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Contributed by Molly Hart, Social Media Coordinator
Content note: Nine PBS will be featuring stories that center on the experiences and voices of LGBTQ+ St. Louisans throughout the month of October to celebrate LGBTQ+ History Month. If there are any organizations, businesses, or individuals you think have contributed to the LGBTQ+ community, let us know by emailing Molly Hart at mhart@ninepbs.org.
Being a teacher in Missouri has always had its challenges, especially if your lesson plans include LGBTQ+ history. But that didn’t stop Mehlville High School history teacher Rodney Wilson in 1994.
It all began with a simple poster he had purchased at the United States Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C. Little did he know that this poster would become the catalyst for a groundbreaking movement – the birth of LGBTQ+ History Month.
Wilson vividly remembers bringing that poster back to his classroom and sharing it with his students. They were studying the Holocaust at the time, and he saw an opportunity to shed light on the lesser-known stories of LGBTQ+ individuals who had suffered during that dark period in history. Among the symbols on the poster was the infamous pink triangle, a symbol that gay people were forced to wear during the Holocaust. It was a symbol that resonated with Rodney personally because he is gay. It may have felt natural for that aspect of his identity to come up in the lesson, but it wasn’t without its risks.
Tumultuous Times
Opening up in the classroom about his sexuality in 1994 was not an easy decision. Society was far less accepting and understanding of LGBTQ+ issues than it is today. But Rodney felt a profound obligation to his students, to all LGBTQ+ youth, and to the broader cause of civil rights and equality. He knew that if there was a backlash that removed him from the classroom, it would be detrimental to the very ideals of inclusivity and acceptance that he held dear. He was not the first teacher to try to come out to their students, and he said their careers often did not survive the ordeal.
“I felt it was really necessary that I make it,” Wilson said of doing everything he could to ensure his career was not eliminated due to this decision.
As word of Rodney's coming out spread, he faced a barrage of opposition. Local and national news outlets covered the controversy surrounding his decision. Almost mirroring today’s debates on what belongs on library shelves—some believed it was inappropriate, while others vehemently opposed the lack of disciplinary action taken by the school district.
Rodney even found himself facing personal attack by a member of the U.S. Congress. "To be denounced by a U.S. congressman by name on the floor of the United States House of Representatives, actually, now, I take as a badge of honor that that happened,” Wilson said.
It was a tumultuous time, to say the least, but he held his ground. Looking back, he sees that moment as a testament to the importance of his mission.
LGBTQ+ History Month Is Born
Amidst the controversy, there were also voices of support. Many students and members of the community stood by Rodney's side, recognizing the importance of his decision. His act of courage was applauded, and it began to make a difference.
The catalyst for LGBTQ+ History Month was ignited during those turbulent times. Rodney was driven by the hope that such a month could raise awareness and promote inclusivity. Dedicated friends like Johnda Boyce collaborated with him to establish the holiday. Together, they aimed to bring LGBTQ+ history to the forefront, not just for the present generation but for the generations to come.
“It shouldn’t have been controversial, but it was,” Boyce remembered.
Boyce and other educators from around the country—mainly Kevin Jennings, Torey Wilson, Saralyn Chestnut, Kevin Boyer and Jessea Greenman—designed lesson plans and classroom activities teachers could use to participate in the history month.
They drew inspiration from other established history months, such as Women's History Month and Black History Month. They believed that LGBTQ+ individuals deserved their own month of recognition and celebration. They worked tirelessly to make this idea a reality.
In 1995, their efforts came to fruition when St. Louis Mayor Freeman Bosley signed a proclamation recognizing LGBTQ+ History Month. Other cities soon followed suit, and the movement began to spread nationally. Over time, it even gained international recognition, with representatives from around the world joining their cause.
The goal of LGBTQ+ History Month is to create a safe and inclusive environment for all students. It's about ensuring that no child has to hide who they are, that they can learn, grow, and thrive without fear of discrimination. Wilson may have begun to pave the way, but teachers in Missouri can still face backlash. For example, in 2021 Neosho Junior High School teacher John Wallis resigned after the school’s administration asked him to remove a pride flag he had displayed in his classroom.
As Wilson looks back on that pivotal moment in 1994 when he shared that poster with his students, he is filled with pride. This small act set in motion a movement that continues to make a difference today. And he believes that if there are individuals who are willing to stand up and be heard, progress and acceptance will continue to march forward.
This story originally appeared on an episode of Living St. Louis in 2021, produced by Brooke Butler.
