October is LGBTQ History Month, founded in 1994 by GLSEN Chapter leader Rodney Wilson with the support of GLSEN’s founder Kevin Jennings and many others. This month-long celebration was born from the understanding that learning LGBTQ history improves the school experiences of LGBTQ students and helps all students better understand our differences and our world.

But take it from our community directly: Throughout this month, students past and present are sharing #LGBTQhistory photos on Instagram of icons they wish they learned, explaining why it’s important to learn LGBTQ history in school. See these posts compiled and add your own to our #LGBTQhistory wall, alongside our new classroom resources like a student-created interactive timeline and our LGBTQ history coloring book, featuring icons like Sylvia Rivera and Laverne Cox.

"I wish I learned about the beautiful Marsha P. Johnson in school. She is my hero." This is what GLSEN student @saga_safe77 said in their Instagram post, and it’s one reason why we’ve created these resources — and why we continue fighting for LGBTQ inclusion in every curriculum, in every school.