Pride event at ARMS days after Graphic story publication was ‘beautiful to see’

When science teacher Annie Paradis, art teachers Elena Betke-Brunswick and Kristen Ripley, and guidance department head Lisa Zephyr heard about transphobia and anti-LGBTQ bullying that went unchecked at ARMS, negatively affecting queer students, they wanted to take action as soon as possible.

After a morning faculty meeting on Wednesday, May 10, the day after the article “It’s life or death’: failure to protect trans kids at ARMS a systemic problem” was published,  they gathered inside the library and felt strongly that they had to “do something now.”

“We were really upset and a lot of people were asking what we could do to support the middle school students,” said Betke-Brunswick. Ripley had suggested going down to the middle school as soon as possible and mentioned that “our colleagues at the middle school were feeling very deflated.” 

On Thursday, Ripley had her students make posters informing other students about the walk and hung them up around the school. 

Zephyr shared the desire to be a supportive presence for students and teachers. “Students deserve to be respected and honored,” said Zephyr.

On Friday, May 12, ARHS students joined ARHS and ARMS staff in supporting LGBTQ+ students. A wave of people swarmed the sidewalk at ARMS, holding signs and waving LGBTQ+ flags, and looking for a rainbow after a morning rain shower. 

“My main goal is to support all students to be their true authentic selves,” said Title IX Coordinator and Director of Student and Family Engagement, Marta Guevara. “This is who we are.”

Students and staff waited for the school buses with ARMS students to arrive while they sang along to music and displayed signs with messages such as “We support and love you” and “I support LGBTQ+.”

The crowd was filled with smiles, brimming with excitement to welcome the students to school. “We have an ongoing responsibility to take care of all of our students and to honor everyone’s identity. Hate has no place here,” said teacher special education teacher Patrick Hunter.

Positive energy filled the air and “staff felt like this is exactly what people needed right now,” said Paradis. 

The walk turnout exceeded expectations, with a large number of people showing up even with short notice.

“I was blown away by how many people and people from different communities showed up and how happy and supportive the community felt,” said Betke-Brunswick. Retired teachers of the Amherst community and students from neighboring towns also showed up in support. 

Students echoed teachers’ feelings about the event. “I came to the walk to show the middle schoolers that we high school students are here for them and that we support and love them,” said Bevin Montgomery-Gehrt. “It was beautiful to see us all come together.”

“We did it to support our students but we didn’t realize how much of an uplifting act it could be for the adults too,” said Ripley. 

This display of solidarity and acceptance had a profound impact on the Amherst community, building a stronger and more inclusive atmosphere after a painful acknowledgment of harms experienced by trans kids at the middle school.

Pelham and Fort River held pride celebrations at field days this week (in June) and celebrations are continuing throughout the month.

ARMS students and staff threw their own Pride march around the school on Friday, June 2, ending on the hillside for a celebration that included music and dancing.