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GSA Network News Email Archive - February 2005

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February 23, 2005

In this issue of GSA Network News, you'll find:

GSA Network Highlight
The Youth Empowerment Summit is Less Than 2 Weeks Away!

GSA Network Announcements
1. SAVE THE DATE: Expression Not Suppression Conference (Central Valley)
2. Bring Sylvia Guerrero to your school (Bay Area)
3. Liberation Ink Posters - Free For GSAs

Other Announcements
4. Unity Festival Hosted by Crescenta Valley's GSA! (Glendale)
5. Indestructible: Celebrating International Women's Day (San Francisco)
6. Welcome to Catalina Island (Southern California)
7. DQRC Announces New Scholarship Fund for Deaf Queer Youth!
8. NEWS: Texas' textbook changes have a wide impact
9. NEWS: Advocates say educators too reluctant to tackle bullying of gays, lesbians

+++++++++++++++ GSA NETWORK HIGHLIGHT+++++++++++++++

The Youth Empowerment Summit is Less Than 2 Weeks Away!

YES is less than 2 weeks away!

Please pre-register for YES (Youth Empowerment Summit) if you haven't already.
www.gsanetwork.org/yes

YES is a FREE conference for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer, questioning, and straight ally youth dedicated to fostering safe schools and youth activism. The conference is open to all youth and allies, with a focus on middle school and high school.

Adults and teachers are welcome.

Some of the workshops you can look forward to include:
- Queer People of Color History
- Systems of Oppression
- How to Have a Kick-Ass GSA
- SB 71: Comprehensive Sex Ed Campaigns
- When You Gotta Go: A Safe Bathroom Access Workshop
- Arts Activism and Community Building

WHEN: Saturday, March 5
WHAT: Kick-ass conference (9 am - 5 pm) and dance (8 pm - 11 pm)
WHERE: Horace Mann Middle School, 3351 23rd Street, San Francisco (near 24th St. BART)
COST: FREE!

Formerly OHMY (Overcoming Homophobia Meeting for Youth), YES is newly restructured to focus more on giving youth organizers the tools to combat homophobia and transphobia in schools.
The goals of YES are:
- to provide a safe space in which students may come together to explore the multiple oppressions faced by youth
- to help teachers become advocates and form partnerships with LGBTQQI youth
- to help youth become armed with the tools needed to change the world!

By coming to YES, you will make new friends, be exposed to a wealth of valuable resources, feel empowered and supported, and have fun!

Questions? Email yes@gsanetwork.org

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+++++++++++++ GSA NETWORK ANNOUNCEMENTS +++++++++++++
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1. SAVE THE DATE: Expression Not Suppression Conference (Central Valley)

Get Ready for EXPRESSION NOT SUPPRESSION!!!

GSA Network's 3rd annual conference in the Central Valley will be on April 2, 2005 at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 4144 North Millbrook Avenue, Fresno.
Registration starts at 1 pm. Conference begins at 2 pm. Show and Dance from 7-11 pm.

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2. Bring Sylvia Guerrero to your school (Bay Area)
GSA Network is honored to introduce a new program, Educating for Transgender Student Safety, which brings Sylvia Guerrero to speak with students, teachers, and staff at schools throughout the Bay Area about the experiences she and her family have endured over the last two years after the death of her transgender daughter, Gwen Araujo. In the fall of 2002, Sylvia Guerrero was forced into the Bay Area's media spotlight by the murder of her transgender daughter, Gwen Araujo. Even though it had only been a short time since Ms. Guerrero began accepting Gwen as her daughter, instead of the son she had thought she was raising, she suddenly found herself labeled a spokeswoman for respect and dignity for transgender people.

If you would like to bring Ms. Guerrero to your school, please email info@gsanetwork.org.

Sylvia Guerrero's speaking tour is done in collaboration with GLSEN-San Francisco/East Bay and CUAV, and is supported by a grant from the Horizons Foundation - Gwen Araujo Memorial Fund for Transgender Education.

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3. Liberation Ink Posters - Free For GSAs

LIBERATION INK POSTERS AVAILABLE
FREE FOR GSAs IN CALIFORNIA!!

Seven poster designs are available for GSAs, organizations, and individuals to make change by building a presence of youth voices for justice, peace, and youth empowerment and against hatred, harassment, and discrimination of all kinds. Every GSA in California can receive 30 FREE posters to use at your school. You can order more than 30 for $1 each. From community organizations and individuals we request a donation of $5 each for 1-10 posters, $4 each for 11-30 posters, and large quantity discounts are available.

You can view the designs and order posters on the Liberation Ink website: www.gsanetwork.org/freezone/liberation.

HERE ARE SOME WAYS TO USE LIBERATION INK TO MAKE CHANGE AT YOUR SCHOOL!
* Attach information about your GSA to the posters to advertise and recruit members.
* Encourage teachers to hang the posters in their classrooms.
* Have GSA members lead discussions and activities related to the posters.
* Use the posters as part of an anti-slur campaign.
* Put the posters up in the courtyard with easels and/or use while you're tabling.
* Get the posters printed in your school or community newspaper with an article or announcement about your GSA.
* Create an agreement for teachers to sign and give them posters to symbolize their support.
* Display the whole Liberation Ink series in one place or fill a whole wall with posters in a grid.
* Use the posters in conjunction with Day of Silence, Transgender Day of Remembrance, LGBT History Month (October), LGBT Pride Month (June), Coming Out Day (October 11), or Diversity Day or Week at your school.

Liberation Ink was a collaborative project of GSA Network, LYRIC, and Mission Grafica at the Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts in San Francisco. It was supported by the Youth Initiatives Program of the Open Society Institute, the San Francisco Arts Commission, and the Walter and Elise Haas Fund.

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++++++++++++++++ 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.
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4. Unity Festival Hosted by Crescenta Valley's GSA! (Glendale)

Come meet people from all over Southern California who are either in a GSA or support our cause. This will be a great place to share ideas and stories as well as team up with other GSAs to plan bigger and more kick-ass events!

Who: Any GSA members and their supporters
What: A fun afternoon in the park, a great opportunity to meet people from the region who share similar goals, and tons of food and games
When: This Saturday, Feb. 26 from 12-4pm
Where: Montrose Park
3529 Clifton Place
Glendale, CA 91208
Why: Why not?

Please RSVP ASAP (or ask any questions) to: sugarville@hotmail.com

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5. Indestructible: Celebrating International Women's Day (San Francisco)

Loco Bloco, Mission Girls, The Center for Young Women’s Development, WILD for Human Rights & The Women’s Building present
INDESTRUCTIBLE
Three evenings of performance, music, & art celebrating International Women's Day
March 4-6, 2005
Art exhibit opens at 7pm, show starts at 8pm
The Women’s Building
3543 18th Street, San Francisco
Sliding Scale $5-10 (under 18) & $10-30 (18 and over)
Event information / Youth Group Discounts / Childcare requests: 415.431.1180 x17

INDESTRUCTIBLE will move audiences with the raw and revealing stories of three young women who come into their own power under the surreal circumstances of everyday life. Accompanied by a multi-media art exhibit and live music, this annual International Women's Day celebration embraces beauty and pain, drama and secrets, boundaries and the unknown to find a healing strength that is universal. Far from your typical sit-down performance, this intergenerational community production is a creative grassroots masterpiece to uplift the soul.

About the sponsors:
The Women’s Building is a vibrant four-story community center dedicated to providing women and girls with the tools to participate equally in society.
The Center For Young Women’s Development works to ensure that young women who have been severely impacted by poverty are able to achieve self-sufficiency and become positively engaged in their communities.
Loco Bloco provides underserved multi-ethnic youth with hands-on experience in the live public performance of music, dance and theater.
Mission Girls, a program of Mission Neighborhood Centers strives to provide high-quality, culturally appropriate human services to young Latinas in the Mission district.
WILD for Human Rights advances human rights in the U.S. through the conscious leadership and action of women and girls.

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6. Welcome to Catalina Island (Southern California)

Once again Bike Out is doing its annual four-day Catalina Island trip.
From March 20th through March 23rd
Challenge your self, experience beauty, and build a community!
Open to all queer (lgbtq) youth and straight supporters
Ages 14-23
Only 13 spots available
Please if you are interested, contact me as soon as possible, even if you have already shown interest before.
Make sure to give me your name, address, phone number and email address
mailto:surafel@bikeout.org or call 310-453-5040

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7. DQRC Announces New Scholarship Fund for Deaf Queer Youth!

The Deaf Queer Resource Center is proud to announce the establishment of the Deaf Queer Youth Scholarship Fund, a new fund that awards monetary scholarships to deserving self-identified Deaf Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Intersex college-bound youth

"The main purpose of the fund is to identify, support and empower the next generation of Deaf Queer youth by recognizing and celebrating their achievements," said Dragonsani Renteria, Director of the Deaf Queer Resource Center. "We are especially interested in supporting Deaf Queer youth who have shown a commitment to creating social change."

The initial scholarships will be offered in the amounts of $250 to $500 each. In order to be considered for a scholarship, applicants must be under 25 years of age, be enrolled in high school or college, have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 or better, and submit a written or video essay and other supporting documentation.

The deadline to apply is July 15, 2005.
Deaf Queer youth of color are especially encouraged to apply.

To learn about Eligibility Criteria or download the scholarship application packet (PDF):
http://www.deafqueer.org/youth/scholarships/eligibility.html

Visit the Deaf Queer Resource Center for more information:
http://www.deafqueer.org/411/new/index.html

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8. NEWS: Texas' textbook changes have a wide impact

Texas' textbook changes have a wide impact
Topics such as marriage edited for school board

By Scott Gold
Los Angeles Times
Originally published February 20, 2005

SPRING, Texas - Outside the Spring Church of Christ, a large roadside sign says a lot about the prevailing sensibility in this cordial town. It reads: "Support New Testament Morality."
This is the home and power base of Terri Leo, a state Board of Education member representing 2.5 million people in east Texas. At the urging of Leo and several other members - who describe themselves as Christian conservatives - the board approved new health textbooks for high school and middle school students in November after publishers said they would tweak references to marriage and sexuality.
One agreed to define marriage as a "lifelong union between a husband and a wife." Another deleted words that were attacked by conservatives as "stealth" references to gay relationships; "partners," for example, was changed to "husbands and wives." A passage explaining that adolescence brings the onset of "attraction to others" became "attraction to the opposite sex."

To read the full article, visit:
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/education/bal-te.textbooks20feb20,1,123332.story?coll=bal-education-top&ctrack=1&cset=true

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9. NEWS: Advocates say educators too reluctant to tackle bullying of gays, lesbians

Sunday, February 20, 2005
By Mackenzie Carpenter, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Last month, 5,500 educators from 36 states signed up as participants in the second annual No Name Calling Week, an anti-bullying program addressing verbal harassment of students, including gay and lesbian students, in middle and high schools.
In Pittsburgh, Mayor Tom Murphy's office chimed in, too, with a proclamation declaring Jan. 24-28 No Name Calling Week in Pittsburgh's schools.
There was only one problem: Pittsburgh Public Schools never held the program.
City school administrators told organizers in early January that individual schools could sponsor No Name Calling Week, which featured essay contests with cash prizes, an extensive curriculum, public speakers and other activities, but that there wasn't enough time to get approval by the Pittsburgh Board of Education to mandate it districtwide. Two weeks later, however, the school district reversed its position. In an e-mail Jan. 17, Westlynn Davis, the director of student services, barred schools from implementing the program, because, she said, it wasn't "board approved."
Davis didn't return phone calls for comment. But privately, Pittsburgh school officials say there was discomfort at being affiliated with the event's organizer, the Gay Lesbian Straight Education Network, a national grass-roots organization that works to make schools safe for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered students.

To read the full article, visit:
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05051/460336.stm

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February 16, 2005

In this issue of GSA Network News, you'll find:

GSA Network Highlight
Battle for Marriage Equality Hits High Schools

GSA Network Announcements
1. Welcome to GSA Network's new Program Director
2. Register for YES (Youth Empowerment Summit) - March 5, 2005
3. GSA Summit in Contra Costa County
4. Bring Sylvia Guerrero to your school (Bay Area)
5. Liberation Ink Posters - Free For GSAs

Other Announcements
6. Windward GSA Hosts Equality Summit (Los Angeles)
7. Queer Movie Night! (Los Angeles)
8. Central Valley Forum on Comprehensive Sex Education (Fresno)
9. Queer Quilt Project on Film! (San Francisco)
10. Speak out on Same-Sex Marriage and School Safety Issues
11. Help Fringe Benefits create a new play celebrating the alternative family (LA)
12. Queer Youth Filmmaker Project (San Francisco)
13. JOB: Program Associate with Coleman Advocates (San Francisco)
14. NEWS: Mock marriages spur real protests
15. NEWS: School trustees clarify their stand on GSA club
16. NEWS: ACLU calls eyeliner issue 'gender discrimination'
17. NEWS: Request to Edit Title of Talk On Gays, Suicide Stirs Ire

+++++++++++++++ GSA NETWORK HIGHLIGHT+++++++++++++++

Battle for Marriage Equality Hits High Schools
While 3,000 LGBT folks gathered in the Rotunda of San Francisco's City Hall last weekend in commemoration of the same-sex marriages that were performed in that same venue one year ago, six brave students - some gay-identified and some straight allies - at Silverado High school performed mock same-sex weddings during lunch periods to celebrate "National Freedom to Marry Day."

The courageous act of the Gay-Straight Alliance students at Silverado High School in Victorville was evident as the three couples participated in the mock same-sex wedding ceremonies during both lunch periods on Friday, February 11 in the face of student protesters on campus and parents protesting off campus.

Fortunately, Silverado H.S. administrators, led by their principal, Susan Levine, were in support of the event and fully backed the GSA. With a copy of the district ruling on hand to show parents and concerned community members, the GSA students were assured of their right to freedom of expression. Despite the fact that some Silverado parents and students protested the mock weddings, where the participants were harassed verbally and endured eggs being thrown at them, many students applauded as the students ended the ceremonies with the traditional phrase "I DO."
Ceslie Garcia, a Silverado GSA leader, said she hopes their action will inspire other GSAs to do similar actions fighting for marriage equality.

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+++++++++++++ GSA NETWORK ANNOUNCEMENTS +++++++++++++

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1. Welcome to GSA Network's new Program Director

GSA Network is very excited to introduce you to our new statewide Program Director, Tanya Mayo, who is based in our San Francisco office. "I'm delighted to be working at GSA Network because of its vision of training young people to be leaders and activists. A battle fought alone is very challenging, but one fought as part of a community in partnership with allies can really affect immediate issues and long-term social change," shared Tanya.

About Tanya:
Tanya Mayo, 35, is an African American (bi-racial) Bay Area artist, youth advocate, and queer activist. She has been working and organizing in the Bay Area grassroots community since Gulf war I when she ran with Roots Against War. Tanya recently was the National Organizer for the anti-war group Not in Our Name and brings a sharp understanding of the need for both grassroots and national organizing as a means to effect social change. Additionally Tanya has spent the last decade working with youth cultivating arts and activism as the Executive Director of Loco Bloco Drum and Dance ensemble, Youth Program Director at Brava for Women in the Arts and a longtime core member of The Medea project, theater for incarcerated women.

You can reach Tanya at tanya@gsanetwork.org.

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2. Register for YES (Youth Empowerment Summit) - March 5, 2005!

The Youth Empowerment Summit (YES), Gay-Straight Alliance Network's annual conference, will be held March 5th, 2005 from 9 am-5 pm at Horace Mann Middle School in San Francisco, with a dance afterwards from 8 pm to midnight.

YES is a FREE conference for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer, questioning, and straight ally youth dedicated to fostering safe schools and youth activism. Formerly OHMY (Overcoming Homophobia Meeting for Youth), YES is newly restructured to focus more on giving youth organizers the tools to combat homophobia and transphobia in schools.

The aim of YES is to provide a safe space in which students may come together to explore the multiple oppressions faced by youth, help teachers become advocates and form partnerships with LGBTQQ youth, and become armed with the tools needed to change the world! As a YES participant, you will make new friends, be exposed to a wealth of valuable resources, feel empowered and supported, and have fun!

The conference is open to all youth and allies, with a focus on middle school and high school. Adults and teachers are welcome.

To register, visit www.gsanetwork.org/yes/index.html

For this conference to be truly remarkable, we need the help of youth like you!
**JOIN THE STEERING COMMITTEE**

The meetings of the YES Steering Committee take place every Saturday from 12 pm until 4pm at GSA Network.
GSA Network is located at 160 14th Street between South Van Ness and Folsom in San Francisco. Our office is located near the 16th BART station.
For more information or to be a part of GSA Network, please call 415.552.4229 or contact yes@gsanetwork.org

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3. GSA Summit in Contra Costa County

GSA Network is proud to support the upcoming...

GSA SUMMIT!!!!
Wanna meet folks from other GSAs in Contra Costa County? Come to the GSA Summit!
It's at the Rainbow Community Center in Concord on Saturday, February 19 from 1:00-3:00.

Find out how GSAs are fighting homophobia!
Learn about HIV and safer sex!
Plan social events with members of other GSAs!

Please note, the Rainbow Community Center has moved! Their new location is 3024 Willow Pass Rd. (around in back). It is about nine blocks further down Willow Pass from where it used to be, away from the Freeway. To walk from BART: go Left on Oakland, Right on Clayton, Left on Alameda, Left on Parkside, and Right on Willow Pass.
For questions call Renee at 925/687-8844 x304 or Ken at 925/692-0090 x302. See you there!

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4. Bring Sylvia Guerrero to your school (Bay Area)

GSA Network is honored to introduce a new program, Educating for Transgender Student Safety, which brings Sylvia Guerrero to speak with students, teachers, and staff at schools throughout the Bay Area about the experiences she and her family have endured over the last two years after the death of her transgender daughter, Gwen Araujo. In the fall of 2002, Sylvia Guerrero was forced into the Bay Area's media spotlight by the murder of her transgender daughter, Gwen Araujo. Even though it had only been a short time since Ms. Guerrero began accepting Gwen as her daughter, instead of the son she had thought she was raising, she suddenly found herself labeled a spokeswoman for respect and dignity for transgender people.

If you would like to bring Ms. Guerrero to your school, please email info@gsanetwork.org.

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5. Liberation Ink Posters - Free For GSAs

LIBERATION INK POSTERS AVAILABLE
FREE FOR GSAs IN CALIFORNIA!!
Seven poster designs are available for GSAs, organizations, and individuals to make change by building a presence of youth voices for justice, peace, and youth empowerment and against hatred, harassment, and discrimination of all kinds. Every GSA in California can receive 30 FREE posters to use at your school. You can order more than 30 for $1 each. From community organizations and individuals we request a donation of $5 each for 1-10 posters, $4 each for 11-30 posters, and large quantity discounts are available.

You can view the designs and order posters on the Liberation Ink website: www.gsanetwork.org/freezone/liberation.

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6. Windward GSA Hosts Equality Summit (Los Angeles)

The Gay-Straight Alliance of Windward School Presents the:

EQUALITY
SUMMIT

ALL ARE WELCOME!
Everyone has a stake in EQUALITY!
Get informed on the issues and listen to a panel of key speakers who will keep us up to speed with the current movement for EQUALITY! There will be social activities and video presentations. Food and beverages provided.
Bring your friends and family because these issues affect all people!

WHEN:
Saturday, March 19th, 2005
10am-2pm

WHERE:
Windward School
11350 Palms Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90066

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7. Queer Movie Night! (Los Angeles)

As part of the queer film series at Crossroads, sponsored by FLAG (our gay/straight alliance), we will be having our next movie screening this Thursday, February 17th, from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. We invite you to join us!
This is a special screening since we'll be holding it at Sony Picture Studios, and the director and stars of the film will be there with us!

We'll be screening the fun film D.E.B.S., which has been described as "Charlie's Angels with a Lesbian Twist"!
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! RSVP's are required. You must e-mail us by Thursday at 9 a.m. in order to be put on the list. You can reach us at flag@xrds.org

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8. Central Valley Forum on Comprehensive Sex Education (Fresno)

You're Invited!
Central Valley Forum - We Want the Truth!
Comprehensive Sex Education
In our Schools
Hosted by Fresno Barrios Unidos

FORUM TOPICS
- Comprehensive sexuality education's role in reducing teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections
- Sex Education quality in Central Valley schools
- Overview of SB 71, state law mandating comprehensive sex education
- Youth and adult strategies to help schools be compliant with SB 71

MEETING - Saturday March 5, 2005
10 - 4 PM at Fresno Barrios Unidos
(Youth session will meet in the lounge, adult session will meet in back room)
4403 E. Tulare Ave.
Fresno, CA 93702
(across the street from Roosevelt High)LUNCH and SNACKS will be provided.
Games and prizes to be awarded to participants!

For more information or to RSVP, please contact Cassandra Gomez at
559-453-9662 ext. 10. PLEASE RSVP BY FEBRUARY 18, 2005.

Presented by:
American Civil Liberties Union & Asian Communities for Reproductive Justice

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9. Queer Quilt Project on Film! (San Francisco)

You are Invited to the Richmond Village Beacon
Youth Film Showing of "THIRD VISION" A Film by RVB Youth
Date: February 16th 2004
Time: 6pm / Showing Begins at 6:30pm
Place: 4 Star Theatre/ 2200 Clement Street @ 23rd Avenue /SF /CA /94121
Cost: This is a Free Event For All Ages
Information: Please Call Richmond Village Beacon at (415)750-8554
Description: "Third Vision" documents three Richmond Village Beacon
Summer Projects - a mural, a photography and book making project, and
the creation of a quilt by youth. A youth led video team documented
these projects from conception to completion to showcase the creative
power of youth. the completed artwork featured in the video will also
be on displayin the theatre.
Food and Beverages will be served at the Event

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10. Speak out on Same-Sex Marriage and School Safety Issues

Children's PressLine, a non-profit news organization for kids, is
currently preparing an article about teens who are affected by gay
marriage issues. Our teen reporters would either want to interview GLBT
teens who are in a relationship right now and get their views on marriage
or talk to GLBT teens with gay parents. It would also be great if we can
get some of today's Silverado demonstrators to talk about their concerns.
Another article we're working on concerns school safety issues. Here, the
GSA link would be gay teens who are being harassed because of their
sexuality. We'd like to talk to teens who are willing and able to talk
about their personal experiences and what they think should be done to
make schools a more open, gay-friendly environment.

Our teen reporters would call the interviewees on Wednesday, Feb 23
(school safety) and on Friday, Feb 25 (gay marriage) between 4 and 6pm.
Interviews last approximately 20 minutes. The resulting article will be
distributed nation-wide by Scripps Howard News Service.

Please contact Mark Mackintosh if you're interested.
Mark Mackintosh
Editorial Coordinator
Children's PressLine
163 Amsterdam Avenue, PMB#149
New York, NY 10023
212-501-1118
www.cplmedia.org

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11. Help Fringe Benefits create a new play celebrating the alternative family (Los Angeles)

Join Fringe Benefits to create MIXED BLESSINGS: Celebrating the Alternative Family,
a play promoting acceptance and equal rights for all families!

WHAT: MIXED BLESSINGS: Celebrating the Alternative Family:
A Fringe Benefits new play development project with a wide range of diverse families to promote acceptance and equal rights for all families!

WHEN: Between March 15 and April 30, 2005
Weekdays and/or Weekend days......
Single or multiple, Two-to-Four hour Discussion/Writing/Improvisation sessions
Participants can arrange for sessions at convenient times/dates with workshop Leader, Amy Seham.
For more information &/or to set up a meeting date/time, please contact Amy Seham at: aseham@gac.edu * H: (507) 931-8870 * C: (507) 382-8870

WHERE: At participating community centers, family organization centers and offices and/or at workshop participants' homes. We will come to you, anywhere in Southern California.

WHO: Adults and youth of all different family structures are welcome to participate and welcome to include family, friends and colleagues of all ages!!
If you have stories and experiences to share, or simply want to participate in discussions and/or improvisations on this subject, we would love include you in one of the workshops/story circles and/or to set up a workshop/story at a time and place convenient for you and with people you whom you would like to include. We want to ensure that the play we create will incorporated as many perspectives, experiences, and insights as possible.

WHY: If George Bush and his cronies have their way, we would accept the notion of "marriage" as a union exclusively between a man and woman, and the idea of "family" as a Norman Rockwell painting. But families come in many shapes and configurations, and - while love binds these families together, society's ignorance often makes life very difficult. Many non-traditional families are currently facing tremendous legal barriers, social stigma, and other forms of discrimination. Our intention is for the play to help build support for families facing all forms of social injustice and especially to help build support for the Freedom to Marry, Marriage Equality Campaign.

HOW: Director and playwright Amy Seham will lead a series of free workshops and story circles, aimed at developing a new play celebrating all kinds of families, and helping build bridges of understanding among them. The workshops will be relaxed and fun, involve small, multi-generational and diverse groups, and include discussion, story-sharing, theatre games and improvisation. Everyone will be welcome to participate at level and in ways that feel most comfortable to him or her.

The new play will address issues faced by a variety of alternative families - including families with single parents, gay or lesbian parents, interracial families, and adoptive families among others. Special attention will be paid to legal barriers faced by some families.

ABOUT THE PRESENTER: Amy Seham
Dr. Seham is a professional director and playwright currently teaching theatre
at Gustavus Adolphus College in Minnesota. She was Artistic Director of
Performance Studio, an independent theatre company in New Haven, CT that
concentrated on devising scripts through improvisation and developing original
feminist comedies and cabarets. Her original plays have been produced in New
York, Michigan and Minnesota, where her recent play 23 Across, was deemed a
"Best Bet" by the Minneapolis Pioneer Press. She has worked as a dramaturg and
consultant with the Playwrights Center in Minneapolis, where she recently
taught classes in Improv for the Playwright and Documentary Drama. Her book,
Whose Improv Is It Anyway, examines issues of race, gender, sexuality and
stereotypes in Chicago improv-comedy. She offers these free workshops as part
of a sabbatical project focused on developing theatre for social justice.
Please contact Amy Seham to let her know if you are interested in participating in this project in any way!
mailto:aseham@gac.edu * H: (507) 931-8870 * C: (507) 382-8870 (Please copy me at mailto:normabowles@earthlink.net.)
Call or write SOON! (by March 1 at the latest)

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12. Queer Youth Filmmaker Project (San Francisco)

CALLING ALL QUEER, TRANSGENDERED, QUESTIONING, AND STRAIGHT ALLY YOUTH WHO WANT TO MAKE MOVIES!
Frameline and TILT in collaboration with Film Arts Foundation present:

THE YOUNG FILMMAKER PROJECTMake a movie that will be screened in Frameline's 29th San Francisco International Lesbian & Gay Film Festival, the world's oldest and largest celebration of LGBT cinema, which runs from June 16-26, 2005.

Learn the basics of filmmaking and collaborate with other youth and experienced filmmakers to write, script, cast, storyboard, shoot, and edit your own short movie.

No experience required. Participants receive a stipend for attending all meetings.
Participants should be available to meet on the following dates:
Pre-production: Saturdays, March 19, March 26, & April 9, Sunday, April 17, & Saturday, April 23, 1-4pm
Production: Saturdays, May 7 and May 14, 11am-6pm
Post-production: Saturday and Sunday, May 21 & 22, shifts to be determined.
Deadline: Applications must be postmarked by Friday, March 4, 2005.
Applicants should submit the following:
NAME:
ADDRESS:
PHONE:
E-MAIL:
AGE:
1) What is your interest in filmmaking?
2) What kind of movie are you interested in making?
3) What kind of experience and qualities do you bring to the group?
4) What would you like to get out of this workshop experience?
5) What do you think it takes to work well in a group?
6) Are you available to do screenwriting and production planning work outside of class when necessary?

Send applications to:
Young Filmmaker Project
c/o Film Arts Foundation
145 Ninth Street, #101
San Francisco, CA 94103
or e-mail your application or questions to karah@filmarts.org.
Deadline: Applications must be postmarked by Friday, March 4, 2005.
See www.frameline.org and www.tiltmedia.org to learn more about Frameline and TILT.

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13. JOB: Program Associate with Coleman Advocates (San Francisco)

JOB DESCRIPTION: Position: Program Associate (0.5 FTE). Salary: $10-12/hour DOE. Reports to: Project Coordinator. Coleman Advocates for Children & Youth's Youth Justice Project (YJP) is seeking a Program Associate to help carry out the vision of an exciting new youth-led juvenile justice initiative.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Plan and facilitate weekly leadership workshops with group of 10 youth involved in the juvenile justice system * Coordinate training and develop curriculum, as necessary * Support youth with advocacy campaign development * Support the development of youths' leadership and personal skills * Maintain close contact with case managers, teachers, or parents to support youths' progress * Support completion of video production project * Attend community initiatives and advocacy meetings, as needed * Maintain relationships with other youth organizing groups.

QUALIFICATIONS: Ability to work in partnership with youth and to support their leadership * Commitment to promoting youth development and juvenile justice reform * Experience facilitating workshops for youth * Ability to work with ethnically diverse groups of low-income youth * Ability to work with both community organizers and public officials * Experience in advocacy or popular education a plus.

TO APPLY: Please submit cover letter and resume to Coleman Advocates for Children & Youth via: email: mailto:info@colemanadvocates.org, fax: (415) 239-0584, mail or in person: 459 Vienna Street, San Francisco, CA 94112. Position open until filled.

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14. NEWS: Mock marriages spur real protests

Mock marriages spur real protests
GAY: Both sides of the same-sex wedding debate air their feelings at a Victorville high school.

February 12, 2005
By Gregor McGavin / The Press-Enterprise

VICTORVILLE - A sprawling high school campus in this High Desert town, better known for wide-open spaces than for social activism, became the setting Friday for a fight over free speech, gay rights and school oversight.
The signs clutched by five dozen protestors gathered in the driving rain outside Silverado High School said they opposed the mock same-sex weddings a half-dozen students were staging within.
A gay-rights advocate said he supported the students' right to speak out.
School officials said the lunchtime event was legal, so they were staying out of it.
And the student members of the Gay and Straight Alliance club who organized the faux nuptials? They said, "I do."
Nine student couples -- boys and girls, gay and straight -- were wed during the mock ceremonies over both lunch periods, from 11 a.m. to noon. It was the only local event of its kind, and they had started planning it three weeks ago as a way to commemorate National Freedom to Marry Day today.
They said they didn't plan on the response they got.
"It was pretty big, I guess," Ceslie Garza, 16, said by phone later. Ceslie, who publicly acknowledged she is a lesbian a year ago, organized the event and was one of the brides.
"When we planned it, it wasn't like, 'Let's make this big political statement.' It was just 'Let's do this cute little ceremony,' and that's about it," she said.
Then some parents got wind of the plan, and the protest began. Angry calls were made to the school and the district, and to local political leaders.

To read the full article, visit:
www.pe.com/localnews/inland/stories/PE_News_Local_gay12.a1841.html

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15. NEWS: School trustees clarify their stand on GSA club

By Maria G. Ortiz-Briones
Sentinel Reporter

HANFORD - It's not a simple issue for the board of trustees at Hanford Joint Union High School District.
On one side, parents and community members who came Tuesday night to speak out against the new Gay-Straight Alliance student club at Hanford West High School want the board to do something about it.
On the other hand, under the Federal Equal Access Act of 1984, the board and the school district cannot discriminate against non-curricular students clubs, including the GSA club.
"This is not a simple issue," HJUHSD Superintendent Marie Bañuelos said. "It's a very sensitive issue and I have deep respect for those who were willing to come forward and share their views, even if it was not an easy thing."

The board meeting held at Hanford High School's library provided an opportunity for the public to express their opinions about the issue. An overwhelming number of people in the audience were upset about the club and many also voiced their concern about a handout passed out in a Hanford West English class which was part of an exercise in tolerance.

To read the full article, visit:
www.hanfordsentinel.com/articles/2005/02/09/news/daily01.txt

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16. NEWS: ACLU calls eyeliner issue 'gender discrimination'

ACLU calls eyeliner issue 'gender discrimination'
E.V. Cain Middle School's stance on boys wearing makeup could go to court

By: Michelle Miller, Auburn Journal
Tuesday, February 15, 2005

The policy at Auburn's E.V. Cain Middle School that barred a boy from wearing eyeliner could be deemed sexual discrimination, according to a representative from the American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California.
Kyle Love, 14, was told by administrators to stop wearing eyeliner to school because it is disruptive to classrooms and other students.
Vince Anaclerio, superintendent of Auburn Union Elementary School District, said the school is not singling him out.
"There has been no discrimination here," Anaclerio said. "This is a behavior that was distracting and disruptive and he's been asked to stop."
Julia Harumi Mass, staff attorney for the ACLU of Northern California, said that Education Code Section 200 prohibits schools from discriminating based upon sex.
"If a school is letting girls wear eyeliner, to say boys can't wear it reinforces gender stereotypes," she said.

To read the full article, visit:
www.auburnjournal.com/articles/2005/02/15/news/top_stories/02eyeliner15.txt

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17. NEWS: Request to Edit Title of Talk On Gays, Suicide Stirs Ire

Request to Edit Title of Talk On Gays, Suicide Stirs Ire
HHS Is Being Accused of Marginalization

By Rick Weiss
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, February 16, 2005; Page A17

A federal agency's efforts to remove the words "gay," "lesbian," "bisexual" and
"transgender" from the program of a federally funded conference on suicide prevention
have inspired scores of experts in mental health to flood the agency with angry e-mails.
"It is incredible, the venom from these people," said Mark Weber, a spokesman for the
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the agency within the
Department of Health and Human Services that is funding the conference and told
presenters they should remove the words from the title of a talk.

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February 9, 2005

In this issue of GSA Network News, you'll find:

GSA Network Highlight
Hundreds Turn Out for Scotts Valley Showdown Over LGBT Posters

GSA Network Announcements
1. Youth and Adult Speakers Needed for the Youth Empowerment Summit (YES)!
2. Register for YES (Youth Empowerment Summit) - March 5, 2005
3. Seeking Youth Harassed at School to Share Their Stories
4. Bring Sylvia Guerrero to your school (Bay Area)
5. Liberation Ink Posters - Free For GSAs

Other Announcements
6. High Tech High Queer Film Festival (San Diego)
7. Qpocalypse ~ an event for queer youth of color (San Francisco)
8. TRANSLATE: A trans youth open mic (San Francisco)
9. Two Events from OUTfront for LGBT rights (San Francisco)
10. New Mentoring Program for LGBTQ Youth (Los Angeles)
11. Exploring Leadership Program (San Francisco, East Bay)
12. The Felicia Park-Rogers Summer Internship Program at COLAGE
13. SCHOLARSHIP: GLSEN and PFLAG Peninsula/South Bay Scholarships
14. SCHOLARSHIP: LGBT Youth Scholarship (San Jose)
15. NEWS: Community divided over tolerance posters at Scotts Valley High
16. NEWS: Editorial: It's time to teach, not harass
17. NEWS: High school editor fired for not asking permission to interview gay students

+++++++++++++++ GSA NETWORK HIGHLIGHT+++++++++++++++

Hundreds Turn Out for Scotts Valley Showdown Over LGBT Posters

More than 400 students, parents, teachers, and community members packed the auditorium at Scotts Valley High School for Monday night's special school board meeting in Scotts Valley to debate whether LGBT safety and respect posters should be allowed to remain in the classrooms at Scotts Valley High School. Members of the gay-straight alliance club, which is called "Unity Through Diversity," handed out photocopies of the controversial posters to the audience as they came through the doors.

At issue was the proposal by a conservative parent to remove the posters from what he characterized as the "captive audience" of the classroom setting and move the "homosexual posters" to the hallways; he has filed numerous complaints for the past two years about the posters, queer youth event announcements over the PA system, and LGBT supportive articles written in the student newspaper. The parent made a presentation at Monday's board meeting, along with his attorney from Pacific Justice Institute, a right-wing legal organization based in Sacramento.

But during the public comment period the vast majority of students, parents, teachers, and community members spoke out in favor of the posters and the need for the school to become a safer place for LGBT students. Students testified to the need for these posters in part because of a 2003 student survey that found anti-LGBT harassment was the biggest problem faced at Scotts Valley High. One parent of a lesbian daughter shared that these posters were evidence of the positive steps the school is taking to make sure his daughter is safe. Expressing bewilderment that this issue is even an issue at all, one student commented that, "It's more important for one student to feel safe in class than for a few parents to feel uncomfortable with posters that basically say 'be nice to people.'"

Among the posters in question are GSA Network's poster with anti-LGBT slurs on it and the tagline "Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me...Right?", a poster from COLAGE featuring children with their gay dads and lesbian moms, a "Safe Place" poster with a pink triangle on it, and a poster of famous gays and lesbians in history. To view all of GSA Network's posters, visit: www.gsanetwork.org/freezone/liberation/index.html
Students and teachers will continue their fight to preserve the posters' place in the classrooms and work towards a safer school climate. In the meantime, the Scotts Valley school board is discussing what they heard on Monday and is expected to take action next week.

For more information about this story, see the article from The Sentinel below (item #15).

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+++++++++++++ GSA NETWORK ANNOUNCEMENTS +++++++++++++

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1. Youth and Adult Speakers Needed for the Youth Empowerment Summit (YES)!

The YES Steering Committee is looking for some folks to speak on a panel during the opening session of YES on March 5th, 2005 at Horace Mann Middle School in San Francisco. We need one student from a private school and one student from a public school.

Also, we're looking for students to nominate their advisors. In particular, do you have a straight GSA advisor who could speak about how they become involved with your GSA and how they empower you? We want students to recommend their teachers. (Adults, please do not apply on your own; the recommendation must come from a student).

If you're interested in speaking on the panel or recommending your GSA advisor, fill out this application and send it to yes@gsanetwork.org. People of color are strongly encouraged to reply.

Name:
Age:
School:
Public school / Private school:
Sexual Orientation:
Gender:
Ethnic Background:
Teacher Recommendation (for GSA advisor application only):
For private school students: How did you campaign for change in your school without the help of AB 537?
For public school students: How did you use AB 537 or organize a campaign in your school?

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2. Register for YES (Youth Empowerment Summit) - March 5, 2005!

The conference is open to all youth and allies, with a focus on middle school and high school. Adults and teachers are welcome.

To register, visit www.gsanetwork.org/yes/index.html

For this conference to be truly remarkable, we need the help of youth like you!

**JOIN THE STEERING COMMITTEE**
The meetings of the YES Steering Committee take place every Saturday from 12 pm until 4pm at GSA Network.
GSA Network is located at 160 14th Street between South Van Ness and Folsom in San Francisco. Our office is located near the 16th BART station.
For more information or to be a part of GSA Network, please call 415.552.4229 or contact yes@gsanetwork.org

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3. Seeking Youth Harassed at School to Share Their Stories

Were You Harassed at School??

Have you or someone you know been victimized or harassed at school because someone knew or thought you were gay?

Would you like an opportunity to share your experiences to help prevent school harassment of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) and heterosexual youth who were harassed because someone thought they were gay?

Who Wants to Know?
Caitlin Ryan and Rafael Diaz at San Francisco State University are conducting a study of school victimization of LGBT and heterosexual youth and their families. We're looking for youth in California who would like to participate in the study. We'll use the results to develop a resource guide to help parents advocate for their children in schools to prevent school-based harassment, written in English and Spanish.

The interview will take approximately 2 hours. All information you tell us is confidential.

If you participate, you will receive $25 for your time.

Who's Eligible?
Young people - ages 13 - 25 - who:
- Identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender or are a Heterosexual Youth who was harassed because someone thought you were gay
- Have been harassed in school because someone knew or thought you were gay
- Have experienced ongoing harassment for at least 6 months that caused you to miss days of school, change schools or drop out of school, or have other negative experiences.
- Have family members who know about your school experiences who would be willing to talk with us.

For more information, call toll-free at: 1-888-354-4222, 415-522-8564 or e-mail us at: fap@sfsu.edu
Visit our webpage at: familyproject.sfsu.edu

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4. Bring Sylvia Guerrero to your school (Bay Area)

If you would like to bring Ms. Guerrero to your school, please email info@gsanetwork.org.

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5. Liberation Ink Posters - Free For GSAs

You can view the designs and order posters on the Liberation Ink website: www.gsanetwork.org/freezone/liberation.

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6. High Tech High Queer Film Festival (San Diego)

High Tech High Queer Film Festival
February 14 (day)

Showing the following films:
Camp
But I'm a Cheer Leader
The Rocky Horror Picture Show
Priscilla Queen of the Desert
$5 for Pizza, Soda, and Two Movies!!

Location: 2861 Womble Road, San Diego 92106
Questions? Call 619-309-5836 or email cpoanessa@hightechhigh.org

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7. Qpocalypse ~ an event for queer youth of color (San Francisco)

this event is free
there will be free food, music and dancing

Who: lesbian, gay, bisexual, two-spirit, transgender, queer and
questioning youth of color 25 and under
What: art show/open mic
We are looking for visual artist to display their work and
Performers for the event
When: February 18, 2005
(future events March 18th, April 22nd, May 20th, & June 17th )
Where:2973 16th Street @ Mission in SF
(Bart: 16th Street Bart Station & Muni: 14, 22, 33, 49, 53)

for more info call 415.777.5500 ex 311

Qpocalypse

02-18-05
03-18-05
04-22-05
05-20-05
06-17-05

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8. TRANSLATE: A trans youth open mic (San Francisco)

Calling all spoken word artists, poets, the musically inclined, and your friends and allies!!!

Youth Gender Project Presents:
TRANSLATE: A trans youth open mic
A space for trans/qenderqueer youth (25 and under) to express themselves through poetry, spoken word, music or other similar performances. All Allies are welcome to attend.

FREE COFFEE!!

February 18th, 2005
Sign up starts at 6:45pm/show is 7-9pm
Threedollarbill Café @ The LGBT Center
1800 Market St. San Francisco
For more information contact Brooklynne or Courtney at 415-865-5625 or email: Brooklynne@youthgenderproject.org

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9. Two Events from OUTfront for LGBT rights (San Francisco)

Paradise LOST: Ending the Cycle of Homophobic Violence in Jamaica
www.amnestyusa.org/events/western/02152005j-flag.html

Amnesty International and Community United Against Violence (CUAV) invite
you to join us for a public forum featuring J-FLAG, the leading lesbian,
gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights organization in Jamaica, where
we will come together to discuss homophobic violence and ways to demand
justice from Jamaican authorities.

Tuesday, February 15, 2005
Reception 6:30 p.m., Program 7:30 p.m.
Swedish American Hall (above Cafe Du Nord)
2170 Market Street (Church Street MUNI station)
San Francisco, CA 94114
FREE and open to the public. Preceded by reception with J-FLAG, Amnesty
International, CUAV, Human Rights Watch, IGLHRC, Soulforce and Transgender
Law Center.
Photography and filming prohibited.

For more information, call 415-291-9233 x206, or visit:
www.amnestyusa.org/events/western/02152005j-flag.html

____________________________
"Hate Crimes and Hope: LGBT Stories from the Bay"

Join the Amnesty International Film Festival and local LGBT organizations
for the screenings of two outstanding films documenting hate crimes and
stories of hope in the Bay Area.

www.amnestyusa.org/events/western/02202005atc.html

Sunday, February 20, 2005
Screenings begin at 7:00 p.m.
Artists' Television Access
992 Valencia Street (at 21st)
San Francisco, CA 94110

Followed by Q&A with Chris Daley from the Transgender Law Center.

Not In Our Town, Northern California: When Hate Happens Here traces the
stories of communities responding to hate crimes in our own region --
focussing particularly on the murder of transgender 17 year old Gwen Araujo
in Newark, CA. The common tie for all the stories is a hateful act; their
common hope is turning diversity into strength.
www.kqed.org/programs/tv/niot/about.jsp

This Way Out tells the story of three individuals who escaped persecution
at home based on their sexual orientation to claim refugee status in the
United States. Besides portraying eloquent accounts of the protagonists'
experiences in Brazil, Kenya and Pakistan, the film questions what kind of
asylum the U.S. provides for them and what kind of "freedom" they have
found.
www.amnestyusa.org/filmfest/asheville/01202005.html#thiswayout

FREE and open to the public.

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10. New Mentoring Program for LGBTQ Youth (Los Angeles)

FINALLY! A MENTORING PROGRAM FOR LGBTQ YOUTH!
LifeWorks is comprised of two programs:

LifeSupport Program
(meeting Thursdays, 7-8:30 pm at the Village, 1125 N. McCadden Place, Hollywood)
The LifeSupport is comprised of two programs:
Peer Support Groups and the Workshop Series for ages 15 - 23

The Peer Support Groups are offered weekly and provide an opportunity for youth to get together, talk, learn new skills, find new interests and develop a support network. LifeWorks Mentoring seeks to create increased self-esteem, confidence, social skills, school performance, health and happiness. Youth determine the programming in cooperation with LifeWorks Mentoring staff.

The Workshop Series, beginning February 2005, is an ongoing series of meetings arranged by LifeWorks' staff. For those interested in advocacy and community involvement or just learning more about what opportunities and resources are available to them, workshop sessions occur at least once a month. Community and government leaders, law enforcement, corporate executives and professionals from diverse fields are some of the examples of workshop leaders. Increased opportunities and decreased barriers to success are the results.

LifeMentoring
The LifeMentoring program includes One on One mentoring, group community service projects and outings.
One on One LifeMentoring is designed to facilitate the sharing of resources and guidance, provide support and offer action oriented goal achievement to youth participants. Inspired by the concept of life coaching, matches work together to complete a LifePlan. The LifePlan consists of short and long-term goals in five achievement areas: Health, Education, Vocation, Permanent Housing and Community. Self-sufficiency and a clear path to success are the result.

Outings and Group Community Service Projects are held twice a year and allow for all of the matches to meet each other, have some fun and participate in the betterment of their communities by giving back to worthwhile community service projects.

For More Information or to request an application, contact us at:
8721 Santa Monica Boulevard, #316, West Hollywood, California 90069 _ 310.874.8181 _ Website:www.lifeworksmentoring.org _ Email: info@lifeworksmentoring.org

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11. Exploring Leadership Program (San Francisco, East Bay)

---@ HEY, YOUTH! @---

Ever thought you could…
* Earn $1000 bucks
* Do an internship
* Get hands-on leadership training
* Meet diverse youth from the Bay Area
* Get the skills and experience you need to make a difference in your life and community
…ALL IN FIVE MONTHS?!?

***EXPLORING LEADERSHIP***

Exploring Leadership is a program of Coro Northern California, a 62 year-old, non-partisan nonprofit that offers leadership training in public affairs for youth and adults.

Exploring Leadership is full-time in the summer (June 27-August 19) and after school in the fall.

Current 10th & 11th graders in Oakland, Berkeley, Piedmont, Emeryville, Alameda and San Francisco are eligible.

Be a part of the leadership journey!

APPLICATIONS ARE DUE MARCH 18th, 2005.

FOR MORE INFO:
*** Call or email: (415) 986-0521, extension 105 - cncyouth@coro.org
*** Click on this link: www.coro.org/coro_centers/sf/sf.html#exploring

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12. The Felicia Park-Rogers Summer Internship Program at COLAGE

Come work in the national headquarters of COLAGE this summer! COLAGE
engages, connects and empowers people to make the world a better place for
children of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and/or transgender (LGBT) parents and
families.

The Felicia Park-Rogers Internship Program
The COLAGE Summer Internship Program is named after our visionary former
director Felicia Park-Rogers who started the summer intern program during
her leadership of COLAGE. We honor her commitment to people with LGBT
parents, creativity, energy and years of leadership through 10-week
internships that promote development of young leadership, allow participants
a hands-on look at the non-profit field, teach interns about LGBT families
issues, and promise to be a lot of fun!

COLAGE is the only national organization serving people with LGBT parents,
therefore presenting a unique perspective on LGBT issues, and providing a
once in a lifetime opportunity for interns. This is a hands-on job: you won'
t just be filing, you'll get to use your creativity and initiative. We are
looking for team players who are motivated to learn, share, play, and work
hard in support of COLAGE's mission. Interns will assist the staff on
current or new projects that fit their interests and skills. At the same
time, interns will provide crucial administrative support to staff. COLAGE
is in a small office staffed by a combination of full-time staff, part-time
staff, interns, and volunteers where energy, enthusiasm and competence are
abundant.

Preferred qualifications
* Computer literate (especially on PC's), knowledge of data bases, HTML,
and desktop publishing programs a plus.
* Experience and comfort with email and phone-based organizing and
networking.
* Experience and comfort working with youth and families
* Knowledge and/or interest in LGBT Family issues
* Self-motivated, flexible, and full of initiative
* People with LGBT parent/s

Requirements
Summer interns receive a $2,000 stipend for a ten-week, full time internship
including some evenings and weekends. We will do our best to help you find
housing if you need it.
* Must make at least a ten-week, full-time commitment during the summer.
* Must be 18 or over if not from the Bay Area, 15 or over from the Bay
Area.
* Must be LGBT, youth -positive and committed to social justice.
COLAGE is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer
* People of color, people with disabilities, and people with LGBT parents
especially encouraged to apply.

How to Apply for Summer Internships
Deadline: Friday, April 8th 2005
Postmark by April 8th, email or fax by midnight on April 8th Please mail,
email, or fax us the following information: 1. Your resume; 2. A cover
letter sharing your interest in working for COLAGE and qualifications; 3.
Contact information for two people who will serve as references and can
attest to your experience and skills. Select applicants will be invited to
participate in an interview during April. Internships will be offered during
May.
COLAGE also has Fall/Spring work-study internships. If you are interested,
contact COLAGE for more information.

Need more info? Want to apply?
COLAGE, 3543 18th St, #1
SF CA 94110
phone: 415-861-5437 fax (415) 255-8345,
meredith@colage.org www.colage.org

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13. SCHOLARSHIP: GLSEN and PFLAG Peninsula/South Bay Scholarships

Scholarship instructions and applications for the 2005 graduating high
school seniors and for a transferring community college student have
been mailed to high schools and community colleges in San Mateo and
Santa Clara counties. For 2005, PFLAG will offer five (5) $1500
scholarships for high school seniors who will be attending a two or
four-year college, university or business/technical school in Fall 2005.
These scholarships will be given to those students whose educational
history, personal plans and activities demonstrate support for justice,
and equality for gay, lesbian, bisexual and trangendered persons in
their community. Also, PFLAG is offering one (1) $1500 scholarship to a
community college student who will be transferring to an accredited
college, university or business/technical school during 2005. As with
the high school student scholarships the community college student must
have demonstrated support for justice and equality for LGBT persons in
his/her community.

GLSEN Peninsula/South Bay is offering two (2) $1500 scholarships for
graduating high school seniors in either county in memory of Joyce
Palmer Fulton. The criteria for selection is the same as for PFLAG
scholarships.

The postmark deadline for applications is Thursday, March 31, 2005 and
whenever possible the required essay is to be e-mailed to
BobPhoto@msn.com prior to that date.Scholarship winners must attend a
PFLAG & GLSEN awards event Tuesday evening, April 26, 2005. Payment of
scholarships will be made after receipt of satisfactory college/school
enrollment

For detailed instructions and an application, students are asked to
contact their high school or community college scholarships office or go
to http://www.pflagsanjose.org.

For questions or other information contact Bob Obrey at 408-745-1736;
BobPhoto@msn.com, or Wanda Steffens at 650-726-6902, or write PFLAG &
GLSEN Scholarships, 690 Persian Dr SPC 57, Sunnyvale, CA 94089-1716.

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14. SCHOLARSHIP: LGBT Youth Scholarship (San Jose)

LGBT YOUTH SCHOLARSHIP
The Rainbow Chamber of Commerce Scholarship Program supports the mission of the Chamber by celebrating diversity in the workplace and furthering prosperity and inclusivity in our community. The Program achieves these goals by:

* Increasing awareness of and respect for cultural differences and those unique diversity issues faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in today's society.
* Encouraging participants to dedicate their personal and professional lives to improving the quality of life for the people of our community.
* Developing leaders for our community who can address the issues of the next generation.
* Fostering a lifelong dedication to prosperity and philanthropy in business endeavors.
Candidates for the scholarship awards should consider these objectives carefully before applying and be prepared to explain in their application essays and during the interview process how their study plans will support the program objectives.

General Criteria for All Scholarships
The Rainbow Chamber of Commerce grants scholarships of up to $5,000. Awards may be used for any post-secondary education, including nontraditional or alternative programs and vocational training.
Applicants must be between the ages of 17 and 21 and have demonstrated a financial need for assistance. Preference is given to students who are self-identified LGBT, members of LGBT families, or allies who have been strongly supportive of the LGBT community.

All scholarships emphasize demonstrated commitment to human and civil rights for all people.
For more information, visit: www.rainbowchamber.org/index.php?page=mission#scholarship

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15. NEWS: Community divided over tolerance posters at Scotts Valley High

February 9, 2005
Community divided over tolerance posters at Scotts Valley High

By JEFF TOBIN
The Sentinel

SCOTTS VALLEY - One by one they came to the podium, each with an opinion or a story that expresses how they feel. Now the Scotts Valley school board must make a decision that some say could alienate parents, students and teachers alike.

The five board members - three of them on the job merely eight weeks - heard hundreds of opinions at a public meeting Monday on the visibility of homosexuality at Scotts Valley High School.

To read the full article, visit:
www.santacruzsentinel.com/archive/2005/February/09/local/stories/02local.htm

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16. NEWS: Editorial: It's time to teach, not harass

Feb. 03, 2005

It's time to teach, not harass
WHEN `GAY' MEANS `LOSER,' SCHOOLS HAVE A PROBLEM TO ADDRESS

San Jose Mercury News Editorial

Anyone who has spent time with middle schoolers knows that ``gay'' has
become their synonym for ``loser.'' So schools committed to fostering
tolerance cannot exclude sexual orientation from their lessons on prejudice.
A squeamish Bush administration insists otherwise. Let's hope that parents
and teachers in Scotts Valley, who are trying to sort through the issue, can
do better.

Last week, PBS yanked an episode from its popular kids' program ``Postcards
from Buster'' after receiving a condemning, if not threatening, letter from
President Bush's new education secretary, Margaret Spellings.

Lesbian parents
The show was about life in Vermont; Spellings was distressed that Emma, the
child featured in the show, has lesbian parents. ``Many parents,'' Spellings
wrote, ``would not want their young children exposed to the lifestyles
portrayed in this episode.''

Never mind that the show was about making maple syrup, not the parents; no
mention was made of their sexuality. Never mind that the language in the
request for a federal grant that funded the program said, ``Diversity will
be incorporated into the fabric of the series to help children understand
and respect differences and learn to live in a multicultural society.''

Gay parents in Vermont, where civil unions are legal, are as much a part of
the fabric of this country as kids living with single parents, five siblings
sharing a trailer, a Mormon family in Utah and the fundamentalist
Christians, Muslims, Native Americans and Hmong families that Buster, an
8-year-old animated rabbit with asthma, visits during other episodes. If
some Americans are disapproving of gay couples, so be it. But government
shouldn't be shunning gay people to accommodate the conservative version of
political correctness.

The situation takes a different twist at Scotts Valley High School, where
some parents are complaining that teachers and administrators are pushing a
homosexual ``agenda'' with pink triangles and rainbow bumper stickers on
classroom walls. The school community will air the issue at a forum next
week.

Harassment law
State law includes sexual orientation in prohibitions against harassment on
the basis of race, gender, ethnicity, religion or disability. High schools
should not only be enforcing the law but explaining why it exists. They
should be encouraging open-mindedness among teenagers, who are often too
quick to judge, to conform and to insult.

The line between teaching and proselytizing may be a matter of perspective.
Those who find homosexuality offensive will always prefer silence.
Diversity isn't an abstraction. It is the sum of distinctions, and those
differences must be recognized and discussed openly -- not, as in the Bush
administration's mistreatment of poor Buster, scared down a rabbit hole.

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17. NEWS: High school editor fired for not asking permission to interview gay students

High school editor fired for not asking permission to interview gay students
School officials told Ann Long she violated the California Education Code, which prohibits students from being surveyed about their sexuality without parental consent

CALIFORNIA - The editor of the Troy High school student newspaper was fired Friday after school administrators accused her of violating a section of the California Education Code that requires written consent from parents before questioning students about their homosexuality.

Ann Long's article, which appeared in the Dec. 17 issue of The Oracle, featured candid personal quotations from three student members of Troy High School's Gay Straight Alliance.

"I intended for my article to be something that could help the student body better understand the emotional undercurrent of their fellow non-heterosexual classmates," Long said.

To read the full article, visit:
www.splc.org/newsflash.asp?id=945&year=

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February 2, 2005

In this issue of GSA Network News, you'll find:

GSA Network Highlight
Central Coast GSA Consortium Forms

GSA Network Announcements
1. Youth and Adult Speakers Needed for the Youth Empowerment Summit (YES)!
2. Register for YES (Youth Empowerment Summit) - March 5, 2005
3. ACTION ALERT: Support Safer Schools in Scotts Valley
4. Upcoming GSA Leadership Training (Los Angeles)
5. Sylvia Guerrero and Beyond the Binary: Fighting for Gender Justice
6. Liberation Ink Posters - Free For GSAs

Other Announcements
7. Survey of LGBT GSA Members
8. Anti-Valentine's Day Dance (San Jose)
9. Political Forum for Young Queer People (San Francisco)
10. A Woman's Word: Creative writing and performance workshop (San Francisco)
11. Register for GSA Youth Leadership Workshop (Sacramento)
12. 16th Annual Western Regional LGBTQIA College Conference
13. Submissions sought for anthology by trans men of color
14. Coming of Age as a GAM in America: Call for Submissions
15. Looking for Latina Lesbian women for research study (Bay Area)
16. HIV prevention workshops for African American youth (Sacramento)
17. Nominations for Lambda Awards (Sacramento)
18. Join Dimensions Clinic Youth Advisory Board
19. SCHOLARSHIP: GLSEN and PFLAG South Bay Scholarships
20. SCHOLARSHIP: For Students with LGBT Parents
21. NEWS: Hanford school's gay club protested
22. NEWS: Debate on gays embroils school
23. JOBS: Job Opportunities with COLAGE

+++++++++++++++ GSA NETWORK HIGHLIGHT+++++++++++++++

Central Coast GSA Consortium Forms
Fifty hearty souls braved torrential rains and flooding on January 9th for the first meeting of the Central Coast GSA Consortium. The gathering brought together more than a dozen GSAs and LGBT groups from the Central Coast counties of San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura. After hearing an overview of GSAs and how LGBT groups can support their constituencies, participants broke out into groups to define obstacles, discuss resources, and highlight successful activities they have organized in their schools and communities. The group also developed a mission statement:

"The mission of the Central Coast GSA/LGBT Consortium is to provide an organization with which local GSA/LGBT groups can identify. Through cooperation and sharing of resources, member GSA/LGBT groups can foster a sense of belonging and empowerment. The consortium will meet at least once a year and will maintain a local network of GSA/LGBT groups."

GSA Network is proud to support this new local network of GSAs and LGBT groups. We wish to congratulate the folks at Cate School who pulled together the first meeting of the Consortium. The group plans to meet again in late February, as there was an overwhelming sense of needing to keep the consortium growing and developing. If you want to be part of this new local network in the Central Coast please contact Patti Wilczek at Cate School: 805-684-4127, ext 222.

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+++++++++++++ GSA NETWORK ANNOUNCEMENTS +++++++++++++

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1. Youth and Adult Speakers Needed for the Youth Empowerment Summit (YES)!

If you're interested in speaking on the panel or recommending your GSA advisor, fill out this application and send it to yes@gsanetwork.org. People of color are strongly encouraged to reply.
Name:
Age:
School:
Public school / Private school:
Sexual Orientation:
Gender:
Ethnic Background:
Teacher Recommendation (for GSA advisor application only):
For private school students: How did you campaign for change in your school without the help of AB 537?
For public school students: How did you use AB 537 or organize a campaign in your school?

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2. Register for YES (Youth Empowerment Summit) - March 5, 2005!

The conference is open to all youth and allies, with a focus on middle school and high school. Adults and teachers are welcome.

To register, visit www.gsanetwork.org/yes/index.html

For this conference to be truly remarkable, we need the help of youth like you!
**JOIN THE STEERING COMMITTEE**

For more information or to be apart of GSA Network, please call 415.552.4229 or contact yes@gsanetwork.org

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3. ACTION ALERT: Support Safer Schools in Scotts Valley

You may have seen the recent articles in the Santa Cruz Sentinel and the Scotts Valley Banner regarding an attempt to stop efforts to make Scotts Valley High School safer for all students, including GLBT students and their allies. If not, please visit the links at the end of this email.

Students, parents, faculty and staff at Scotts Valley High School (SVHS), they are asking for community support. If you are interested in helping support a safer climate in the Scotts Valley schools, please consider taking the following actions:

1. Contact the SVUSD School Board Members and Superintendent.
Let them know that you support a safe learning environment for all students, including those who are or are perceived to be GLBT. Ask what they are doing to ensure the implementation of AB 537 (The California Student Safety and Violence Prevention Act of 2000) and the safety of all students. If you live in Scotts Valley, please identify yourself as member of the community.

Steve Fiss - Superintendent of SVUSD
sfiss@santacruz.k12.ca.us

Sue Roth - President of the board
Allison Niday - Board member
Marshall Wolf - Board member
Joe Espinola - Board member
Chuck Walker - Board member

Scotts Valley Unified School District
4444 Scotts Valley Dr, Suite 5B
Scotts Valley, Ca 95066
phone: 438-1820
fax: 438-2314

2. Send SVHS Principal Nancy Serigstad and her staff a note of appreciation and support.
Nancy and her staff have been working hard to provide a safe environment for all members of the school community, despite the uphill battle against intolerance.

serigstadn@svsd.org
Nancy Serigstad
Scotts Valley High School
555 Glenwood Dr
Scotts Valley Ca 95066

3. Attend the special SVUSD School Board Meeting on Monday, Feb 7th at 6 pm at SVHS.
Your presence during this special meeting will show that there is support for a safe learning environment for all students.
Currently, the meeting's agenda includes a brief overview of the law by the district's attorney, 20 minutes during which Mr. D'Andrea will be permitted to make his complaints, 20 minutes during which Nancy Serigstad will explain what is happening on campus, and an open forum.
During the open forum, members of the community may speak for 3 minutes each. The Scotts Valley students, parents, faculty and staff are primarly requesting speakers from the Scotts Valley community as well as teachers and school administrators from Santa Cruz County schools. A supportive presence in the audience from community members living throughout the county is very much appreciated.
The meeting will be held in the Student Union at Scotts Valley High School. To get there from Hwy 17 north, please take the Granite Creek Dr Exit. Exit towards Scotts Valley Drive. Go right on Glenwood Dr. The high school is at 555 Glenwood Dr. Note: Since the district expects this to be a well attended meeting, it is being held at the high school rather than their usual board meeting location.

QUICK SUMMARY
The controversy at SVHS has concerned teachers' ability to put posters regarding respect for the LGBT community in their classrooms, PA announcements sponsored by the student diversity group regarding LGBT community events, and classroom distribution of the SVHS student newspaper, which has run student written editorials representing both sides of various LGBT issues. A parent, Mr. D'Andrea, who is working closely with the right-wing Pacific Justice Institute, has threatened to sue the district over its supposed promotion of a "gay agenda." Of course, the real story is that the district hasn't done enough to implement AB 537, the California Student Safety and Violence Prevention Act, which protects students and teachers from discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender. LGBT students from SVHS don't feel physically or emotionally safe. Some have left the district.

RESOURCES
http://www.cde.ca.gov/re/lr/sv/index.asp
http://www.gsanetwork.org/ab537
http://www.casafeschools.org
http://www.diversitycenter.org/qytf/safeschools

ARTICLES
Santa Cruz Sentinel
http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/archive/2005/January/13/local/stories/03local.htm
http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/archive/2005/January/18/edit/let.htm

Scotts Valley Banner
Articles will be posted on the Safe Schools Project website at http://www.diversitycenter.org/qytf/safeschools/

To write a Letter to the Editor:
Sentinel: http://santacruzsentinel.com/news/edit/form.htm
SV Banner: www.pressbanner.com

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4. Upcoming GSA Leadership Training (Los Angeles)

Los Angeles GSA Leadership Training
WHO: GSA Members and Advisors
WHEN: Sunday, February 6, 2005, 10 am - 4 pm
(BREAKFAST & LUNCH PROVIDED)
WHERE: Crossroads School, 1714 21st St., Santa Monica
COST: Free!
Co-Sponsors: GSA Network, GLSEN LA, and Crossroads School

For more information or to RSVP, please contact:
GSA Network, 415-552-4229, mailto:info@gsanetwork.org

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5. Sylvia Guerrero and Beyond the Binary: Fighting for Gender Justice

Coupled with Beyond the Binary: A Tool Kit for Gender Identity Activism in Schools, we hope that these opportunities offered through GSA Network will increase your gender-based organizing efforts in schools as well as contribute to the overall safety of all students.

If you would like to bring Ms. Guerrero to your school or want more information about the Beyond the Binary tool kit, please visit http://www.gsanetwork.org.

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6. Liberation Ink Posters - Free For GSAs

LIBERATION INK POSTERS AVAILABLE
FREE FOR GSAs IN CALIFORNIA!!

You can view the designs and order posters on the Liberation Ink website: http://www.gsanetwork.org/freezone/liberation.

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7. Survey of LGBT GSA Members

Do you want to tell the world about your high school and your GSA? A law
student at NYU is looking for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender
GSA members to participate in a survey about their lives in high school
(all participants will remain anonymous).

If you or your members would like to participate, you can obtain the
survey by following this link:
http://homepages.nyu.edu/~jsc280/High_School_LGBT_Survey_Ext.doc.
Simply save the document to your computer's hard drive, save it, and
email it back to me at justin.cooke@nyu.edu.

Act soon, because all forms must be returned by Wednesday, February 9!

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8. Anti-Valentine's Day Dance (San Jose)

It's that time again! Time for another Billy DeFrank/Outlet Youth
Dance. Come join us for An Anti Valentine's Day Dance-"Down With VD!"
Help us spread the word∑

When: Friday, February 18, 2005
Where: Billy DeFrank LGBT Community Center
Time: 7p.m.-12a.m.
Cost: $2.00
For youth ages 14-20 (student ID or driver's license will be checked
at the door). No bags, backpacks or purses allowed and no in-and-out
privileges.

This is a drug, alcohol and smoking free event! Creativity welcome,
lewdness and lack of attire are not.

For more information, contact Erika Escobedo at (408) 293-3040x111 or
youthprog@defrank.org.

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9. Political Forum for Young Queer People (San Francisco)

Interested in bringing the issues that affect younger queer people to the
forefront?

We're currently organizing a forum that will focus on issues that affect
LGBTIQQ people under 30 years of age. We're focusing in on economic
justice, health, and community building. We need savvy people of all
skill sets to help make this forum happen! The forum will include
panelists from a variety of nonprofits, 3 different breakout sessions
surrounding the issues above, and elected public officials. It's a
nonpartisan effort that intends to accentuate the issues that younger
queer people are facing, and improve communication between the queer
community and our city's public officials. It's tentatively planned to
happen in May of 2005.

Skills we need: Any and all! People with ideas, facilitators for the
forums, fundraising and donation people, press release writers, graphic
designers, networkers, and more. If there's something you're interested
in and don't have a lot of experience in, join us and we'll team you up
with others.

People under 23 especially encouraged to get involved.

For more info, send an email to Luke Klipp at lukehklipp@yahoo.com. The
next planning meeting will be on the evening of February 15 in San
Francisco, close to public transit.

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10. A Woman's Word: Creative writing and performance workshop (San Francisco)

Got something to say? Join us for...
A Woman's Word
A creative writing & performance workshop
Facilitated by Aimee Suzara and Jocelyn de Leon
Thursdays 4-6 pm, January 27-April 1, 2005
Free! open to young women & transgender folks ages 13-19. No registration necessary.
Youth Speaks, 2169 Folsom Street Studio 100, San Francisco
Contact for info: 415-255-9035 x16, aimee@youthspeaks.org

An exploration of issues affecting young women today, including the intersections of ethnicity, gender, sexuality, culture, mass media, and identity. We will collectively create a space for reflection, dialogue, and crafting your voice through writing, visual art, theater and performance exercises, movement, and sound. We can break open about the mothers, daughters, sisters, queens, warriors, sexism, sex, relationships, and love in our lives. The 10-week-session will culminate in a collaborative piece.

Workshop members may participate in the 2nd Annual Woman's Word reading on MARCH 10, 7 pm at Youth Speaks, to celebrate International Women's Day.

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11. Register for GSA Youth Leadership Workshop (Sacramento)

REGISTER NOW FOR THE FEBRUARY 5 GSA YOUTH LEADERSHIP WORKSHOP

The Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network Greater Sacramento (GLSEN
GSAC) and Sacramento Regional Gay-Straight Alliances (SR-GSAs) sponsor a GSA
YOUTH LEADERSHIP WORKSHOP on Saturday, Feb. 5 at Valley High School.
Our next GSA Youth Leadership Workshop is scheduled for Saturday, February 5
from 9 am to 4 pm at Valley High School, 6300 Ehrhardt Avenue, Sacramento
95823. (Valley High School is located in the Elk Grove Unified School
District.) GSA members and their advisors from throughout the greater
Sacramento area are invited, as well as students and teachers in schools
without GSAs who are interested in LGBT rights and protections in K-12
schools. We will be putting together specific ideas for how to make
presentations to the faculty and staff at your school about their legal
obligation to support LGBT youth, end harassment, bullying, and
name-calling, as well as their obligation to provide non-discriminatory and
medically accurate AIDS and HIV information in Family Life and Health
classes. We would like to thank the Sacramento Valley Bears for the generous
grant that enables GLSEN GSAC and the Sacramento Regional Association of
GSAs to get this vital information to area youth.

GLSEN GSAC will be providing attendees with ready-to-use hard copies and a
CD-ROM of all of the information and PowerPoints for making successful
presentations to your GSA, student groups, school staff, and community
groups.

To register for the workshop, PLEASE send your name, your school and
advisor, and the names of those who will be attending to Jerry at GLSEN GSAC
at sacglsen@yahoo.com or leave a voicemail message at (916) 733-2135.Make
sure to provide us with a phone number or email address so we can get back to you if need be.
This is a free workshop; breakfast and lunch will be provided. This should
be a great event for everyone interested in making schools safe for all
students!

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12. 16th Annual Western Regional LGBTQIA College Conference

FYI: California College & High School folks interested are invited! Deadline Feb 4, 2005
Please distribute widely:
UC Davis hosts 16th Annual Western Regional LGBTQIA College Conference
Putting the Puzzle Together: Connecting Communities and Identities
www.comeoutwest.org

The University of California, Davis will be hosting the 16th annual Western Regional Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, and Ally (LGBTQIA) College Conference February 18-20, 2005. This yearís theme ìPutting the Puzzle Together: Connecting Communities & Identitiesî is designed to bring our individual identities together within ourselves and collectively to celebrate our uniqueness.

Pre-registration deadline is February 4, 2005, On-site registration pending availability. Registration forms are available on-line.

More information:
For the past 15 years, this conference has been hosted at different UC campuses. With growing attendance and participation from other colleges and universities, we have expanded to a Western Regional College Conference. Organized by the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Resource Center at UC Davis and student leaders, this ground-breaking conference will bring together over 850 students, educators, and community members to Davis, California.
The Western Regional LGBTQIA College Conference will be one of the only regional educational efforts to address the health and safety of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex individuals. The conference will reach young people all over California and the western region of the United States, while bringing needed attention to such issues as hate crimes, health and family issues, and the empowerment of young people to challenge a homophobic and heterosexist world. The conference will reach out to heterosexual allies in our schools, faith organizations, and cultural communities to raise awareness and address social issues.

Keynote speakers for this yearís conference include: Monroe France, Lani Kaíahumanu, and Emi Koyama.

Monroe France is the Coordinator of Social Justice Programs at New York Universityís Office of Student Activities (OSA). He is the founder, co-owner, and one of the primary facilitators for Envision, a social justice consulting organization. As a professional in higher education Monroeís passion for anti-oppression and social justice work has translated into developing programs and training and educational initiatives that provide both students and professionals the tools needed to begin the work of understanding self and their responsibilities within the world.

Kaëahumanu is a published author, editor, and poet. She and Loraine Hutchins co-edited the ground breaking feminist anthology BI ANY OTHER NAME: Bisexual People Speak Out (Alyson, 1991), which was listed on the Top 100 Queer Books of the 20th Century by Lambda Book Review.

Emi Koyama is a multi-issue social justice slut synthesizing feminist, Asian, survivor, dyke, queer, sex worker, intersex, genderqueer, and crip politics, as these factors, while not a complete descriptor of who she is, all impacted her life. Emi is currently the director of Intersex Initiative.

Saturday evening entertainment includes Deep Dickolective, a queer hip hop group; King Heat, a drag king event created by Fast Friday Productionís Sile P. Singleton; all followed by dancing.

All events will be held on the main UC Davis campus in the Memorial Union and Freeborn Hall. Pre-registration ends February 4, 2005. On-site registration is available pending availability. To learn more about the Conference's past, present, future I invite you to go to our conference's website for updates at: www.comeoutwest.org.

Contact: Sheri Atkinson, Director
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Resource Center
University of California, Davis
slatkinson@ucdavis.edu
530-752-2452

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13. Submissions sought for anthology by trans men of color

Submissions sought:
Essays, autobio's, poetry from trans men of color,
their significant others/spouses, siblings, children,
parents, other family about their: decision to
transition, life before/during/after transition,
issues of being a man of color.

5000 words maximum

If in a language other than English, please include
translation.

I am looking to compile, edit and prepare this
anthology for submission by mid-2006. If your
submission is accepted, I will contact you for photos
and to have you complete a release form.
If you submission is not accepted, I may contact you
to ask for a resubmission.
Wish me luck and please help me get our stories out
there for the young men that are looking for examples
that they can live, succeed and prosper.
Any questions, please contact me.

Best,
Louis Mitchell
ljmitchellvillon@yahoo.com

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14. Coming of Age as a GAM in America: Call for Submissions

Call for Submissions:
Coming of Age as a GAM in America
Are you a Gay, Bi, or Transgender Asian or Pacific
Islander male who came of age in the USA? What does
that mean to you? If you took a photo of it, what
would it look like? If you wrote a poem about it, what
would it say? If you shot a video, what would we see
and hear?

The Gay Asian Pacific Alliance of San Francisco,
California (GAPA), is seeking submissions for a 2006
calendar and literary anthology on the the me Coming
of Age as a GAM in America. We are seeking diverse
contributions from GBT API artists and writers about
what it means to grow up American when one is of
Asian origin. We invite you to take part in this
undertaking. Grand prize is round trip airfare and
weekend hotel stay in San Francisco for Calendar
Release party Submission requirements: Deadline for
submissions is 3/15/2005; submissions received after
the deadline may not be considered for the production.
Submitters must be 18 years of age or older, be a
resident of the United States of America, identify as
a gay, bisexual, or transgender male, be of Asian or
Pacific Islander ancestry, be the creator of the work
submitted, and have the legal right to assign
non-exclusive publishing rights to Gay Asian Pacific
Alliance.

GAPA
P.O. Box 421884
San Francisco, CA
94142-1884
Web: www.gapa.org
Email*: calendar@gapa.org

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15. Looking for Latina Lesbian women for research study (Bay Area)

Hello, my name is Marta E. Reynoso and I am a candidate for a Master of Social Work from the Department of Social Work, California State University, Hayward. I am looking for Latina Lesbian women between the ages of 18- 50 years who currently live or who have lived in the San Francisco Bay Area to participate in my study. The purpose of this study is to provide information on the identity development and psychosocial issues that effect non-heterosexual Latina adolescents. I will be asking participants to reflect back to their adolescence (ages 13-19 years). The intent of this study will be to assist social workers and other helping professionals to better serve non-heterosexual Latina adolescents. It is important for us to understand the effects of culture on the sexual and ethnic identity development of non-heterosexual Latinas. I invite you to participate in my survey by e-mailing me back and indicating that you are interested in taking part in the survey. I will send you an online survey, a consent form, and instructions for submitting.

The survey should take approximately 15-20 minutes to complete and you will automatically be entered in a raffle for a free one- hour massage with Health for Life Chiropractic in San Leandro, California (valued at $70.). Thank you for your consideration and feel free to e-mail me back with any questions or concerns you may have.

Sincerely,
Marta E. Reynoso
MSW Candidate
Department of Social Work
California State University, Hayward
(510) 635-3877 home
(510) 499-8944 mobile
mreynoso2@horizon.csuhayward.edu

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16. HIV prevention workshops for African American youth (Sacramento)

My name is Clarmundo Sullivan and I am the CEO of Golden Rule Services, a local minority based nonprofit organization committed to reducing the spread of HIV within underserved communities.

I am excited to announce that Golden Rule Services has been awarded a contract through Sacramento County's HIV/Communicable Disease Prevention Program to provide local African American same gender loving male youth ages 12-19 with HIV risk reduction workshops.

Workshops will include HIV education, risk reduction activities and discussions about gender and race. Each session includes food, refreshments, gifts, and raffles. $30 gift certificates and certificates of completion will be provided to all participants completing the two session intervention. Quarterly youth events are also a part of the program.

If you should have any questions, please feel free to contact me at (916) 456-1111.

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17. Nominations for Lambda Awards (Sacramento)

We have extended our deadline to accept nominations for the Lambda Awards, The Deadline is Monday, February 7, 2005.
Nominate! Nominate! Nominate!

www.lambdasac.org/awards

The 2005 Lambda Awards Committee is accepting community nominations for our Annual Awards to be given out on Monday, March 21, 2005.

To nominate someone for one of our prestigious awards go on our website and submit your nominations.
We will be honoring the "Best of the Best", those wonderful people, both inside and outside the LGBT community, who have distinguished themselves in either their service to our community or their efforts to end discrimination towards us. With your help in nominating someone we can make sure the right person wins the award.
If you have any questions or comments, on the Awards, Sponsorships & ticket sales please contact the 2005 Lambda Awards Chairperson Jason R. Kirkland via email or phone at: Jason@lambdasac.org or (916) 442-0185 ext 103

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18. Join Dimensions Clinic Youth Advisory Board

Would you like to make $100.00?

If you are between 12 and 25 years old, this may be for you.

Dimensions Queer Youth Clinic, which operates out of the Castro Mission Health Center, is looking for a few young people to be on its Youth Advisory Board.

You'll get to have a voice on how Dimensions Clinic provides services to queer and questioning young people.
All you have to do is commit to working with us for no more than 10 hours per month for eight months and you will receive a $100.00 stipend for your time every month.

If interested please contact
Vittorio D'Angeli,
Dimensions Collaborative Coordinator
@ 415-487-7589 or email Vittorio.R.D'Angeli@sfdph.org

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19. SCHOLARSHIP: GLSEN and PFLAG South Bay Scholarships

For detailed instructions and an application, students are asked to
contact their high school or community college scholarships office or go
to www.pflagsanjose.org.

SAN JOSE/PENINSULA PFLAG high school and community college scholarships
are made possible through donations from Baylands FrontRunners,
individual donors and though the sale of PFLAG pins and mugs. GLSEN
PENINSULA/SOUTH BAY Joyce Palmer Fulton Memorial scholarships are made
possible by donations from GLSEN Peninsula/South Bay members.
For questions or other information contact Bob Obrey at 408-745-1736;
BobPhoto@msn.com, or Wanda Steffens at 650-726-6902, or write PFLAG &
GLSEN Scholarships, 690 Persian Dr SPC 57, Sunnyvale, CA 94089-1716.

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20. SCHOLARSHIP: For Students with LGBT Parents

COLAGE and the Family Pride Coalition are pleased to announce the
Twelfth Annual Lee Dubin Scholarship Fund for people with lesbian,
gay, bisexual, and transgender parents. For the twelfth year, COLAGE and
Family Pride Coalition will be offering up to five $1000 scholarships to
support the undergraduate studies of students with LGBT parents. The
application deadline is April 15th, 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 with one or more LGBT parent/guardian 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 $24,000 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
www.colage.org/scholarship.html

Questions?
Contact COLAGE (Children of Lesbians and Gays Everywhere) via phone:
415-861-KIDS (5437) or email: ember@colage.org. This application is
also available at www.colage.org

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21. NEWS: Hanford school's gay club protested

Subject matter isn't appropriate on campus, some say.
By Tim Bragg / The Fresno Bee
(Updated Thursday, January 27, 2005, 7:34 AM)

The recent formation of a club to promote tolerance for gay and lesbian students at Hanford West High School has raised some parents' eyebrows.

Several concerned parents attended Tuesday night's meeting of the Hanford Joint Union High School District Board of Trustees, and at least one parent and a student spoke on the issue during the meeting.

The trustees asked that the subject of the school's Gay-Straight Alliance club be placed on a future meeting agenda. It could come before the board at its next meeting in February, said Candace McIllroy, the district's spokeswoman.
Some parents concerned about the club said they don't have any problems with homosexuality, but they do have a problem with a club that refers to sexual orientation in its name.

Students younger than 18 shouldn't be confronted with issues dealing with sexuality at school, said Katy Murray, a math teacher at Hanford West. "I don't think it belongs here. I don't think anything dealing with sex belongs here," she said.

The focus of the Gay-Straight Alliance isn't sexuality; it's about tolerance and respect for others, said Myndi Hardgrave, an English teacher at Hanford West who is a co-adviser to the club.

To read the full article, visit:
www.fresnobee.com/local/sv/story/9840578p-10696311c.html

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22. NEWS: Debate on gays embroils school

1/31/05
TWO PARENTS CONTEND SCOTTS VALLEY'S INCLUSIVE POLICY CAUSES DISCOMFORT

By David L. Beck

San Jose Mercury News

In the furor that has erupted over teaching about sexual orientation at Scotts Valley High School, one side frames its position in terms of broad-based tolerance. If that sounds like the liberal position, it's not.

The other side frames its argument in terms of the school's legal responsibilities. That is usually the conservative position, but not this time.

For more than two years, two parents have complained about gay-rights posters in the classrooms at the school. They also say a few teachers have made stridently pro-gay remarks in the classroom. They object to a gay ``agenda,'' rainbow bumper stickers in the classroom, pink triangles on the wall. Efforts to make gay and lesbian students comfortable make their children uncomfortable, they say.

But when they raise these issues, said one parent, Jerryne King, ``We're immediately labeled right-wing, conservative, Christian, intolerant and so forth.''

Another parent, Don D'Andrea, said school officials responded in a ``combative, arrogant, condescending'' manner to his efforts, and told him to file a formal complaint, which he did.

``The area where I'm frustrated is in this predominant voice saying you must be sensitive and protective of kids who either say they're gay or are in support of gays . . . you must tolerate and, beyond that, accept this lifestyle,'' King said. ``I have a problem -- in the classroom setting -- of singling out that particular special interest group above and beyond others.''

In order to give King and D'Andrea a fair hearing -- and to get three new school board members up to speed -- the five-member board has scheduled an open ``informational'' meeting next Monday, just on this issue.

Teachers and administrators have a very different view of events.

The pink triangle? It's on ``like, a postcard, with some information about what it's like to be safe in school,'' said Valerie Quandt, a teacher who has a poster on her classroom wall labeled ``Respect All Families'' that has photos of same-sex couples and their children on it.

Can't get a fair hearing? ``Oh, my god,'' Quandt said. ``That's not true!'' She cited the times D'Andrea has been at the microphone in board meetings. ``He's being heard. People just don't agree with him.''

There is no ``gay agenda,'' she said. ``I would say there is a civil rights agenda, absolutely.''

To read the full article, visit:
http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/local/states/california/central_coast/10777468.htm

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23. JOBS: Job Opportunities with COLAGE

Job Announcements
COLAGE Program Coordinator and
COLAGE Membership Coordinator
ˆ Both Close 5pm, Friday, Feb. 18, 2005

COLAGE Program Coordinator
Position Overview
The COLAGE Program Coordinator provides an array of programs with and for
children, youth, and adults who have one or more LGBT parent(s) in the
9-county Bay Area. Additionally the Program Coordinator represents COLAGE,
promotes COLAGE resources and forges community partnerships on behalf of
COLAGE's constituency. The primary duties of the Program Coordinator include
developing and implementing COLAGE's Bay Area support, advocacy and
education programs, events, and activities in the Bay Area, such as: youth
and young adult groups, whole family gatherings, calls to action,
collaborations, and publications. The Coordinator is also responsible for
related outreach, organizing, volunteer recruitment and management, program
evaluation, administration, reporting, media relations and fundraising.
The range of tasks is varied and must be completed in a fast-paced,
supportive and fun environment. This is a position for an energetic,
motivated and highly-organized candidate and is an outstanding opportunity
to help grow a leading youth, LGBT, family organization working for social
justice. This is a full-time position based in San Francisco, CA. Travel,
evening and weekend work are required. This is a full-time position based in
San Francisco, CA.

Responsibilities Include
- Coordinate COLAGE Bay Area programs and activities such as peer support
groups (Middle School, COLAGE Crew for 3rd-5th graders, South Bay Group and
more), leadership training program, educational workshops, LGBT family
events, Bay Area fundraisers, and more;
- Maintain and build close collaborations with local and regional LGBT
family groups and other community groups in mutual support, education, and
advocacy efforts;
- Facilitate and/or organize educational panels and diversity workshops for
school, health, social service, government, and other agencies;
- Oversee and fulfill evaluation and reporting for program grants and
contracts;
- Coordinate grassroots organizing and outreach efforts;
- Coordinate production of local publications, local email news and action
alert list-serve, and outreach materials;
- Recruit and train leaders and facilitators for groups and activities,
recruit and manage volunteers;
- Conduct media and fundraising campaigns;
- Oversee maintenance and updates of Bay Area website
- Provide general administrative and office support

Skills & Qualifications
- Significant knowledge and/or experience with LGBT families and/or working
with youth; 2-3 years previous experience in areas of grassroots organizing,
program development, and/or youth leadership preferred
- Outstanding interpersonal skills, including demonstrated ability to
cultivate relationships with a wide variety of people; must have commitment
to and experience working with various communities as well as diversifying
organizations and building anti-racist and multicultural alliances
internally and externally
- Excellent oral, writing, research, listening, and organizational skills,
including demonstrated ability to plan events, juggle numerous details and
multiple tasks
- Excellent computer/internet literacy in word processing, data entry &
manipulation (Filemaker Pro/Ebase), mail merges, desktop publishing.
- Dependable; self-motivated with ability to work independently and as part
of a team; meets deadlines
- Willing and able to travel and work weekends and evenings
- Bi-lingual (Espanol/Ingles) a plus.
- Intermediate web skills a plus
Salary: $30,000+ (commensurate with experience), plus benefits

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COLAGE Membership Coordinator
Position Overview
This is a new position. The COLAGE Membership Coordinator will work closely
with the Executive Director and Program Director, as well as other staff,
volunteers and consultants to strengthen COLAGE‚s development infrastructure
and increase COLAGE‚s resources and visibility through fund development,
community building and communications strategies for COLAGE‚s long-term
success.

Responsibilities
The primary responsibilities of the Membership Coordinator are to develop
and coordinate all systems that involve donor and member solicitation,
acknowledgement and correspondence, including:
- identify and implement opportunities for participants & constituents to
donate to COLAGE;
- correspond with current and prospective donors & members;
- process donations; update and maintain current, correct donor/member
records;
- write and produce donor appeals, membership renewals;
- plan & coordinate house parties, phone banks and special events.

The Membership Coordinator will manage and promote important aspects of
COLAGE's support, education and advocacy programming, by these and other
means:
- conduct culturally appropriate outreach campaigns in communities of color,
trans communities, rural and southern communities;
- develop, produce, and distribute information, educational resource
materials and publications;
- communicate organizational news and updates via media, website and other
means.

Qualifications and Skills
- Demonstrated experience with grassroots fundraising, donor solicitation,
educational resource development, event coordination, outreach/promotion,
and media relations.
- Experience with youth and families, LGBT issues, social justice field and
building or working in anti-racist, anti-oppression organizations preferred.
- Interpersonal skills, with a demonstrated ability to cultivate
relationships with a variety of people; must be able to reach/attract/serve
diverse communities.
- Excellent organizational skills, e.g. a high level of attention to detail;
handle multiple tasks with enthusiasm; personal investment in creating an
organized, streamlined, productive membership program and in contributing to
the work of organization as a whole.
- Work well under minimal supervision, able to take initiative, and maintain
successful project management and timely completion of projects.
- Bilingual (Ingles/Espanol) a plus (please note in cover letter or on
resume).
- Available for occasional travel and evening and weekend activities.
- Computer literacy in word processing, databases, mail merges,
spreadsheets, desktop publishing. Internet savvy.

Salary: $30,000+ (commensurate with experience), plus benefits

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Hiring Information for Both Positions:

Organization
COLAGE (Children of Lesbians and Gays Everywhere) engages, connects, and
empowers people to make the world a better place for children of lesbian,
gay, bisexual and/or transgender (LGBT) parents and families. As a national
youth-driven and community-based organization with nearly 10,000 member
contacts, 40 chapters in 28 states, and 15 years of expertise in youth
empowerment and LGBT family matters, COLAGE provides peer networks,
leadership development, grassroots organizing, public education and policy
advocacy by and for the millions of people in the U.S. who have one or more
LGBT parents and families. COLAGE works as part of larger movements creating
a safe, just, joyous and sustainable world for all. For more information
about COLAGE, please visit www.colage.org and www.colage.org/bayarea.

To Apply

Applications are due by 5pm, Friday, Feb. 18, 2005
Include a cover letter describing your interest in the position and how your
experience qualifies you for the position, a resume, and 2-3 references
(contact info only) to:
Program Coordinator Hiring Committee
COLAGE
3543 18th St #1, SF, CA 94110
PLEASE SEND YOU APPLICATION BY POSTAL MAIL... NOT EMAIL

COLAGE is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. People of
color and people with LGBT parents are strongly encouraged to apply.

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