A New Year...and new challenges

C. Scott Miller [CA] & Emilly Osterling [NC]
cochair@nea-lgbtqc.org

We’re excited to bring you the latest updates, insights, and stories affecting our members and students. Whether it’s education related news, expert tips, or exclusive content, our goal is to keep you informed and inspired.

In this edition, you’ll read about what is happening around the country. Our Zones are very different, but one thing remains – you are all dedicated to protecting LGBTQ+ members and students.
Below is the Caucus’s statement regarding the constant and chronic attacks against our LGBTQ+ Community. The Caucus remains engaged and will work to protect the most marginalized! Please feel free to share this message in your social media networks, and your state and local associations.

With Pride,

C. Scott Miller
Emilly Osterling
Co-Chairs, NEA LGBTQ+ Caucus

From the Desk of the Secretary

Sonia Martin-Solis [CA]
secretary@nea-lgbtqc.org

Happy 2025? A new year has begun, and our challenges are ever increasing. LGBTQ+, Immigrants, People of Color, Educators, etc. are under constant attack with the new administration. Not yet 2 weeks (at the time of this being written) and already we are battling attacks on many fronts. If you happen to be someone who lives in the intersections of these different groups, I’m sure it feels like it just keeps coming. 

I’m not going to say that it will be ok. You have every right to feel every ounce of frustration, fear, anger, and (fill in the blank) that you feel. I am asking that you reach into yourself and hold tightly to your strength. We all have some inside of us. We don’t always remember it is there, and we don’t alway feel it, but it does not leave us. 

Your Caucus is doing what it can to continue to bring you information, healing, and education to continue to live and fight arm in arm with those of us who stand in very similar shoes. Look for the emails that invite you to join our General Meetings, our Rainbow Series, and our Leadership Conference in Las Vegas, NV in April. 

We want you to find like minded individuals who will fill your bucket with strength and hope in what we can start or continue to do to see us through these difficult times. Your steering committee has been working steadily on getting the conference together and on selecting the workshops that will help all participants get the most out of their weekend conference. We look forward to seeing you all there and enjoying some shared time together.

In Unity & Pride,
Sonia
Secretary, NEA LGBTQ+ Caucus

From the Desk of the Treasurer

Michael Hill [CA]
treasurer@nea-lgbtqc.org

I’m excited to be writing my first newsletter article as your caucus treasurer and I’m honored to be doing this important job for the Caucus. At a time when we are facing so many attacks, it’s essential that we allocate our resources in line with our mission and goals. The Caucus is in good financial standing and well situated to continue our important work of advocating for our LGBTQ+ members and our students.

Pre-paid Caucus memberships for 2025 will go on sale March 1, 2025, so make sure to renew your membership in order for us to continue our vital work. We will be selling caucus t-shirts and you will be able to order those online starting March 1, 2025 as well.

We were excited to award the Jerry Newberry GSA scholarship awards again this year to some very deserving GSA clubs. As we look to the future of the Jerry Newbery scholarship fund we are in need of replenishing the fund. There is also an opportunity to contribute to the book fund as we look to create new book boxes for classroom libraries.

As your treasurer, I’m committed to keeping the Caucus in solid financial condition because we cannot relent in the fight for equality. “There will not be a magic day when we wake up and it’s now okay to express ourselves publicly. We make that day by doing things publicly until it’s simply the way things are.” -Tammy Baldwin

In Unity & Pride,
Michael
Treasurer, NEA LGBTQ+ Caucus

Outreach Director

Sarah “Mili” Milianta-Laffin [HI]
outreach@nea-lgbtqc.org

Aloha Educators,

I know you feel it, the heaviness of this timeline. Please know that we stand with you, and we will spend the next 4 years and beyond advocating and protecting our community.

First and foremost in this newsletter, I hope I get to see you at our upcoming NEA LGBTQ+ Caucus Social Justice & Leadership Conference, April 11-13, 2025 in Las Vegas. We need community, inspiration, and collective action. You’ll find all of that, and more, at our conference.

Now I know social media can be taxing, and of course I don’t like supporting the new American oligarchs by using these platforms, but it does fill my cup to follow accounts that are educational and uplifting. One such account that’s providing folks hope, but not toxic positivity, is Gender Inclusive Schools.

The account was built for a parent who was trying to support their own child, and in doing so, has helped many others through sharing ideas, resources, and of course, hope. If you’re a podcast person, the founder of the page did a great interview with “Cult of Pedagogy” that you can find here: https://www.cultofpedagogy.com/gender-inclusive-school/

This week Gender Inclusive Schools shared the following quote from Dan Savage.

Your visibility matters. Your work matters. And you are making a difference every single day. Take this as your reminder to keep fighting; keep dancing.

Sending Love,
Mili
Outreach Director, NEA LGBTQ+ Caucus

ZONE 1

Tony Martinet [VA] & Kirsten Frazier [MA]
zone1@nea-lgbtqc.org

Zone 1:
Happy New Year Zone 1 Caucus members! Weknow everyone is now solidly moving into the second semester, and we hope that it is going well for you.

We also know that many are struggling each day because there is a new attack on us, our families, and our students. Please know, we are here however we can be to help. We are not sitting by. We are planning and working. We encourage you to connect with friends and fellow caucus members to organize and support one another.

Member Shout-Outs

Leading Our Profession
Congratulations to Natalie Avallone (MD) and Raquel Foote (NJ) for being the Zone 1 recipients of the Jerry Newberry GSA Grant from the caucus.

Avallone’s project will help support a local Pride Dodgeball event that doubles as an educational opportunity by bringing in local LGBTQ+ support and advocacy groups to raise awareness among the students at the school. This year they are working to expand the scope of the event by inviting GSA’s from surrounding schools to attend.

Foote’s project will purchase materials to create a Rainbow Library at their school. This will provide visible and accessible LGBTQ+ inclusive reading materials and resources available to borrow in their Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) Safe Space at all times. The library will include both fiction and non-fiction materials intended for students, educators, and community members to support the ability for support and understanding of everyone.

Caucus Engagement Opportunities  
Virtual Caucus Collaboration:
Our next meet and greet will be on February 13th, at 6:00 pm. We are hoping to come together to collaborate on how we can support one another and to hear how the caucus can support you.

NEA Leadership Summit
The  Zone Co-chairs will be at the NEA Leadership Summit. If you are attending, we hope to see you at the caucus meeting Saturday. Otherwise, we have emailed state presidents to ask for a brief spot on the agenda in the state connection times to introduce ourselves as well.  

Give Your Thoughts

One goal for our Zone and as directors is to better support the operations, growth, or starting of a state LGBTQ+ Caucus for each of our Zone’s States. Please take a brief moment to complete the following survey: Zone 1- Member Check-in
             
We are asking about what support you have in your state, what you need for the work of your state caucus, and if you are willing to be a state contact for the directors.

ZONE 2

Darell Crawford-Parker [TN] & Kristel Behrend [NC]
zone2@nea-lgbtqc.org

It has been a whirlwind of a January with insane nominees and executive orders that clearly break the law. It’s more important than ever that we speak up about the issues that matter.

As members of the largest labor union in the country, issues like public education and the nomination of unqualified billionaire Linda McMahon for the Department of Education should be on your radar. The freezing of federal funds is an overreach of executive power and signals more chaos ahead—expect more censorship attempts and attempts to expand voucher programs.

Our LGBTQ+ students and community are facing unprecedented attacks disguised as "Defending Women from Gender Ideology." These attacks impact everything from healthcare to bathrooms to federal documents. These aren’t just issues—they affect real people, students, staff, families, and YOU. Our community needs our voices—no one should be pushed back into the closet.

With all the misinformation circulating and causing a fair amount of trauma, it’s fitting that the first week of February is News Literacy Week and National School Counseling Week. It’s a good time to teach students (and maybe some adults) how to navigate today’s “infodemic.” Trusted, unbiased news is harder to find, so be cautious about your sources and always cross-check before sharing anything on social media. We also shine a spotlight on the heart of our schools - our incredible SCHOOL COUNSELORS. They empower, support, and inspire students every day, helping them navigate academics, emotions, and future goals.

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed, but giving up only plays into the hands of those who want to silence us. Focus on a few issues that matter most to you and advocate for them. Your representatives are elected to listen—your calls make a difference.

During Black History Month, let's honor 10 Black LGBTQ+ trailblazers whose work shaped our communities, from the Stonewall Riots to Civil Rights to the AIDS crisis. Their voices made history, and now it’s our turn to continue the fight.

We’re grateful for organizations like NEA, ACLU, NAACP, and HRC, but we need you to take action too. Use your voice or download the 5 Calls app to make an impact. We’re in a constitutional crisis, but we won’t be erased.

• CALL TO ACTION: Call your senator NOW: 844-328-9232; Call your representative NOW: 844-329-6087
  ➡️OR Download 5 Calls (scroll to the bottom for the app) - it’s so easy to call about issues you care about - they even give you a script.

• Celebrate your school counselor this week!

Share your state's issues and/or celebrations.

jJoin us on Facebook

ZONE 3

Frank Burger [MI] & Stacy Schmidt [IA]
zone3@nea-lgbtqc.org

Hello Zone 3!! We know that 2025 has ushered in a lot of changes and uncertainty, but your Zone co-Directors, Frank & Stacy, are here to help support you and your students. Please feel free to contact us at our Zone 3 email, zone3@nea-lgbtqc.org, if there is anything we or the caucus at large can do to support you. 

For our newsletter, Frank and I decided that we wanted to focus on some good news and queer joy. We are extremely proud and excited to share information from the NEA LGBTQ+ Caucus Jerry Newberry GSA Grant award winners for Zone 3, Madeline Wood (Illinois) and Matt Pinto (Colorado).

For her GSA in Galesburg, Illinois, Madeline Wood will be inviting LGBTQ+ guest speakers to meet with her GSA to help dispel stereotypes and misconceptions about our community.  As she stated in her grant application, “LGBTQIA+ role models play a crucial role…offering guidance, inspiration, and a clear understanding” of the LGBTQ+ community. Giving students the opportunity to engage with LGBTQ+ elders and professionals is a valuable resource to inspire students and provide them with hope.

Colorado GSA advisor, Matt Pinto, will be using the grant to launch a GSA in his high school. Having a GSA will provide a dedicated safe space for LGBTQ+ students and allies in order to foster a culture of safety and respect for all identities. Matt hopes to host events in conjunction with the Denver Youth Pride Coalition to help “deepen students’ and faculty’s understanding of gender identity.” Grant funding will be used to purchase books and digital resources for the GSA, fund guest speakers, and fund attendance for GSA members at local LGBTQ+ events and workshops.

Congratulations again to Madeline and Matt!

We would love to highlight other GSA activities or events that Zone 3 members are participating in as part of future newsletters. Any photos or story blurbs can be sent to zone3@nea-lgbtqc.org

Finally, in keeping with our theme of queer joy and positivity in this newsletter, we’d like to encourage you to continue searching for the joy and light in the work that you’re doing and in your students. And so, we leave you with the words of the phenomenal Maya Angelou: “We need joy as we need air. We need love as we need water. We need each other as we need the earth we share.”

In Solidarity,
Frank & Stacy

ZONE 4

Joe Bento [WA] & Elise Sotello [CA]
zone4@nea-lgbtqc.org

The oldest Zone 4 state LGBTQ+ caucus is the California Teachers Association’s LGBTQ+ Caucus, which began as the Gay and Lesbian Caucus in 1987, the same year the NEA Gay and Lesbian Caucus was formed. One of the founding members of both caucuses was Nancy Bailey, longtime professor at California State University, Bakersfield. (The CTA Human Rights Award for LGBTQ+ Advocacy is named in her honor.)

State caucuses have the same goal as the national caucus – to fight discrimination and anti-LGBTQ+ bias, monitor and participate in the development of policies and activities, provide resources, and foster better communication among educators, students, and communities. Whether you are part of an already established caucus, are having trouble connecting with your state’s caucus, or you are ready to start a caucus for your state, contact your Zone 4 Co-Directors at zone4@nea-lgbtqc.org. We are here to help!

The following is information about the Zone 4 state caucuses we know about. Please reach out to us if you have more information to add.

California

1. California Teachers Association LGBTQ+ Caucus
2. Established 1987
3. Co-Chairs: C. Scott Miller and Eleanor Evans
4. Meets at quarterly CTA Council meetings and designated CTA conferences, including LGBTQ+ Issues and Equity and Human Rights

Idaho

1. IEA LGBTQ Caucus
2. Established: 12/7/24
3. First Official meeting will be at the IEA Delegate Assembly on April 4, 2025!
4. Chair: Cassie Horner

Nevada

1. Nevada State Education Association LGBTQ Caucus
2. Established 2024
3. Chair: Kaly Krentz
4. Held its first official meeting at the NEA RA and plans to meet quarterly.

Oregon

1. We found out there is a caucus. Please send us your information!

Washington

1. Washington LGBTQ Caucus
2. Established: Researching  (April 2010?)
3. Co-Chairs: Nicole Harris and Joe Bento
4. Meets at WEA RA, sporadically throughout the year, and Officers meet Monthly

We are excited that the Idaho Education Association LGBTQ Caucus has started under Cassie’s leadership and will have their first official meeting at their Delegate Assembly in April! We look forward to supporting IEA’s LGBTQ Caucus as it starts its work in Idaho.

Kaly is building community relationships in Nevada with local LGBTQIA community centers, spreading the word about the new caucus to rural educators, and looking forward to welcoming us at the NEA LGBTQ+ Caucus’s Social Justice & Leadership Conference in April.

Hey, Oregon LGBTQ Caucus folks! We found out that there is a caucus there. Please connect with us so we can support your work in Oregon. 

In Washington State, we are trying to figure out when the WEA LGBTQ Caucus (formerly GLBT Caucus) was formed.  Does anyone from Washington State know? We want to make sure we have the correct historical information from all the statewide caucuses.

Again, if you have any information about your statewide caucus or are interested in starting one, please reach out to Elise or Joe, and we’ll be happy to help you start the process!