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GSA Network Highlight
Making Day of Silence An Anti-Oppression Event
GSA Network Announcements
1. The OHMY Conference is coming up in less than two weeks! (Bay Area)
2. Register Online for Expression Not Suppression Conference (Central Valley)
3. Upcoming GSA Leadership Training (LA)
4. Expression Not Suppression Planning Committee Meeting (Fresno)
Other Announcements
5. Sacramento GSA Leadership Committee Meeting
6. Dance for GSAs at the Harker School (San Jose)
7. Get Caught in the Love Spell (San Francisco)
8. LYRIC Announcements--Get Down and Clean Up (San Francisco)
9. New Resources on LGBTQ Youth in the Foster Care and Juvenile Justice Systems
10. California Digital Stories Contest
11. Become A Triangle Speaker
12. For those who know: Lillian Faderman Speaks
13. SCHOLARSHIPS: PFLAG National Scholarships Program
14. SCHOLARSHIPS: Freedom Band Foundation Scholarship Program
15. JOB: Safe Bathroom Access Campaign (SBAC) Program Coordinator
16. NEWS: Court upholds sentence of gay teen
17. NEWS: Fremont mom unlikely gay activist
18. NEWS: ACLU Wins Settlement for Kentucky Gay-Straight Alliance
+++++++++++++++ GSA NETWORK HIGHLIGHT +++++++++++++++
Making Day of Silence An Anti-Oppression Event
Attention all GSAs! It's time to start planning for the Day of Silence!
The Day of Silence is a day in which people of all sexual orientations and gender identities who support lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) rights take a vow of silence to recognize and protest the silence that LGBT people face each day. The Day of Silence is a project of the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) in collaboration with the United States Student Association (USSA). GSA Network is a proud endorser of the Day of Silence.
Day of Silence is a great opportunity for a GSA to incorporate a multi-oppression message in your activism. Working in coalition with other student groups who work on issues around racism, classism, ageism, sexism, human rights, etc. can add many more people to your event and make your event affect more people on your school campus.
The project consists of a vow of silence for the entire school day. Participants pass out cards that state their reasons for not speaking. See below for an example of a multi-oppression version of the card.
Please understand my reasons for not speaking today. I support lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender rights in solidarity with other oppressed or marginalized people. People who are silent today believe that laws and attitudes should be inclusive of people of all sexual orientations, gender identities, races, national origins, ethnicities, religions, and abilities. The day of silence is to draw attention to those who have been silenced by hatred, oppression, and prejudice. Think about the voices you are not hearing. What can you do to end the silence?
At the end of the day of silence, participants can host "Breaking the
Silence" follow up events to educate their communities on how to keep the
silence from continuing.
To check out GSA Network's resources about the Day of Silence, visit:
http://www.gsanetwork.org/resources/dos.html
To register your student club for the Day of Silence, go to: http://www.dayofsilence.org
+++++++++++++ GSA NETWORK ANNOUNCEMENTS +++++++++++++
*********************************************
1. The OHMY Conference is coming up in less than two weeks! (Bay Area)
The weeks are winding down! Register online for the OHMY Conference.
http://www.gsanetwork.org/ohmy
OHMY will take place on February 14th from 9AM-5PM at Horace Mann Middle School--3351 23rd St.
For more information:
415.703.6150 x28 (LYRIC)
http://www.gsanetwork.org/ohmy
mailto:ohmy@gsanetwork.org
*********************************************
2. Register Online for the Expression Not Suppression Conference (Central Valley)
Register online for the Expression Not Suppression Conference.
Expression Not Suppression will take place on Saturday, March 20 at Pace Academy
at Manchester Mall in Fresno.
Expression Not Suppression is a conference for LGBTQ and straight ally youth ages 14-23 and it's FREE!!
On-site registration is at noon; Conference begins at 1pm. Dance concludes at 10pm. Dinner is provided along with workshops, networking, drag show, and dance.
For more information:
(559)453-9040
http://www.gsanetwork.org/fresno-reg.html
mailto:diana@gsanetwork.org
*********************************************
3. Upcoming GSA Leadership Training (LA)
Los Angeles GSA Leadership Training
When: Saturday, February 21, 10am - 4pm (Breakfast and lunch provided.)
Where: LA Gay and Lesbian Center, Village at Ed Gould Plaza, 1125 N. McCadden
Place, Hollywood (one block East of Highland, just North of Santa Monica)
Cost: FREE
Co-sponsors: LA Gay & Lesbian Center Family Services Program
RSVP: Stephanie Cho: mailto:stephanie@gsanetwork.org
or 415.552.4229
Arielle Rosen: mailto:arosen@laglc.org
or 323.860.7397
*********************************************
4. Expression Not Suppression Planning Committee Meeting
The Expression Not Suppression Planning Committee will meet on Sunday, February
8th at 5pm at Diana's apartment. Call or e-mail the office for directions.
(559)453-9040
mailto:diana@gsanetwork.org
++++++++++++++++ OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS ++++++++++++++++
GSA Network News is a publication of Gay-Straight Alliance Network.
Events, resources, and news items listed under "Other Announcements"
are not sponsored or written by GSA Network, and do not necessarily reflect
the views and opinions of GSA Network.
*********************************************
5. Sacramento GSA Leadership Committee Meeting
Saturday, February 7 12:30 - 2:30 P.M., Lambda Community Center
The Sacramento GSA Leadership Committee will be meeting at the Lambda Community
Center in downtown Sacramento to discuss the Sacramento Gay Youth Dance. All
GSA leaders in the Sacramento area are encouraged to attend.
For more information:
e-mail Chris George at mailto:desertdruid@yahoo.com
or call 916.359.3934.
*****************************************************
6. Dance for GSAs at the Harker School (San Jose)
The GSA at the Harker School in San Jose invites area GSA's to our February
7th school dance (mixer). We're calling it the "Love Is Tender and Knows
No Gender Blender", and it goes from 8 - 11 PM on the Harker campus.
For more information, directions to the school, and a guest pass, please contact Abel Olivas (one of the faculty advisors) at mailto:abelo@harker.org.
*****************************************************
7. Get Caught in the Love Spell (San Francisco)
Love Spell
Love and Justice Project Presents:
An Open Mic
for: Divas, Artists, Actors, Singers, Poets, MCs, Dancers
Calling ALL! Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay, Transgender, Two-Spirit, Queer, Same Gender
Loving and Questioning Youth of Color
25 and under--Allies Welcomed
When: February 13th. 2004
Where: Proyecto Contra SIDA Por VIDA
2973 16th St. @Mission St
How to Get There: 16th St BART Station or MUNI Lines: 14, 22, 33, 49, 53
The event is free as well as clean and sober
For more information, please contact:
Tamiko or Mario @415.777.5500
*****************************************************
8. LYRIC Announcements--Get Down and Clean Up
YAY!!! More LYRIC FUN!
As you all (hopefully!) know LYRIC, in conjunction with the 8th annual OHMY
Conference, will be hosting Aphrodisiac, a queer Valentine's Day dance event.
It will be held on Saturday, Feb, 14th from 8-12.
Aphrodisiac will take place at the SF Boys and Girls Club on Guerrero, with DJ Mike Biggs from Club Faith, an MC performance space for youth talent, including prizes, and more!
Please encourage young people to attend and to sign up to perform song, dance,
poetry it will be an amazing opportunity to share one's talent!
----
On the other side of things, we need volunteers to help cover the event!!! And
really, what better way to celebrate Valentines Day than helping
out LGBT youth?
That's right, a perfect opportunity for singles to bitterly scowl at queer youth in love, couples to share a glance across the floor or just a time to enjoy the fun event, great music and fabulous food...
We have slots for people to help with set-up and decorations, coat and bag
check, front door greeting and sign-ins, dance floor roamers, and clean up.
The event itself will last from 8-12, with set-up and cleanup pushing it from
6:30pm-1am.
Slots will be roughly two to three hours long, but we can be flexible too!
PLEASE drop rob a line at mailto:rob@lyric.org
or call 415.703.6150, ext. 20 to sign up and help!
Thanks so much for your support of LGBTQQ
Youth!
*****************************************************
9. New Resources on LGBTQ youth in the Foster Care and Juvenile Justice Systems
LGBTQ youth in the foster care and juvenile justice systems are at a disproportionately
high risk of experiencing verbal harassment and physical or sexual abuse because
of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Despite these conditions, there
are very few resources addressing this problem.
NCLR is currently engaged in several new initiatives to address the needs of
these youth. The documents below are part of a new tool kit designed to educate
people about the experiences of LGBTQ youth in the foster care and juvenile
justice systems.
NCLR's summary of AB 458, California's Foster Care Non-Discrimination Act --http://www.nclrights.org/publications/ab458.htm.
Question and answer guide about AB 458 -- http://www.nclrights.org/publications/QAab458.htm.
Fact Sheet on LGBTQ youth in foster care -- http://www.nclrights.org/publications/lgbtqfostercare.htm.
Fact Sheet on LGBTQ youth in juvenile justice -- http://www.nclrights.org/publications/lgbtqjuvenilejustice.htm.
Description of NCLR's foster care and juvenile justice work -- http://www.nclrights.org/publications/fostercare-juvenile.htm.
******************************************************
10. California Digital Stories Contest
Dear Educator:
In California, 50 percent of the residents are from somewhere else. This rich
diversity presents exciting learning opportunities in the classroom. KQED Education
Network hopes to inspire learning through our Coming to California Digital Stories
Contest, which has a particular focus on personal narrative around immigration
- how high school students and/or their families migrated to California. See
below for a definition of Digital Storytelling.
By encouraging your students to participate in this project, you will be connecting them to a state-wide effort. As a media partner in the California Council for the Humanities' California Stories initiative, KQED wants to help the Council bring Californians together to share their stories.
Specific contest information, contest rules, and official entry form can be found on the EdNet section on the KQED website: http://www.kqed.org/ednet. Stories must be postmarked no later than April 15, 2004.
We invite you to participate by encouraging students to submit entries. Please also consider integrating this contest into your language arts, history, art or multimedia curriculum.
If you have questions about the contest, please contact my coworker Laura at 415.553.2342 or email mailto:californiastories@kqed.org.
Thank you for your interest!
Sincerely,
Leslie Rule
Project Supervisor, California Stories
Education Network
KQED Public Broadcasting
415-225-1925
P.S. First place winners will receive a laptop.
Definition of Digital Storytelling:
Digital Storytelling is the modern expression of the ancient art of storytelling.
Digital stories derive their power by weaving images, music, narrative and voice
together, thereby giving deep dimension and vivid color to characters, situations,
experiences, and insights. Digital stories allow students to combine storytelling
with a visual multimedia component.
******************************************************
11. Become A Triangle Speaker (Santa Cruz County)
Help eliminate homophobia
LGBT people often do not feel safe. Youth face harassment at school, rejection
by their families, lack of support, information, or role models. Education and
personal contact dispel myths and stereotypes and break down prejudice.
If you are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, or the Family Member of someone
who is LGBT, you can have an immediate, tangible effect on attitudes about LGBT
people
BECOME A TRIANGLE SPEAKER
Speak on a panel with others - not alone, talk about your life experiences,
and attendance on panels is based on your availability
It is easy!
Attend a one-day training
Saturday, March 13
9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Food is provided throughout the day
The training is held at Cabrillo College
Sign Up To Be A Volunteer Speaker Today!
Call Triangle Speakers at (831) 457-2934
Check out our website at: http://www.trianglespeakers.org
Panels speak all through Santa Cruz County. We do a small number of panels in
Monterey Country and in the San Jose/Santa Clara area as well.
For more information, please contact:
Triangle Speakers
520 Mission Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 457-2934
mailto:triangle@trianglespeakers.org
http://www.trianglespeakers.org
******************************************************
12. For those who know: Lillian Faderman Speaks (Fresno)
Lillian Faderman, Lesbian Author and Pioneering Educator at CSUF To Speak On
February 5th. Fresno author, researcher and educator, Lillian Faderman, will
be reading from her works at the Fresno Art Museum on Thursday, February 5th
at 7:30pm. Student tickets are $4. Among Faderman's works are: Surpassing the
Love of Men, Odd Girls and Twilight Lovers, and The Scotch Verdict.
******************************************************
13. PFLAG National Scholarships Program
"Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) has launched
its National Scholarships Program for graduating seniors entering higher education
in fall, 2004. The program is open to self-identified lesbian, gay, bisexual
and transgender (LGBT) students and allies who can demonstrate support for,
or involvement with, the LGBT community.
The program offers nine scholarships of $2,500, and fourteen scholarships of $1,000 to help offset tuition, room and board and textbook costs. Application materials can be downloaded from http://www.pflag.org, or requested from:
PFLAG National Scholarships Program
1726 M Street, #400
Washington, DC 20036
Applications should be postmarked no later than March 15, 2004, and sent to:
Dr. Roy Gilbert-Higginson
PFLAG National Scholarships Program
1726 M Street, #400
Washington, DC 20036
******************************************************
14. Freedom Band Foundation Scholarship Program
The Freedom Band Foundation has supported the LGBT community with the Great
American Freedom Band bringing their energy to pride events across the United
States, as well as introducing "mainstream" audiences to another side
of the LGBT community. To commemorate their Silver Anniversary, the Foundation
Board decided they would invest in the future by creating the Freedom Band Foundation
Scholarship Fund.
This fund will provide need-based scholarships to students who are attending
or have been accepted to an accredited college, university, or vocational school
and who (1) demonstrate a commitment to equality and social justice (2) have
been involved in promoting greater understanding of LGBT issues, and (3) have
been involved in, or have a sincere interest in music or other performing arts.
The first scholarship will be awarded in May, 2004.
For more information about the application process or to support, please contact:
323.667.BAND
mailto:gayfbia@aol.com
******************************************************
15. JOB: Safe Bathroom Access Campaign (SBAC) Program Coordinator
Organization: Transgender Law Center
Number of Hours: 6 hours/week (average)
Length of employment: The position will start the middle to end of February 2004 and go for 1 year, potentially renewable at that point.
Salary and Benefits: $15/hour plus benefits (sick days, vacation days, $45/month health insurance stipend)
Job Description: The SBAC Program Coordinator will implement the projects of People in Search of Safe Restrooms (PISSR), including a campaign to have the San Francisco Board of Supervisors pass a law that requires all single stall bathrooms in San Francisco be gender neutral.
PISSR is a group of activists and artists of all genders who work to make bathrooms a safer place for all people. We believe that all people, regardless of their gender identification or presentation, have the right to safe and dignified restroom facilities without fear of harassment, judgment, or violence. In order to reach this goal, PISSR is committed to establishing gender neutral bathrooms. PISSR achieves its goals through legislation, education, and direct action.
Duties:
- To plan and advertise meetings
- To work with members to implement projects that members decide to do such
as educational panels, actions, events, film screenings, t-shirt making parties,
research projects, co-sponsored events, and press conferences.
- To coordinate the committees of the group
- To create materials for events, such as fliers, stickers, and pamphlets
- To increase the group's accountability to the mtf and people of color communities
by establishing relationships with people and organizations to determine what
would make the group more welcoming to a more diverse group of people
- To be involved in grant reporting for the project and to help fundraise for
the continuation of the project
- To update the website regularly
- To moderate the listserv and send out weekly updates
Supervisor: Dylan Vade
Qualifications:
- Active involvement in and knowledge of the transgender and genderqueer and
gender non-conforming communities in the Bay Area
- Desire to create more gender neutral bathrooms in order to make the bathroom
world safer for all people
- Connections to and involvement in people of color communities
- Connections to and involvement in mtf communities
- Experience in community led direct action groups
- Experience in community organizing
- Experience in delegating tasks and leading groups
- Experience in organizing meetings
- Experience in organizing events
- Experience in working with ms word, internet, e-mail
- Good writing and communication skills
- Basic experience in updating websites, or willingness to learn
- Experience in creating graphics preferred
- Experience in policy creation ideal, but not necessary
Process:
Please mail a cover letter, resume, and one reference to:
Dylan Vade
Transgender Law Center
1800 Market St., Suite 406
San Francisco, CA 94102
Deadline for applications is Monday February 16th.
Interview will be done by TLC staff as well as PISSR members.
People of color and female identified people strongly encouraged to apply.
back to top
******************************************************
16. NEWS: Court upholds sentence of gay teen
Kan. judges defend stricter punishment for homosexual acts
By Lyle Denniston, Globe Correspondent, 1/31/2004
WASHINGTON -- A state court in Kansas, under orders from the US Supreme Court to reconsider a ruling that allowed harsher punishment of gay teenagers who engage in sex, reached the same judgment yesterday and defended it as a way to promote traditional moral values.
The Kansas Court of Appeals for a second time upheld the 17-year prison sentence of a youth who, at age 18, engaged in oral sex with a 14-year-old boy. For the same crime, if it had involved an act between an 18-year-old male and a 14-year-old girl, the sentence would have been 13 to 15 months.
In finding that the different treatment was valid, the state court commented in its 2-1 decision: "The Legislature could have reasonably determined that to prevent the gradual deterioration of the sexual morality approved by a majority of Kansans, it would encourage and preserve the traditional sexual mores of society."
Because children are still developing their sexual identities, "the Legislature could well have concluded that homosexual sodomy between children and young adults could disturb the traditional sexual development," the court added.
The majority said that traditional sexual mores are valued because they promote marriage and childbearing. "Throughout history, governments have extolled the virtues of procreation as a way to furnish new workers, soldiers, and other useful members of society," the majority opinion said.
Matt Coles, director of lesbian and gay rights for the American Civil Liberties Union, said the decision will be challenged in the Kansas Supreme Court and, if that court again chooses not to hear the case, in the US Supreme Court. The attorney general of Kansas, Phill Kline, said he was pleased that the state court rejected an ACLU argument "that the Legislature cannot enact legislation based upon morality."
The Supreme Court had sent the case back to the Kansas appeals court for a
new look after ruling last June that homosexuals have a constitutional right
to engage in private sex acts. That decision nullified a Texas statute outlawing
sodomy between gays.
The Kansas appeals court, responding directly to the order to reconsider, said
the Texas case involved consenting adults, and thus the high court's decision
did not apply to homosexual acts involving children.
An ACLU lawyer directly involved in the Kansas case, Tamara Lange, called the state court's reasoning absurd, and added: "The Supreme Court made it very clear that `traditional sexual mores' are no longer a legitimate rationale for discriminating against gay people."
Lange represents Matthew Limon, convicted of performing oral sex on the 14-year-old while the two resided at a school for developmentally disabled youths.
******************************************************
17. NEWS: Fremont mom unlikely gay activist
By Sandhya Somashekhar, Staff Writer (The Argus)
"I never saw myself that way until others pointed it out to me," said the wife and mother of three. "I think I've just always been motivated by a feeling that nobody should feel isolated."
Nevertheless, the 53-year-old Fremont resident has made a name for herself
across the country as a strong advocate for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender
youth, pushing for political and social change for almost a decade. Now, Dronkers-Laureta,
a Filipina-American, is expanding her activism further as co-founder of API
Family Pride, a Bay Area support organization for Asian and Pacific Islander
families dealing with issues of sexual orientation and
gender identity.
Dronkers-Laureta's first foray into advocacy came in 1993, when her son, Lance,
then 19, stunned the family by announcing he was gay.
"No parent is prepared for that kind of news," she said. "At
the time, I didn't really understand what gay meant." As her son emerged
from the closet, Dronkers-Laureta said, she went in.
She struggled to find the words to tell extended family members, many of whom
believed that there could never be any gays in the family, she said. She
stopped telling friends about her son's achievements. She began to feel as
alienated as he must have felt for so many years, she remembers.
Then, she said, she decided to become educated. She sought out support from
Parents, Friends and Family of Lesbians and Gays, and unwittingly became one
of
the founding members of the Fremont chapter. Then, she began speaking out at
school board meetings, encouraging educators to provide resources and safe havens
for their gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and questioning students. When
she finally broke the news to her family, some were confused, she said. Others
objected, saying homosexuality was wrong in the eyes of God. But her revelation
inspired a great uncle, an aunt and three cousins to come out, too.
And the world learned her family secret when she and her husband, John, and their children -- minus Lance, who was living in New York -- were spotted on the nightly news marching in the San Francisco Gay Pride parade.
By 1998, she said, activism was her full-time job.
She's an example of the kind of unlikely ally fighting battles across the country, said Ron Schlittler, director of the field and policy office at the national PFLAG office in Washington, D.C. "They're operating from a place of love for their kids," he said.
"They're recognizing systematic unfairness and harassment that are very much part of our culture, and they're outraged."
Today, Dronkers-Laureta speaks of her experiences at conferences and workshops around the world.
Her experiences were chronicled in a book called "Always My Child" by Kevin Jennings. Soon, she will lead a workshop alongside Lance, who also is an activist. Her new project is geared toward Asian and Pacific Islanders, who she says encounter a different set of challenges when coming to terms with a gay member of the family.
"API families don't traditionally talk about sex," she said. "And
they won't
look for help in a support group. They wouldn't want to broadcast their family
dealings to a big group." Rather than using traditional support groups
popular in this country, API Family Pride will connect with families on a one-on-one
basis and in social settings, such as birthday parties and baby showers, she
said. Also, the organization is trying to recruit enough translators to answer
questions in families' native languages. That way, she said, Asian families
dealing with gay issues won't have to do it alone.
"Being an immigrant, I know something about isolation," she said. "Being shameful of my son at the time he came out, I was hiding. I was isolated again. That's not right for anybody to be isolated from community."
Information about API Family Pride is available by calling (510) 818-0887 or
at http://www.apifamilypride.org
******************************************************
18. NEWS: ACLU Wins Settlement for Kentucky Gay-Straight Alliance
District Will Allow Club to Meet and Will Provide Anti-Harassment Training for Students and Staff
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, February 3, 2004
Contact:
Chris Hampton, (212) 549-2673
Beth Wilson, (502) 581-9746
ASHLAND, KY - The American Civil Liberties Union today announced the end of a year-long lawsuit it brought on behalf of several students who had sought to form a gay-straight alliance (GSA) club at Boyd County High School. The settlement requires that the district treat all student clubs equally and conduct an anti-harassment training for all district staff as well as all students in high school and middle school.
"The Boyd County Public Schools wasted over a year's time and a lot of taxpayer money to try to stop these students from having their club, when a federal judge had already made it clear that the district was breaking the law by trying to silence students who wanted nothing more than a place to talk about how to stop anti-gay harassment and discrimination at school and in the community," said Tamara Lange, an attorney with the ACLU's Lesbian and Gay Rights Project who represented the GSA. "This should serve as a reminder to schools everywhere that they can't tinker around with federal law in an attempt to pick and choose which clubs they want to allow to exist."
In December 2002, the Boyd County Board of Education took the extraordinary step of suspending all clubs in all schools in the district - kindergarten through 12th grade - in an effort to prevent a group of students from forming a GSA at Boyd County High School. Local ministers had organized school walkouts and a public rally to voice their opposition to the GSA, and school officials claimed that disruption at the school by people objecting to the GSA justified suspending the club. Last April, a federal judge issued an injunction ordering that the GSA be allowed to meet and noted that schools can't silence students who hold unpopular views just because other students or community members protest against them.
"This club has never been about anything but making a safe space for students who are harassed on a daily basis in our school," said Kaye King, faculty adviser to the GSA. "We're glad the school finally understands that and is taking steps to address the harassment in our district on a wider scale."
In hearings leading up to the injunction, testimony from members of the GSA had painted a grim picture of a school where harassment is rampant. For example, students in an English class once stated that they needed to "take all the fucking faggots out in the back woods and kill them."
"Schools have to understand that allowing students to form gay-straight alliances like the one at Boyd County High School is not only what they're required to do by law, but is also something they should be encouraging," said Beth Wilson, Executive Director of the ACLU of Kentucky. "GSA's work to foster tolerance and make students who have traditionally been marginalized feel safe and valued. Schools not only shouldn't discriminate against GSA's - they should be encouraging them to form."
In the settlement agreement, the district agrees to:
* Treat the gay-straight alliance no differently from other clubs
* Conduct an annual training session on all types of harassment (including a
special component on anti-gay harassment)
* Revise all student activities policies to treat members of all clubs equally.
The plaintiffs didn't ask for monetary damages.
The students had first petitioned the school to form the gay-straight alliance in March 2002. The school's Site Based Decision Making Council approved the GSA in October 2002 after the ACLU sent a letter explaining the students' rights under the federal Equal Access Act but the Board of Education, bowing to opposition from local ministers, reversed the council's decision that December and suspended all clubs. The ACLU filed suit against the district last January.
The suit was heard in Ashland by the United States District Court of the Eastern District of Kentucky. The ACLU is represented by Tamara Lange and James Esseks, ACLU of Kentucky general counsel David Friedman, and ACLU cooperating attorney Ed Dove.--
In this issue of GSA Network News, you'll find:
GSA Network Highlight
Grants for GSAs: GSA Network Launches Partnership with Youth Venture
GSA Network Announcements
1. OHMY Registration ends this Friday at Noon! (Bay Area)
2. Register Online for Expression Not Suppression Conference (Central Valley)
3. Upcoming GSA Leadership Training (LA)
Other Announcements
4. Los Altos High School Gay Film Festival
5. Queer Film Series at Crossroads (Santa Monica)
6. First GSA Coalition Meeting in the Mid-Peninsula
7. Q ACTION EVENT! (San Francisco)
8. Get Caught in the Love Spell (San Francisco)
9. LYRIC Announcements--Get Down and Clean Up (San Francisco)
10. Break the Cycle (Los Angeles)
11. Theatre Think Tank for Addressing LGBTQ issues in Schools (Los Angeles)
12. Third Annual Black LGBT Film Festival (San Francisco)
13. SCHOLARSHIP: Lee Dubin Scholarship Fund
14. JOBS: DiversityWorks Seeks Summer Interns (Oakland)
15. NEWS: Nuances of gay identities reflected in new language: 'Homosexual'
is passé in a 'boi's' life
+++++++++++++++ GSA NETWORK HIGHLIGHT +++++++++++++++
Grants for GSAs: GSA Network Launches Partnership with Youth Venture
Are you trying to start a new campaign at your school to create change?
Are you interested in creating a new organization or project that works for
social change?
Do you need MONEY to get started?
If so, then become a GSA Network-Youth Venturer!
GSA Network is proud to announce our new partnership with Youth Venture. The GSA Network-Youth Venture partnership will help California GSAs and LGBT and ally youth launch campaigns to create change in schools across California by offering start-up funds to youth-led teams of social change activists.
The GSA Network-Youth Venture partnership will provide start-up funds to help youth start GSAs where they don't exist and help established GSAs start new campaigns to create change at their schools. The program is in a pilot stage in 2004 and anticipates supporting 5-10 teams this year with grants of up to $500. Applications will be due March 5, 2004. Interviews will take place in mid-March.
To apply, visit: http://www.gsanetwork.org/youthgrants.html
Learn more about Youth Venture at http://www.youthventure.org.
+++++++++++++ GSA NETWORK ANNOUNCEMENTS +++++++++++++
*********************************************
1. OHMY Registration ends this Friday at Noon!
This is the last week! Register online for the OHMY Conference. Registration ends at Noon on Friday.
OHMY will take place on February 14th from 9AM-5PM at Horace Mann Middle School--3351 23rd St.
For more information:
415.703.6150 x28 (LYRIC)
http://www.gsanetwork.org/ohmy
mailto:ohmy@gsanetwork.org
*********************************************
2. Register Online for the Expression Not Suppression Conference (Central Valley)
Register online for the Expression Not Suppression Conference.
Expression Not Suppression will take place on Saturday, March 20 at Pace Academy
at Manchester Mall in Fresno.
Expression Not Suppression is a conference for LGBTQ and straight ally youth
ages 14-23 and it's FREE!!
On-site registration is at noon; Conference begins at 1pm. Dance concludes at 10pm. Dinner is provided along with workshops, networking, drag show, and dance.
For more information:
(559)453-9040
http://www.gsanetwork.org/fresno-reg.html
mailto:diana@gsanetwork.org
*********************************************
3. Upcoming GSA Leadership Training (LA)
Los Angeles GSA Leadership Training
When: Saturday, February 21, 10am - 4pm (Breakfast and lunch provided.)
Where: LA Gay and Lesbian Center, Village at Ed Gould Plaza, 1125 N. McCadden
Place, Hollywood (one block East of Highland, just North of Santa Monica)
Cost: FREE
Co-sponsors: LA Gay & Lesbian Center Family Services Program
RSVP: Stephanie Cho: mailto:stephanie@gsanetwork.org
or 415.552.4229
Arielle Rosen: mailto:arosen@laglc.org
or 323.860.7397
++++++++++++++++ OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS++++++++++++++
GSA Network News is a publication of Gay-Straight Alliance Network.
Events, resources, and news items listed under "Other Announcements"
are not sponsored or written by GSA Network, and do not necessarily reflect
the views and opinions of GSA Network.
*********************************************
4. Los Altos High School Gay Film Festival
The Gay-Straight Alliance at Los Altos High School will be hosting a Gay Film Festival on Saturday, February 28, 2004 from 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
The festival is open to the public. A suggested donation at the door will be
$5 per movie and $15 all day pass for five movies. The movies will be on the
funny and light side. The money will go to educating the public on gay youth
issues and for a scholarship.
The scholarship is in the name of Eddie "Gwen" Araujo, and was created
to help a senior member of the club. We appreciate your support.
Questions, call Ruth at Los Altos High School, (650) 960-8473.
*****************************************************
5. Queer Film Series at Crossroads (Santa Monica)
As part of the queer film series at Crossroads, sponsored by FLAG (our gay/straight
alliance), we will be having our next movie screening on Wednesday, February
11th, from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. We invite you to join us for a great pre-Valentine's
Day event!
First we'll be screening the hilarious short film Boychick--and, as a special treat, meeting the Director (Glenn Gaylord) and three of the film's hot stars (Ben Lang, Lindsey Girardot and Greg Siff)!
Then, in honor of the holiday, our feature film will be The Incredibly True Adventures of 2 Girls in Love. The director of this movie, Maria Maggenti, will also be with us! The movie descriptions are below.
All students and faculty from Gay/Straight alliances and their friends are welcome. It's a great way to meet new friends, or see old ones. The movie is FREE and free pizza and drinks will be provided! But please reply and let us know if you might come, so we have an idea of how much pizza to get. Directions are below.
Boychick
Shot in locations around Los Angeles, BOYCHICK tells the story of a Jewish teenager
who channels his "inner Britney" to pursue a boy at school. Think
"Fiddler On The Roof of a Gay Disco" meets "Hit Me Baby (One
More Time)" and you've got BOYCHICK!
The Incredibly True Adventures of 2 Girls in Love
This is a touching and funny story of first love between two girls in their
senior year of high school.
Directions:
Crossroads is at 1714 21st St. in Santa Monica, at the corner of 21st St. and
Olympic Blvd.
The screening room we're meeting in is on the 2nd floor of the Arts Building.
Here's what you do--when you turn onto 21st from Olympic, take an immediate right onto a driveway-looking street and find a place to park. You'll see our "quad" which looks like a parking lot or an alley, and which we call (of course) the alley. Walk to the end of the alley to the tall building on the left, enter and climb the stairs to the 2nd floor. You should see people. Hope the directions aren't too confusing. It's not really that hard once you see it, and you can always ask people.
*********************************************
6. First GSA Coalition Meeting in the Mid-Peninsula
The Outlet Program is beginning a GSA Coalition group in Mountain View on Thursday, February 12, from 6:30pm - 8:30pm.
Meetings will be held at Mountain View High School, 3535 Truman Ave. Mt. View, CA 94040, Room 315 every 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month.
Come and meet other students from the area involved in their GSA's! Share ideas, plan events, dances, activism!
For more information:
Contact Eileen Ross at mailto:eross@chacmv.org
or call 650-965-2020 x22
**The Outlet Program - Empowering lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered and queer youth and cultivating leaders to eradicate homophobia
********************************************************
7. Q ACTION EVENT! (San Francisco)
"My Funny Valentine" - 2nd annual Valentine's gathering
Thursday, February 12 @ 8:00pm
Q-Crib, 539 Castro St. @ 18th St.
Be your own valentine on this night as we chat about the benefits to being
single and the fun of being hitched.
Who gets more sex? Who's more at risk?
Make friends with Cupid tonight, at Q Action!
Q Action is for guys of all colors & flavors 25 & under who dig other
guys.
*Want the 411?
Visit http://www.qaction.org OR 415.865.0790
x304
*****************************************************
8. Get Caught in the Love Spell (San Francisco)
Love and Justice Project Presents:
An Open Mic
for: Divas, Artists, Actors, Singers, Poets, MCs, Dancers
Calling ALL! Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay, Transgender, Two-Spirit, Queer, Same Gender
Loving and Questioning Youth of Color
25 and under--Allies Welcomed
When: February 13th. 2004
Where: Proyecto Contra SIDA Por VIDA
2973 16th St. @Mission St
How to Get There: 16th St BART Station or MUNI Lines: 14, 22, 33, 49, 53
The event is free as well as clean and sober
For more information, please contact:
Tamiko or Mario @415.777.5500
*****************************************************
9. LYRIC Announcements--Get Down and Clean Up
Hey there!
We are still looking for some awesome volunteers to help out at LYRIC's Valentine's
Day/OHMY Dance on the night of February 14th....
We have several slots open during our second shift - from 9:30-12:30am... perfect
for going out to dinner, stopping off to volunteer and have fun and then head
out for the rest of the evening! Heck, bring your honey / friends too!
if you can help out, please drop a line...
---
We are still accepting performance sign-ups for Aphrodisiac, the LYRIC/OHMY
Valentine's Day dance event! Show off your talents in front of your peers...
Doors open at 8 pm, MC'd performances at 10pm... hip hop / house music, free
food, and good times to be had....
So call now and sign on up... and then bring your friends and supporters to
dance the night away and watch you be a star!
Aphrodisiac is a free event for LGBTQQI and allied youth 23 & under, trans-identified
youth 25 & under.
It will be held from 8-midnight at the Boys and Girls Club at 450 Guerrero
St. between 16th and 17th in the Mission.
any questions? sign up? contact Rob at 415.703.6150, ext. 20 or mailto:rob@lyric.org
*****************************************************
10. Break the Cycle (Los Angeles)
Break the Cycle--is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to end domestic violence by working proactively with youth. Break the Cycle furthers this mission by providing young people, ages 12 to 22, with preventive education, free legal services, advocacy and support. Our Education & Outreach Program uses visual aids, games and role play to educate students about domestic violence, and their rights and responsibilities under the law.
Break the Cycle also trains social service providers, educators and parents about domestic violence and legal options for youth. Break the Cycle's Legal Services Program provides free legal advice, counsel and representation in English and Spanish to youth who wish to make the transition from victim to survivor.
Break the Cycle is committed to providing LGBT-sensitive services, and welcomes all referrals from other agencies, educators and social service providers throughout Los Angeles County.
Break the Cycle can be contacted in the following ways:
1-888-988-TEEN
mailto:help@breakthecycle.org
http://www.breakthecycle.org
******************************************************
11. Theatre Think Tank for Addressing LGBTQ issues in Schools (Los Angeles)
On Saturday, February 14, 2004 -- from 2 to 5pm at our Theatre Think Tank for Addressing LGBTQ issues in Schools
We will lead FUN theatre games and improvisations, and brainstorm ideas for creative ways to address LGBT issues in schools-through plays, assembly presentations, video PSAs and perhaps even Pep Rally skits.
As February 14 is Valentine's Day, We will give special attention to the theme of LOVE!
The Theatre Think Tank is open to all youth (14 and older), parents, educators, theatre artists, therapists, activists, thinkers and allies interested in creating &/or collaborating on performance pieces dealing with LGBTQ issues.
Bring in issues you're dealing with at your school!
Bring ideas or even drafts of scripts, poems or speeches!
Bring your sense of humor, your outrage, your passion!
Or just come as you are!
The Think Tank will continue to meet throughout the year on the following dates
from 2-to-5pm at GLASS, 735 S. La Brea Blvd., Los Angeles. (1/2 block south
of Wilshire Blvd.. Metered street parking and some residential parking are available.)
Mar. 13 * Apr. 17 * May 15 * June 6
Join us whenever and as often as you can!
Please contact Natalya Brusilovsky at: mailto:natalya2k@earthlink.net
or call (213) 252-8112 for more information and to RSVP as space is limited.
**Contact Norma Bowles at mailto:normabowles@earthlink.net or call (323) 953-9036 if you would like Fringe Benefits to go to your school or community center and work with a group there to develop an original play about LGBT or other discrimination issues.
********************************************************
12. Third Annual Black LGBT Film Festival (San Francisco)
The Third Annual Black Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBT) Film Festival
Date: February 20-22, 2004
Location: Center for African and African American Art and Culture
762 Fulton Fulton Street
San Francisco, CA
For further information:
call 415.346.0199 or 415.615.9945
http://www.bcoa.org/filmfest.html
A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Black Coalition on AIDS
Tickets available at http://www.ticketweb.com
About the festival..."Honoring, Respecting, and Celebrating Our History"
The Black Coalition on AIDS (BCA) is proud to present the Third Annual San Francisco
Black Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBT) Film Festival February 20-22,
2004. The festival's mission is to entertain and educate through cinema the
dynamic history, contributions and culture of the Black LGBT experience. We
will screen approximately 25 films depicting Black LGBT culture through the
medium of film and attempt to educate film goers on the issues of the HIV/AIDS
epidemic, homophobia, racism, love and the struggle for equal rights and freedom
among people of color (especially among African Americans) in the United States
and the African Diaspora.
In 2001, BCA's Man2Man program hosted what turned out to be the world's first
Black LGBT film festival. This year more than 500 people are expected to attend
this three-day event featuring a gala opening reception, screenings and panel
discussions.
Currently, we are seeking community partners for the film festival, which has
evolved into a premiere gathering for upscale, community-concerned Black consumers.
In addition, community sponsorship is essential for us to fulfill our commitment
to maintaining the artistic quality and development
of the festival.
As you may be aware, AIDS is the leading cause of death among Blacks between the ages of 25-44. Not violence, not substance abuse, not diabetes but AIDS. This unique festival provides an outlet for cultural exchange and is a forum for open dialogue concerning the various issues impacting the community.
Founded in 1986, the Black Coalition on AIDS is one of the oldest organizations in the nation dedicated to advocacy, education and reduction of HIV/AIDS among African American people.
******************************************************
13. SCHOLARSHIP: Lee Dubin Scholarship Fund
COLAGE and the Family Pride Coalition are pleased to announce the Eleventh Annual Lee Dubin Scholarship Fund for people with lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender parents.
For the eleventh year, COLAGE and Family Pride Coalition will be offering four-five $1000 scholarships to support the undergraduate studies of students with LGBT parents. The application deadline is April 16th, 2004.
COLAGE (Children Of Lesbians And Gays Everywhere) and the Family Pride Coalition will be awarding at least four scholarships to children of LGBT parents through their collaborative Lee Dubin Scholarship Fund. Each scholarship will provide up to $1000 of funding for undergraduate college students who have demonstrated ability and commitment to affecting change in the LGBT community and the community at large.
Some of the most powerful members of the LGBT community are the children of LGBT parents who have grown up being nurtured and supported by this community and are now part of a whole generation of people who have the power to create dramatic change in the world. Through college scholarships we aim to honor this power and celebrate the unique experiences and achievements of our families.
The Lee Dubin Scholarship which is named in honor of a gay father and founder of the Family Pride Coalition. To date over $20,000 in funds have been distributed. We are especially seeking to honor students who are actively working to combat homophobia and increase positive awareness of LGBT families to apply. We also strongly encourage applications from individuals with demonstrated financial need.
Guidelines
* 4-5 grants of $1000 each will be awarded.
* Awards will be granted by the Scholarship Committee which is made up of volunteers
who are LGBT parents and children of LGBT parents.
* The sponsoring organizations would like to encourage applicants of all backgrounds
to apply. COLAGE and the Family Pride Coalition do not discriminate on the basis
of race, ethnicity, religion, physical ability, class, sexual orientation, age,
gender, or type of LGBT family.
* People who are active community participants are encouraged to apply.
* Board or staff members, and their family members are not eligible.
* Applicants are encouraged to be willing to be named publicly in association
with the Family Pride Coalition, COLAGE and the Lee Dubin Scholarship.
* Applicants with demonstrated economic need are encouraged to apply.
Requirements Applicants must:
* Have one or more lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender parent(s).
* Be enrolled in an accredited postsecondary institution. No graduate level
or higher applicants please.
* Maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0.
The application is available online at http://www.colage.org/scholarship.html
Questions?
Contact COLAGE (Children of Lesbians and Gays Everywhere)
via phone: 415-861-KIDS (5437)
or email: mailto:colage@colage.org.
******************************************************
14. JOB: DiversityWorks Seeks Summer Interns (Oakland)
DiversityWorks is seeking interns who will work with us during the summer months to help support our flagship program, The Works (below you will find more information about The Works). Interns will work with staff over the summer, helping to deliver programs, offering program support, and handling administrative duties. Each intern will work directly with a permanent staff person to develop a work plan that will include many of the following tasks:
* Designing and delivering social justice/anti-oppression trainings for youth
* Mentoring youth participants
* Chaperoning youth at service-learning projects
* Record-keeping and program evaluation
* Writing institute reports at the summer's end
* Light administration
* Housekeeping and errands for The Works
* Staff meetings
* Supporting other staff-people as necessary
* Special event planning
* Visiting organizational activities outside of The Works to gain understanding
of how NPO's work
Interns must be available from June 16th through August 13th, 2004. Interns must be at least 18 years of age and have experience with social justice/anti-oppression work. Interns will be expected to work 4 days a week (generally Monday-Wednesday and Fridays) and will receive a $1000 stipend in two payments of $500, the first payment in the middle of the summer, the second upon completion of the program. DiversityWorks does not provide housing or food outside of program hours but may be able to help arrange accommodations.
Interested applicants should send a cover letter and resume no later than March 31st to:
DiversityWorks
1629 Telegraph Ave #500
Oakland, CA 94612
mailto:sandraw@diversityworks.org
phone: 510-763-9311
Information About The Works
(more information available at http://www.diversityworks.org)
The Works is a year-long program for high-school and college-aged youth who are dedicated to community-building, deepening their understanding of social justice, power and oppression, and making a difference in their worlds through peer diversity education. The Works begins with an intensive six-week program in which 25-30 youth come together in the San Francisco Bay Area for experiential workshops, service learning and community events. Through these activities, participants gain a deeper understanding of racism, sexism, classism, homophobia, ableism, ageism, and other forms of oppression. Youth also develop their own skills as leaders and gain tools for bringing about positive change in their communities.
The 2004-2005 program will be dedicated to examining the impact of the prison industrial complex on our communities, our consciousness, and our work for social justice Interns will be asked to complete readings in order to prepare for the summer.
******************************************************
15. NEWS: Nuances of gay identities reflected in new language 'Homosexual' is
passé in a 'boi's' life
Sunday, February 8, 2004
San Francisco Chronicle
by Rona Marech
First, there was the term "homosexual," then "gay" and
"lesbian," then the once taboo "dyke" and "queer."
Now, all bets are off.
With the universe of gender and sexual identities expanding, a gay youth culture emerging, acceptance of gays rising and label loyalty falling, the gay lexicon has exploded with scores of new words and blended phrases that delineate every conceivable stop on the identity spectrum -- at least for this week.
Someone who is "genderqueer," for example, views the gender options as more than just male and female or doesn't fit into the binary male-female system. A "trannydyke" is a transgender person (whose gender is different than the one assigned at birth) attracted to people with a more feminine gender, while a "pansexual" is attracted to people of multiple genders. A "boi" describes a boyish gay guy or a biological female with a male presentation; and "heteroflexible" refers to a straight person with a queer mind-set.
The list of terms -- which have hotly contested definitions -- goes on: "FTM"
for female to male, "MTF" for male to female, "boydyke,"
"trannyboy, " "trannyfag," "multigendered," "polygendered,"
"queerboi," "transboi," "transguy," "transman,"
"half-dyke," "bi-dyke," "stud," "stem,"
"trisexual," "omnisexual," and "multisexual."
"The language thing is tricky," said Thom Lynch, the director of the
San Francisco Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Community Center. "I
feel sorry for straight people."
Tricky, maybe, but also healthy and empowering, said Carolyn Laub, the director of the Gay-Straight Alliance Network, which links gay and lesbian student clubs in the state.
"We in society and in our generation are developing new understandings
of sexual orientation and gender identities and what that means to us,"
she said. "We don't really have enough language to describe that; therefore,
we have to create new words."
For those back in the linguistic dark ages still wondering what's wrong with
"homosexual," the evolution of queer identity language has progressed
something like this: "Homosexual" sounded pathological and clinical,
so activists went about creating their own words, starting with "gay"
and "lesbian." That was well and good, but terms like "dyke"
and "queer" had an appealing spikiness and served double-duty by stripping
the sting from words that had heretofore been considered unspeakably nasty.
Read the whole article at:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2004/02/08/MNGKO4RNJP1.DTL
In this issue of GSA Network News, you'll find:
GSA Network Highlight
The 8th Annual OHMY Delivers Once Again
GSA Network Announcements
1. Register Online for Expression Not Suppression Conference (Central Valley)
2. Expression Not Suppression Planning Committee Meeting (Fresno)
3. Invite an Ally Day at the Central Cali GSA Network Meeting (Central Valley)
4. Upcoming GSA Leadership Training (LA)
Other Announcements
5. Los Altos High School Gay Film Festival
6. Anti-Homophobia Educators Needed (Mid-Peninsula)
7. Klub Karaoke (San Francisco)
8. LYRIC Announcements (San Francisco)
9. Women of Color Film Festival (Berkeley)
10. SCHOLARSHIP: THE 2004 "MODELS OF EXCELLENCE" SCHOLARSHIP COMPETITION
11. NEWS: Make schools safe havens for gay students
12. NEWS: Gay student alliance still has issues with Morgan Hill schools
+++++++++++++++ GSA NETWORK HIGHLIGHT +++++++++++++++
The 8th Annual OHMY Delivers Once Again
For the eighth year in a row, the OHMY conference has delivered an exceptional
blend of entertainment, workshops, and food for over 500 queer youth and straight
allies who attended. OHMY is one of the more progressive conferences that is
planned and orchestrated by youth. The conference jumped off with a keynote
speech from Freddie Fuentes, one of the claimants in the Morgan Hill settlement.
His story spoke of harassment and physical assault during his time in high school.
Many people in the audience were moved by his strength and courageousness. After
his speech, the audience was wooed by the creative words of Ellen Freytag followed
by boombastic beats flowing from Jaycub Perez and Dj Hobbes.
Throughout the day, people had the choice of over 30 workshops ranging from
the prison industrial complex to exploring the ex-gay myth to trans and genderqueer
law, just to name a few. The conference organizers did their best to ensure
that OHMY was a safe space for youth. There were gender-free bathrooms, an open
auditorium that allowed people to relax between workshops, youth presenters
in workshops and a couple of performances from young people involved with the
OHMY Steering Committee. People had access to tons of free pens, key chains,
resource literature, and sexual health information. As people prepared to leave
at the end of a long day, Bay Area queer rapper, JenRo, closed out the conference
leaving attendees to wonder what's in store for next year.
+++++++++++++ GSA NETWORK ANNOUNCEMENTS +++++++++++++
*********************************************
1. Register Online for the Expression Not Suppression Conference (Central
Valley)
Register online for the Expression Not Suppression Conference.
Expression Not Suppression will take place on Saturday, March 20 at Pace Academy
at Manchester Mall in Fresno.
Expression Not Suppression is a conference for LGBTQ and straight ally youth
ages 14-23 and it's FREE!!
On-site registration is at noon; Conference begins at 1pm. Dance concludes at 10pm. Dinner is provided along with workshops, networking, drag show, and dance.
For more information:
(559)453-9040
http://www.gsanetwork.org/fresno-reg.html
mailto:diana@gsanetwork.org
back to top
*********************************************
2. Expression Not Suppression Planning Committee Meeting (Fresno)
Expression Not Suppression Planning Committee meets this Thursday, February 19th at 5pm at the office. We'll be through at 7pm.
*********************************************
3. Invite an Ally Day at the Central Cali GSA Network Meeting (Central Valley)
Sunday, February 22nd is Invite-An-Ally Day to the Central Cali GSA Network Meeting. All adult allies are welcome to join us for this special informational meeting aimed at strengthening ties across generations. The meeting begins at 4pm and goes until 6. The Invite-An-Ally Day Planning Committee will meet at 2pm to prepare.
*********************************************
4. Upcoming GSA Leadership Training (LA)
Los Angeles GSA Leadership Training
When: Saturday, February 21, 10am - 4pm (Breakfast and lunch provided.)
Where: LA Gay and Lesbian Center, Village at Ed Gould Plaza, 1125 N. McCadden Place, Hollywood (one block East of Highland, just North of Santa Monica)
Cost: FREE
Co-sponsors: LA Gay & Lesbian Center Family Services Program
RSVP: Stephanie Cho: mailto:stephanie@gsanetwork.org
or 415.552.4229
Arielle Rosen: mailto:arosen@laglc.org
or 323.860.7397
++++++++++++++++ OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS ++++++++++++++++
GSA Network News is a publication of Gay-Straight Alliance Network.
Events, resources, and news items listed under "Other Announcements"
are not sponsored or written by GSA Network, and do not necessarily reflect
the views and opinions of GSA Network.
*********************************************
5. Los Altos High School Gay Film Festival
The Gay-Straight Alliance at Los Altos High School will be hosting a Gay Film Festival on Saturday, February 28, 2004 from 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. The festival is open to the public. A suggested donation at the door will be $5 per movie and $15 all day pass for five movies. The movies will be on the funny and light side. The money will go to educating the public on gay youth issues and for a scholarship.
The scholarship is in the name of Eddie "Gwen" Araujo, and was created to help a senior member of the club. We appreciate your support.
Questions, call Ruth at Los Altos High School, (650) 960-8473.
*****************************************************
6. Anti-Homophobia Educators Needed (Mid-Peninsula)
Attention all Anti-Homophobia Allies!
Join other young people working to eradicate homophobia in their schools and
community by training to become an Anti-Homophobia educator! You'll get the
chance to learn and teach a fun, interactive workshop that works to break
down homophobia in our communities.
Training Information
When: Saturday, March 13th from 11am - 5pm
Where: CHAC, 711 Church St., Mountain View, CA
Applications are due by Friday, March 5th!
To request an application or learn more, contact:
Outlet Program Director, Juan Barajas
mailto:juan@chacmv.org
or call(650) 965-2020 ext 22.
**The Outlet Program is empowering lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender,
queer and questioning youth and cultivating leaders to eradicate
homophobia.**
back to top
*********************************************
7. Klub Karaoke (San Francisco)
Calling all LGBTQQ Asian and Pacific Islander Youth! This is an event that
you don't want to miss!
A night full of food, fun, friends and best of all... KARAOKE! With such classic
hits as...
Ebony and Ivory,
I Will Always Love You,
Last Dance,
Dancing Queen,
I'm Too Sexy (For My...),
Endless Love, and many, many more!
Join the festivities on
Wednesday, February 25th
6-9 pm
SF LGBT Community Center
Youth Space
1800 Market Street
MUNI: F, J, K, L, M, N, 6, 7, 9, 10, 14, 21, 26, 47, 49, 66, 71
Brought to you by:
AQU25A (Asians & Pacific Islanders, Queer & Questioning, 25 and Under,
All Together), a program of Asian & Pacific Islander Wellness Center, LYRIC,
and Q-Action.
This event is FREE for all Asian & Pacific Islander LGBTQQ youth 25 and
under.
*****************************************************
8. LYRIC Announcements (San Francisco)
Join LYRIC ASP as we celebrate Black History Month on Wednesday Feb 18th. We
will be watching and discussing Brother Outsider - a documentary on Bayard Rustin,
a key player in the Black civil rights movement of the 60's.
"intelligent, gregarious and charismatic, Rustin was denied his place in
history for one reason - he was gay."
Come watch this fascinating look at an amazing man.
When: Wed 18 // 3:30pm
Where: LYRIC ASP
----
Women, Power and Visibility - a workshop presented by the International Museum
of Women
Get ready for Women's History Month while we look at art created by women from
around the world and create our own projects inspired by their struggles and
expressions.
When: Thurs 19 // 4pm - 5:30
Where: LYRIC ASP
----
Young Women's Wellness presents the Survival Expression Workshop
interested in movement? come explore how basic movement exercises can be a form
of communicating your survival. facilitated by taising chen.
When: Mon 23 // 5-7pm
Where: LYRIC 1st Floor // ASP
*****************************************************
9. Women of Color Film Festival (Berkeley)
WOMEN OF COLOR FILM FESTIVAL 2004
3/4-3/14
Pacific Film Archive
Berkeley, CA
THURSDAY MARCH 4
5:30 Laughter and Activism
First Thursday FREE Screening!
Tickets available at the PFA Theater starting at 4:30 p.m.
Artists in Person
As women find their voice, their work brings them closer to their community
in this group of recent short films. Art and Activism on the Ones and Twos (Phuong
Tang, Jennifer Cho, 12 mins) profiles two Asian American DJs
who offer their wisdom on music and activism.
In the liberating Jingwei Girls (10 mins), Rae Chang examines the changing
roles of Chinese women. The Color of Funny (Kimberly C. Singleton, 40 mins)
reveals the multicultural experiences of five standup comics from the group
Shades of Laughter Sisters Doin' Comedy. Each of these women lets loose the
truth of her life in her own unique and very amusing way.-Elaine Kovacs
(Total running time: 62 mins plus discussion, U.S., 2003, Color, Video, >From
the artists)
FRIDAY MARCH 12
7:30 The Secret Language of Youth
Artists in Person
Diverse voices tell of the challenging life decisions young people
face: in And You Are?? (13 mins), J. Orchid Lan Pusey searches for a sense of
historical identity among the names of five generations of women in her family.
Moccasin Flats (Randy Redroad, Produced by Laura Milliken, Jennifer Podemski, Canada, 2002, 24 mins) depicts a winding path of love, loss, and split-second decisions on an urban Indian reservation.
While the animation of Ravishing Raspberry (Shawnee and Shawnelle Gibbs, 10
mins) is a tasty treat for the eyes, it depicts a teenage girl's bitter struggle
with popular standards of beauty, a struggle also explored in White Like
the Moon (Maria Gonzalez Palmier, 2002, 22.5 mins, 35mm). Something Between
Her Hands (Sonya Shah, 11 mins) peers into the painful stories of six Cambodian
girls sold into prostitution, while in A Secret Language (Arti Jain, 5 mins),
a ten-year-old reveals her insight into growing up in an immigrant family.
A young basketball player's loyalties are challenged and the concept of sisterhood put to the test in Shooter (J. J. Goldberger, 24 mins).-Ariana Proehl (Total running time: 109 mins plus discussion, U.S., 2003, Color, Video, From the artists unless otherwise indicated)
SATURDAY MARCH 13
6:30 The Liberation of Everyday Life
Artists in Person
The journey to find one's purpose and confront its consequences is magnified and electrified in tonight's array of shorts. In the experimental Passing (Karen Earl, Canada, 7 mins, From Video Out Distribution), driving down the dotted white line is a precarious state, literally and figuratively.
In a similarly moody essay, The Liberation of Everyday Life (16 mins, 16mm), Juli Kang examines what happens when an idealistic woman loses tolerance for her banal corporate existence.
Against My Will (Ayfer Ergun, Pakistan, 2002, 50 mins, From First Run/Icarus Films) unflinchingly documents the double-edged sword of leaving an abusive marriage. The stark realities of a New York intersection are confronted through Chinaka Hodge's spoken word rhythms in Barely Audible (Vivian Liu, Katherine Copeland, Eli Jacobs-Fantauzzi, 2002, 3 mins).
Haruko Tanaka's experimental California Telephone (4 mins, B&W, 16mm) attempts to listen between the lines of the late June Jordan's poems of resistance. War on Iraq: Casualties of American Empire (Regan Kruse, Bianca Darville, Monica Galindo Heim, Cristina Lee, Tim Tsai, 20 mins) skillfully navigates the quagmires of political maneuvering and media monopoly.-Linda Charmaraman
(Total running time: 100 mins plus discussion, U.S., 2003, Color, Video, From the artists unless otherwise indicated)
9:00 Ways of Love
Artists in Person
This collection of shorts illuminates love in its many expressions. The timeless
theme of familial conflict is rendered in One Week Wake (Tammy Apana, 2001,
20 mins, 35mm) and in Ohm-Ma (Ruthann Lee, 2002, 5.5 mins), an intimate video-letter
by a queer artist. Wenhwa Ts'ao's lyrical Exercise with Chin Yung (8 mins) depicts
the filmmaker's struggles as the daughter of an old-fashioned Chinese father.
In My Mother's Keeper (Malissa Strong, 10.5 mins), a woman caught between her mother's deteriorating health and a failed marriage finds strength from an unlikely source.
Chi-Jang Yin's experimental Untitled Affair (7 mins) addresses the fluid boundaries between memory, fantasy, and reality as a woman recalls a moment at the theater. The filmmaker's affection for her subjects is evident in the beautiful documentary Love in an Elevator (Thea St. Omer, 2002, 17 mins, B&W, 16mm), a love story of a couple in their eighties.
Young love is heightened by a sense of tragedy in Bessie's Blues (Marsha Battee,
8 mins) and in Lockjaw (Gayle R. Romasanta, 18 mins), an irreverent romantic
comedy that dares to ask if the love of God can fulfill the desires of a nun.-Rosa
Lau, Suowei Xiao
(Total running time: 95 mins plus discussion, U.S., 2003, Color, Video, >From
the artists unless otherwise indicated)
SUNDAY MARCH 14
3:00 The Endurance of Spirit
Artists in Person
This program offers visions of individuals, communities, and families withstanding calamity-portraits of strength, resilience, and resolution.
In Remember (Proshat Shekarloo, 7 mins), an Iranian-American first-time filmmaker
relates personal stories of abuse and neglect, revealing troubles often experienced
by women within her community. Stone Mansion (J. J.
Goldberger, 14 mins), a narrative set in Tulsa, Oklahoma, during the 1921 race
riot, explores the insurmountable integrity and courage of a black doctor and
his wife.
Lawan Jirasuradej's Mama Wahunzi (U.S./Thailand,2002, 57 mins, >From Women Make Movies) profiles three disabled African women who learn to build and supply wheelchairs in Kenya and Uganda. When the Storm Came (Shilpi Gupta, 23.5 mins) documents the residual impact of an alleged mass rape on a community in Kashmir and exposes the frequent use of rape as a weapon of war.-Sara Gambin
(Total running time: 101 mins plus discussion, U.S., 2003, Color, Video, From the artists unless otherwise indicated)
5:30 Truth Has a Perfect Memory
Artists in Person
In these short works, women journey inward and outward in their quests for meaning, truth, or identity.
Unruhe (2001, 5 mins) by Elia Alba is a split-screen experimental video that playfully juxtaposes faces. In Tokyo Equinox (Yuri Makino, 11 mins) two siblings rediscover their father.
Moments in Love: the more you ignore me the closer I get (Donna Golden, 2001, 20 mins) experiments with the horror genre to demonstrate deep-seated cultural biases. In Angela Cheng's Esme Seeking (2002, 4 mins), a bridesmaid attends a wedding, with unexpected results.
The experimental All Water Has a Perfect Memory (Natalia Almada, 2001, 19 mins, From Women Make Movies) documents the effects of a tragic event on a bicultural family. In Donna Lee's Enter the Mullet (Canada, 5:30 mins, From Video Out), class, race, and queerness intersect in a farce about an infamous fashion statement.
Transplant (Alison Nicole Stewart, 2002, 10 mins) generalizes about the West Coast through an East Coast lens. Aarin Burch's Reflections Unseen (26 mins) focuses on eight Bay Area African American women living with HIV to tell a transformative story of healing.-Irene Avetyan, Patricia Contreras
(Total running time: 102 mins plus discussion, U.S., 2003, Color, Video, From the artists unless otherwise indicated)
For more information about the film festival, please visit:
http://www.bampfa.berkeley.edu/pfa_programs/women_of_color/
or call (510) 642-1412
General admission:
$8 for one film,
$10 for double bills;
$4 UCB students, BAM/PFA members;
$5 faculty/staff, non-ucb students, disabled, seniors (65+), youth (17
and under)
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10. SCHOLARSHIP: THE 2004 "MODELS OF EXCELLENCE" SCHOLARSHIP COMPETITION
Friends of Project 10, Inc., a nonprofit organization that provides educational outreach and support for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) youth, awards several $1000 and $500 scholarships to California public and private senior high school graduating seniors who have demonstrated a strong commitment toward advancing the civil rights of the LGBT population. Please fill out the enclosed application and return it before April 12, 2004, to:
Friends of Project 10
115 W. California Blvd. #116
Pasadena, CA 91105Name
Address
street
city postal code
Home Phone Social Security #
High School
E-mail Address
College/University/Technical school you plan to attend
Have you been accepted by the school? Yes No Applied and haven't heard back,
yet.
INFORMATION NEEDED:
1. A transcript of high school grades and grades in progress.
2. A list of extracurricular activities including community work done outside
school.
3. Proposed course of study at college/university/technical school.
4. One or more letters of recommendation.
5. A two-page autobiography describing your background, your aspirations after
college and your connection to the lesbian/gay/bisexual, and transgender community.
6. You may (optional) submit examples of any work that you think would be of
interest to the scholarship committee.
I affirm that the foregoing is accurate in all respects. I am aware that an oral interview with the committee may be scheduled should I become a finalist in the selection process.
Signature
Date
For more information about the scholarship, please contact:
Friends of Project 10, Inc.
(626) 577-4553 or
e-mail mailto:project10@hotmail.com.
*This scholarship is not affiliated with the Los Angeles Unified School District. Applications are open to all qualified students throughout California.
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11. NEWS: Make schools safe havens for gay students
Monday, February 16, 2004
By Deb Price / The Detroit News
http://www.detnews.com/2004/editorial/0402/16/a09-64766.htm
The largest survey to date of anti-gay bullying in public schools shows an alarming connection between being targeted and developing academic problems and self-destructive behavior.
The snapshot of what's going on in California schools should be a wake-up call for the rest of the country: Even though California is one of nine jurisdictions with laws aimed at protecting gay kids, anti-gay slurs and other forms of abuse are widespread in its school systems.
The report by the California Safe Schools Coalition coincides with the largest settlement ever in a lawsuit against a California school district for failing to protect students from anti-gay harassment. The lawsuit's outcome should underscore for school officials the human and financial costs they'll face if they duck their responsibility to protect all youths.
"The lesson for California and the rest of the country is that you can't just pass a law and not make sure schools are implementing it," said Molly O'Shaughnessy, director of the safe schools group that released the report. (Go to: http://www.casafeschools.org.)
Pointing to the dangerous consequences of inaction, she added, "I hope lawsuits won't be the only thing that gets school districts' attention." In the record settlement, the Morgan Hill school district in California agreed to pay $1.1 million to six students who charged that school officials ignored or minimized their reports of anti-gay bullying. In the deal, principals, teachers, bus drivers, janitors and other school employees must attend training programs this year about how to handle anti-gay harassment. Next school year, seventh and ninth graders will attend a training session designed to discourage bullying.
School officials who still mistakenly think they cannot be held liable under federal law for anti-gay harassment that occurs on their watch should read a compilation by the National Center for Lesbian Rights of settlements totaling more than $3.5 million - in 15 cases stretching from California to New Hampshire. (Go to: http://www.nclrights.org).
The outrageous anti-gay abuse reported in those 15 cases included being raped, beaten to the point of kidney damage, lassoed around the neck and targeted by urine-soaked towels. As a result of tauntings, one student attempted suicide. In another case, a teacher reportedly told a victimized boy, "I already have 20 girls. I don't need another one."
The California report - based largely on the California Healthy Kids Survey sponsored by the state's education department - found:
* 7.5 percent of middle school and high school students report being harassed
because they are thought to be gay.
* Victimized students are three times more likely to carry a weapon to school,
consider suicide or miss school because they feel unsafe.
* Bullied kids are twice as likely to be depressed.
* Harassed kids are more likely to have poor grades, smoke cigarettes, binge
drink alcohol and smoke marijuana.
* 91 percent of students report hearing classmates make anti-gay comments.
* Two out of three kids who consider themselves lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgendered
say they have suffered anti-gay attacks.
Safe schools director O'Shaughnessy urges schools to take preventative steps, including publicizing a written policy against anti-gay attacks, training teachers and others how to prevent and respond to them, and encouraging students to form Gay Straight Alliances, clubs that can help create a gay-friendly climate and are a safe haven for gay students. Her report documents that gay kids do far better and feel better about themselves in schools taking such steps.
Too many school officials are still flunking when it comes to protecting kids from anti-gay harassment. And that failure is costly for everyone.
******************************************************
12. NEWS: Gay student alliance still has issues with Morgan Hill schools
Tuesday, February 10, 2004
By Marilyn Dubil
http://gilroydispatch.com/news/newsview.asp?c=94827
MORGAN HILL - The January settlement of a lawsuit brought against the Morgan
Hill School District by six former students is having repercussions for several
current Live Oak students, they say, in the form of continued harassment and
blame.
The lawsuit, alleging a lack of response by district officials to former students‚
claims of harassment based on their perceived sexual orientation, was settled
when the district agreed to training of district employees and once-a-year training
for district seventh and ninth graders.
The district also agreed to a financial settlement of $1.1 million - $560,000
to be divided among the former students plus $540,000 in attorney's fees.
Live Oak High Gay and Straight Alliance (GSA) members say students at the school
are blaming them for the School District losing the money, even though the current
Live Oak students do not receive any money from the settlement.
"They think we are taking money from the district, which is having money
problems anyway," GSA President Brandy Houseal said. "We're not even
getting any money."
Attorney Mark Davis, who represented the district in the lawsuit, said the settlement
money does not come out of the district's pocket. It's paid by the Joint Powers
Authority, he said. The Joint Powers Authority is a consortium of school districts
that join together, essentially to share risks - a self-insuring agency.
GSA students also claim they will see no difference in the way they are treated
on campus because of the settlement, except perhaps an increase in hostilities.
We get told, "You caused this to be a big issue and what they mean is not
us, but people like you, and they are resentful," Houseal said. Most people
still don't understand.
GSA members agree that harassment of students because of their sexual orientation
is still occurring.
"We still hear derogatory comments all the time," said Amy Aguilar,
GSA treasurer. And the word gay‚ that now means something is bad. We hear
it all the time about something they don't like, That's so gay" they say.
The students contend probably half of the Live Oak staff and administrators
either are unconcerned about harassment or don't take action because they, too,
are prejudiced.
The Flores vs MHUSD lawsuit was initiated to address the alleged lack of intervention
by the district and the lack of punishment for the alleged perpetrators of the
harassment. GSA students said there seems to be the same lack of concern today
as in 1998, when the lawsuit was filed.
"Many times, if we say we have been harassed, it's like we're the ones
causing the problem," GSA Secretary Chara Crane said. "It's almost
like you don't want to tell anyone about it, because you don't know how they'll
react."
Live Oak Principal Nancy Serigstad said she was surprised to hear the reactions
of the GSA students.
"The amazing thing to me is that when I walk through this campus, I continue
to hear more and more positive things from our students," she said. "No
one's letting those types of things (incidents of harassment) go. And we're
not just focused on attitudes towards perceived gay or lesbian students, we're
focused on all types of harassment."
Anti-harassment education, specific to harassment due to sexual orientation
or perceived orientation, for Morgan Hill School District employees is likely
to begin this summer, said Assistant Superintendent Denise Tate, and training
for district seventh-and-ninth graders will likely begin sometime next fall.
The district, which already provides harassment training, according to Superintendent
Carolyn McKennan, is required to initiate a special program as a result of the
settlement.
The students alleged the district did not protect them from the harassment or
adequately punish the perpetrators.
While the district agreed to the settlement, it did not admit to wrongdoing.
District administrators will attend training in June, after the close of the
school year, and other district employees, including bus drivers, yard duty
employees and custodians, will likely attend training in the fall.
Some parents in the district have expressed concern since the terms of the settlement
in January were made known that the training for students would focus on alternative
lifestyles or in some way promote homosexual behavior.
During a recent district meeting of Home & School Club representatives and
district principals, McKennan told attendees they could choose to "opt
out" their students from the training, which entails one 50-minute session
during a student's seventh and ninth grade years.
"You can always opt out of a program," she said. "It is not specifically
a part of the written settlement agreement, but you can always opt out."
In this issue of GSA Network News, you'll find:
GSA Network Highlight
First GSA established in Mexico!
GSA Network Announcements
1. Students Speak Out on Marriage Equality
2. Money for GSAs!
3. Register Online for Expression Not Suppression Conference (Central Valley)
4. Expression Not Suppression Planning Committee Meeting (Central Valley)
5. GSA Network Needs Volunteers!
Other Announcements
6. Los Altos High School Gay Film Festival
7. Queer State of the Union! (Santa Monica)
8. Klub Karaoke (San Francisco)
9. Anti-Homophobia Educators Needed (Mid-Peninsula)
10. Frisco Youth Movement 2004 Mobilization (San Francisco)
11. DiversityWorks workshops (Oakland)
12. Special Opportunity: Win A Trip To Ghana, West Africa
13. SCHOLARSHIPS: 4 Scholarships
14. JOBS: 30 Community Positions Available
15. NEWS: Between The Sexes
16. NEWS: Study Launched to Document, Gauge Police Abuse of Transgender Community
+++++++++++++++ GSA NETWORK HIGHLIGHT +++++++++++++++
First GSA established in Mexico!
GSA Network is proud to have provided resources to students and teachers involved in establishing the first GSA in Mexico! Students in Mexico City have challenged homophobia and won…big time! American School Foundation, A.C. is a private, American school in Mexico City, Mexico with approximately 2,500 students, where 60% are Mexican, 30% are American, and the remaining 10% of students are from countries all over the world. In November 2003, 5 students decided to start the club and a gay American male teacher and a straight Mexican female teacher agreed to be advisors. The students filled out the school's required paperwork to charter a new student organization, quoting from the school's own mission statement about how the school values diversity and that the proposed GSA falls in line with the school's own mission to increase diversity and create a safe learning environment. The club was approved by the administration and 30 students and 7 teachers attended the first meeting in January.
As word got out about the new GSA, however, a small group of conservative parents and the principal from the middle school began complaining to the administration and the school board that they felt it was inappropriate for the school to sponsor a student club that contained the word "gay" in its title. Under pressure from these parents, and afraid that the GSA would be canceled by the school board, the administration recommended the GSA change its name (removing the word "gay"). GSA members believed it was important to retain the name of the club to send the message to people that "gay" is not a dirty word and decided to fight for the name. Sadly, after only one successful meeting the GSA was told by the administration to dissolve.
The next three weeks saw a tremendous outpouring of support for the former GSA by teachers, students, and parents who wore ribbons to show their support for the GSA, signed letters of petition, wrote individual letters to the school board and administration, and spread the word about the importance of a GSA on campus. The administration realized it made a mistake by dissolving the GSA and a plan was drawn up to preserve the club and institutionalize it as a part of the school's structure. The club was elevated to the level of a task force under a committee of the school board's strategic plan to promote awareness and education on sexual orientation differences. The former GSA has now become the Gay-Straight Task Force and will hold regular meetings, report and make recommendations to a committee of the school board, and now has a budget from the school to fund its projects!
The students started out wanting to form a club and have ended up becoming
a part of the governing structure of the school. The small group of conservative
parents continues to complain but it is hoped that within time they will see
that the Gay-Straight Task Force is not a threat. This story is an important
reminder about the power and influence a small group of committed students can
wield in fighting for recognition and equal rights. Now Mexico has its first
gay-straight student organization!
+++++++++++++ GSA NETWORK ANNOUNCEMENTS +++++++++++++
*********************************************
1. Students Speak Out on Marriage Equality
GSA Network would like to congratulate all the couples (including some staff at GSA Network) who have gotten married in San Francisco since the city began issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples.
This is an exciting and historic time. Same-sex marriage and Bush's proposed constitutional amendment banning gay marriage has probably been a current topic that you have been discussing in your classes at school.
How is same-sex marriage being presented in school?
Are LGBT and straight ally students being treated differently in the wake of
this national debate?
GSA Network would like to hear back from students and teachers who are interested in telling us how the same-sex marriage debate is affecting you and the climate for LGBT students on your school campus!!!
We will compile all the results and highlight some of the responses on next week's GSA Network News.
Email all responses to: mailto:saifa@gsanetwork.org
Please answer the following questions in your email:
What is your name?
Are you a student or teacher?
What school are you at?
How is the same-sex marriage issue affecting you?
How has same-sex marriage been framed (discussed) at your school?
Is same-sex marriage being framed (discussed) differently from other current
events like war, economy, and elections?
Are teachers respectful of different points of view on the topic?
Have you or anyone you know been treated differently by teachers or students
because they expressed their opinion on marriage equality?
Has your GSA been affected in any way?
To learn more about what's happening with same-sex marriage and the fight for marriage equality, check out these organizations:
Equality California: http://www.eqca.org
Marriage Equality California: http://www.marriageequalityca.org
National Center for Lesbian Rights: http://www.nclrights.org
ACLU: http://www.aclu.org
*********************************************
2. Money for GSAs!
GSA Network Launches Partnership with Youth Venture
Are you trying to start a new campaign at your school to create change?
Are you interested in creating a new organization or project that works for
social change?
Do you need MONEY to get started?
If so, then become a GSA Network-Youth Venturer!
GSA Network is proud to announce our new partnership with Youth Venture. The GSA Network-Youth Venture partnership will help California GSAs and LGBT and ally youth launch campaigns to create change in schools across California by offering start-up funds to youth-led teams of social change activists.
The GSA Network-Youth Venture partnership will provide start-up funds to help youth start GSAs where they don't exist and help established GSAs start new campaigns to create change at their schools. The program is in a pilot stage in 2004 and anticipates supporting 5-10 teams this year with grants of up to $500.
Applications are due March 5, 2004. Interviews will take place in mid-March.
Call us if you have any questions while you're preparing your application: 415-552-4229.
To apply, visit: http://www.gsanetwork.org/youthgrants.html
Learn more about Youth Venture at http://www.youthventure.org.
*********************************************
3. Register Online for the Expression Not Suppression Conference (Central Valley)
Register online for the Expression Not Suppression Conference.
Expression Not Suppression will take place on Saturday, March 20 at Pace Academy at Manchester Mall in Fresno.
Expression Not Suppression is a conference for LGBTQ and straight ally youth ages 14-23 and it's FREE!!
On-site registration is at noon; Conference begins at 1pm. Dance concludes at 10pm. Dinner is provided along with workshops, networking, drag show, and dance.
For more information:
(559)453-9040
http://www.gsanetwork.org/fresno-reg.html
mailto:diana@gsanetwork.org
*********************************************
4. Expression Not Suppression Planning Committee Meeting (Central Valley)
Expression Not Suppression Planning Committee meets this Thursday, the 26th at 6pm at the office.
*********************************************
5. GSA Network Needs Volunteers!
Would you like to volunteer to help GSA Network? Do you want to support our work empowering youth to fight homophobia and transphobia in schools? We need your help!
The San Francisco office of GSA Network needs volunteers to do work around the office, which may include *fun* things like copying, mailing, and data entry. In particular, we're getting ready to begin entering data from hundreds of school climate surveys that GSAs are collecting.
We especially need volunteers who can come during the day, after school, or evenings on Mondays through Fridays.
Please call 415-552-4229 or email mailto:volunteer@gsanetwork.org to sign up! In your email, include your name, email, phone, and tell us the hours and days you are available.
++++++++++++++++ OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS ++++++++++++++++
GSA Network News is a publication of Gay-Straight Alliance Network.
Events, resources, and news items listed under "Other Announcements"
are not sponsored or written by GSA Network, and do not necessarily reflect
the views and opinions of GSA Network.
*********************************************
6. Los Altos High School Gay Film Festival
The Gay-Straight Alliance at Los Altos High School will be hosting a Gay Film Festival on Saturday, February 28, 2004 from 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. The festival is open to the public. A suggested donation at the door will be $5 per movie and $15 all day pass for five movies. The movies will be on the funny and light side. The money will go to educating the public on gay youth issues and for a scholarship.
The scholarship is in the name of Eddie "Gwen" Araujo, and was created to help a senior member of the club. We appreciate your support. Questions, call Ruth at Los Altos High School, (650) 960-8473.
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7. Queer State of the Union! (Santa Monica)
There is an exciting event coming up at Crossroads School in Santa Monica very
soon. We invite you to join us!
We will be holding a Queer State of the Union event at Crossroads on Thursday,
March 4th, 7 - 9 p.m. At the event, we'll be exploring the latest developments
in cutting-edge issues in the LGBT community, like: same sex marriage, gays
& religion, youth issues, LGBT images in the media, etc. We will be having
great entertainment as well as a nationally-known panel of speakers.
The event is free, and is open to the wider public. All students and faculty
from Gay/Straight alliances and their friends are particularly welcome. It's
a great way to meet new friends, or see old ones.
Entertainment: Phranc (the radical lesbian folksinger and Tupperware lady!) is going to open up with a musical set
Then Bob Smith (the very funny, first openly gay comedian to appear on The Tonight Show and have his own HBO special ) is going to offer a humorous look at the queer state of affairs these days.
Panel members include:
Rev. Troy Perry, founder of MCC
Stephen Matias, Entertainment Director of GLAAD
Prof. Brad Sears from UCLA (on LGBT legal issues)
as well as Queer Youth!
For more info, see http://www.queerstate.org. If you have any questions, you can e-mail Adam at mailto:flag@xrds.org
***********
Directions:
Crossroads is at 1714 21st St. in Santa Monica, at the corner of 21st St. and
Olympic Blvd.
We'll be holding our event in Roth Hall.
Here's what you do--when you turn onto 21st from Olympic, take an immediate
right onto
a driveway-looking street and find a place to park. You'll see our "quad"
which looks like a parking lot or an alley, and which we call (of course) the
alley.
In the alley, you'll see a cement "stage" of sorts. The door directly to the right of this stage will lead you to Roth Hall.
Hope the directions aren't too confusing. It's not really that hard once you
see it, and you can always ask people.
back to top
*********************************************
8. Klub Karaoke (San Francisco)
Calling all LGBTQQ Asian and Pacific Islander Youth! This is an event that
you don't want to miss!
A night full of food, fun, friends and best of all... KARAOKE! With such classic
hits as...
Ebony and Ivory,
I Will Always Love You,
Last Dance,
Dancing Queen,
I'm Too Sexy (For My...),
Endless Love, and many, many more!
Join the festivities on
Wednesday, February 25th
6-9 pm
SF LGBT Community Center
Youth Space
1800 Market Street
MUNI: F, J, K, L, M, N, 6, 7, 9, 10, 14, 21, 26, 47, 49, 66, 71
Brought to you by:
AQU25A (Asians & Pacific Islanders, Queer & Questioning, 25 and Under,
All Together), a program of Asian & Pacific Islander Wellness Center
LYRIC
and
Q-Action.
This event is FREE for all Asian & Pacific Islander LGBTQQ youth 25 and
under.
back to top
*****************************************************
9. Anti-Homophobia Educators Needed (Mid-Peninsula)
Attention all Anti-Homophobia Allies!
Join other young people working to eradicate homophobia in their schools and
community by training to become an Anti-Homophobia educator! You'll get the
chance to learn and teach a fun, interactive workshop that works to break
down homophobia in our communities.
Training Information
When: Saturday, March 13th from 11am - 5pm
Where: CHAC, 711 Church St., Mountain View, CA
Applications are due by Friday, March 5th!
To request an application or learn more, contact:
Outlet Program Director, Juan Barajas
mailto:juan@chacmv.org
or call(650) 965-2020 ext 22.
**The Outlet Program is empowering lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender,
queer and questioning youth and cultivating leaders to eradicate
homophobia.**
*****************************************************
10. Frisco Youth Movement 2004 Mobilization (San Francisco)
You are invited to the
YouthSpace Coalition
FRISCO YOUTH MOVEMENT
2004 MOBILIZATION
THURS, FEB. 26th
4:30-6:30pm
@y-mac/coleman advocates
459 Vienna Street
in the Excelsior district,
take bus #29 and #54
* Young people, youth organizations and adult allies from all over the city
are invited!
* Get an update on the 7-year Campaign to have a city-supported,
youth-run youth center called YouthSpace!
* Sign up to use YouthSpace event or meeting space, become
a "Housed Organization", become a Youth Organizer or Youth Board member!
* Learn how you and your organization can get involved in the FINAL PUSH to
get a space & get support from the new Mayor.
TO RSVP or get more info, call NTanya at Y-MAC at 239-0161 or Dru at YouthSpace at 469-8281!
*****************************************************
11. DiversityWorks workshops (Oakland)
DiversityWorks, an Oakland based social justice youth organization, is currently scheduling social justice/anti-oppression workshops for youth in the Bay Area - designed and facilitated by young people. Our peer education initiative, DiverseCITY (Challenging, Inspiring and Teaching Youth - DCITY), trains young people to develop and lead workshops concentrating on raising awareness and fostering change around social justice issues that impact youth on three levels: internal, interpersonal, and institutional.
DCITY youth go through a three month process of training prior to facilitating
workshops in the community. During the training process the youth explore issues
such as race, ethnicity, gender, sex, sexual orientation, citizenship, nationality,
religion, class, globalization and ally work.
DCITY youth are available to lead workshops at youth organizations now through
the month of April. Workshops can be tailored to meet the needs of the youth
you work with and can address one topic or many topics. In general, workshops
are six hours total - divided into two-hour blocks scheduled for three consecutive
weeks. Workshops are free for folks in Alameda, San Leandro, Oakland and Berkeley
and have a small fee for youth serving organizations outside of those areas.
If you have any interest in scheduling a workshop for your school or organization please call Chris or Sandra at DiversityWorks - (510) 763-9303 or email mailto:sandraw@diversityworks.org.
*****************************************************
12. Special Opportunity: Win A Trip To Ghana, West Africa
Enter Essay Contest for Summer Camp in Africa
Chicago, IL - (http://www.BlackNews.com/http://www.BlackPR.com)
- The International Youth Education Program's Summer Camp in Africa is holding
an Essay Contest for students to write a 300-500 word essay entitled; "Why
are you proud of your African Heritage?" One student, aged 10-19, will
win a trip to Ghana, West Africa for a three-week Summer Camp program, July
2-23, 2004. The contest deadline is March 10, 2004. The winner will be announced
March 25, 2004.
Summer Camp in Africa is a three-week educational program in Ghana, West Africa
during the summer, with visits to two neighboring African countries, Togo and
Benin. Youth are given cultural orientation upon arrival and after spending
a few days in the capital city of Accra, campers journey to a rural village
to learn about everyday life in Africa. They learn the basics of traditional
drumming, farming, dancing and singing, they participate in community service
projects, prepare local food and learn the art of weaving Ghana's famous Kente
cloth.
Students will also explore and learn about the World Heritage sites, Cape Coast and Elmina Castles, visit a rainforest to learn about various trees that are used for natural medicines and wood products, while viewing nature at its finest.
To enter the contest, submit a double-spaced typed 300-500 word essay; entitled "Why I am proud of my African Heritage" with your name, address, phone number, name of school and grade, on the top right side of a 8.5 x 11 piece of paper.
Essays must be posted marked or emailed by March 10, 2004.
Mail entries to:
IYEP Summer Camp in Africa
Essay Contest
P.O. Box 1621
Sauk Village, IL 60411
or email entries to mailto:Essay@africamail.com
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13. SCHOLARSHIPS: 4 Scholarships
For Youth: The Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes seeks nominations for its
2004 awards. The Barron Prize recognizes young people ages 8 to 18 who have
shown leadership and courage in public service to people and our planet. Each
year, 10 national winners receive $2,000 to support their service work or higher
education. Nomination deadline is April 30, 2004. For more information and to
nominate, visit <http://www.barronprize.org/>
--
Youth Service America and AT&T have partnered to present the AT&T CARES
Youth Service Action Fund, which will provide support to young people as they
improve their communities through service on National Youth Service Day, April
16-18, 2004. Fifty grants of $500 each are available to young people (ages 5-25)
and organizations to implement service projects for National Youth Service Day.
Deadline for submissions is February 13, 2004. More information is available
at <http://www.ysa.org/awards/award_grant.cfm>
--
The Surfrider Foundation's Thomas Pratte Memorial Scholarship program has $10,000
in funds available to college students for 2004-2005. Applicants should have
a major field of study pertaining to oceanography, marine affairs, environmental
sciences, public policy, community planning or natural resources. Applications
are due March 15, 2004 and may be obtained at <http://www.surfrider.org/programs/pratte.asp>
--
Are you...
* In need of money to help pay for your education?
* Asian or Pacific Islander (A&PI)?
* Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning (LGBTQQ)?
* 22 years old or younger?
* Living in the San Francisco Bay Area (Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa,
Santa Clara, Solano, Sonoma, San Francisco or San Mateo county)?
* A high school senior, high school graduate, have your GED or attending college?
If you answered "yes" to all of the above, the Queer Asian & Pacific Islander PRIDE Scholarship is for YOU! Edward Cheng Ming Tang, a generous and conscientious Chinese gay man, wishes to help you to achieve educational pursuits and dreams, proudly and without shame. In partnership with Peninsula Community Foundation, this education fund awards scholarships totaling $16,000 to deserving applicants, with the goal of eradicating the isolation invisibility, homophobia and heterosexism faced by thousands of A&PI queer and questioning youth in the Bay Area and beyond.
To apply, please download an application: http://www.apiwellness.org/v20/youth/application.html
Application Process:
The application process consists of two parts. The first part included questions
for you to answer. The second part included a creative project.
Send in or drop off the application with your creative artwork by May 31, 2004
at 5 p.m. via mail or in person.
Attn: Sabrina Wu
Queer A&PI Pride Scholarship
Asian & Pacific Islander Wellness Center
730 Polk Street, 4th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94109
The application form and artwork becomes the property of Asian & Pacific
Islander Wellness Center and will not be returned. Your artwork may be used
for publicity purposes.
If you are feeling stuck or have questions on how to fill out the application
form, just contact Sabrina at <mailto:sabrina@apiwellness.org>
or call 415.292.3420 x315.
Selection Process:
A selection committee including A&PI LGBTQQ youth and adults review the
applications and select scholarship recipients. We establish a new selection
committee for each year. Selection factors included the following: financial
need, personal and societal challenges, creativity and originality, community
involvement or the imagining of a queer A&PI community.
Each year, the selection committee comes up with the range of award amounts. For the year 2003, the committee decided to give awards ranging from $1,000 to $5000.
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14. JOBS: 30 Community Positions Available
Public Allies Silicon Valley advances diverse young leaders through a paid 10-month full-time leadership development program.
The Program consists of three main components:
* An apprenticeship at a local community-based organization
* Weekly leadership, social justice, and skills training by community leaders
* A team service project in partnership with the community
We are currently recruiting diverse young adults aged 18-30 for our next program year, which will take place from September 2004 to June 2005. Included in this email is a position description on the program, which I hope that you would share with others. Applications can also be downloaded from http://www.publicallies.org.
The deadline to apply is Friday, April 9, 2004.If you know of young people
who are excited about and committed to positive social change in the Silicon
Valley, please consider sharing this great opportunity to gain professional
nonprofit experience and valuable leadership skills.If you have any questions
or would like more information, please contact:
Ernesto at 408.586-7633 or mailto:ernesta@publicallies.org.
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15. NEWS: Between The Sexes
Time Magazine
Monday, Mar. 01, 2004
In 1993 Debbie Hartman was sure she was hearing things in her hospital room. She had just undergone a caesarean section, and the doctors were saying the baby was healthy but they weren't sure whether it was a boy or a girl. "I thought the drugs were making me hallucinate," she recalls. In fact, she was hearing just fine. But nothing about her child's biology - from the chromosomes to the reproductive tissue - conformed to the standard demarcations we have come to expect between the male and female sexes. In the language of developmental biologists, the baby was "intersexual."
To read the full article:
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1101040301-593551,00.html
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16. NEWS: Study Launched to Document, Gauge Police Abuse of Transgender Community
International human rights organization Amnesty International USA is currently looking into police interactions with lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) individuals and communities across the United States. The National Transgender Advocacy Coalition (NTAC) urges the transgender community to participate in this by providing any stories detailing any misconduct or abuse.
The research project was conceived by OUTfront, the Amnesty International USA program dedicated to advancing and enforcing the human rights of LGBT people, and builds on Amnesty International's historic and current work documenting racial profiling and police brutality in the United States. The research covers a broad range of police misconduct and abuse, ranging from non-response and inappropriate responses, to discriminatory targeting for law enforcement, to verbal, physical and sexual harassment and abuse.
As part of this project, Amnesty is asking LGBT people to share their experiences with law enforcement. The organization wants to hear from people from all walks of life across the country, and is particularly interested in the experiences of LGBT people of color, youth, sex workers, and transgender individuals who are especially vulnerable to police misconduct. Complete confidentiality is guaranteed to people who come forward to tell their stories.
Amnesty researchers emphasize that it is important to document LGBT people's experiences regardless of whether they think the officer or officers involved knew about their sexual orientation or gender identity, or of whether they think this affected how they were treated. They also want people to know that there doesn't have to be a beating or shooting for a person's story to be important to the research - the point of the report is to find out how law enforcement officers are treating LGBT folks across the board, whether they were the target of a hate crime, they were involved in a same sex domestic violence situation, or were harassed while walking down the street.
Finally, Amnesty is looking for stories involving both good and bad experiences, as positive experiences will help to identify "best practices" and make recommendations for change. NTAC, which met with Trine Christensen during the planning stage, applauds the study being undertaken, calling it "needed and long overdue."
The report is scheduled for release in the summer of 2004, so please contact Amnesty International with any information you may have as soon as possible.
For more information about this project, or to submit your testimony about your experience with law enforcement, please contact:
Trine Christensen at (212) 633-4277 or mailto:tchriste@aiusa.org,
or visit Amnesty International USA's website at http://www.aiusa.org.
Feel free to call collect at (212) 807 8400.