LOCATION
GLBT Historical Society Museum
4127 18th Street
San Francisco, CA 94114
ADMISSION
$10 admission; Free for GLBT Historical Society Members
On the heels of the recent publication of his newest book, Contested Curriculum: LGBTQ History Goes to School, advocate and scholar Don Romesburg will discuss the surprisingly long journey to bring LGBTQ-inclusive history education to U.S. K-12 schools.
In this moment of systematic erasure of queer and trans histories and public lives, it is more vital than ever that we understand the past so that we may chart a path forward. Professor Romesburg will also join fellow LGBTQ-inclusive education activists and professionals Rick Oculto and Carolyn Laub to give practical tips on how to incorporate LGBTQ history when inclusive education is under siege—both contemporary suggestions for how to do this work and how we incorporate the lessons from the history of this fight.
Copies of Contested Curriculum: LGBTQ History Goes to School will be available for purchase and signing at the event.
Speakers
Dr. Don Romesburg (he/him) is the author of Contested Curriculum: LGBTQ History Goes to School (Rutgers UP, 2025) and editor of the Routledge History of Queer America (2018). He was the lead scholar working with advocates to pass the FAIR Education Act and bring LGBTQ content into California's 2016 K-12 History-Social Science Framework and subsequent textbooks. He now trains educators. For these efforts, he is the namesake of the LGBTQ+ History Association’s Don Romesburg Prize for K-12 Curriculum. In addition, Romesburg is a co-founder of the GLBT Historical Society Museum. He is a visiting joint professor in History and Women’s, Gender, and Queer Studies at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo.
Carolyn Laub (she/her) is a nonprofit strategy consultant and social entrepreneur based in San Francisco. She consults with social justice nonprofits, coalitions, and foundations on strategic communications, strategy development, policy advocacy, movement building, community-driven research, fund-raising, scaling, and replication. Previously, Carolyn founded Gay-Straight Alliance Network, which organizes lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) youth advocating for safety and justice in schools. Over 16 years, her youth organizing at GSA Network resulted in passage of a dozen pieces of legislation focused on non-discrimination, safety, mental health access, equity, and restorative justice in schools for LGBTQ young people. She grew the number of Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) clubs in California schools from 40 to 940. Carolyn spearheaded the replication of GSA Network’s successful California model in 4 other states and united a coalition of 39 statewide GSA networks, accelerating the growth and impact of the GSA movement nationwide.
Rick Oculto (he/him) is a 20 year non-profit veteran specializing in justice, equity, diversity and inclusion that collaborates with educators and school administrators in California to implement LGBTQ+ inclusive practices to create safe and inclusive climates for youth and families. Rick has provided training and support focusing on 1) the recognition and celebration of diverse backgrounds, 2) challenging gender stereotypes, and 3) addressing bullying and harassment. He educates on legal responsibilities and protections, methods of fostering welcoming environments, and provides templates for inclusive curriculum for both the classroom and at home.
He has recently spearheaded the efforts in California to implement LGBTQ+ inclusive history in schools from elementary through high school. Rick has been working professionally on Queer liberation since 2001 and has trained thousands of students, educators, mental health professionals, service providers, and community members over the years."If we are to truly engage in doing good then we must do what is necessary rather than just what is easy."
Rick holds a dual B.A. degree in Psychology and Spanish from Seattle University in Washington and a Master of Arts Degree in Social Welfare at UC Berkeley specializing in management and planning. He currently works at the National AIDS Memorial.
Members Perks
Interested in becoming a member of the GLBT Historical Society? Members enjoy all sorts of perks, including free access to this event. Learn more.