ISU’s Queer Ed Birds to host a series of informative and empowering events

Image courtesy of Illinois State University

NORMAL, Ill. – The Queer Ed Birds club at Illinois State University is creating a supportive space for LGBTQIA+ students and educators.

Led by President Ellis Kent, the group is making strides in creating a platform where students can speak with professionals from the queer community, particularly those working in education.

“We reach out to teachers from Unit 5, District 87, and Metcalf/U-High and ask if anyone in the LGBTQIA+ community would be willing to talk about their experience,” Kent said.

These teachers then speak on the  Queer K-12 Teacher Panel. It typically features a Q&A session where students gain valuable insights into the realities of teaching as a queer educator, including navigating challenges in a sometimes non-affirming environment.

“One of the biggest pieces of advice we receive is to make sure you’re interviewing the school district as much as they’re interviewing you,” Kent said.  “You need to know how supportive they are of queer teachers, especially when dealing with potential backlash from parents.”

The panel also explores how queer educators handle homophobic or transphobic parents, maintain authenticity in the classroom, and deal with other challenges in their professional lives.

In addition to the teacher panel, Queer Ed Birds has a series of upcoming events aimed at supporting the LGBTQIA+ community: on March 18 the club will host a social networking event in collaboration with Rainbow and Education Corps, on April 1 a Safe Zone training will be co-hosted with the Aspiring Educators Association to create a more inclusive environment for all students and educators and a self-defense class is scheduled for April 4  in light of the growing reports of anti-queer hate crimes.

“With all of the anti-queer legislation and the increasing reports of hate crimes, it’s crucial to know how to protect yourself,” Kent said.

The Queer K-12 Teacher Panel will return on April 22, offering students another opportunity to engage with queer educators and gain insight into their professional journeys. Kent encourages students of all backgrounds to participate.

“We want to make sure that everyone feels welcome, regardless of whether they’re queer or an education major,” Kent said.

More information on upcoming events can be found at @queer.educators.isu.