Lynwood Unified Honors Pride Month with Student Summit, Flag Raising and Commitment to Equity

At a time when national rhetoric often challenges the identities of LGBTQIA+ youth, Lynwood Unified remains committed to creating spaces where every student feels safe, valued and heard – reflected in a series of Pride Month recognitions.

On May 29, the District’s Equity, Access and Instructional Services Department hosted its third annual Pride Summit, giving middle and high school students a space to share personal stories, hear from empowering speakers, and celebrate identity and community, deeply impacting those who attended.

“The Pride Summit is very inclusive,” said Audencio Dimas, a graduating senior at Firebaugh High School. “It’s making sure that Lynwood is a safe space for people to come out and just spread all their love and care to everyone.”

The Summit remains a cornerstone of the District’s efforts to uplift LGBTQIA+ youth, build understanding across school communities and emphasize the power of allyship.

“We’re all welcomed here. We’re all supporting one another,” said Aolanis Flores, an eighth-grader at Cesar Chavez Middle School. “Even if you’re not part of the LGBTQ community, you’re still supporting and I think that’s what matters.”

To mark the beginning of Pride Month, Superintendent Gudiel R. Crosthwaite, Ph.D., joined District leaders in raising the Progress Pride flag at the District Office on June 2 for the third year in a row – standing as a visible symbol of Lynwood Unified’s dedication to equity, inclusion and belonging.

At its June 5 board meeting, the Lynwood Unified Board of Education adopted a resolution recognizing Pride Month and reaffirming ongoing justice and equity initiatives, including supporting Gay-Straight Alliance clubs across secondary schools, providing social-emotional and mental health services, and ensuring student voices are represented in District decision-making.

“By raising the Progress Pride flag, hosting meaningful student events, and continuing to listen to and uplift our LGBTQIA+ community, we are showing our students and staff that they belong and are valued,” Crosthwaite said. “We remain committed to building an environment where every student can thrive as their authentic self.”