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A safe and affirming learning community for LGBTQ+ students and allies

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%

of LGBTQ+ students feel unsafe at school because of their gender identity/expression

%

 of LGBTQ+ students feel unsafe at school because of their sexual orientation

%

of LGBTQ+ students have experienced discrimination because of their sexual orientation/gender identity

%

of LGBTQ+ youth report that recent politics have negatively impacted their mental health

STUDENTS

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PARENTS

How is PROUD Making a Difference?

"PROUD Academy is needed for our children. I took my child, who identifies as transgender/genderqueer, to the PROUD Academy Open House and I saw them come alive. They were in their element. They felt safe. They felt accepted. They felt confident. To see a place where they could feel so much themselves and so loved for exactly who they are was the most incredible experience."

– Rebecca, Parent –

"It will give students an extra feeling of security; freedom to be themselves, freedom of self-expression."

– Tarin, Student –

"It's so important for individuals and children to have PROUD Academy - to have a school that is always going to accept, never have to judge. It's all full of love. Everybody should have love in their heart and having a school like that would be absolutely amazng for our children. I would like my child to be able to go to a school where there's no judgement."

– Cassie, Parent –

"I get made fun of for being queer, I get made fun of for being trans at school. A school that is made for people like me and made for a community that's not always treated correctly is an amazing thing. It makes a community. It makes a family."

– Ollie, Student–

"I want to go to PROUD Academy because I'll be able to talk to more kids that are queer and will be more accepting of me. It would be a really cool experience."

– Ryen, Student –

"With a name like PROUD Academy - you're going to be PROUD to be there! It's going to be a safe and open space with open arms, ready to hug anybody who needs it, and there will be help around every corner."

– Kai Shappley, Student –

What’s Happening at PROUD

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PROUD News

CT’s first LGBTQ+ school hopes to open soon

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ANSONIA, CT (WFSB) – It would be the first of its kind in New England. Ansonia’s Proud Academy is slated to be the first LGBTQ+ school where everyone is welcomed.  They have the building and the teachers; they just need

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PROUD Academy to open in Ansonia

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The doors will soon open at PROUD Academy in Ansonia. The LGBTQ+ middle school will operate out of The Boys and Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley. “It gives us a start, it is turn key, ready to go,”

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First LGBTQ+ school set to open Connecticut

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NEW HAVEN, Conn. — “Sometimes we want to create what we didn’t have. And so that’s what I’m doing,” said Patrica, “Patty” Nicolari. Nicolari spent years inside the Ansonia school district as an educator and school principal. Beyond her passion for education

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CT’s first LGBTQ+ school hopes to open soon

ANSONIA, CT (WFSB) - It...
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Conn.’s first school for LGBTQ+ students coming to New Haven

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH)...
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Schools for LGBTQ+ students aim to create ‘safe space’

A new type of school is...
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Teach. Create. Inspire.

BUILDING A KIND FUTURE

Want to work at PROUD?

We are looking for qualified and passionate
LGBTQ+ allies who want to work with queer youth at PROUD Academy!

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