Greetings LGBTQ+ Liaisons, Sponsors, and Upstanders:

Please read the information below and PLEASE share this info with your staff, students, etc.

Events & News Below: Check out and share the upcoming events below!

Links Above: There are four pink links above that are powerful resources for your school. The newest one is the "Inclusivity for Trans Students" button. This interactive document shares our best practices to promote inclusivity for trans students in JCPS. Click on the button above to see six best practices to support our trans students.

Louisville PRIDE Festival + JCPS' Booth

What: Louisville Pride Parade

Date: September 6, 2025

Start Time: 11a - 11p

Festival Location: 1500 Bardstown Rd. (The Highlands on Bardstown Road)

Join the Louisville Pride Day Fun:

• CLICK HERE to sign-up to work a shift at JCPS' booth at Louisville Pride 

Please email jack.jacobs2@jefferson.kyschools.us for questions

jcps Pride Picnic + Louisville PRIDE

What: Pride Picnic for JCPS Families

Date: September 6, 2025

Start Time: 11a - 1p

Pride Picnic Location: 1627 Lucia Avenue 40204 (Bloom Elementary)

Join the Pride Picnic Fun:

• Family fun at the Bloom Gym before heading to Louisville Pride. 

• Families may bring their own picnic food.

Please email catherine.graber@jefferson.kyschools.us for questions.

LGBTQ+ PD OPPORtunities

JCPS' DEP Department has developed a series of multiple professional development opportunities which focus on LGBTQ+ topics. CLICK HERE to view upcoming LGBTQ+-related PDs.

Please email lawanda.hazard@jefferson.kyschools.us for questions.

Greetings LGBTQ+ Liaisons, Sponsors, and Upstanders:

Please read the information below and PLEASE share this info with your staff, students, etc.

Events & News Below: Check out and share the events below, JCPS PRIDE ERG Board Members meeting and the Kentuckiana Pride Parade & Festival, and the 2025 Rainbow Ribbon Schools award winners.

Links Above: There are four pink links above that are powerful resources for your school. The newest one is the "Inclusivity for Trans Students" button. This interactive document shares our best practices to promote inclusivity for trans students in JCPS. Click on the button above to see six best practices to support our trans students.

KENTUCKIANA PRIDE PARADE & FESTIVAL

What: Kentuckiana Pride Parade and Festival

Date: June 21, 2025

Start Time: 12p

Parade Location: Meet at Lincoln Elementary's playground and then walk to our spot in the parade

Festival Location: Big Four Lawn

Join the Pride Day Fun:

• CLICK HERE to sign-up to work a shift at JCPS' booth at Kentuckiana Pride Festival

• CLICK HERE to complete a Form to stay involved

• Share this digital flyer for the parade: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1F9G3kDR7n3taSyRdRup1ff5fMvJQicvp/view?usp=sharing

Please email jack.jacobs2@jefferson.kyschools.us for questions

JCPS PRIDE ERG 

The JCPS Pride Employee Resource Group (ERG) is looking for new board members for this year. Essential requirements are attendance of 4 strategy and planning meetings plus 4 events, a positive attitude, and excited about getting people together. CLICK HERE to read over the JCPS PRIDE ERG charter and the specifics for each Board position. 

Please email michael.kluemper@jefferson.kyschools.us if you are interested in learning more about being a JCPS Pride ERG Board Member.

Everyone can complete THIS FORM if you'd like to be a part of the Pride ERG, even if you don't want to be a Board Member.

24-25 Rainbow RIbbon Schools 🏳️‍🌈

The LGBTQ+ Advisory Committee and the Rainbow Ribbon Schools (RRS) selection team is excited and honored to announce the 2025 RRS winners! You can click on the RRS button at the top of this page to see the process these schools had to tackle. Also, look for an expanded version of RRS this summer at the Racial Equity Institute, which will include Rainbow Rainbow Teams/Departments so that everyone in JCPS can create safe, welcoming, and inclusive spaces for LGBTQ+ students, families, and staff. Without further Ado, here are this year's amazing RRS winners:

24-25 Rainbow Ribbon School Award Winners

Atherton High School

Carrithers Middle School

Echo Trail Middle School

Hawthorne Elementary

The Phoenix School of Discovery

Valley High School

Western Middle School for the Arts

Please email jack.jacobs2@jefferson.kyschools.us for more information.

SAVE THE DATES

The LGBTQ+ Advisory Committee has already started planning out the next school year with events, PDs, etc. Please save the dates below to help you plan out your year.

June 21st - Kentuckiana Pride Parade - 11a meet at Lincoln Elementary playground; 12p parade steps off

June 21st - Kentuckiana Pride Festival - CLICK HERE to sign-up to work a shift for JCPS at the Pride Festival

July 16th - Racial Equity Institute 8a - 4p at Male High School - There will be sessions focused on LGBTQ+ topics

August 22nd - 3p-6p Vernon Lanes: Our first JCPS Staff Pride Event and Kickoff the Year with friends

Greetings LGBTQ+ Liaisons, Sponsors, and Upstanders:

Please read the information below and PLEASE share this info with your staff, students, etc.

Events Below: Check out and share the events below, including our next meet-up, Kentuckiana Pride Parade & Festival, Rainbow Club Celebration, and LGBTQ+ TRAININGS.

Links Above: There are four pink links above that are powerful resources for your school. The newest one is the "Inclusivity for Trans Students" button. This interactive document shares our best practices to promote inclusivity for trans students in JCPS. Click on the button above to see six best practices to support our trans students.

SPONSORS & LIAISONS APril 17th MEETUP

Please email michael.kluemper@jefferson.kyschools.us for questions and/or follow-up info.

What: Meet-up for LGBTQ+ Liaison, Sponsors, Pride ERG Members, and Upstanders

Date: April 17, 2025

Time: 4:30p - 6:30p

Location: Big Bar - 1202 Bardstown Rd. 40204

April’s Meet-Up will focus on your needs and questions. We will also cover supports that you may need in your schools or with your clubs. We will also talk about the Kentuckiana Pride Parade and Festival. No RSVP required. Come find out about where JCPS stands with all that's going on and let's plan out the rest of this year and start thinking about the start of next year. Most importantly, please join us to connect with others throughout the city!

JOIN US!

KENTUCKIANA PRIDE PARADE & FESTIVAL

What: Kentuckiana Pride Parade and Festival

Date: June 21, 2025

Start Time: 12p

Parade Location: Meet at Lincoln Elementary's playground and then walk to our spot in the parade

Festival Location: Big Four Lawn

We need your help to promote JCPS' participation in the Kentuckiana Pride Parade and Festival. We also would love for you to complete a Form to help us prepare for this summer event. Even if you can't make it, we'd love to see your students, families, and staff members on June 21st! Please fill out the Form below even if you cannot attend. :)

1. Complete this Form: https://forms.gle/kVbxGZejMUknzdg79

2. Share this digital flyer for the parade: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1F9G3kDR7n3taSyRdRup1ff5fMvJQicvp/view?usp=sharing

3. Please email jack.jacobs2@jefferson.kyschools.us for questions

RAINBOW CLUB CELEBRATION

What: Rainbow Club End-of-Year Celebration for all of JCPS

Date: April 25, 2025

Time: 4:30p - 5:30p

Location: Bloom Elementary - 1627 Lucia Ave.  40204

Families, please join us to celebrate the end of the school year with crafts and other activities. Please bring your own snacks. A caregiver must attend Rainbow Club  meetings with children. Bring the whole family or make it a special event for your child who’d enjoy this club celebration.

1. Share this digital flyer: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HFu-4WdGHyLelqF805ZdeCiY78qkf7Dm/view?usp=sharing

2. Please email catherine.graber@jefferson.kyschools.us for questions/more info

LGBTQ+ TRAININGS

Has your school scheduled a Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) staff training focused on LGBTQ+ students? JCPS' SEL Department offers this training for any school interested. 

If you are in need of staff training ideas and/or support, please reach out to Dr. Hazard (lawanda.hazard@jefferson.kyschools.us) or Dr. Jacobs (jack.jacobs2@jefferson.kyschools.us). We will help connect you and get you what you need. 

Greetings LGBTQ+ Liaisons,

Please read the information below and PLEASE share this info with your school's staff this week. 

Links Above: There are three pink links above that are powerful resources for your school. 

• The Rainbow Ribbon School award flier details how your school can be a winner this school year. Please reach out to jack.jacobs2@jefferson.kyschools.us if you need help.

• The Safe Space Sticker Request link allows you to order a JCPS safe space sticker for your door. Note: If you'd like tiny rainbow stickers for your ID badge, please email jack.jacobs2@jefferson.kyschools.us your request and include your PONY number.

• The JCPS' Guidance: SB 150 link will take you to the most current guidance related to SB 150. Please email jonathan.lowe@jefferson.kyschools.us if you have any questions. 

Events/Trainings Below: Check out and share the events below, including our next meet-up and professional development.

SPONSORS & LIAISONS FEBRUARY 27th MEETUP

Please email michael.kluemper@jefferson.kyschools.us for questions and/or follow-up info.

LGBTQ+ February Meet and Greet

Date: February 27, 2025

Time: 5:30-7:30

Location: Louisville Youth Group (LYG)

February’s Liaisons and Club Sponsors Meet and Greet will focus on LYG's programming, as well as any questions and supports that you may need in your schools or with your clubs. This will be a catered event sponsored by LYG and would like to know if you plan to come in advance through the following survey.

LYG's facility is located inside the First Lutheran Church at 417 East Broadway, 40202.  There is a small parking lot between the church and Firestone Auto Care, and street parking nearby if the lot is full. LYG's entrance is on the side of the building off the parking lot.  They will have an LYG sign outside to help direct folks to our entrance. 

APPLY FOR THE RAINBOW RIBBOn SCHOOL AWARD

CLICK HERE to view the Rainbow Ribbon School award program details and requirements. We are hoping to add more schools to the list of Rainbow Ribbon School award winners. You can submit your applications today through Spring Break. Keep it simple and simply show us what you are doing with the six criteria that's making your school a more inclusive, welcoming, and supportive  for your LGBTQ+ students.

Please reach out to Dr. Jacobs at jack.jacobs2@jefferson.kyschools.us for support and for any questions.

LGBTQ+ PD Sessions

Has your school scheduled a Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) staff training focused on LGBTQ+ students? JCPS' SEL Department offers this training for any school interested. 

If you are in need of staff training ideas and/or support, please reach out to Dr. Hazard (lawanda.hazard@jefferson.kyschools.us) or Dr. Jacobs (jack.jacobs2@jefferson.kyschools.us). We will help connect you and get you what you need. 

Greetings LGBTQ+ Liaisons,

Please read the information below and PLEASE share this info with your school's staff this week. 

Links Above: There are three pink links above that are powerful resources for your school. 

• The Rainbow Ribbon School award flier details how your school can be a winner this school year. Please reach out to jack.jacobs2@jefferson.kyschools.us if you need help.

• The Safe Space Sticker Request link allows you to order a JCPS safe space sticker. If you'd like tiny rainbow stickers for your ID badge, please email jack.jacobs2@jefferson.kyschools.us your request and include your PONY number.

• The JCPS' Guidance: SB 150 link will take you to the most current guidance related to SB 150. Please email jonathan.lowe@jefferson.kyschools.us if you have any questions. 

Events/Trainings Below: Check out and share the events below, including our next meet-up and professional development.

SPONSORS & LIAISONS DECEMBER MEETUP

There is a meet and greet for liaisons and club sponsors at Big Bar from 4:30p - 6:30p on Thursday, December 12. We will be able to talk about concerns you might have, club activities and possibilities, working on the Rainbow Ribbon Schools award, etc. Please join us. Please email michael.kluemper@jefferson.kyschools.us for questions and/or follow-up info.

LGBTQ+ Trauma informed Care (TIC) Training

LGBTQ+ Trauma Informed Care (TIC) Training: Our amazing SEL department has developed a TIC training specific to LGBTQ+ students. You can schedule the session for your staff! BONUS: this session can count as two components if you're considering applying for the Rainbow Ribbon School award (Staff PD + Principal PD). Please reach out to jamie.sanchez@jefferson.kyschools.us for more info and to schedule this session for your staff.

LGBTQ+ PD Sessions

Check Vector/Teachpoint to enroll in upcoming professional development sessions regarding LGBTQ+ students and families.  Most are through Zoom.  Even if the session shows as full, sign up on the waitlist and you'll be allowed to attend!

• Transgender Intersectionality: 12/18/2024 @ 4:30 pm

• LGBTQ Youth Trauma and Mental Health: 1/22/2025 @ 4:30 pm

• Digging Deeper: Supporting LGBTQ+ Students: 2/5/2025 @ 4:30 pm

Happy new school year, Liaisons!  Look what's coming up:

• Louisville Pride Festival

• Rainbow Club Picnic

• Professional Development opportunities

 🏳️‍🌈 Greetings LGBTQ+ Liaisons:

The March LGBTQ+ Liaison and Club Sponsor meet up will again be at Logan Street Market (1001 Logan St. 40204) on March 20th from 5-7 pm. We will be talking about LGBTQ+ materials and fielding questions about whatever, providing answers or information on where to find the answers where possible. Most of all, come to meet your peers for networking and fellowship. Several of us from the JCPS LGBTQ+ Advisory Committee will also be present.

There is a Google Classroom that many of you have joined that is for Student GSA/GSTA leaders (HS and MS) to share ideas and things that they are doing in their clubs. There should be one representative included. Teachers are there to monitor, but it is for students to network in. If you have a club, please join and have one of your representative students join, introduce themselves, and state some things that your club does. The code is h7am6sl.

The next meet up will be April 17 (see details below).

Thank you for all you do for your school. If you need support please don't hesitate to reach out to us (see contact info at the end of this March section).

JCPS' LGBTQ+ Advisory Committee

Important Dates to Share

March 20, 2024 - LGBTQ+ Liaison & Sponsor Meetup - "LGBTQ+ Support in Schools":

Time: 5p-7p

Location: Logan Street Market

Participants will learn about: (1) sources of information available to them through the Advisory Council; (2) strategies for successful setting up and maintaining student support systems in schools; and (3) answers to questions they have about policies to support teachers and students in their buildings.

April 17, 2024 - LGBTQ+ Liaison & Sponsor Meetup - "LGBTQ+ Support in Schools":

Time: 5p-7p

Location: Logan Streen Market

Participants will learn about: (1) sources of information available to them through the Advisory Council; (2) strategies for successful setting up and maintaining student support systems in schools; and (3) answers to questions they have about policies to support teachers and students in their buildings.

June 15, 2024 - Kentukciana Pride

• JCPS is marching in the Kentuckiana Pride Parade. Parade steps off at noon. More details to come. Save the date! 

• JCPS will also have a table at the Kentuckiana Pride Festival - a sign-up form will be shared soon, but we are really looking for GSAs, GSTAs, and/or Rainbow Clubs to volunteer to work the JCPS table. 

March 30th - Rainbow Ribbon School (RRS) application is due: CLICK HERE to view the RRS flyer that was sent out to all principals. Please contact Dr. Jacobs for questions and support: jack.jacobs2@jefferson.kyschools.us

SB 150 Guidance