Update: Selma City Schools to deny grant to fund LGBTQ+ literature, field trip to 'queer heritage site'

Update: An update from the school district said that they will not accept any grants from the project. 

Selma High School recently received a grant that includes funding for LGBTQ+ literature and a field trip to a "queer heritage site."

The It Gets Better Project, a national non-profit that seeks to "uplift, empower and connect lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) youth around the globe," recently announced grantees for its "50 States. 50 Grants. 5000 Voices" project.

The program, which is now in its second year and has expanded to include Canada, will provide grants of up to $10,000 to 71 U.S. and Canadian public or charter schools for a total of $645,000 in grants.

The project will fund a book club in Selma focusing on LGBTQ+ literature. The proposal includes guest speakers and will culminate in a field trip to a queer heritage site.

The Birmingham Magic City Acceptance Academy, a majority LGBTQ+ charter school, also received a grant with a proposal to create a "Pride Garden" at the school.

"Amid ongoing efforts to silence or stigmatize discussion about LGBTQ+ identity in the classroom, it's more important than ever to ensure that LGBTQ+ students feel that they are welcomed, accepted and able to be their full selves at school," said Brian Wenke, Executive Director of the It Gets Better Project. "Through the 50 States, 50 Grants, 5000 Voices program, we are giving students, teachers and administrators the resources they have determined they need to help make their schools more LGBTQ+ inclusive and supportive. We're so excited to watch these projects flourish and see the ways that schools and entire communities will benefit from these efforts to celebrate and empower their LGBTQ+ students."