PFLAG Nashville facilitates LGBTQ+ info session at USN
Facilitated by members of PFLAG Nashville, this information session introduces High School parents to the essentials of teen LGBTQ+ health and well-being at 7 p.m. Wednesday, September 20 in the Gordon Multipurpose Room.
By Dean A. Masullo, Ph.D., High School English and GSA Faculty Moderator
On Wednesday, September 20, USN will host its fourth annual LGBTQ+ 101 session for High School parents and other guardians facilitated by Jake Martino and Kathy Halbrooks of PFLAG Nashville. The 90-minute event will take place in the Gordon Multipurpose Room; it begins at 7 p.m. with a 45-minute presentation followed by a question-and-answer period.
The presentation will cover the essentials of LGBTQ+ identity and support, as well as information about sexual health specific to LGBTQ+ teens. It is intended for the parents and guardians of all High School students, regardless of their children’s gender identity or sexual orientation.
“This is foundational knowledge for all USN High School parents,” said Director of Counseling Beth Eberl. “Parents of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or gender non-conforming kids need to know how to support their children. Heterosexual kids have friends who are LGBTQ+; parents of those students need to know how to support their children’s friends, too.”
PFLAG is the first and largest organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people, their parents and families, and allies.
One of the High School’s largest and most active student organizations, USN’s Gender and Sexuality Alliance, seeks to promote a welcoming educational and social environment for all students; to raise awareness of issues surrounding lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and other nonbinary identities; and to partner with others both in and beyond the USN community on matters of student diversity, equality, safety, and well-being.
Business Office Manager Sarah Dey, Assistant Director of Annual Giving Justin Gung, and Special Gifts & Donor Relations Director Carolyn Hecklin Hyatt '02, and Middle School Athletic Trainer Anna Unnasch joined USN after the start of the 2023-2024 academic year.
The National Merit Scholarship Program honors seniors whose PSAT scores show exceptional academic ability and potential for success in rigorous college studies. Congratulations to Cleo Gauthier '24, Emily Law '24, Natalie Mallal '24, Isaac Spiller '24, Katherine Vaughn '24, and Kailyn Womer '24.
USN Mission: University School of Nashville models the best educational practices. In an environment that represents the cultural and ethnic composition of Metropolitan Nashville, USN fosters each student’s intellectual, artistic, and athletic potential, valuing and inspiring integrity, creative expression, a love of learning, and the pursuit of excellence.