Articles from the Constitution State
PROUD Academy
The first LGBTQ-centered private school in Connecticut is scheduled to open this fall. PROUD (Proudly Respecting Our Unique Differences) Academy will prioritize what its founder, Patricia Nicolari, “saw lacking in the U.S. education system: a safe, affirming and bully-free academic environment for LGBTQ students,” according to a recent NBC News report.
The private school will feature not only traditional curriculum including science and math, but also coursework that focuses on LGBTQ+ history, according to the NBC report. Nicolari also intends to have mental health counselors on staff and aims to create a “queer-friendly environment.” She originally planned to create the school specifically for children in grades seven to twelve, but now plans to include students as young as grade three, as families with elementary-age kids have shown interest in attending.
PROUD Academy is slated to be located in the Greater New Haven area.
The NBC report also noted that families from other, less LGBTQ-friendly states have express interest in relocating to Connecticut so their kids can attend the private school.
“Some parents are just saying, ‘I just want my child to be happy again,’” Nicolari told NBC News. “And if we can offer that to a family? That’d be priceless.”
Fertility care for LGBT families
Connecticut families and reproductive rights and LGBTQ+ advocates testified in early March before the Human Services Committee in support of legislation that will promote equity in access to family building, fertility preservation, and reproductive health care. HB 6617, “An Act Promoting Equity in Coverage for Fertility Health Care,” is part of the legislative agenda for the state’s Reproductive Rights Caucus and is supported by the Fertility Access Connecticut (FACT) campaign.
Paying out-of-pocket for fertility care is not accessible for most people who do not have fertility insurance coverage. HB 6617 would address the limitations of Connecticut’s current law, which excludes coverage for fertility care, including fertility preservation, entirely under HUSKY Health and typically excludes LGBTQ+ and single people from coverage requirements for private insurers.
“Connecticut residents should have the ability to make choices regarding reproduction, fertility, and family-building that are best for themselves and their families,” said Representative Jillian Gilchrest. “That includes being able to access and afford the medical care they need.”
“I’m proud of what Connecticut has done to update our laws to reflect our modern understanding of family, including LGBTQ+ families,” said Representative Jeff Currey. “HB 6617 would bring the state’s fertility insurance requirements up to speed with Connecticut’s other LGBTQ+-inclusive laws recognizing modern family formation.”
Under the current state mandate, private insurance companies are only required to cover fertility treatments for people diagnosed as “infertile.” Infertility is defined in reference to heterosexual intercourse, so LGBTQ+ and single people who need to access fertility care are often excluded. HB 6617 would expand the existing mandate to require coverage for LGBTQ+ and single individuals who need medical care to build their families, as well as people who are diagnosed infertile. (from a GLAD press release; more: glad.org)
Multiple Pride parades
This year, allies and members of the LGBTQ+ community will have multiple opportunities to celebrate Pride no matter what part of the state they live in.
Middletown Pride, one of the state’s biggest pride events, takes place on June 3 in Downtown Middletown. Also on June 3, Bethel celebrates Pride month with their celebration at the Bethel Municipal Center, and Ridgefield will have Pride in the Park at Ballard Park. The PFLAG Enfield Pride Festival will be taking over the Enfield Town Green. Hamden and Norwalk will celebrate on June 10, Enfield will host their event on June 17, and West Hartford will celebrate all Pride month long.
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