A Unifying Celebration of Identity

Pride week at GDS stretches across all grades, organized by the DEI office with the help of faculty, staff, and students, and unified by the themes of affirmation of identity, support, advocacy, equality, love, and family diversity.

For the Lower School, that was reflected in the annual Free To Be Me Assembly, which featured a presentation by students on the history of the LGBTQ+ community’s fight and struggle for rights and acceptance through the groundbreaking Stonewall uprising and other protests, continued activism, and what it means to be an ally; followed by a heartfelt song and dance presentation. 

The Middle school’s assembly, hosted by students Leo Moreland ’29 and Dez Lechliter ’29, featured an interview with Chris Mosier, trailblazing transgender athlete who works for LGBTQ+ inclusion in sports. The Middle School GSA (Genders and Sexualities Alliance) also held a pizza party where high school students visited from LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations Spectrum, and GRADient.

Meanwhile, the High School kicked off Pride week with a showing of the film "The Prom,” with other events happening over the course of the week including pride-themed trivia, button making and an assembly featuring keynote Ashland Johnson from The Inclusion Playbook who talked about her work with Queer people in sports. 

Ashland is an attorney, equity and inclusion strategist, and former Division I athlete, who has over a decade of civil rights experience working with social justice communities, advising sports leaders, and serving in leadership roles in advocacy organizations. The high school students posed thoughtful questions, and Ashland had answers; a most positive and constructive discussion ensued.

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View LS Free to Be Me Assembly videos >>