PGCPS Hosts First Pride Summit, a Milestone Event Celebrating LGBTQIA+ Community

On Saturday, May 4, PGCPS made history with an inaugural Pride Summit, an event aimed at uplifting the district’s LGBTQIA+ community. With more than 500 students, staff and community members registered, the event served as a space to educate and connect around gender identity, sexual orientation, and to provide support for students who identify as LGBTQIA+ and their allies.

The theme for this year’s summit was “Pride in Progress,” chosen by students.

“Every member of our community deserves to feel seen, valued, respected and safe, and this summit represents a milestone in our ongoing work to foster a culture of acceptance and equity across the district,” said Superintendent Millard House II, emphasizing the importance of the summit as a milestone in the district’s ongoing efforts to promote acceptance and equity.

The summit featured a diverse range of sessions tailored for students, staff, allies, and families. Workshops covered essential topics such as supporting LGBTQIA+ youth, empowerment strategies, advocacy, and fostering inclusivity and allyship within the school community.

"Students were instrumental in the planning of this event, and their voices and advocacy have driven us forward,” said Richard Moody from the Office of Student Engagement and School Support. “This summit is something they passionately called for, and it is an honor to see it come to life as a testament to their vision and leadership."

Highlights for students included powerful videos showcasing student voices; dialogue on LGBTQIA+ mental health, with presentations from organizations like DC PFLAG; and information on starting Gender Sexuality Alliances (GSAs) in schools.

Attendees heard words of encouragement from district and county leaders including: Board of Education member Pamela Boozer Strother, County Council Member Krystal Oriadha, Susan Shaffer, Founder and Chair of the MidAtlantic Equity Consortium, PGCPS Assistant Superintendent of Student Services Dr. Elizabeth Faison.

Additionally, PGCPS General Counsel Darnell Henderson, Esq., emphasized legal rights of LGBTQIA+ individuals and Senior Advisor to the Superintendent Luis Morales outlined the district's initiatives for inclusivity.

In June for Pride Month, PGCPS will have a presence at the 2024 Capital Pride celebration, an annual LGBT pride festival held in Washington D.C. The Prince George’s County Executive's office is also hosting a Pride brunch for students in June.

View Pride Month resources, counseling and school support services and more.