Welcome to Out for Equity
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We advocate in partnership for gender equitable practices, programs, and policies through direct programming, professional development, and strategic collaborations. Our goal is to ensure a safe and welcoming school environment that fosters positive self-esteem, respect for others, and academic success for all gender expansive folks, namely our lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer questioning, two-spirit, intersex, and asexual (LGBTQIA+) students, families, and staff members. Our key partnerships include the Saint Paul Public Schools Gender and Sexuality Alliances (GSAs) and the Gender and Sexual Diversity Parent Advisory Council (GSDPAC). View our calendar and announcements below for celebrations and opportunities for LGBTQIA+ learning and field trips throughout the year.
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Out for Equity History
Out for Equity is one of only five school-based programs nationally serving LGBTQIA students, families, and staff. Developed in 1993, then later adopted into the Saint Paul Public School district in 1997, Out for Equity has grown from a direct support agency for LGBTQIA youth, to a fully integrated program that not only supplies direct support to LGBTQIA students, but provides services to all students, families and staff in order to foster respect for all in Saint Paul.
The Program has its roots in The “Consultation Project on Homophobia in Saint Paul Schools” which was created in 1987 by a partnership Wingspan Ministries and a group of educators and community members. Another program was then started by the Youth and AIDS Project in Minneapolis, the Minnesota Department of Education, and the Health and Wellness Department in Saint Paul Public Schools to increase understanding about prevention of HIV/AIDS and concerns of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning, intersex, and asexual/aromantic youth at increased risk for infection, self-destructive behavior, and violence. High schools in Saint Paul, beginning with Saint Paul Central High School in 1990, began forming support groups to further address the growing concerns of LGBTQIA students.
In 1991, Mary Tinucci, a school social worker and a member of the Consultation Project since its inception, began planning a more comprehensive and institutionalized effort within the Saint Paul Public School district regarding LGBTQ individuals. In the fall of 1993 Tinucci and others within SPPS drafted a proposal to present to district administrators calling for a new department to address the needs of LGBTQIA students, staff, and families district-wide. In November 1993, the department of Guidance, Counseling, and Related Services pursued the proposed idea. A proposal to the school board was prepared, and in early March 1994,the school board voted (6-1) to allow the Guidance, Counseling, and Related Services department to seek and accept funding for the new program.
Modeling the program after the Los Angeles Unified School District’s Project 10, Mary Tinucci began forming a clearer picture of Saint Paul’s new program, named Out for Equity, and its goals: to maintain a safe and welcoming school environment that fosters positive self esteem, respect for others, and academic success for all lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning students, staff members and families.
Announcements
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Save the Date: Q-Quest 2023 is coming!
Q Quest will be held at the Minneapolis Convention Center again this year! High School will be on November 15th and Middle School will be on November 16th.
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Pride Night Performance of Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress October 27, 2023
Join Out for Equity, Saint Paul Public Schools' families, and LGBTQIA+ community organizations at the Children's Theater Company's Pride Night performance of Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress on October 27th. Click announcement title for full details.
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GSDPAC 2023-2024 Flyer
Find support, connection and involvement with the Gender and Sexual Diversity Parent Advisory Council (GSDPAC).
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Out For Equity 2023-2024 Calendar
View Out for Equity's 23-24 calendar of events, programming, dates of recognition and celebrations.
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Out for Equity Family and Student Brochures
View and share Out for Equity's updated Student and Family brochures.