Donate

Pauly Pagenhart

Harvey Milk Day: Ten Resources for Families

This Wednesday, May 22 is Harvey Milk Day, recognized in California as a “day of special significance” in public schools for the 10th year now. Whether or not your kid’s school has any lesson plans or hallway displays or community meeting recognitions of it, we’ve collected ten resources you could consider for your own family’s discussion of the day.

Most of the ten jumping-off points listed below provide links to yet more. Each child and each family is unique, so as you do with everything you introduce to your kids, by all means check out the book(s) first yourself, and give a thought to conversations you can have to provide depth and context.  (E.g., see the Educator’s Guide to The Harvey Milk Story below)

Background/ Wikipedia

  • Biography of Jose Julio Sarria, first openly gay candidate for elective office in the U.S. (San Francisco Supervisor, 1961) [Wikipedia]
  • Biography of Harvey Milk (first ran for SF Supervisor a dozen years later in 1973; won office in 1977 following redistricting to reflect neighborhoods) [Wikipedia]
  • A list of the first openly LGBTQ elective office-holders in the U.S. [Wikipedia]

Picture books, chapter books, and books for young readers

  • Pride: The Story of Harvey Milk and the Rainbow Flag, by Rob Sanders [2018, Penguin Random House]
  • The Harvey Milk Story, by Kari Krakow [2002, Two Lives Publishing]
    • Educator’s Guide to The Harvey Milk Story (written by Krakow) [PDF]
  • Gay & Lesbian History for Kids: The Century-Long Struggle for LGBT Rights, with 21 Activities, by Jerome Pohlen [2015, Chicago Review Press]

Young Adult books

  • Queer, There, and Everywhere: 23 People Who Changed the World, by Sarah Prager [2017, Harper Collins]
  • Hear Us Out! Lesbian and Gay Stories of Struggle, Progress, and Hope, 1950 to the Present, by Nancy Garden [2007, Farrar Stauss and Giroux]

Round-ups and Resource Lists

Picture of Pauly Pagenhart

Pauly Pagenhart

All Posts

Leave a Comment

read more

recent posts

Blog / Announcement / Giving / Legislation & Policy

Celebrating Policy Wins in 2025

Read More
December 10, 2025
Blog

UPDATED: The Skrmetti Decision is a Setback, Not the End

Read More
June 23, 2025
Blog

Your Rights in California in Response to Recent Executive Orders

Read More
March 20, 2025

Thank you for joining us in celebrating and supporting LGBTQ families.

Every contribution, whether one-time or monthly, helps us honor the extraordinary LGBTQ families in our community. Our Family Coalition is the only organization in California dedicated to advancing equity and advocating on behalf of our families, and one of the few nationwide. By giving, you stand with us in pride and solidarity, ensuring that every family feels seen, valued, and celebrated. Your support has been crucial and with your help we can continue this legacy for generations.

Donate Now

Teacher Trainings and Professional Development

Each of OFC’s outstanding and practical workshops include:

  • Content learning, lesson plans and book lists​ that support teachers to have effective
    and developmentally supportive dialogue when teaching LGBTQ History
  • Reflective activities​ that allow participants to connect with their intersectional identities,
    gender stories and explore the dynamics of implicit bias to better challenge gender stereotypes
  • Current language and techniques​ to support families and teachers to talk more fluently
    and comfortably about all types of difference
  • Frameworks and models for effectively organizing coalitions​ interested in accountability
    and policy change in schools and organizations

Workshop topics:

  • LGBTQ History​: Teaching the New California History and Social Science Framework
  • LGBTQ-Focused Education Law and Policy​:​ Understanding Obligations and Protections
  • Implementing LGBTQ History:​ From Policy to Practice in your Region
  • Family Diversity:​ ​ The Early Childhood Classroom and Making All Families Visible
  • Gender Inclusion:​ ​ What is a Gender Spectrum and How Do I Reduce Gender Bias?
  • Transgender and Non-Binary Students​:​ How to Create Inclusive Spaces for All Genders
  • Anti-Bullying & Social Emotional Learning​:​ A Welcoming Schools Approach
  • Family and School Advocacy:​ Building Coalitions for Sustainable Change

For more information or to schedule a workshop, please contact the OFC Education Team: ​education@ourfamily.org

Download PDF
Sponsoship Benefits

Trust Your Own Knowledge

 

While healthcare providers bring expertise in medicine, you are the expert on your own body, experiences, and needs. If something doesn’t feel right, trust yourself and communicate your concerns. Phrases to lean on: “This is not normal for my body” “I have never experienced these symptoms before now” … 

Advocate for Comprehensive Explanations

You have the right to fully understand any diagnosis, treatment, or procedure. Don’t hesitate to ask for explanations that make sense to you. For instance, say, “Can you walk me through how this treatment will work?” or “What are some possible side effects?” “What should I look out for?” 

Right to Informed Consent

You have the right to understand all aspects of your care, including the risks, benefits, and alternatives. Never feel pressured into any procedure without clear information.

Confidentiality Protections

HIPAA laws safeguard your privacy and health information. Healthcare providers must keep all your personal health information confidential.

Anti-Discrimination Protections

Federal laws like Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act prohibit discrimination in healthcare on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), age, or disability.

Pause and Reflect

If you’re unsure about a treatment recommendation, it’s okay to take a pause. Say something like, “I’d like to take some time to consider this before making a decision.” This gives you the space to process without feeling pressured. You can discuss a timeline with your provider that works for you. It is okay to want more time.

Ask About Alternatives

You’re entitled to know if there are other options that might work for you. If a provider presents a single course of action, ask, “Are there other ways to approach this?” or “What other treatments might be possible?” or “Why are you recommending this treatment plan compared to alternative options?”

Scroll to Top