GSA Network News archives

GSA Network News Email Archive - February 2006

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February 22, 2006

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

GSA Network Highlight
Freedom to Express: What Happened on "Freedom to Marry Day"

GSA Network Announcements
1. Queer Youth Advocacy Day: Registration and Transportation Info (Statewide)
2. FIRST EVER!! - Central Valley GSA Leadership Training (Fresno)
3. You are invited to: A GSA LEADERSHIP TRAINING (Contra Costa)
4. Re-Register your GSA today - get new resources & keep informed!! (Statewide)
5. Sylvia Guerrero is Back!- Apply for Winter/Spring Speaking Engagement (Bay Area)
6. Liberation Ink Posters - Free For GSAs (Statewide)
7. Sign-up for the High Contrast Photo Exhibit at your school (Bay Area)

Other Announcements
8. LGBTQ Book Fair at the Chavez Branch. (Oakland)
9. Youth Leadership & Advocacy Institute (Santa Barbara)
10. SCHOLARSHIP: San Jose-Peninsula PFLAG will be awarding five $2,000 scholarships
11. SCHOLARSHIP: Models of Excellence scholarship competition
12. SCHOLARSHIP: Do you or does someone you know qualify for a 2005-2006 eQuality Scholarship Award?
13. NEWS: Los Altos' decision on gay pride is a step in the wrong direction
14: NEWS: Bullying, hate mail issue brought to school board in Ukiah
15: NEWS: Gilroy: Day of Silence Ahead?
16. NEWS: Judge upholds anti-harassment training in Boyd County schools
17. NEWS: Tolerance of homosexuals gaining momentum at Paso Robles High School

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

Freedom to Express: What Happened on "Freedom to Marry Day"

On the morning of February 14th, student members of the Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) at Antioch High were ready to celebrate “Freedom to Marry Day” but the school administration frustrated their plans. “Our original idea was to have a mock marriage booth in the quad. We were going to hang up posters with messages such as “marriage equality” and have a weeding procession”, said Carmela Villasenor, a GSA organizer. “Our posters were rejected and our mock marriages were not allowed to be done because, according to an administrator, we would be promoting something “illegal.” The administrator used some Supreme Court case for his excuse (he was not specific), and before we could argue he left us standing there in mid-argument.”

The fight for marriage for all has mobilized many members of the LGBTQ and allied communities, including many youth. Marriage equality is a youth issue. Regardless of your individual views on the institution of marriage, marriage equality is an important step towards abolishing discrimination. While marriage is not the only shape that family takes in our society, legalizing marriage for all validates LGBTQ families. The intangible benefits of marriage may be complex but the tangible benefits for married couples are “straight”-forward: 1049 federal benefits and countless more offered by states.

The case in Antioch is not over as the GSA members are planning to pursue their original plan by talking to their Vice Principal and scheduling their event in the near future. Youth activists can help establish the future they will inherit.

What can you do to fight for marriage equality?
1. Organize events at your school for National Freedom to Marry Day, which happens every February 12th. Some possible actions include a mock marriage, a teach-in, or a panel of LGBT families. Don’t limit yourself to just one day! And if the day has already passed, you can always plan something for later in the year.

2. Engage in discussion. Talk to your GSA members, your teachers, your classmates, your family, your spiritual mentors, and anyone else you think it’s important to communicate with. Learn what they think about marriage in general and what marriage means to them. They might not necessarily think about the thousands of rights, benefits, and responsibilities that are handed to married couples; nor the challenges of growing up in an LGBTQ family.

3. Write, write, write. Put your feelings and knowledge about marriage equality down on paper in the form of a letter and send it to the editor of your local newspaper, your local, state, and federal representatives, and people you know who might be ambivalent about marriage equality. Explain why it is important to you as a living, breathing human being.

4. Link up for equality. There are many great organizations out there working hard for marriage equality—find one near you and get your entire GSA involved!

www.marriageequality.org
www.freedomtomarry.org
www.eqca.org
www.aclu.org/getequal/

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

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1. Queer Youth Advocacy Day: Registration and Transportation Info

Register! EVERYONE MUST REGISTER online in order to participate in Queer Youth Advocacy Day. Signing up ensures that we know you're coming and a space is held for you. This includes all youth and adult advisors/chaperones. You may still register but please note all participants registering after February 20th will not be guaranteed transportation assistance or free meals. All participants must also bring a completed permission slip.

To sign up: http://www.eqca.org/advocacyday

You can download the required permission slip at: http://www.gsanetwork.org/qyad

TRANSPORTATION INFO:

GSA Network and our many community partners will be coordinating buses from the following locations on Monday, March 6th. Buses are scheduled to arrive in Sacramento by 9 am. They will be leaving Sacramento at 5 pm and returning to their original locations for drop-off.

Orange County: The Center OC, 12800 Garden Grove Blvd., Garden Grove
Pick-Up Time: Midnight

Long Beach: Gay & Lesbian Center of Long Beach, 2017 E. Fourth St., Long Beach
Pick-Up Time: 1 am

Los Angeles County (west): GLSEN LA, The Village at Ed Gould Plaza, 1125 N.McCadden Place (near Highland & Santa Monica), Los Angeles
Pick-Up Time: 2 am

Los Angeles County (east): Bienestar, 5326 East Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles
Pick-Up Time: 2 am

Fresno: Tower District, parking lot at the NE corner of Olive & Wishon (across from the Tower Theater)
Pick-Up Time: 5 am

San Jose/South Bay: Billy DeFrank Lesbian and Gay Community Center, 938 The Alameda, San Jose
Pick-Up Time: 5 am

Mt View/Palo Alto/Peninsula: Outlet, 711 Church Street, Mountain View
Pick-Up Time: 6 am

Oakland/Alameda County: MacArthur BART Station, 555 40th Street, Oakland
Pick-Up Time: 6 am

Concord/Contra Costa County: Concord BART Station, 1451 Oakland Ave., Concord
Pick-Up Time: 7 am

San Francisco: Bill Graham Civic Auditorium (near Civic Center BART), 99 Grove St., San Francisco
Pick-Up Time: 7 am

Other locations may be added. Continue to check the web site for updated info: http://www.gsanetwork.org.

For people travelling from the Inland Empire and San Diego County, we will be offering a limited number of plane tickets. Please email mailto:advocacy@gsanetwork.org to be put on the waiting list for a plane ticket.

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2. FIRST EVER!! - Central Valley GSA Leadership Training (Fresno)

So what is a GSA Leadership Training?
Where youth from various GSAs come together for a FUN, interactive peer to peer training that provides students with the skills to fight homophobia and transphobia in the schools. Led by other GSA leaders from around the Central Valley, the training will show students how to start and run a Kick-Ass GSA.

Topics include:
*understanding laws to protect LGBTQ youth in schools
*how to take action against slurs, harassment and discrimination in your school
*concepts of gender and understanding sexual orientation
*how to run a GSA meeting
*outreach, building membership, and diversity

GSA Network values the participation of adult allies in our fight against oppression & injustice in schools, and thus welcomes GSA Advisors and adult allies to the leadership training but ask that you help us to maintain the youth focus of this training.

This is a great opportunity to network with other GSAs in your area, while learning some new skills to strengthen your club.
Fresno GSA Leadership Training brought to you by GSA Network
This FREE event will be held from 10am - 4pm and includes breakfast and lunch.

WHO: GSA Members, potential members, and GSA advisors
WHEN: Saturday, February 25, 2006, 10:00-4:00
WHERE: GSA Network Offices, 4403 East Tulare Avenue, Fresno, CA 93702
COST: Free!

For more information or to RSVP, please contact:
Robin McGehee, GSA Network Central Valley Program Coordinator, at 559-453-9040 or robin@gsanetwork.org
Ty Ryan, GSA Network Central Valley Program Associate, at 559-453-9040 or ty@gsanetwork.org

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3. You are invited to: A GSA LEADERSHIP TRAINING (Contra Costa)

This FREE event will be held from 9:30 am - 4 pm and includes breakfast and lunch.|

So what is a GSA Leadership training?
Where youth from various GSA's come together for a FUN, interactive peer to peer training that provides students with the skills to fight homophobia and transphobia in the schools. Lead by other GSA leaders from around Northern California, the training will show students how to start and run a Kick-Ass GSA

Topics include:
* How to run a GSA meeting
* Outreach, building membership, and diversity
* Concepts of gender and understanding sexual orientation
* Understanding laws to protect LGBTQ youth in schools
* How to take action against slurs, harassment and discrimination in your school

This is a great opportunity to network with other GSA's in your area, while learning some new skills to strengthen your club.

WHO: GSA Members, potential members, and GSA advisors
WHEN: Saturday, March 18, 2006, 9:30 am-4:00 pm
WHERE: Richmond High School - Student Center 1250 23rd. St. Richmond, CA 94804
COST: Free!
CO-SPONSORS: GSA Network and GLSEN SF-EB

GSA Network values the participation of adult allies in our fight against oppression & injustice in schools, and thus welcomes GSA Advisors and adult allies to the leadership training but ask that you help us to maintain the youth focus of this training.

For more information or to RSVP, please contact:
* Marco Castro-Bojorquez, GSA Network Northern California Program Coordinator, at 415-552-4229 or marco@gsanetwork.org
* Shanda Young, Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network San Francisco-East Bay, PRYDE Coordinator, at 925.685.5480 x 3 or shanda@glsen-sfeb.org

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4. Re-Register your GSA today - get new resources & keep informed!!

Before you plan any events for your GSA, remember to register or re-register your group with the GSA Network. Do it NOW to make sure you receive our student activism manuals, FREE posters, other resources, and notifications of future GSA Network or LGBT-related events. (Mailings will go out only to California GSAs in middle and high schools.)

Register online at http://www.gsanetwork.org/register/index.php

If you have any questions or concerns contact:
Tanya Mayo, Program Director
tanya@gsanetwork.org
415-552-4229

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5. Sylvia Guerrero is Back!- Apply for Winter/Spring Speaking Engagement (Bay Area)

GSA Network is excited to announce that we will be once again co-sponsoring the Sylvia Guerrero speaking tour during the 2006 school year.

This program 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 three years after the death of her transgender daughter, Gwen Araujo and is a great opportunity for schools to do education on campus for Transgender Student Safety.

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 contact Marco marco@gsanetwork.org.
Book NOW! Slots are limited.

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

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6. Liberation Ink Posters - Free For GSAs (Statewide)

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 (April), Transgender Day of Remembrance (November), 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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7. Sign-up for the High Contrast Photo Exhibit at your school (Bay Area)

GSA Network's High Contrast photo exhibit is on the move again!
A photo-narrative exhibit by youth and for youth.

"I think it was powerful and provocative and sparked good conversations." - GSA Advisor
"There were at least 400 students that interacted with the exhibit. The whole week while High Contrast was there, the GSA and other groups on campus did workshops on hate crimes and ways to deal with it-letting students know that it is an issue that needs to be addressed." - GSA student president
"Many students responded well to the universality of human issues and emotions. The emotions weren't just linked to being gay, they were feelings we all have." - GSA Advisor

In this exhibit we bring you our voices with hopes that you will hear us, see us... and identify. We use art as a means for change -- to show people what they might not choose to see, to incite dialogue, and to inspire transformation. We want to make schools free from harassment, discrimination, and violence. We don't want anyone to leave thinking, "this isn't my issue." Because all kinds of people are lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender. Because there are so many shades to our identities. Because we all deserve to be safe enough to learn.

High Contrast is available for circulation as of October 1. If you are a GSA in the Bay Area and are interested in bringing the High Contrast photo exhibit to your school, email highcontrast@gsanetwork.org.

For more information on, and pictures of, High Contrast go to: www.gsanetwork.org/highcontrast/index.html

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8. LGBTQ Book Fair at the Chavez Branch. (Oakland)

There will be teen books as well as children's and adult books. Hope to see you there!

Email or call me if you have any questions.
Jessi Snow, Teen Outreach Librarian
Oakland Public Library
125 14th Street
Oakland, CA 94612
510-238-7233
jsnow@oaklandlibrary.org

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9. Youth Leadership & Advocacy Institute (Santa Barbara)

The University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) is very excited to announce a one-of-a-kind opportunity for high school students to spend one week at the university in July learning about lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) issues. The Youth Leadership & Advocacy Institute is designed for entering high school juniors and seniors and will be held July 16-22, 2006. This program is open to high school students of any sexual orientation or gender identity. Allies are welcome. We strongly encourage students of color and those of limited financial means to apply.

During this one-week institute, forty-two high school students will have the opportunity to come to UCSB and develop a greater understanding of LGBT issues. Daily workshops will introduce a variety of topics, such as LGBT history, high school Gay-Straight Alliances, LGBT and the media, homosexuality and religion, "coming out", dealing with homophobia/ heterosexism, community resources, and more. Students will also have the opportunity to meet and interact with current UCSB college students, who will lead several of the workshops and provide supervision. Additional time will be spent exploring the sites and attractions of Santa Barbara - beaches, cultural landmarks, and scenic beauty.

The institute is completely free to participants. A refundable deposit of $100 is required at the time of application to reserve a space. (The deposit will be refunded upon the completion of the one-week program.) The program includes housing, all meals, transportation within the program, tours, activities and any other necessary supplies (linens are not provided). The value of this program is over $1,000 per participant, but we are able to offer this program free of charge thanks to the generous support of several organizations that value the goals of the program and support equal opportunity: the UCSB Office of Academic Preparation and Equal Opportunity, Gill Foundation, and the Fund for Santa Barbara.

I am asking for your assistance in forwarding this email to any current high school sophomores or juniors (ages 15 - 17) who you think may be interested in this program - for example, high school Gay-Straight Alliances, LGBT youth groups, social justice clubs, etc. The application deadline is May 15, 2006. Additional information and application materials are available on our website: www.sa.ucsb.edu/sgd/summer.asp

For more information, please feel free to contact me at kyle.richards@sa.ucsb.edu or (805) 893-5847.

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10. SCHOLARSHIP: San Jose-Peninsula PFLAG will be awarding five $2,000 scholarships

San Jose-Peninsula PFLAG will be awarding five $2,000 scholarships to high school seniors and one $2,000 scholarship for a Community College student who will be transferring to an accredited college, university or business/technical school during 2006.

These scholarships will be given to individuals whose educational history, personal plans and activities demonstrate support for justice and equality for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered persons. Candidates must live in Santa Clara or San Mateo counties and be in good standing with their school. For a complete list of instructions and scholarship applications, please see our web site at http://www.pflagsanjose.org

Scholarship deadline is March 31, 2006.

Scholarship winners are required to attend a scholarship ceremony on Thursday evening 7-9 PM, April 27, 2006 at the Billy DeFrank LGBT Community Center
938 The Alameda San Jose, CA 95126.

(Payment of the scholarship will be made after receipt of confirmation of college/business/technical school enrollment.)

San Jose/Peninsula PFLAG community college and high school scholarships are made possible through donations from BayLands Frontrunners, Peninsula/South Bay GLSEN, individuals, and through the sale of PFLAG mugs and pins.

If you have questions please contact Maribeth Ament at 408-554-6852 or pflag.scholarship@yahoo.com

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11. SCHOLARSHIP: Models of Excellence scholarship competition

Friends of Project 10 Inc. announces its annual Models of Excellence scholarship competition. The scholarship is open to any senior high school student who is graduating from a California school (public, private, and parochial), and who is going onto higher education. The student needs to demonstrate a commitment to LGBT civil rights. Scholarships are awarded in $500 and $1,000 amounts.

Applications are due no later than Friday, April 28, 2006.

Contact Friends of Project 10 Inc. at 626.577.4553 or project10@hotmail.com for applications and for more information.

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12. SCHOLARSHIP: Do you or does someone you know qualify for a 2005-2006 eQuality Scholarship Award?

GLSEN San Francisco-East Bay is a sponsoring member of the eQuality Scholarship Collaborative, a joint effort of a group of Bay Area-based organizations that annually award scholarships to graduating high school students in Northern and Central California who have promoted understanding of and equality for LGBTQ people.

Applications, including transcripts and letter of recommendation, must be postmarked no later than February 28, 2006. Scholarship applicants will be notified of their application status by April 15.

To learn more about the Collaborative and current scholarship opportunities, visit: www.glsen-sfeb.org/scholarship/index.htm.

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13. NEWS: Los Altos' decision on gay pride is a step in the wrong direction

By Jamie McLeod
Mon, Feb. 20, 2006
Mercury News

Sometimes, out of the depths of great error, good things may arise.

South Africa is a dramatic example. Nelson Mandela, in the inaugural speech that marked his journey from political prisoner to president of a new democracy, declared, "Out of the experience of an extraordinary human disaster that lasted too long, must be born a society of which all humanity will be proud.''

His commitment to end all forms of discrimination was so strong that under his leadership, South Africa made a transition from one of the most oppressive governments to one of the most inclusive. In 1996, it became the first country in the world to include gay rights in its Constitution. Mandela's remarkable vision was that society is only weakened when it promotes discrimination.

Not all examples are so dramatic. But seizing the opportunity to right a wrong is always a profound step. There is now such opportunity in Los Altos.
Municipalities do not have jurisdiction over most civil rights matters, but opportunities to make statements about their community still remain. Cities can demonstrate what they value, or choose not to, through issuing proclamations.

In 2004, members of the Los Altos High School Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) requested their city council recognize Gay Pride Day. After some debate, they received a modified proclamation. Last year, a similar request was denied. Recently, the council amended city policy to pre-empt any such future requests.

In a time when most cities are verifying that their non-discrimination policies are comprehensive, the Los Altos City Council took the deliberate step of adding an exclusionary clause to its policy. The city will no longer issue proclamations on any issue that pertains to sexual orientation. How broadly that will be defined is unclear as there are gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) people in every segment of society.

While great strides have been made in recent years in the civil rights of GLBT people, the goal has yet to be fully achieved. Some are determined those rights should never come to pass. But the messages of human dignity from the civil rights movement are powerful. And if Rosa Parks refused to be ashamed of her race just because she was born in a time of bigotry, then we honor her memory by refusing to be ashamed of who we are in this time of political divisiveness.

This building of self-esteem is especially important for youth. According to the 2005 Santa Clara County Children's Report, ``The challenge for our community is to demonstrate to young people through resources and relationships, that they are important members of the community and that we value them.''

It is the statement that the Los Altos City Council made to a vulnerable group of high school students that I find so distressing. Instead of demonstrating that teenagers have access to their government and that city leaders care about their well-being, their rejection has been codified.

The Gay-Straight Alliance is remarkable. It is made up of GLBT teens and their heterosexual friends who recognize that GLBT students are the targets of discrimination. They join together for mutual support and to do good works in the community.

At the council meeting, a list of the GSA's activities from last year was read, including community-service activities such as fundraising for the victims of Hurricane Katrina. Performing good public deeds and defending people from attack is usually considered commendable by society, not shameful.

The council members who brought forward the amendment to city policy expressed concerns that the group was too controversial. But, as their dissenting colleague Curtis Cole pointed out, ``It's our responsibility as members of the council and leaders of the community to address those controversial issues. We may disagree . . . but it is our job to decide.''

To read the full story, visit:
http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/opinion/13916340.htm

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14. NEWS: Bullying, hate mail issue brought to school board in Ukiah

By LAURA CLARK
The Ukiah Daily Journal
February 16, 2006

The mother of a 14-year-old girl who recently received anti-Semitic hate mail gave up her anonymity Tuesday night at Ukiah Unified School District's board meeting in order to voice her concern over what she says is a "growing cancer" at Ukiah High School.

"This cancer takes the form of hatred, bullying and teasing," Sharon Govern also states in a letter to the editor published in today's Daily Journal.

Neo-Nazi behavior at Ukiah High is not all she's disturbed about. Govern, like several others who spoke at Tuesday night's meeting, said something has to be done to assure "all" students are safe at school.

"This is not just about a few children involved in putting a letter in my mailbox. There's more going on than anti-Semitism," Govern said. She "hears over and over again that it's the parents' responsibility to teach kids right and wrong, but that's not happening," she said. The schools have youths' minds five days a week, and they need to play a bigger role, she said....

...Delynne Rogers, a parent of former UUSD students and the president of PFLAG -- Parents Family and Friends of Lesbians and Gays -- told the board about a life skills program used in some Santa Rosa high schools that covers diversity, education and other issues.

AB 537, passed in 2000, states that a safe school environment must be provided for all children, especially gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender youth, she said.
"Right now, I'd say we aren't in compliance; something needs to be implemented very quickly.

... We need to educate the teachers and the students," Rogers said, noting there also needs to be strong disciplinary action for students who threaten violence or hate toward other students because of their race, religion, gender or sexual orientation....

To read the full story, visit:
http://www.ukiahdailyjournal.com/Stories/0,1413,91~3089~3240526,00.html

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15. NEWS: Gilroy: Day of Silence Ahead?

Monday, February 20, 2006
By Heather Bremner
Gilroy Dispatch

Gilroy - Months of harassment and even a written death threat have failed to knock Sally Enriquez off her podium.

The Gilroy High School social studies teacher is adamant: when the calendar turns to April 26 she will spend the day participating in Day of Silence, a student-led national demonstration intended to combat the oppression and discrimination gay and lesbian youth experience.

To emulate that environment and to show solidarity with the gay community, students and teachers spend the day in complete silence.

"We're still gonna do it," she said.

Enriquez, who is also advisor to the student club Gay Straight Alliance, said Principal Jim Maxwell met with her and the four other teachers who had participated in the Day of Silence, at the beginning of the school year. The educator said Maxwell was very supportive of the crew and their objective to create a harrasment-free high school.

To read the full article, visit:
http://www.gilroydispatch.com/news/contentview.asp?c=179343

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16. NEWS: Judge upholds anti-harassment training in Boyd County schools

February 18, 2006
Associated Press
Lexington Herald-Leader

ASHLAND, Ky. - Students have no religious or free speech right to opt-out of school training aimed at stopping anti-gay harassment in Boyd County schools, a federal judge has ruled.

U.S. District Judge David Bunning said "there is simply no basis for an opt-out" by three students who skipped mandatory sessions at Boyd County schools because the training did not endorse any viewpoint or require a student to disavow their religious beliefs.

Bunning wrote in an opinion issued late Friday that mandatory training "to address the issue of harassment at school, including harassment based upon actual or perceived sexual orientation, is rationally related to a legitimate educational goal, namely to maintain a safe environment."

The anti-gay harassment sessions were part of a settlement in 2004 of a three-year dispute between the school district and a now-defunct gay-rights group that wanted recognition as an extracurricular group. To settle the case, the school district agreed to hold mandatory anti-gay
harassment sessions for school administrators and students.

A student and two sets of parents sued the Boyd County Board of Education over that requirement, which penalized students with an unexcused absence if they did not attend the training.

To read the full story, visit:
http://www.kentucky.com/mld/kentucky/news/state/13906291.htm

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17. NEWS: Tolerance of homosexuals gaining momentum at Paso Robles High School

The Associated Press
San Jose Mercury News
Wednesday, February 22, 2006

PASO ROBLES, Calif. - Tolerance of homosexuals is gaining momentum at Paso Robles High School.

The school club Gay Straight Alliance, formed to create "allies' by uniting homosexual and straight students, has been gaining acceptance this year under the leadership of its president Michael Landrum, an openly gay 15-year-old student.

Teachers said the Gay Straight Alliance club struggled to keep going in recent years, until Landrum showed up. The club - which has 12 members, three of them openly gay - is now thriving.

"They're driven, they're dedicated and they're having a good time," teacher and club adviser Joshua Gwiazda said.

"We just want people to know everyone deserves to be treated with respect," Landrum said. "It's really good because you can talk to people who are going through the exact same things you are."

Two of the club's three speaking events this year attracted more than 150 students. And students are planning a trip to Sacramento on March 6 for Queer Youth Advocacy Day to gather with other California teens.

To read the full story, visit:
http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/local/states/california/northern_california/13929577.htm

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February 15, 2006

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

GSA Network Highlight
20 DAYS Until Queer Youth Advocacy Day - Why Are Hundreds Signed Up to Go?

GSA Network Announcements
1. Queer Youth Advocacy Day: Registration and Transportation Info (Statewide)
2. GSA Network and Wilson High School's GSA Host the San Gabriel Valley GSA Mini-Conference (San Gabriel Valley)
3. GSA Leadership Training (Contra Costa County)
4. FIRST EVER!! - Central Valley GSA Leadership Training (Fresno)
5. Re-Register your GSA today - get new resources & keep informed!! (Statewide)
6. Sylvia Guerrero is Back!- Apply for Winter/Spring Speaking Engagement (Bay Area)
7. Liberation Ink Posters - Free For GSAs (Statewide)
8. Sign-up for the High Contrast Photo Exhibit at your school (Bay Area)

Other Announcements
9. Queer Youth Group (Berkeley)
10. Love is a DRAG…. (San Jose)
11. HRC Youth Contingent (San Francisco)
12. C.I.T.Y X1 Presents the L Youth Forum (Volume 1: It's About Time!) (Los Angeles)
13. LYRIC's Queer Grrl Retreat: Let's Talk about Sex (San Francisco)
14. Join the LYRIC Board (San Francisco)
15. Youthlink - Digital Media Training Program - Accepting Application (San Francisco)
16. Help Rebuild the Gulf Region
17. SCHOLARSHIP: San Jose-Peninsula PFLAG will be awarding five $2,000 scholarships
18. SCHOLARSHIP: Models of Excellence scholarship competition
19. SCHOLARSHIP: Do you or does someone you know qualify for a 2005-2006 eQuality Scholarship Award?
20. NEWS: Lompoc High School Gay-Straight Alliance receives grant
21. NEWS: ACLU: Protect gays at youth jail
22. NEWS: San Ramon high school actors tackle 'Laramie Project'

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

20 DAYS Until Queer Youth Advocacy Day - Why Are Hundreds Signed Up to Go?

“I see harassment constantly around me at school and all over because of sexual identity and even gender identity. Personally I have experienced some harassment because of my orientation or perceived orientation… At school we often face opposition from the administration because of their prejudices and personal beliefs.”
-Carmela, Antioch High School

We’re less than three weeks away, the buses are about to start rolling, and soon youth will take over the capitol for Queer Youth Advocacy Day 2006!

Hundreds of GSA members and other youth activists from all over California are signed up to talk with lawmakers on March 6 about what schools need to do to protect LGBTQ students from harassment and discrimination. Youth will unite to rock the capitol and remind everyone that every person deserves an equal chance at an education.

“Racism and homophobia are present in my school and schools everywhere. It bothers me that someone would hate me because of the color of my skin or because of my sexual orientation. I have been fortunate enough to have never been exposed to violence…but to hear of violence affecting my fellow GSA members or friends for such ignorant reasons affects me and makes me want to act and make a difference.”
-Juan, Lancaster High School

“Someday people won’t have to go through all the sh*t I have just for being queer or dark skinned or poor. “
-Drew, Antioch High School

Lawmakers pass laws every year that impact the daily lives of students like you up and down the state---where you go to school, what you’re going to learn in class, and how your teachers are going to teach you. But, rarely are you ever asked what you need to ensure that you are safe and supported enough to make it to class, to get help when you need, to graduate, and to get an education. It’s time for you to share your story.

I support all people. We should be allowed to be happy. We are God's creation, God's children. He loves us - THAT is what matters.
-Edel, Central West High school

At some schools, some students call each other “faggot,” say “that’s so gay,” and teachers aren’t trained to intervene and protect students. Administrators don’t pay attention to students’ complaints, and nothing ever gets fixed. It’s time for that to change and for you to share your story.

Queer Youth Advocacy Day 2006 is your chance. To sign up and get more information, go to www.gsanetwork.org/qyad. We can also help you figure out a way to get to Sacramento on March 6. Email advocacy@gsanetwork.org for details.

It’s your turn.

“I’m an activist for myself, my friends, and our future.”
-Justin, Santa Clara High School

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

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1. Queer Youth Advocacy Day: Registration and Transportation Info

Register! EVERYONE MUST REGISTER online in order to participate in Queer Youth Advocacy Day. Signing up ensures that we know you're coming and a space is held for you. This includes all youth and adult advisors/chaperones.

The deadline for registration has been extended to February 20!

To sign up: http://www.eqca.org/advocacyday

You can download the required permission slip at: http://www.gsanetwork.org/qyad

TRANSPORTATION INFO:

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2. GSA Network and Wilson High School's GSA Host the San Gabriel Valley GSA Mini-Conference

GSA Network is working with Wilson High School's GSA Club to host the San Gabriel Valley's first Mini-Conference for GSA Members and allies.

The conference will feature workshops on a variety of topics including How to Run a GSA: What works, what doesn't; Using My Space and Chat Rooms; Words as Weapons; Being Gay and Religious; Living with HIV; Life After High School, a panel discussion with teachers, and lots more.

Organizations participating in the conference include GSA Network, City XI, GLIDE, and Lifeworks Mentoring.
Anthony Portantino, Mayor of La Canada-Flintridge, will be on hand to welcome participants.

Admission is free and lunch will be provided. Registration is needed.
Saturday, February 18
10am - 4pm
Wilson High School
16455 Wedgeworth Drive
Hacienda Heights, CA 91745

For more information or to register contact Sandy at 213-534-7162 or e-mail sandy@gsanetwork.org

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3. GSA Leadership Training (Contra Costa County)

So what is a GSA Leadership training?
Where youth from various GSAs come together for a FUN, interactive peer to peer training that provides students with the skills to fight homophobia and transphobia in the schools. Lead by other GSA leaders from around Northern California, the training will show students how to start and run a Kick-Ass GSA

Topics include:
*understanding laws to protect LGBTQ youth in schools
*how to take action against slurs, harassment and discrimination in your school
*concepts of gender and understanding sexual orientation
*how to run a meeting
*outreach, building membership, and diversity

This is a great opportunity to network with other GSAs in your area, while learning some new skills to strengthen your club.

Contra Costa GSA Leadership Training brought to you by GSA Network
This FREE event will be held from 10am - 4pm and includes breakfast and lunch.

WHO: GSA Members, potential members, and GSA advisors
WHEN: Saturday, February 18, 2006, 10:00-4:00
WHERE: Center for Human Development, East County Office. 301 W. 10th Street Antioch, CA 94509
COST: Free!
CO-SPONSOR: The Center for Human Development's Empowerment Program

For more information or to RSVP, please contact:
Marco Castro-Bojorquez, GSA Network Northern California Program Coordinator, at 415-552-4229 or marco@gsanetwork.org
Mario Balcita, Center for Human Development, Empowerment Program Director, at 925.687.8844 x 304 or mario@chd-prevention.org

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4. FIRST EVER!! - Central Valley GSA Leadership Training (Fresno)

This is a great opportunity to network with other GSAs in your area, while learning some new skills to strengthen your club.
Fresno GSA Leadership Training brought to you by GSA Network
This FREE event will be held from 10am - 4pm and includes breakfast and lunch.

WHO: GSA Members, potential members, and GSA advisors
WHEN: Saturday, February 25, 2006, 10:00-4:00
WHERE: GSA Network Offices, 4403 East Tulare Avenue, Fresno, CA 93702
COST: Free!
For more information or to RSVP, please contact:
Robin McGehee, GSA Network Central Valley Program Coordinator, at 559-453-9040 or robin@gsanetwork.org
Ty Ryan, GSA Network Central Valley Program Associate, at 559-453-9040 or ty@gsanetwork.org

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5. Re-Register your GSA today - get new resources & keep informed!!

If you have any questions or concerns contact:
Tanya Mayo, Program Director
tanya@gsanetwork.org
415-552-4229

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6. Sylvia Guerrero is Back!- Apply for Winter/Spring Speaking Engagement (Bay Area)

If you would like to bring Ms. Guerrero to your school, please contact Marco marco@gsanetwork.org.
Book NOW! Slots are limited.

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7. Liberation Ink Posters - Free For GSAs (Statewide)

LIBERATION INK POSTERS AVAILABLE
FREE FOR GSAs IN CALIFORNIA!!

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8. Sign-up for the High Contrast Photo Exhibit at your school (Bay Area)

GSA Network's High Contrast photo exhibit is on the move again!
A photo-narrative exhibit by youth and for youth.

For more information on, and pictures of, High Contrast go to: www.gsanetwork.org/highcontrast/index.html

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9. Queer Youth Group (Berkeley)

FRIDAYS @ 5:30PM
This is a new Group at the LOUD program that youth wanted for just hangin' out in a drama-free zone. Come to eat, talk, chill and make friends.

LGBTQIQ YOUTH DROP-IN HOURS:
MONDAY-FRIDAY 4-6PM
We're open 5 days a week for drop-in on the computers, to watch TV or movies, get some homework help or to use PlayStation. Check it out & bring a friend.

We're Located at:
2712 TELEGRAPH AVENUE (@ DERBY) IN BERKELEY, THE PACIFIC CENTER
Take the 40L bus from Oakland or Downtown Berkeley.
Check the website for more info: www.PacificCenter.org/QueerYouth.html

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10. Love is a DRAG…. (San Jose)

LGBTQ YOUTH DRAG DANCE
AGES 13-20
Friday, February 17
7pm to 12am
at the
DeFrank Center
$3 entry fee

This is a drug, smoking, and alcohol-free event
No in and out privileges
No bags, backpacks, or purses allowed
Must have a school or state issued ID to enter - NO EXCEPTIONS
Creativity is welcome, lewdness and lack of attire is not.
Drag is NOT required.

The Billy DeFrank LGBT
Community Center
938 The Alameda
San Jose, CA 95126
For information contact
Julianne at youthprog@defrank.org or 408.293.3040 x111

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11. HRC Youth Contingent (San Francisco)

Hello!
The HRC Youth Contingent has set a date for our first meeting. We would like those who have expressed an interest and those that are first hearing about this to please come. In this meeting, we will discuss what it is you want from HRC.

This is for youth under 26 years of age. Come with ideas, issues, and political action plans that you would like to see as a part of the HRC. This Youth Contingent can focus on different issues than what is currently happening locally and nationally with the HRC.

There will be food and drinks provided. Please bring friends and let's start addressing the needs of you, the youth!

This meeting will be held at Courtney's place in the Castro (676A Castro Street, San Francisco, b/t 19th & 20th streets) at 7:00pm on Wednesday February 22cd. Please RSVP to Courtney at cour34@hotmail.com or 415-999-1356.

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12. C.I.T.Y X1 Presents the L Youth Forum (Volume 1: It's About Time!) (Los Angeles)

More often than not, we see activities/programs that focus on MSM∑what about the girls!? This two-hour forum will focus on the various issues facing lesbian youth today. The forum panel will be made up of 10 women (5 adults, 5 youth). Various issues will range from politics, services, entertainment, sex, and other thought-provoking topics.

This groundbreaking event will be taking place on Saturday, February 25th, 2006 at Plummer Park (7377 Santa Monica Blvd.) in West Hollywood. The forum will go from 6:00pm-8:00pm and a one-hour social will follow. Both activities are FREE. Be sure to check out the event web site at: http://www.cityx1.com/lyouth

The C.I.T.Y x1 Youth Group
HotLine: (310) 712-3918
Web: http://www.cityx1.com
E-mail: webmail@cityx1.com

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13. LYRIC's Queer Grrl Retreat: Let's Talk about Sex (San Francisco)

February 19th & 20th: LYRIC's Queer Grrl Retreat: Let's Talk about Sex

The Queer Grrl Health Series is a safe and free event for female-identified LGBTQQI youth 23 & under (25 if trans-identified) to learn more about their health.

Topics include:
Anatomy & Physiology
Women's Health Issues
Image & Identity
Safer Sex
Sexual Communication
Relationships
Violence Against Women
Community & Empowerment
Sex
And More!

There are two weekends to choose from:
1. Sunday, February 19th & Monday, February 20th, 2006
2. Friday, March 31st & Saturday, April 1st, 2006

Visit the Queer Grrl Retreat web site at http://www.lyric.org/QUEERGRRL06.HTML
For more information, or to RSVP, contact Mercedes at 415.703.6150 x 21, email youngwomenkickbutt@yahoo.com or Erica at 415.703.6150 x 18, email erica@lyric.org

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14. Join the LYRIC Board (San Francisco)

Calling all LGBTQQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, and questioning) youth ages 24 and younger in the San Francisco Bay Area! Please forward to
any appropriate lists.

The Board of Directors of LYRIC (Lavender Youth Recreation and Information Center) is specifically looking for LGBTQQ youth to apply to the board. You do not need any previous board membership or non-profit experience to apply, and we especially encourage applications from people of color, transgender people, and women.

Why Join the Board?
It‚s an amazing opportunity to meet wonderful people, have a lot of fun, and also a great mentorship opportunity to learn how a non-profit works, build
leadership and job skills, and create long-term changes to improve programs and services to LGBTQQ youth in the Bay Area! And if you are looking for community service for your resume or college application this is perfect! In addition, all youth board members are given a Leadership Stipend of $850/per year. Youth can apply to be on the board for 1 or 2 years.

How Do I Apply?
Please fill out the application (e-mail LYRIC's Executive Director, Jodi Schwartz, at jodi@lyric.org for a copy), and submit the application along with your resume to: Jodi Schwartz, Executive Director of LYRIC 127 Collingwood Street, San Francisco, CA 94114 Phone: (415) 703-6150 x 19 E-mail: jodi@lyric.org

It's easier if you e-mail both the application and resume to us so we can forward it on to the board members quickly. Please apply as soon as possible. You will receive an e-mail confirmation from us once we receiveyour application. After your application has been reviewed you will be asked to interview so we can meet you in person. Interviews will be scheduled for February and March.

What Would Be My Responsibilities as a Board Member?
As a team, the board of directors provides legal, ethical, financial, and programmatic oversight to our non-profit organization. More specifically,
board members will:

1. Monitor progress towards LYRIC's mission, vision, and goals stated in a Strategic Plan
2. Develop, review, and approve organizational policies and budgets
3. Initiate and participate in fundraising activities, and ensures adequate resources for the organization
4. Enhance LYRIC's public image and represent LYRIC to the public
5. Ensure LYRIC's compliance with legal, ethical, and financial standards and responsibilities
6. Monitor and evaluate programs and services
7. Support the Executive Director and manage/review her performance
8. Serve as arbitrator of conflict or grievances

Requirements:
* Volunteer 5-15 hours a month
* Attend an evening board meeting on the first Tuesdays of the month
* Join one board committee (Programming, Development, Board Building & Governance, or Finance and Administration)
* Assist the board in fundraising activities
* Commitment to LGBTQQ youth issues and LYRIC's mission and vision

How Do I Find Out More about LYRIC?
Please check out LYRIC's mission and vision at www.lyric.org.

Questions? Need an Application
If you have any questions, please feel free to call Jodi Schwartz at (415) 703-6150 x 19 or e-mail at jodi@lyric.org.

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15. Youthlink - Digital Media Training Program - Accepting Application (San Francisco)

YOUTHLINK IS ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR OUR SUMMER SESSION! APPLICATION
DEADLINE: MARCH 1, 2006

OPEN HOUSES: Join us at the BAVC facilities to learn more about the YouthLink program.
Open houses will be: Wednesday, January 22nd, 6:30PM
Thursday, January 23rd, 6:30PM

LOCATION: The Bay Area Video Coalition, 2727 Mariposa Street, San Francisco, CA 94110

OPEN HOUSES WILL NOT BE HELD IF THERE IS NOT SUFFICIENT ATTENDANCE.
Therefore, if you would like to attend, please RSVP to Jessica at 415-558-2181 or jessica@bavc.org.

PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY: Open to 14-19 year olds with the ability to work in the United States

DATES: Beginning Video Production/Beginning Digital Arts: June 19 - August 18, 2006 Monday/Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday, 3:30 - 7pm 3 Saturdays or Sundays, To Be DeterminedAdvanced Video Production/Advanced Digital Arts: September 11th - December 8th, 2006 Monday/Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday, 4-6:30pm 3 Saturdays or Sundays, To Be Determined

LOCATION: The Bay Area Video Coalition, 2727 Mariposa Street, San Francisco, CA 94110

For more information about the program, please visit:
http://www.bavc.org/classes/youth/index.htm and to see youth websites go to www.youthzine.org.

YouthLink is a digital media training program that employs young people to realize their creative voices, explore career options, and contribute to their communities. During afterschool hours students develop a portfolio in web design or video, gaining skills in artistry, teamwork, storytelling, critical thinking, technical troubleshooting and community engagement. Students share their projects online and at community screenings. During summer internships students gain new technical and professional skills, expanding their career and educational opportunities.

Youthlink students participate in an entire year of programming, starting with Beginning Video Production or Beginning Digital Arts, and moving on to advanced classes in either of these areas. After completing the beginning program, students will receive a stipend of $380. After completing the advanced program, students will receive a stipend of $480 and assistance in obtaining paid internships in the media field. After completing the internship, students receive a stipend of $600. The classes take place after school and on some weekend days. We are now recruiting students aged 14 to 19 who want gain new skills, tell their own story, and learn the power of creating with digital media.

TO APPLY: Email jessica@bavc.org, or call 415-558-2181 to receive an application or flyer.

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16. Help Rebuild the Gulf Region

For the week of March 11-17, United Way and MTV STORM CORPS is sending 100 young people to help rebuild the gulf region left devastated by the 2005 hurricane season. Be a part of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and join this group of diverse, motivated future leaders in making a difference.

What exactly is STORM CORPS? It's much more than a week of volunteerism... it's a commitment from young people across the country to spend their Spring Break rebuilding lives and to learning about themselves in the process. STORM CORPS members will work in teams to muck mud, clean up child care centers, tear down moldy walls, and rebuild roofs - whatever it takes to help the people of the Gulf Coast rebuild their homes, their communities, their lives.

Find out More: http://national.unitedway.org/stormcorps/
WHO: 100 diverse, future leaders (must be at least 18)
WHAT: A week of service to help rebuild the communities left most devastated by Hurricane Katrina
WHEN: March 11-17, 2006
WHERE: Biloxi, Mississippi and Foley, Alabama

Deadline for application submissions is February 20, 2006.
Heather Groninger
Project Director, Jobs for Youth
United Way of the Bay Area
221 Main Street, Suite 300
San Francisco, CA 94105
415-808-4313
415-817-4633 (fax)
hgroninger@uwba.org

Connecting people who care with results that matter.

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17. SCHOLARSHIP: San Jose-Peninsula PFLAG will be awarding five $2,000 scholarships

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18. SCHOLARSHIP: Models of Excellence scholarship competition

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19. SCHOLARSHIP: Do you or does someone you know qualify for a 2005-2006 eQuality Scholarship Award?

GLSEN San Francisco-East Bay is a sponsoring member of the eQuality Scholarship Collaborative, a joint effort of a group of Bay Area-based organizations that annually award scholarships to graduating high school students in Northern and Central California who have promoted understanding of and equality for LGBTQ people.

Applications, including transcripts and letter of recommendation, must be postmarked no later than February 28, 2006. Scholarship applicants will be notified of their application status by April 15.

To learn more about the Collaborative and current scholarship opportunities, visit: www.glsen-sfeb.org/scholarship/index.htm.

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20. NEWS: Lompoc High School Gay-Straight Alliance receives grant

By Marell Brooks
The Lompoc Record
February 10, 2006

The Lompoc High School Gay-Straight Alliance announced that it has recently received a grant from the Fund for Santa Barbara. The money will be used to assist the club in its efforts to promote awareness on campus and leadership skills among the active members.

GSA was three years in the making. The idea for the formation of the group came from counselors Laura Newbre and Barry Marks. The two professionals had formed a counseling group for students struggling with gender issues and decided the students really needed an ASB sanctioned club that could meet on a regular basis.

A few student leaders applied for a charter through the LHS Associated Student Body. After several months, the charter was finally approved. In its charter, the GSA sets as its objective the promotion of tolerance and awareness of gay, lesbian, and transgender issues. Their mission is to promote equality and foster sensitivity about sexual orientation. The club provides a safe and productive atmosphere in which members can positively contribute to the school culture.

At a recent lunchtime meeting, the GSA, under teacher advisor Deborah Marsh, discussed some of their upcoming activities. The students attending this meeting represented a cross section of the LHS school population both by ethnicity and gender. By grade level, membership includes six freshmen, four sophomores, two juniors, and five seniors.

To read the full story, visit:
http://www.lompocrecord.com/articles/2006/02/10/news/news08.txt

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21. NEWS: ACLU: Protect gays at youth jail

By Ken Kobayashi
The Honolulu Advertiser
Friday, February 10, 2006

American Civil Liberties Union of Hawai'i lawyers will ask a federal judge to order state officials to adopt policies to protect youths from harassment and abuse based on their sexual orientation at the Hawai'i Youth Correctional Facility.

A settlement of a Department of Justice lawsuit alleging serious problems that violate the constitutional rights of juveniles was formally approved yesterday. It calls for state officials to make improvements over the next three years.

But Lois Perrin, ACLU legal director, said yesterday's settlement does not address the abuse of gay, lesbian and transgender juveniles. She said the ACLU will recommend that U.S. District Judge Michael Seabright issue an order dealing with those issues to protect those youths.

To read the full story, visit:
http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060210/NEWS03/602100363/1007/NEWS

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22. NEWS: San Ramon high school actors tackle 'Laramie Project'

By Eric Louie
CONTRA COSTA TIMES
February 10, 2006

SAN RAMON - Lauded as a tool for teaching tolerance -- and protested by some anti-gay activists -- "The Laramie Project," a play based on the infamous killing of a gay college student in Wyoming, is coming to San Ramon's California High School this week.

Students in Cal High's play production class for advanced theater students will perform the play.

"I really hope people see the pain and suffering one action can cause," said Jessica Senden, vice president of the school's Gay-Straight Alliance who is also part of the performance.

The play stems from the 1998 murder of Matthew Shepard, a college student who was killed in Laramie, Wyo. by two men because he was gay. He was driven from a bar to a remote area where he was tied to a wooden rail fence, robbed and beaten into a coma. He later died.

Moises Kaufman and the Tectonic Theater Project in New York created the work, through interviews with town residents and drawing upon their own experiences. It is intended to show life in Laramie after the killing.

The idea for Cal High students to do the play was Laura Woods', the school's first-year drama teacher.

"I really feel it's important for kids to accept other people," said Woods, who believes theater has the power to bring social change. This year, she had students pick and study other works they thought had that such impact.

A special daytime performance Tuesday for Cal High students will include a talk by the mother of slain Newark transgender teen Gwen Araujo.

To read the full story, visit:
http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/breaking_news/13844751.htm

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February 8, 2006

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

GSA Network Highlight
A Letter From Shasta County

GSA Network Announcements
1. Queer Youth Advocacy Day: Registration and Transportation Info (Statewide)
2. GSA Network and Wilson High School's GSA Host the San Gabriel Valley GSA Mini-Conference (San Gabriel Valley)
3. GSA Leadership Training (Contra Costa County)
4. FIRST EVER!! - Central Valley GSA Leadership Training (Fresno)
5. Re-Register your GSA today - get new resources & keep informed!! (Statewide)
6. Sylvia Guerrero is Back!- Apply for Winter/Spring Speaking Engagement (Bay Area)
7. Liberation Ink Posters - Free For GSAs (Statewide)
8. Sign-up for the High Contrast Photo Exhibit at your school (Bay Area)

Other Announcements
9. Help needed with transgender prisoner art exhibit!
10. Love is a DRAG…. (San Jose)
11. The L Youth Forum (Volume 1: It's About Time!)" (Los Angeles)
12. Seeking LGBT Youth - Singers & Instrumentalists (Bay Area)
13. Join LGBTQ contingent for "Chinese New Year Parade" (San Francisco)
14. Queer Movie Night! (Los Angeles)
15. Queer Fest 2006!!! (Hayward)
16. Coro Exploring Leadership Program - Recruiting 10th Graders! (Bay Area)
17. SCHOLARSHIP: San Jose-Peninsula PFLAG will be awarding five $2,000 scholarships
18. SCHOLARSHIP: Models of Excellence scholarship competition
19. SCHOLARSHIP: Do you or does someone you know qualify for a 2005-2006 eQuality Scholarship Award?
20 . NEWS: Student, principal spar over gay prom promotion
21. NEWS: County official offers support to Gay-Straight Alliance
22. NEWS: A matter of respect -- and safety

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

A Letter From Shasta County

As the GSA Network Program Coordinator for Northern California, Marco Castro-Bojorquez has had the opportunity to be in contact with students all over the region. Last week he received a letter from Shasta County. Brian Schwind wrote...

“Trying to start a GSA has been extremely painful for me and has led to many verbal and physical fights. The town of Palo Cedro, CA, a small and quaint town, doesn’t mesh very well with the new uprising of gay youth. Most people at Foothill High School are not too thrilled with the idea that I am gay and proud of it. Being the first person out in the whole history of my school is a major struggle that I have been faced with."

Unsafe and homophobic schools hurt students like Brian. According to the California School Safe Coalition’s Safe Place to Learn report, over 200,000 middle school and high school students are harassed every year based on their actual or perceived sexual orientation. The report shows that students who are harassed based on actual or perceived sexual orientation are more likely than students who are not harassed to report depression, to have low grades (Cs or below), to be victims of violence, to seriously consider suicide, to miss school because they felt unsafe, and are more likely to smoke cigarettes, drink alcohol, binge drink, or use marijuana. A GSA club provides a safe place for students to meet, support each other, and talk about their issues related to sexual orientation, gender identity, and work towards ending homophobia and transphobia.

Brian has been trying to start a GSA at Foothill High with little success: “Getting a GSA started is still first and foremost the most challenging obstacle that me and the other LGBTQ students have to defeat. We can’t find one adult in the whole school to support us; many of the teachers are very involved with their beliefs. I have tried to get many teachers to help me start a GSA but to no avail due to their strong belief that homosexuality is a sin and that they will go to hell if they help out the “Gays”.”

Educators know that youth cannot learn if they don’t feel supported by their teachers.

At a hostile school like Brian's, the LGBTQ and straight ally students could temporarily start an informal, unofficial GSA by meeting at lunchtime as a group of friends and putting together a plan.

Following are some tips for starting an informal, unofficial GSA:
• Try to find a teacher or counselor to serve as your advisor. Encourage him or her to act as a role model for the rest of the staff.

• If you have problems finding an advisor, appeal to a teacher who is less likely to feel threatened by the idea of advising a GSA. For example, a straight, married, well-respected teacher with tenure. The key is that typically this type of person will not feel threatened or be stereotyped as “gay”.

• If that still does not work ask the Principal or Vice-Principal to act as a temporary advisor. Emphasize that this is about making schools safe for ALL students so they can learn.

• Get media attention. Send a letter to the local paper or to “gay friendly media”. Also, contact a TV station and have them run your story on the local news.

• Appeal to other community organizations that deal with LGBTQ issues or that are LGBTQ friendly. Consider starting a community-based GSA club if you can't start one at school.

Creating an action plan will improve your chances of success - brainstorming, organizing, building coalitions and setting reachable goals. Once a plan has been developed and there is some initial support, it is important to then become an official GSA club.

Activism is the best antidote to fighting oppression but, as Brian says in ending his letter, it is important to persevere: “With all the fighting that I have had with students and faculty, people would think that I would be disheartened and stop trying, but it has only made me stronger, the more hardship that me and my friends have to go through at school, the less likely that we will give up.”

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

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1. Queer Youth Advocacy Day: Registration and Transportation Info

Register! EVERYONE MUST REGISTER online in order to participate in Queer Youth Advocacy Day. Signing up ensures that we know you're coming and a space is held for you. This includes all youth and adult advisors/chaperones.

The deadline for registration has been extended to February 20!

To sign up: http://www.eqca.org/advocacyday

You can download the required permission slip at: http://www.gsanetwork.org/qyad

TRANSPORTATION INFO:

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3. GSA Leadership Training (Contra Costa County)

So what is a GSA Leadership training?
Where youth from various GSA's come together for a FUN, interactive peer to peer training that provides students with the skills to fight homophobia and transphobia in the schools. Lead by other GSA leaders from around Northern California, the training will show students how to start and run a Kick-Ass GSA

Topics include:
*understanding laws to protect LGBTQ youth in schools
*how to take action against slurs, harassment and discrimination in your school
*concepts of gender and understanding sexual orientation
*how to run a meeting
*outreach, building membership, and diversity

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4. FIRST EVER!! - Central Valley GSA Leadership Training (Fresno)

This is a great opportunity to network with other GSAs in your area, while learning some new skills to strengthen your club.
Fresno GSA Leadership Training brought to you by GSA Network
This FREE event will be held from 10am - 4pm and includes breakfast and lunch.

WHO: GSA Members, potential members, and GSA advisors
WHEN: Saturday, February 25, 2006, 10:00-4:00
WHERE: GSA Network Offices, 4403 East Tulare Avenue, Fresno, CA 93702
COST: Free!
For more information or to RSVP, please contact:
Robin McGehee, GSA Network Central Valley Program Coordinator, at 559-453-9040 or robin@gsanetwork.org
Ty Ryan, GSA Network Central Valley Program Associate, at 559-453-9040 or ty@gsanetwork.org

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5. Re-Register your GSA today - get new resources & keep informed!!

If you have any questions or concerns contact:
Tanya Mayo, Program Director
tanya@gsanetwork.org
415-552-4229

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6. Sylvia Guerrero is Back!- Apply for Winter/Spring Speaking Engagement (Bay Area)

If you would like to bring Ms. Guerrero to your school, please contact Marco marco@gsanetwork.org.
Book NOW! Slots are limited.

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7. Liberation Ink Posters - Free For GSAs (Statewide)

LIBERATION INK POSTERS AVAILABLE
FREE FOR GSAs IN CALIFORNIA!!

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8. Sign-up for the High Contrast Photo Exhibit at your school (Bay Area)

GSA Network's High Contrast photo exhibit is on the move again!
A photo-narrative exhibit by youth and for youth.

For more information on, and pictures of, High Contrast go to: www.gsanetwork.org/highcontrast/index.html

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9. Help needed with transgender prisoner art exhibit!

My name is Alex Lee, and I am a member of the Trans/Gender Variant in Prison Committee (TIP), a grassroots political group of transgender, gender variant and genderqueer people inside and outside of prison based in San Francisco.

A few of us in TIP have started work on creating a traveling art exhibit featuring the work of transgender, gender variant and genderqueer people in prisons and jails
from across the country. The purpose of this exhibit is to increase the visibility of transgender, gender variant and genderqueer people in prison, and to provide a forum where trans, gender variant and genderqueer people in prison can communicate directly with people in the "free world" about their experiences of discrimination and abuse, as well as their stories of survival and resistance as it means to them.

We need additional people to help with this project as it is becoming clear that the response to our initial call for entries from prisoners produced an overwhelming response.

If you're interested in helping out with this project and can come to planning meetings in San Francisco or Oakland (or know someone else who would be) please email me or contact me at the number below.

This is an exciting project and when completed, will be the first of its kind in the country! We hope you can join us!

Thanks,
Alex Lee
510-677-5500
alexanderlee77@yahoo.com

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10. Love is a DRAG…. (San Jose)

LGBTQ YOUTH DRAG DANCE
AGES 13-20
Friday, February 17
7pm to 12am
at the
DeFrank Center
$3 entry fee

This is a drug, smoking, and alcohol-free event
No in and out privileges
No bags, backpacks, or purses allowed
Must have a school or state issued ID to enter -
NO EXCEPTIONS
Creativity is welcome, lewdness and lack of attire is not.
Drag is NOT required.

The Billy DeFrank LGBT
Community Center
938 The Alameda
San Jose, CA 95126
For information contact
Julianne at
youthprog@defrank.org or
408.293.3040 x111

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11. The L Youth Forum (Volume 1: It's About Time!)" (Los Angeles)

This groundbreaking event will be taking place on Saturday, February 25th, 2006 at Plummer Park (7377 Santa Monica Blvd.) in West Hollywood. The forum will go from 6:00pm-8:00pm and a one-hour social will follow.

Both activities are FREE.

More often than not, we see several activities/programs focus on MSMs - what about the girls!? This two-hour forum will focus on the various issues facing lesbian youth today. The forum panel will be made up of 10 women (5 adults, 5 youth). Various issues will range from politics, services, entertainment, sex, and other thought-provoking topics.

Be sure to check out the event web site at: www.cityx1.com/lyouth

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12. Seeking LGBT Youth - Singers & Instrumentalists (Bay Area)

GLAM Rehearsals to Begin - 2/15 *

* What Is GLAM & Who Can Join?
A new music group for queer and allied youth is now forming. The first of its kind in California. GLAM, the Gay, Lesbian & Allied Musicians Youth Show Choir, is a safe haven for young singers and instrumentalists where gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning (GLBTQ) youth and their supportive peers unite in music and find their unique voices.

GLAM is open to all youth, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or housing status. The international Gay and Lesbian Association of Choruses includes several youth choirs already established in Seattle, Vancouver, New York City and Melbourne.

* When Do GLAM Members Rehearse?
GLAM's rehearsals will begin on Wednesday, February 15th, 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM at the San Francisco Girls' Chorus Building, 44 Page Street, San Francisco. No audition necessary. All youth welcome! Refreshments will be served.

The first performance is scheduled for Friday, June 23rd, 7:00 PM in the Annual Pride Concert at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts.

* Who Can Participate?
All youth aged 12 - 22 are welcome and no auditions or experience are necessary. Refreshments will be served. In addition to musicians, GLAM is also looking for volunteers of all ages and backgrounds to assist with production and administration.

* Who Are GLAM's Leaders?
The group will be led by Music Director Buddy Symes, whose background includes directing the Silicon Valley Gay Men's Chorus for ten years and playing saxophone in the San Francisco Lesbian/Gay Freedom Band.

GLAM's Steering Committee includes Aidan Dunn (Exec. Dir., Youth Gender Project), Dr. Kathleen McGuire (Artistic Dir., SF Gay Men's Chorus, Community Women's Orchestra and high school music teacher), Stephanie Smith (Music Director, Metropolitan Community Church; Artistic Dir., Lesbian/Gay Chorus of SF and elementary school teacher), Corey Hubert (youth activist), Jim Freeman and Jim Haungs (community leaders).

GLAM's steering committee has secured funding and support from various organizations and individuals in the community, including: Horizons Foundation, Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, Metropolitan Community Foundation, Golden Gate Performing Arts Inc., San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus, San Francisco Girls Chorus, Lesbian/Gay Chorus of San Francisco, Lindsey Jones (Exec. Dir. SF Pride), Michael Levy (President, Golden Gate Performing Arts), Dr. Betty L. Sullivan (Founder, Betty's List), and others.

* More About GLAM -
For more information, contact: Aidan Dunn, General Manager /E-Mail: GLAMYouthChoir@yahoo.com / Phone: 415-865-2745

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13. Join LGBTQ contingent for "Chinese New Year Parade" (San Francisco)

Dear friends,
I invite you to join us this Saturday, February 11th from 4:30 pm until 8:30 pm to march with a broad coalition of LGBT community, family, and religious organizations at the Annual "Chinese New Year Parade" in San Francisco.

***PLEASE FEEL FREE TO FORWARD THIS E-MAIL TO YOUR CONTACTS***

To join us, please RSVP to Robert at:
mistergapa@yahoo.com or call at: 650-794-1810.

WHAT: SAN FRANCISCO'S ANNUAL CHINESE NEW YEAR "Year of the Dog" PARADE
WHEN: Saturday, February 11, 2006
WHAT TIME DO WE MEET: 4:30 pm
WHERE TO MEET: Instead of a specific location, our contingent is identified primarily by the following designation, "Section D, Unit 51A." Our float and marching
contingent is located in the middle of the parade (a great spot this year) between the Cal Aggie Marching Band and the Lion Dancers! The general location is on
Market Street (between 2nd to Beale Streets). Don't be surprised to find dozens of large floats.

HOW TO IDENTIFY OUR FLOAT: Our float is a large, 15-foot tree, covered with red hearts and encircled by a white-picket fence.

WHAT TO WEAR: Please wear a warm top (it can get quite chilly at night in downtown Chinatown), dark-colored slacks, and comfortable walking shoes. When you arrive, you will be given a FREE, COMMEMORATIVE RED 'NEW YEAR'S' RAIN PONCHO. Be prepared for rain, if necessary.

WHAT NOT TO BRING: Do not bring purses, wallets valuables, or flashy jewelry (parades tend to attract pick-pocketers). Be extra-careful of your cell phones and cameras as well.

KEY 'SOUND BITE' MESSAGES: Should a member of the local media/press approach you about this year's float, be sure to mention that "This markes the first time that children of gay and lesbian families and church groups have marched together...It's a historic moment for the Chinese New Year Parade." All interviews must be coordinated by either Robert Bernardo or Wilson Fang.

WHAT TO EXPECT: You will be walking about 15 city blocks, and the entire route will take about 2 hours. Thousands of people will be cheering you on, some wanting to take pictures with you (i.e. Last year, a tourist visiting from Montana wanted several photos of me because he had never seen a gay Asian before!).

JUDGING: For three years, we have been awarded "Best Community Float," and I'm certain that we will win again this year. Judges look for three things: Overal
audience appeal, Alignment of marchers (neatness counts, spacing & uniformity), and Flashiness.

RULES & REGULATIONS: No materials may be distributed or handed out during the parade, no alcoholic beverages allowed anywhere near the float, and absolutely no flags or political signs allowed.

However, you may bring a banner for your organization.

ADDITIONAL DETAILS:
Finally, I just want to say that if you have never marched in the Chinese New Year Parade, you are in for a real treat--and a very memorable night of fun, empowerment, and friendship. It's an evening that you will always remember fondly.

Also, a GREAT BIG thanks to my team that has worked tirelessly as well as the numerous donors who helped fund the float construction.

For questions, comments or concerns, please call Robert Bernardo at (650) 794-1810.

NOTE: PLEASE FORWARD THIS E-MAIL TO ANY LISTS OR GROUPS THAT YOU THINK MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN JOINING US.
In peace & pride through unity,
Robert Bernardo
GAY ASIAN PACIFIC ALLIANCE
www.gapa.org

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14. Queer Movie Night! (Los Angeles)

As part of the queer film series at Crossroads School, sponsored by FLAG (our gay/straight alliance), we will be having our next movie screening on Thursday, Feb. 16th, from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. We've been getting great audience response at our films this year and we invite you to join us!

We'll be screening the wonderful film My Own Private Idaho, starring River Phoenix and Keanu Reeves. In this cult-American classic, two young male hustlers meet and wander on the fringes of society as, together and apart, they try to get a handle on the past and on the rest of their lives.

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 event is FREE and free pizza and drinks will be provided (though donations always gladly accepted). But please e-mail us and let us know if you might come, so we have an idea of how much pizza to get. You can email us at flag2@xrds.org Directions are below. If you have any more questions, please feel free to e-mail and ask. Hope to see you there!

Directions:
Crossroads is at 1714 21st St. in Santa Monica, at the corner of 21st St. and Olympic Blvd.
The screening room we're meeting in is on the 2nd floor of the Arts Building.

Here's what you do--when you turn onto 21st from Olympic, take an immediate right onto
a driveway-looking street and find a place to park. You'll see our "quad" which looks like a parking lot
or an alley, and which we call (of course) the alley.

Walk to the end of the alley to the tall building on the left, enter and climb the stairs to the 2nd floor. You should see people.
Hope the directions aren't too confusing. It's not really that hard once you see it, and you can always ask people.

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15. Queer Fest 2006!!! (Hayward)

California State University, East Bay (formally CSU Hayward) proudly presents our first annual Out and Proud: Queer Fest 2006!!!

You can also view more information on our Student Life Page here: http://wwwsa.csuhayward.edu/~slife/lifeline/lifeline.shtml (please scroll down).

Events begin this Valentines Day and run through the 23rd on our Hayward campus. Our website: www.csueastbay.edu provides maps and info about parking and such.
We invite the whole community to come up the hill and experience our campus and all it has to offer! We especially encourage GLBTIQQ youth and Gay/Straight Alliances to come and check out our festival.

Please spread the word!!!!

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16. Coro Exploring Leadership Program - Recruiting 10th Graders! (Bay Area)

Application deadline is Wednesday, March 1, 2006.The Coro Exploring Leadership Program offers Bay Area young people internships, leadership training, and real-world exposure to the workplace, contemporary issues, and the inner mechanisms and leaders shaping our democracy. In this summer/fall program (late-June to mid-November), participants engage in five-week internships; build new and stronger skills; interview public leaders; complete group and individual community service projects; and connect with other youth across differences in school, neighborhood, background, and belief. Youth Fellows receive $1,000 for successfully completing the program.

Do you know current high school sophomores who want the opportunity to change their lives and communities and who live or attend school in San Francisco and the East Bay? No minimum GPA is required. We are interested in students who demonstrate leadership potential, perseverance, commitment, and desire.

To get an application or more information, please visit <http://www.coro.org/>www.coro.org or contact Amy Chan at (415) 986-0521 x 105 or achan@coro.org.

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17. SCHOLARSHIP: San Jose-Peninsula PFLAG will be awarding five $2,000 scholarships

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18. SCHOLARSHIP: Models of Excellence scholarship competition

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20. NEWS: Student, principal spar over gay prom promotion

February 6, 2006
by Brenda Huang
Tracy Press

More than two months before the date of a gay prom spearheaded by high school activist Justin Daley, the event is already shrouded in controversy.
Daley, president of West High School's Gay-Straight Alliance, complained that West High principal Herman Calad refused to allow him to use West High's official news bulletin to publicize the gay prom. The Alliance is one of many students clubs at West High.
But saying the gay prom is not sponsored by the high school, Calad accused Daley of using the school's name to create confusion about an event associated with an outside group that advocates gay rights - Equality California.
Daley is the San Joaquin County director of Equality California.
"Some members of the West High Gay-Straight Alliance are helping and promoting a fundraiser for Equality California," Calad said. "That would just clarify everything."
At the gay prom - to be held at Anthony's Steakhouse on April 13 - a king and a queen will be selected for both sexes. Daley expects 400 gay students from Tracy, Modesto, Manteca and Stockton to attend.
To read the full article, visit:
www.tracypress.com/local/2006-02-04-student.php

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21. NEWS: County official offers support to Gay-Straight Alliance

February 3, 2006
By Helen Sims
The Paly Voice

Palo Alto's District Attorney office is offering its support for the Paly community in response to reports of vandalism and other hate incidents directed at members of the Gay-Straight Alliance.
Supervising deputy district attorney for North Santa Clara County Jay Boyarsky came to Thursday's faculty meeting at Paly to make an official statement against "intolerance and discrimination."
Boyarsky spoke briefly at the meeting, mainly offering his support for the gay students against hate crimes.
"I wanted to let the Paly community know that law enforcement stands with them against hate incidents," Boyarsky said. "We are willing to offer assistance against hate crimes, to the extent that there is a hate crime."

To read the full article, visit:
http://voice.paly.net/view_story.php?id=3779

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22. NEWS: A matter of respect -- and safety

Students of differing sexual orientations face discrimination, harassment, but are trying to raise awareness

February 1, 2006
By Alexandria Rocha
Palo Alto Weekly Online (Cover Story)

Jackie Chesson's heart sank last month after discovering her school notebook had been defaced with the words "gay," "faggot" and "queer." She felt even worse after realizing the vandalism was linked to her participation in a student panel of Gay-Straight Alliance members two days before.

"Logically, it makes sense that someone was listening to what I was saying, and didn't like it. They know I'm in GSA. They know I'm a supporter," said Chesson, a sophomore at Palo Alto High School.

"When I realized my stuff had been rummaged through, defaced and stolen, my knees felt weak, my heart was heavy, I had a lump in my throat. I was in shock," she added. "I guess I was a little na?ve. ... I did not think that would happen to me."

On Jan. 6, a person, or persons, went into Chesson's gym locker during fifth period, defaced one of her notebooks and stole two other notebooks, as well as an iPod Mini and a Casio digital camera - a Christmas present that held photos from her family's recent trip to London.

A few days before, Chesson had participated on a panel of Gay-Straight Alliance students in Paly teacher Letitia Burton's living-skills classes. Chesson spoke to three classes of students. The panels are held once a semester as a way for Gay-Straight Alliance members to share their experiences, provide information, and maybe open a few minds.

To read the full article, visit:
http://www.paloaltoonline.com/weekly/story.php?story_id=125

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February 1, 2006

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

GSA Network Highlight
As We Say Goodbye to Coretta Scott King, We Ask "What Can GSAs Do For Black History Month?

GSA Network Announcements
1. Apply to be a Queer Youth Advocacy Day Leader! - Deadline Feb 3rd (Statewide)
2. Queer Youth Advocacy Day: Registration and Transportation Info (Statewide)
3. GSA Network and Wilson High School's GSA Host the San Gabriel Valley GSA Mini-Conference (San Gabriel Valley)
4. GSA Leadership Training (Contra Costa County)
5. Re-Register your GSA today - get new resources & keep informed!! (Statewide)
6. Sylvia Guerrero is Back!- Apply for Winter/Spring Speaking Engagement (Bay Area)
7. Liberation Ink Posters - Free For GSAs (Statewide)
8. Sign-up for the High Contrast Photo Exhibit at your school (Bay Area)

Other Announcements
9. Queer Youth Group (Berkeley)
10. Movie Night - "But I'm a Cheerleader" (South Pasadena)
11. Instinct Magazine's IDance Marathon presented by Scion (Los Angeles)
12. Recruiting Current 10th graders for Exploring Leadership Program! (San Francisco)
13. Wanted: Three Brave Youth! - Reward: Ten Thousand Dollars Each!
14. JOB: California Youth Connection - Youth Led Evaluation Project (San Leandro)
15. JOB: GLSEN San Francisco-East Bay Program Director (Concord)
16. NEWS: A matter of respect -- and safety
17. NEWS: Tensions ease over gay posters - Conflict resolved by faculty meetings, principal says
18. NEWS: Three sentenced to prison in Araujo slaying

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

As We Say Goodbye to Coretta Scott King, We Ask "What Can GSAs Do For Black History Month?

Americans have recognized black history annually since 1926. First it was called "Negro History Week" and later became "Black History Month."
The celebration of Black History Month is credited to Dr. Carter G. Woodson, the son of former slaves. He spent his childhood working in the Kentucky coal mines and didn't enroll in high school until he was twenty years old. But he graduated within two years and later went on
to earn a Ph.D. from Harvard.

Dr. Woodson was disturbed to find in his studies that history books largely ignored the contributions of black Americans, and when blacks
were mentioned it was generally in a negative or inferior light. So Dr. Woodson took on the challenge of writing Black Americans into the
nation's history. First, in 1915, he established the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (now called the Association for the
Study of Afro-American Life and History), and a year later he founded the Journal of Negro History. In 1926, he launched Negro History Week
as an initiative to bring national attention to the contributions of Black people throughout American history. He chose the second week of
February because it marks the birthdays of two men who he felt greatly influenced the lives of Black people, Frederick Douglass and Abraham
Lincoln. Ultimately the week evolved into Black History Month, which we celebrate today.

However, just as the contributions of Black Americans have been largely ignored in the retelling of this country's history, the contributions
of Black LGTBQ individuals have also been largely ignored during the celebrations of Black History Month. That is until 1994, when a man
named Chuck Tarver decided to create what has come to be known as THE BLACK LIST, which is an extensive listing of well known and not so well
known LGTBQ people of African decent. Also in 2000, the New York's Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture began housing the Black
Gay and Lesbian Archive (BGLA), which is the largest collection of cultural information about Black gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender,
same-gender loving, queer, questioning and "in the life" people that exists.

So during this year's Black History Month GSAs could take on the task of educating themselves and their school campuses about individuals
like Bayard Rustin, Barbara Jordan, Langston Hughes, Angela Davis, Marlon Riggs, Zora Neale Hurston, Lorraine Hansberry, and Johnny
Mathis, amongst many, many others. And GSAs can educate themselves about MOJA, considered to be the first Black Gay & Lesbian oriented newspaper, or "Smoke, Lilies and Jade" a short story by Richard Bruce Nugent that may be the first short story published about same-sex desire between two black men. There is poetry and art and photography. There are books and films and interviews and lectures. A quick internet search will produce a wealth of material and information that can be easily accessed and used.

A GSA campaign can take place in the form of informational posters, guest speakers, film screenings, poetry readings, or even a student
discussion. A Black History Month campaign designed to focus on the diversity within the LGTBQ community can be a valuable first step
towards building bridges with other groups on campus and recognizing the value of the contributions that individuals from all walks of life
have made to the richness of our history.

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

1. Apply to be a Queer Youth Advocacy Day Leader! - Deadline Feb 3rd (Statewide)

Deadline extended to February 3rd!

GSA Network is looking for 80 Advocacy Day Leaders to step up and lead the way on Queer Youth Advocacy Day on March 6th.
Are you a youth activist who has a strong interest in advocacy, public policy, community organizing, and/or group facilitation? Then apply to become an Advocacy Day Leader today!

As a Leader, you will receive a full-day intensive training on how to advocate for safe schools and lobby lawmakers on Sunday, March 5th in Sacramento. On Queer Youth Advocacy Day, you will facilitate the conversations between legislators and youth participants. You will make sure young people’s voices get heard!

The application deadline has been extended to February 3rd. Everyone will be notified of the final selection by February 8th.

All Advocacy Day Leaders must attend the day-long training on March 5th.
Arrangements will be made for Leaders who need assistance with travel and housing in Sacramento.

To apply to become an Advocacy Day Leader: http://www.gsanetwork.org/qyad
Or for more information please contact Lai-San @ 415-552-4229 or email advocacy@gsanetwork.org.

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2. Queer Youth Advocacy Day: Registration and Transportation Info

Register! EVERYONE MUST REGISTER online in order to participate in Queer Youth Advocacy Day. Signing up ensures that we know you're coming and a space is held for you. This includes all youth and adult advisors/chaperones.

The deadline for registration is February 13.

To sign up: http://www.eqca.org/advocacyday

You can download the required permission slip at: http://www.gsanetwork.org/qyad

TRANSPORTATION INFO:

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3. GSA Network and Wilson High School's GSA Host the San Gabriel Valley GSA Mini-Conference

GSA Network is working with Wilson High School's GSA Club to host the San Gabriel Valley's first Mini-Conference for GSA Members and allies.

The conference will feature workshops on a variety of topics including How to Run a GSA: What works, what doesn't; Using My Space and Chat Rooms; Words as Weapons; Being Gay and Religious; Living with HIV; Life After High School, a panel discussion with teachers, and lots more.

Organizations participating in the conference include GSA Network, City XI, GLIDE, and Lifeworks Mentoring.
Anthony Portantino, Mayor of La Canada-Flintridge, will be on hand to welcome participants.

Admission is free and lunch will be provided. Registration is needed.
Saturday, February 18
10am - 4pm
Wilson High School
16455 Wedgeworth Drive
Hacienda Heights, CA 91745

For more information or to register contact Sandy at 213-534-7162 or e-mail sandy@gsanetwork.org

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4. GSA Leadership Training (Contra Costa County)

So what is a GSA Leadership training?
Where youth from various GSA's come together for a FUN, interactive peer to peer training that provides students with the skills to fight homophobia and transphobia in the schools. Lead by other GSA leaders from around Northern California, the training will show students how to start and run a Kick-Ass GSA

Topics include:
*understanding laws to protect LGBTQ youth in schools
*how to take action against slurs, harassment and discrimination in your school
*concepts of gender and understanding sexual orientation
*how to run a meeting
*outreach, building membership, and diversity

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5. Re-Register your GSA today - get new resources & keep informed!!

If you have any questions or concerns contact:
Tanya Mayo, Program Director
tanya@gsanetwork.org
415-552-4229

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6. Sylvia Guerrero is Back!- Apply for Winter/Spring Speaking Engagement (Bay Area)

If you would like to bring Ms. Guerrero to your school, please contact Marco marco@gsanetwork.org.
Book NOW! Slots are limited.

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7. Liberation Ink Posters - Free For GSAs (Statewide)

LIBERATION INK POSTERS AVAILABLE
FREE FOR GSAs IN CALIFORNIA!!

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8. Sign-up for the High Contrast Photo Exhibit at your school (Bay Area)

GSA Network's High Contrast photo exhibit is on the move again!
A photo-narrative exhibit by youth and for youth.

For more information on, and pictures of, High Contrast go to: www.gsanetwork.org/highcontrast/index.html

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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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9. Queer Youth Group (Berkeley)

FRIDAYS @ 5:30PM
This is a new Group at the LOUD program that youth wanted for just hangin' out in a drama-free zone. Come to eat, talk, chill and make friends.

LGBTQIQ YOUTH DROP-IN HOURS: MONDAY-FRIDAY 4-6PM

We're open 5 days a week for drop-in on the computers, to watch TV or movies, get some homework help or to use PlayStation. Check it out & bring a friend.

We're Located at: 2712 TELEGRAPH AVENUE (@ DERBY) IN BERKELEY, THE PACIFIC CENTER
Take the 40L bus from Oakland or Downtown Berkeley.
Check the website for more info: www.PacificCenter.org/QueerYouth.html

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10. Movie Night - "But I'm a Cheerleader" (South Pasadena)

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3

South Pasadena High School's GSA is now hosting monthly movie nights. All High School and Middle School GSAs are welcome to come.

There is no fee but donations are appreciated.

There will be Pizza, Popcorn and Coke.

The next SPHS GSA Movie night will be on Friday Febuary 3, 2006 at 6 PM in room 122, there will be signs leading you from the parking lot to the room. Just follow the signs! We will be watching "But I'm a Cheerleader". Afterwards there will be a dicussion of the film.

The movie nights are planed with YOU in mind so come and meet new and cool people, and make friendships that will last a life time.

South Pasadena High School
1400 Fremont Avenue
South Pasadena, CA
Any questions or sugestions contact
Alex: alex@studentorganizing.org or Mrs. Luce: rluce@fc.spusd.net

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11. Instinct Magazine's IDance Marathon presented by Scion (Los Angeles)

665 ROBERTSON, WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA

FEBRUARY 4th - 11AM - 11PM

iDance, a 12- hour dance marathon featuring DJs, major entertainment and celebrities along with free HIV/AIDS testing and counseling. This unprecedented community event features both public and private spaces, all day entertainment and attractions, local merchants, auctions and raffle prizes at 665 N. Robertson in West Hollywood. Proceeds will benefit the Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Center.

Instinct's iDance, which is presented with the generous assistance of Scion, will take a favorite gay celebratory pastime- dancing- and merge it with top DJs, community events, HIV counseling and testing, free snacks and drinks to keep people energized, as well as celebrities and support from 2,000 revelers.

The L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center is one of the nation's leading providers of life-sustaining services and transitional housing for homeless gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender or questioning (GLBTQ) youth who arrive here from all over the world.

Visit www.LAGayCenter.org for more information.

FOR INCLUSION IN THE FEB 4TH, 2006 iDance PLEASE CONTACT JAY MAROSE AT 213.841.7813 OR JAY@THEGROUP1.COM

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12. Recruiting Current 10th graders for the Exploring Leadership Program! (San Francisco)

The application deadline is Wednesday, March 1st.

We want as many 10th grade students you know who demonstrate leadership potential to apply for the Exploring Leadership Program. Exploring Leadership, an experiential leadership development program, is one of the programs run by Coro, a 64 year old national nonprofit that trains both adults and youth to be effective and ethical leaders in their communities. Exploring Leadership has been operating since 1998 and we have graduated over 250 high school students who represent 25 different high schools from the program. Each year, we select 36 students- 18 from SF, 18 from the East Bay. Students learn the skills of public speaking, inquiry, feedback, organization, critical thinking, project management, and more…

Exploring Leadership is a five-month program (late-June to mid-November) with a full-time 8 week summer component where students are placed at different internships in the public affairs sector (i.e. Citibank, Kaiser Permanente, Office of Oakland Mayor Jerry Brown) and a part-time fall component where they design and implement projects that add value to their school communities. Some of the projects include facilitating a communications workshop to the student government and starting a Latin dance team to increase the student body's awareness and appreciation of Latino heritage and culture. Youth Fellows earn a $1000 stipend for their program participation.

Please let me know what you think the best strategy is for connecting with your 10th graders:
1. I present to students in an information session.
2. You disseminate the information to the students and announce this opportunity in your bulletins & postings.
3. You complete the nomination form so I may contact the students to establish a point of connection.

Amy Chan, Youth Programs Manager - Coro Center for Civic Leadership
Ph. 415-986-0521 ext. 105 http://www.coro.org/

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13. Wanted: Three Brave Youth! - Reward: Ten Thousand Dollars Each!

The Colin Higgins Foundation is requesting nominations for its annual Youth Courage Awards. Each year the Colin Higgins Foundation salutes individuals who demonstrate courage in the face of adversity and discrimination based on sexual orientation.

Many LGBTQ Youth grow up in family, school and community environments that threaten their well being. They may find themselves ostracized, marginalized, in psychological or even physical danger. Colin Higgins Foundation Courage Award winners rise above such circumstances to inspire others by taking action, rallying support, or openly facing the systems and individuals that have taken a stand against them.

This year the Foundation will be awarding $10,000 grants to three individuals who are either:
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Questioning youth (through age 24) who have bravely stood up to hostility and intolerance based on their sexual orientation and triumphed over bigotry or; Allies (through age 24) or under who are working to end homophobia and discrimination against LGBTQ communities.

Please see the attached announcement for more information. The Foundation encourages all nominations to be made via the online submission tool http://www.colinhiggins.org/courageawards/

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14. JOB: California Youth Connection - Youth Led Evaluation Project (San Leandro)

YOUTH LED EVALUATION PROJECT
PROJECT ASSISTANT

Title: Project Assistant
Location: San Leandro, CA
Salary: $13.00/hour, 20 hrs./week, Temporary/Part-Time Position Ending Sept., 2006
Supervisor: California Youth Connection Project Coordinator

Application Deadline: Tuesday, February 7, 2006

Project Description:
California Youth Connection, in collaboration with Alameda County Court Appointed Special Advocates (ACCASA), the Casey Family Program and others have developed a Youth Led Evaluation Project (YLEP) in which current and former foster youth in Alameda County are employed as Youth Evaluators to develop a research instrument to survey selected youth placed in group homes about the services they are receiving. The project has been running for nearly two years and is about to begin the final year three phase. Data from 32 group homes has been collected, both Alameda County and Statewide issues have been chosen by the Youth Evaluators, and a strategy is currently being developed to improve outcomes for youth and strengthen relationships with group home providers. We are seeking a Project Assistant to provide support to the Project Coordinator to successfully complete this project.

Go to http://www.calyouthconn.org/site/cyc/ for more details

Application Deadline: Tuesday, February 7, 2006

How to apply:
Please send your resume, cover letter, and three references to:
Mail:
California Youth Connection
Attn: Jude Koski, Outreach Coordinator
604 Mission Street, 9th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94105
Email: jude@calyouthconn.org
Fax: 415-442-0720

For questions contact Jude Koski at: 415-618-1956

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15. JOB: GLSEN San Francisco-East Bay Program Director (Concord)

Salary: 40 hours FT/$42,000-$45,000
Start Date: 2/27/06
Application deadline: Until filled

About the Position
GLSEN SF-EB is seeking a person who is passionate about creating safer school communities for all and is eager to come play on GLSEN SF-EB’s team of staff and volunteers. This full-time Program Director will play a key role in the management and implementation of all GLSEN SF-EB programming and share, with the Executive Director, primary responsibilities for the services and operations of GLSEN SF-EB. These responsibilities include oversight of program development, training and technical assistance activities, growing and training a pool of skilled trainers/AB 537 implementation strategists, and assisting with the organization’s communications.
The Program Director must provide strong leadership and vision, help develop new partnerships and funding sources, and provide experienced program management. This position requires adept communication and time management skills, a demonstrated ability to work with partner organizations, and willingness to travel in our service region.

Go to http://www.glsen-sfeb.org/ for more details

How To Apply
Mail or fax your resume and cover letter to:
GLSEN San Francisco-East Bay
Attention: Julie Lienert, Executive Director
1924 Grant Street, Suite 4
Concord, CA 94520
Fax: (925) 685-5413
E-mail: respect@glsen-sfeb.org
No phone calls please
Deadline for resume submission: 2/10/06 or until filled
Successful candidates will be called to schedule an interview between February 13-17.
GLSEN SF-EB is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to staff diversity.

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16. NEWS: A matter of respect -- and safety
Students of differing sexual orientations face discrimination, harassment, but are trying to raise awareness

by Alexandria Rocha
Palo Alto Weekly
February 1, 2006

Jackie Chesson's heart sank last month after discovering her school notebook had been defaced with the words "gay," "faggot" and "queer." She felt even worse after realizing the vandalism was linked to her participation in a student panel of Gay-Straight Alliance members two days before.
"Logically, it makes sense that someone was listening to what I was saying, and didn't like it. They know I'm in GSA. They know I'm a supporter," said Chesson, a sophomore at Palo Alto High School.

"When I realized my stuff had been rummaged through, defaced and stolen, my knees felt weak, my heart was heavy, I had a lump in my throat. I was in shock," she added. "I guess I was a little nave. ... I did not think that would happen to me."

To read the full story, visit:
http://www.paloaltoonline.com/weekly/story.php?story_id=125

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17. NEWS: Tensions ease over gay posters - Conflict resolved by faculty meetings, principal says

by Carolyn Jones
San Francisco Chronicle
January 26, 2006

Two days after San Leandro High School teachers were ordered to hang posters in their rooms promoting tolerance toward gay students, many faculty and students said the move was long overdue.

"It shouldn't even be a debate. Kids need to feel comfortable in class, and the adults need to make sure that happens," said senior Je'Nea Woods. "The school environment's supposed to be about students. Everyone should feel safe whether they're homosexual or not."

The school board-mandated posters sparked a controversy Monday when a handful of the school's 120 teachers said the posters -- which feature pink triangles, a rainbow banner and the words "safe space" -- contradicted their religious beliefs.

TV news crews swarmed the 2,500-student campus Tuesday, and Principal Amy Furtado spent much of the day, the second day of the spring semester, fielding calls from the media, parents and the community.

But so far, the conflicts appear to have been resolved through faculty discussions about the underlying message of the posters, which is to promote tolerance, said Furtado.

To read the full article, visit:
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/01/26/BAGHRGT0GD1.DTL&hw=san+leandro+gay&sn=005&sc=356

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18. NEWS: Three sentenced to prison in Araujo slaying

by Henry K. Lee
San Francisco Chronicle
Friday, January 27, 2006

(01-27) 15:45 PST HAYWARD -- An Alameda County judge sentenced three men to prison today for their roles in the 2002 slaying of a Newark teenager who was biologically a boy but lived as a girl, ending a nationally watched case that focused attention on violence against transgender individuals.

At a packed hearing at the Hayward Hall of Justice, Superior Court Judge Harry Sheppard sentenced Michael Magidson, 25, and Jose Merel, 26, to 15 years to life in prison for second-degree murder in the killing of Gwen Araujo. Jason Cazares, 26, who struck a deal with prosecutors last month by pleading no contest to a lesser charge, received a six-year sentence.

To read the full story, visit:
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/01/27/MNGT3GTKOG36.DTL

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