The New York City public school system has become the first in history to host a LGBTQ Pride celebration event.

The event was held on Tuesday, June 21, and organizers are hoping it will serve as a measure of inspiration to other school districts across the country. Throngs of students, parents and faculty members gathered at the Tweed Courthouse in Manhattan to mark the occasion.

"We're excited," said Jared Fox, the New York City Department of Education's first LGBTQ community liaison. "It's the first of many opportunities for us to celebrate."

Programs on tap for all of NYC's 1,800 Schools

Fox joined the ranks of NYC school system six months ago and part of his mission instantly became creating programs that will help make all 1,800 public schools more LGBTQ friendly.

A 2013 New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene study found LGBTQ students are more likely to be bullied than other students, with 29 percent of LGBTQ recently recounting such experiences compared to just 17 percent of heterosexual students.

"[Tonight's celebration] is an opportunity for us to highlight some of the proactive initiatives that we're doing and to create a supportive and inclusive environment in every school building," Fox added.

Already this year, Fox claims she has trained nearly 1,200 parent coordinators now serving as points of contact for families and another 100 principals committed to becoming to better understanding transgender and gender-inclusive programs.

He has also tirelessly worked with untold faculty-members intent on finding more ways of including LGBTQ content in their curriculums.

Still, Fox stressed it's just as significant that school officials continue to interact with the families of as many students as they can.

"What kids are learning in schools needs to be wrapped around what the kids are hearing in their home," he explained.

NYC School System Looked to for Direction?

As the largest in the country, Fox hinted he's convinced it's particularly important that the New York City school system shows signs of adapting to the changing times as many other districts look to it as being a guiding light.

"[It's] an opportunity to not only change the lives of kids across the five boroughs, but to create safe, supportive inclusive environments across the country," he said.

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