The final Breakfast My Way of the school year was held on June 5, and was a celebration of Pride Month. The breakfast was attended by parents, students, and trustees, and featured delicious rainbow bagels. Breakfast My Way is an event sponsored by the Parents’ Association DEI Committee to bring parents together to learn about the breakfast traditions, holidays, and cultures of their fellow Gaynor families.
Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Stella Mulatu opened the event and introduced this month’s hosts, Gaynor parents Carmelyn Malalis (parent to Ligaya in the Silver Cluster) and Seth Rosen (parent to Zach in the Orange Cluster and Gilles in the Red Cluster).
Carmelyn welcomed the crowd to the celebration, saying, “Happy Pride, everyone! It is our third year at Gaynor, and we are so happy to be a part of the Gaynor family because of celebrations like this. I was talking to Ligaya and she reminded me that when we used to go to Pride marches when they were really little and people would have flags, the kids would be like, ‘Why does everyone have our family flag?’”
She continued saying, “Pride is a time of celebration. It is also a time of memory and giving thanks to the folks behind us and the ancestors.”
Seth echoed Carmelyn’s remarks, and said, “We are so lucky to live in a city that [celebrates LGBTQIA+ people]. But for the vast majority of people in the United States that absolutely does not happen. So I ask you to be that vocal ally to gay people, to trans people, to all Queer people, and especially to the students. Be that vocal adult who lets them know that they are accepted and safe.”
Students from Gaynor’s LGBTQIA+ Student Affinity Group, the Rainbow Alliance, said a few words, bringing both laughter and some tears to the audience. A highlight was when Ms. Mulatu read a touching submission from Blue Cluster student Tova K. about her two dads.
It began, “You might have noticed that I have two dads and I’m here today to tell you what that’s like. Spoiler alert. It’s actually pretty awesome. First of all, I get to say “dad” twice as much as you do… I get double the advice, double the jokes, and double the love. My dads are my heroes.”
All of the students representing the Rainbow Alliance spoke of the importance of feeling the support of the Gaynor community, and the importance of allyship. It was a great way to end this year’s slate of Breakfast My Way events!