Rodney Wilson

Rodney Wilson, a pioneering advocate for LGBTQ rights and education, stands out as a transformative figure in the field of diversity and inclusion. As a high school history teacher in Missouri, Wilson made history in 1994 by coming out to his students while teaching a lesson on the Holocaust, courageously sharing that, as a gay man, he too would have faced persecution during that period. This defining moment marked him as Missouri’s first openly gay K-12 teacher and sparked his broader mission to promote LGBTQ visibility within education. Wilson recognised the need for an LGBTQ History Month to highlight queer contributions often overlooked in traditional curricula and to foster understanding within school environments and beyond.

Inspired by the success of Black History Month and Women’s History Month, Rodney founded LGBTQ History Month, selecting October as its dedicated observance to coincide with National Coming Out Day. He collaborated with educators and advocates to build a month-long celebration that drew national attention to LGBTQ history, rights, and cultural contributions. Through Rodney’s initiative, LGBTQ History Month received initial media coverage from Newsweek and has since been embraced across the United States, gaining formal recognition from the National Education Association in 1995 and later by President Obama in 2009. Today, the month serves as a vital reminder of LGBTQ achievements and the ongoing fight for equality, largely due to Wilson’s pioneering efforts.

In the years since, Rodney’s legacy has been featured widely, notably in the 2019 documentary Taboo Teaching: A Profile of Missouri Teacher Rodney Wilson, which sheds light on his journey as an educator and LGBTQ advocate. Recently, he marked the 30th anniversary of LGBTQ History Month with an interview on PBS News, among other media appearances, where he discussed the significance of the month in promoting a more inclusive understanding of history. Wilson’s courage, resilience, and dedication continue to inspire a new generation of educators, students, and activists.

Today, Rodney Wilson is a sought-after keynote speaker on LGBTQ, diversity, and inclusion topics, sharing his insights into the importance of queer visibility and representation in education. His work underscores the value of diversity as a strength and a tool for creating compassionate, inclusive environments. Wilson’s story and voice are powerful additions to any event committed to celebrating LGBTQ history and advocating for inclusive spaces, making him an ideal figure to engage audiences with themes of equality, education, and social progress.