{"id":80249,"date":"2019-03-01T18:25:57","date_gmt":"2019-03-01T23:25:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gayfriendschat.com\/socialblog\/hrc-and-nea-host-fourth-annual-jazz-friends-national-day-of-school-and-community-readings\/"},"modified":"2019-03-01T18:25:57","modified_gmt":"2019-03-01T23:25:57","slug":"hrc-and-nea-host-fourth-annual-jazz-friends-national-day-of-school-and-community-readings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gayfriendschat.com\/socialblog\/hrc-and-nea-host-fourth-annual-jazz-friends-national-day-of-school-and-community-readings\/","title":{"rendered":"HRC and NEA Host Fourth Annual Jazz & Friends National Day of School and Community Readings"},"content":{"rendered":"

HRC and NEA Host Fourth Annual Jazz & Friends National Day of School and Community Readings<\/b>
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Yesterday, people across the U.S. and in three other countries came out in force to support transgender and non-binary youth during the fourth annual Jazz & Friends National Day of School and Community Readings<\/a> cosponsored by HRC Foundation\u2019s Welcoming Schools program and the National Education Association (NEA).<\/p>\n

HRC and the NEA invited parents, teachers, elected officials and community members to host local read alouds of children\u2019s books about transgender and non-binary youth, including youth of color. More than 200 readings took place in three countries, 37 states and the District of Columbia.<\/p>\n

Readings took place in schools\u2026<\/p>\n

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We are all different and that makes us interesting and beautiful.<\/p>\n

Here’s @Lily_NEA<\/a> reading and singing at @Ashlawneagles<\/a> with @SarahEMcBride<\/a> for #JazzandFriends<\/a> National Day of School and Community Readings.t.co\/7MzssuzRcc<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/ZeRg1msCpc<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 NEA (@NEAToday) February 28, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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\u201cWhat\u2019s the point!!!\u201d exclaims a kindergartner @lrei<\/a>. Colors are colors, clothes are clothes, stuff is stuff. There is no such thing as boy<\/a> colors, clothes, and stuff\u201d @HRC<\/a> #JazzAndFriends<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/IFQb1ha4kM<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Sandra (Chap)Chapman (@SKChap) February 28, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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\u201cWhat\u2019s the point!!!\u201d exclaims a kindergartner @lrei<\/a>. Colors are colors, clothes are clothes, stuff is stuff. There is no such thing as boy<\/a> colors, clothes, and stuff\u201d @HRC<\/a> #JazzAndFriends<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/IFQb1ha4kM<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Sandra (Chap)Chapman (@SKChap) February 28, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

In community spaces\u2026<\/p>\n

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Had the opportunity support #transgender<\/a> #GNC<\/a> & non-binary youth (one day early) as part of @HRC<\/a> & @NEAToday<\/a>\u2019s #JazzAndFriends<\/a> National Day of School & Community Readings!
\n\ufffd\ufffd @CompassCenter<\/a>
\n\ufffd\ufffd @LibraryCurrent<\/a>
\n\u26aa @DianaFedderman<\/a>
\n\ufffd\ufffd #WereALLIn<\/a>
\n\ufffd\ufffd #GenderStudies<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/keXIWQDiVx<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Pete Stew the\ufffd\ufffdScience Dude (@PeteStewartMPH) February 28, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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By organizing a #JazzAndFriends<\/a> reading, @HRC<\/a>\u2019s Peter Tchoryk is teaching the Dexter community the importance of affirming trans<\/a>. \ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\u26aa\ufe0f\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffdt.co\/F78fIBtOiP<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 HRC in Michigan (@HRC_MI) February 28, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

In living rooms\u2026<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

And even on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives!<\/p>\n

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Proud to deliver two very special readings of I Am Jazz for #JazzAndFriends<\/a> \u2013 with transgender servicemembers before my hearing yesterday in MILPERS & on the House floor this morning. To all transgender & non-binary youth, please know @HouseDemocrats<\/a> see, support, & honor you. pic.twitter.com\/ia32Nn9YfQ<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Jackie Speier (@RepSpeier) February 28, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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Several of our @LGBTEqCaucus<\/a> members did a special reading of I am Jazz for #JazzandFriends<\/a> National Day of Reading. We are so proud to stand with and uplift the voices and experiences of trans<\/a> youth! Thank you @RepAngieCraig<\/a> @RepMarkTakano<\/a> @RepDavids<\/a> @RepChrisPappas<\/a> @RepSpeier<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/sF0SltbTWf<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 LGBT Caucus (@LGBTEqCaucus) March 1, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

HRC was particularly honored to have non-binary role models Bex Taylor-Klaus and Jacob Tobia attend a reading with the HRC\u2019s Los Angeles Steering Committee.<\/p>\n

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Thanks to everyone who attended a #JazzAndFriends National Day of School and Community Reading! Now more than ever, it\u2019s so important to show trans and non-binary youth that their community supports them. . . Special thanks to @bex_tk and @jacobtobia for joining us at a reading in #WestHollywood. . . Learn more on how you can support trans youth at hrc.org\/Trans-Youth<\/a><\/p>\n

A post shared by Human Rights Campaign<\/a> (@humanrightscampaign) on

Maya Christina Gonzalez, an author of They, She, He, Me: Free to Be!, <\/em>held a reading online<\/a> with more than 2,000 people tuning in!<\/p>\n

This annual nationwide action is inspired by the residents and students<\/a> of tiny Mount Horeb, Wisconsin, who unequivocally rebuked bigotry and censorship in 2015 after a national anti-LGBT hate group<\/a> threatened legal action against a school planning to support a local transgender child by offering an inclusive classroom lesson.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Thank you to all of the participants who joined this year! Each event was unique, but they all showed transgender and non-binary youth that they are valued and respected.<\/p>\n

Our next annual Jazz & Friends National Day of School and Community Readings will be on February 27, 2020<\/strong>. Interested in joining us next time? Email us at WelcomingSchools@HRC.org<\/a>!<\/p>\n

HRC Foundation’s Welcoming Schools<\/em><\/a> is the nation’s premier professional development program providing training and resources to elementary school educators to:<\/em><\/p>\n