OSBA PRIDE Advisory Committee

For generations, the PRIDE community has shaped our schools and communities through resilience, leadership, and the ongoing pursuit of safety, visibility, and belonging. Yet the historical challenges faced by LGBTQIA2S+ students and school board members continue to underscore the need for intentional support within Oregon’s K–12 system. OSBA leadership has created a formal advisory committee to support and enhance services for students and school board members whose needs are not always met within existing systems.

With the mission of promoting high-quality education for all students—while recognizing the unique needs of LGBTQIA2S+ students, staff, and board members—the OSBA PRIDE Advisory Committee was formed to advance this work through the following goals:

•    The implementation of ODE’s “Oregon LGBTQ2SIA+ Student Success Plan.” Promoting positive and effective relationships among school board members, their communities, political leaders, partner organizations, and OSBA free from discrimination or harassment based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

•    To build and increase the capacity of school board members regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity through professional development and support.

•    Serving as a resource for OSBA and its members.

•    Developing, promoting, and advancing legislation to improve educational opportunities and outcomes for students, staff, and families regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity. Equipping and advancing board members to serve in the general

•    OSBA leadership regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity.

•    Building the capacity of the general board membership in understanding the issues of LGBTQIA2S+ people and inclusion.

We are excited to get started with the PRIDE Advisory Committee, and we thank you for your support in our efforts to elevate the voices of board members in Oregon.

For more information about serving on the committee, please contact us at [email protected], subject line: OPRIDEAC