Olive Garrison has persistently fought to eliminate stereotyping, discrimination, harassment and hate-motivated violence directed toward LGBTQ+ students, fellow educators and others.

Garrison has literally put their life on the line speaking out for LGBTQ+ students. After being quoted in a January 2023 New York Times article that was widely shared in right-wing media, they’ve been targeted with transphobic/homophobic hate, including doxxing and death threats.

Despite all this, Garrison has forged on with their work. “They taught me that as important as having a Gender & Sexuality Alliance and other affinity groups in our schools [Garrison has been a GSA advisor since joining Kern High School District (KHSD) in 2017], teaching LGBTQ+ history is more powerful because it affects all students. It decreases bullying and makes it a safer community,” said Elise Sotello, who nominated Garrison for the award.

Garrison also trains educators throughout the state in teaching LGBTQ+ history, and presents and trains at the ONE Archives Foundation, The Center on Colfax — LGBTQ Colorado, the California Department of Education, the California Council for the Social Studies (CCSS), and at CTA and other conferences.

Their efforts in and outside the classroom as a voice for the marginalized have not gone unnoticed. They’ve received the Don Romesburg Prize from the American Historical Association’s Committee on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender History, and CCSS’ Equity, Inclusion & Social Justice Award. Last year, at the first-ever KHSD Lavender Awards, they received Advisor of the Year.

While continuing to teach LGBTQ+ history in high school and community college, Garrison is pursuing a doctorate degree (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership.

Watch Olive Garrison’s short video here. Read about the other Human Rights Award winners here.