Jonathan Daly, WGBY intern and recent UMASS graduate, writes:

We live in a time where diversity is ever growing and people are engaging in conversations that challenge traditional societal norms about race, gender, and sexuality. With June being Pride Month, it seems more than appropriate to spread awareness about the LGBTQ community, who are more vocal and open than ever in spreading awareness and fighting for equal rights as they still face many challenges daily.

On June 17 at 9:00pm, WGBY will air the first episode of the Masterpiece series entitled Man in an Orange Shirt as part of Pride Month. Set in the UK, the mini-series explores the challenges and changes that people who are gay must face, both now and in the past.

To help bring this discussion into the classroom, PBS has created Understanding LGBTQ+ Identity: A Toolkit for Educators that includes definitions for LGBTQ terms, explanations for theories on race and gender, advice for LGBTQ students and information on how to become a gay-straight ally.