Michele

"Why do the adults make this such a big deal? It's history. We have a right to know." — Vicki

Meet Fred Karger, the first OUT major-party candidate to run for president of the United States, who has a personal message for you about why our Intersections & Connections K-12 curriculum is essential for all students. 

Fred Karger is a retired Republican consultant who worked as a senior consultant for Presidents Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan, and George H. W. Bush. His historic run for president was in 2012 within the Republican party.

Why Is History UnErased's Curriculum Life-saving?

People who we label and understand today as LGBTQ have always existed – in every part of humanity – but the absence of LGBTQ narratives in our nation’s classrooms means that students never learn the stories of people and events that were critical to the founding and shaping of the United States. Erasing this history teaches students that LGBTQ people never existed. And the absence of LGBTQ identities in what students learn about our shared human history has been doing harm, as evidenced by the staggering statistics relating to LGBTQ youth and suicidality, homelessness, and risk behaviors. But our Intersections & Connections curriculum is changing this!

As our curriculum makes LGBTQ history a part of mainstream history, it is also allowing students to apply their own identity lens(es) as they approach their learning, whether it be race, gender, ethnicity, or nationality. This ensures dignity and equitable representation for all students in the story of "We the People." And our unique, whole-school partnership model is ensuring educators are well-supported. 

 

"I wish this was part of my childhood education, as it would have been life-changing to have learned LGBTQ history in school. History UnErased's curriculum is essential to ensure a welcoming place for us in society." — Jim, parent

 

 

Meet Walter Naegle, Bayard Rustin's partner. Walter has a personal message for you about why learning LGBTQ history is essential for all students. 

For nearly every major civil rights event students study in school, Bayard Rustin had a hand in it. Rustin was Dr. King's lead strategist and convinced him to employ the tactics of Gandhi with nonviolence and peaceful protests. Rustin organized and spoke at the historic 1963 March on Washington, but his name did not appear in the program and, until recently, was erased from the history he helped to shape. In 2013, Rustin was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Walter Naegle, Bayard Rustin's partner, accepted the award at the White House on his behalf. 

How Does Our Curriculum Impact the School Community?

Our approach to working with K-12 schools is a partnership model designed to reach every school community member. The introduction to our curriculum for parents/caregivers, as well as all school staff, addresses questions that often accompany the idea of teaching LGBTQ-inclusive history, especially because our curriculum connects with topics of race and gender. This is working to dispel any misperceptions, allay any fear, and include everyone in the learning. This is the first step in paving the way for lasting societal change that is welcoming and safe for all LGBTQ people.