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GSA Network News Email Archive - January 2008

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January 30, 2008

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

GSA Network Highlight
Get Active and Get Engaged for Freedom to Marry Week!
Go directly to GSA Network highlight

GSA Network Announcements
1. Workshop: How to Organize for the Day of Silence (Bay Area)
2. Don’t Miss Expression NOT Suppression! (Central Valley)
3. eQuality Scholarships - Apply Today!
4. Get GSA Network T-shirts, Buttons & More!
Go directly to GSA Network announcements

Other Announcements
Southern California
5. Free & Cheap Theater Tickets for LGBTQ Youth This Weekend (Hollywood)
6. Pre-St. Valentine's Event (West Hollywood)
7. Project TransVoices (West Hollywood)
8. Four Paid Internships Available (Los Angeles)
9. LGBT Pride Youth Internship (San Diego)
Go directly to Southern California listings

Central Valley
10. San Joaquin Family Cookbook Project (Stockton)
Go directly to Central Valley listings

Northern California
11. GSA Summit (San Jose)
12. Youth Leadership Retreat (San Jose)
13. Join the CUAV LGBTQ Speakers Bureau (San Francisco)
Go directly to Northern California listings

Statewide
14. Free Workshop on Building Resiliency
15. Project L.Y.F.E. is Seeking Queer Asian American Voices
Go directly to Statewide listings

National
16. Join COLAGE's National Board of Directors
17. National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
Go directly to National listings

Scholarships
18. PFLAG Scholarships Available
19. Samuel Huntington Public Service Award Program
20. Gay & Lesbian Armenian Society Scholarship
Go directly to Scholarships listings

Jobs
21. Join COLAGE's Staff Team
Go directly to Jobs listings

News
22. NEWS: Discrimination Suit Against Christian School Dismissed
Go directly to News listings

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

Get Active and Get Engaged for Freedom to Marry Week!

On February 10-16 join students from across the country to celebrate the 11th Annual Freedom to Marry Week! People are speaking out because a fundamental human right--the right to marry those whom we love--is denied to LGBT people. Aside for wanting the same dignity for our relationships, same sex couples have many of the same needs as straight people that legal marriage can address:

• The right to medical coverage on each other’s medical plans without having to depend on the good will of insurance companies or employers
• The right to visit our spouse in hospitals and if necessary, make medical decisions on their behalf
• The right to provide two legally recognized parents for our children
• The right to have our spouse naturalized as a U.S. citizen if he or she is from other country
• The right to make sure our spouse inherits our belongings when we die
• The right to access our spouse’s Social Security and pension survivors benefits
• More then 1000 rights and benefits come with legal marriage, but are currently denied to LGBT people.

Freedom to Marry Week is a time for GSAs to celebrate and share stories, reflect on the values of equality and love, while also engaging our peers in the movement for equality and fairness. It's also an excellent opportunity to add your perspective and voices as youth to the dialogues happening both within and around the marriage equality movement.

Here are some other ideas for GSAs activities:

* Mock Weddings: Get everyone's attention by having a marriage ceremony! Go all out and decorate your school hallway, courtyard or even the cafeteria with posters giving information about marriage rights and have the characters use their vows to speak out about marriage equality. You could also have a "wedding reception" afterwards with cake, and get your guests to share their thoughts about the issue of marriage equality for all by making a toast.

* Guest speakers: Invite youth who are children of LGBTQ parents to speak out about their families to classes or during lunchtime talk session. COLAGE (Children of Lesbians and Gays Everywhere) has a great resource page! Go to: http://www.colage.org/resources/organizations.htm

* Teach-ins: Your GSA can hold an open meeting to teach other students about the issue of marriage equality, the history of marriage, and how they can take action in the movement. Use resources like http://www.aclu.org/getequal/ffm/index.html

* Contact the Media: Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper, or any other publication, TV/radio station in support of ending the denial of marriage. Urge them to cover marriage equality, and offer to serve as a resource.

* Write Letters: Contact your national and local elected representatives, urging them to support marriage equality and asking them to defend against any attempts to amend your state constitution or the U.S. Constitution.

* Movie night: Order One Wedding and a Revolution and have a movie night with your GSA. Go to http://www.womedia.org/onewedding.htm
The official site for National Freedom to Marry Week is here: http://www.freedomtomarry.org. You can sign your GSA up to receive a kit to help you plan events for the week!

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

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1. Workshop: How to Organize for the Day of Silence (Bay Area)

GSA Network welcomes GLSEN National for an evening of organizing!!

Have you ever felt uncomfortable speaking about your life, or your significant other? Have you ever been bullied, harassed, or called names because of your real or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity/expression? Then you should organize a Day of Silence event!!

Come learn how to organize a powerful Day of Silence and Breaking the Silence event in your school and community. If you have already done one, come share your experiences and gain new tips. All are welcome and dinner will be served!

What: A workshop on Organizing a Day of Silence
Presented By: GLSEN National
When: Friday, February 8, 2008 6:00 - 8:00 pm
Where: GSA Network, SF Office
1550 Bryant Street, Room 200
San Francisco, CA 94103

Please RSVP with Marco: mailto:marco@gsanetwork.org or 415-552-4229

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3. eQuality Scholarships - Apply Today!

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4. Get GSA Network T-shirts, Buttons & More!

Another GSA Network T-shirt hot off the press - Cafepress that is. Do you just love our GSA Power postcard? Well, now it's a shirt. Buy it today and help support GSA Network!

Order one of our three New T-shirts and help support GSA Network:
* GSA Power
* A is for Ally
* Activist
* Male, Female, Other / Neither / All of the above

Also in stock:
* I heart GSA
* I HELLA Heart GSA
* and our classic GSA Organizing Shirt

These new designs can ONLY be purchased at our online store. For every item you buy GSA Network gets a small donation ($3-5) to keep doing all the good work we do!!!

So, help support GSAs and look cool doing it.

To Buy Today: http://www.cafepress.com/gsanetwork

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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.

Southern California
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5. Free & Cheap Theater Tickets for LGBTQ Youth This Weekend (Hollywood)

Looking for something to do this weekend? We've got two options for you to go see a great live theater production with LGBT themes! If you want to go to either of these plays please RSVP to us BY FRIDAY at 3pm with your name and how many tickets you need so we can add you to the list at the door - mailto:rsvp@lifeworksmentoring.org or 310-724-6300

FREE TICKETS AVAILABLE
Saturday February 2nd 8pm
ANYTHING
By Tim McNeil Directed by David Fofi
The Lillian Theatre
1076 N. Lillian Way,
Hollywood CA 90038
(One block west of Vine off of Santa Monica Blvd)

"An offbeat love story with humor and heart" "The terrific cast is incapable of a false moment." "a mesmerizing, uproarious performance not to be missed." –Los Angeles Times

"Anything", is a wryly humorous, profoundly moving story of the remarkable love that blossoms between a grief-stricken near-recluse from small town Mississippi, and his tranny neighbor, the beautiful and exotic Freda von Rhensburg. More info at: http://www.plays411.com/anything

AND

$5 TICKETS AVAILABLE
Friday, Saturday, & Sunday 2/1 -2/3 8pm
GREATER TUNA
Featuring Doyle Hanks & Michael-Anthony Nozzi
MCC in the Valley
5730 Cahuenga Blvd
North Hollywood CA 91601
(One block north of Burbank Blvd)

Welcome to Tuna, the tall Texas tale of a hilarious day in the 3rd smallest town in the Lone Star State. A boisterous comedy starring two actors portraying 20 characters: Men, Women, Children, and Animals.

GREATER TUNA is a funny, loving portrait of rural America... big hearts, small minds and all! Flyer and photos available at - http://myspace.com/greater_tuna

If you want to go to either of these plays please RSVP to us BY FRIDAY at 3pm with your name and how many tickets you need so we can add you to the list at the door - mailto:rsvp@lifeworksmentoring.org or 310-724-6300

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6. Pre-St. Valentine's Event (West Hollywood)

You are invited to a pre-St. Valentine’s Event for Youth on Saturday nite, February 9th, 2008!

Join the C.I.T.Y. x1 Youth Group as they present the 2nd annual "Cupid's KickBack"
This free event will be held from 6:00pm-9:00pm @ Plummer Park in West Hollywood (7377 Santa Monica Blvd.).

We will have free food (BBQ), a dance, raffles, community resources, special surprises, and more! The social is for youth 14 & up and will be an alcohol-tobacco-free event.

To RSVP for the event, view photos from last year's event (which drew over 160 youth), and get more info, be sure to visit the event web site at http://www.cityx1.com/cupid

You may also call the event hotline at (310) 712-3918

See you there!!!

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7. Project TransVoices (West Hollywood)

Do you identify as trans or gender variant?
Do you feel strongly about equality for trans people?
Do you want to tell your story, or want to be involved with a project which tells the stories of gender variant people?
Are you between the ages of 14 and 24?

Project TransVoices will meet weekly on Monday evenings from 7pm to 9pm in West Hollywood. PTV will provide an environment for community building and support, culminating in a group-directed video project. The PTV video will be broadcast via diverse grassroots media and used for education to increase awareness of trans/gender issues.

For more information please call 626.202.4514 or email mailto:projecttransvoices@gmail.com.

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8. Four Paid Internships Available (Los Angeles)

These paid part time internships are a great way to get experience working in a GLBTQ non-profit environment. For more information contact GLAAD's Volunteer Manager Jennifer Jiries at mailto:jiries@glaad.org.

Special Events Intern
Job Summary:
GLAAD's Special Events Intern will support the work of the entire Special Events team by managing projects and providing logistical support to the team. The Special Events Intern will focus specifically on the Los Angeles and San Francisco GLAAD Media Awards and help oversee the various volunteer committees related to the Media Awards. The Special Events Intern reports to the Special Events Manager in GLAAD's Los Angeles office. The position can begin as early as February 15th and will end 12 weeks later.

GLAAD Media Awards Intern
Job Summary:
This Intern will work directly with GLAAD's Media Awards Communications Manager on the 19th Annual GLAAD Media Awards. A vital part of GLAAD's program work, the GLAAD Media Awards recognize and honor the media for their fair, accurate and inclusive representations of the LGBT community and the issues that affect their lives. The Intern will work on publicity and show production for the events: duties will include trafficking nominated materials, researching and writing nominee descriptions and Special Honoree bios, and proofreading press releases.

This internship is an excellent opportunity for a candidate looking to gain first-hand experience of a major PR and fundraising event.The GLAAD Media Awards Fellow reports to the Media Awards Communications Manager in GLAAD's Los Angeles office. The position can begin as early as January 3, 2008 and will end 12 weeks after the start date.

Volunteer Recruitment Intern
Job Summary:
Reporting to the Volunteer Manager, the Volunteer Management Intern will aid in developing specific volunteer outreach in markets across the US, increasing our contacts in cities that we work in regularly, and identifying and developing relationships with relevant organizations. The intern will also work on recruitment and creating relationships with volunteer groups for the Media Awards.

Membership Intern
Job Summary:
The Membership Intern will support the Membership program with direct mail, telemarketing, Internet and grassroots marketing efforts. Responsibilities include departmental administrative support, developing and managing projects, data analysis and report compilation, customer service, and other projects as needed.

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9. LGBT Pride Youth Internship (San Diego)

What is the San Diego LGBT Pride Youth Internship program?
San Diego Pride has an internship available for high school students in their senior year. The internship is located at the San Diego Pride office in Hillcrest. The intern will be the primary organizer of youth in San Diego Pride related activities.

Course credit for the internship will depend on the policies of the particular institution the student is attending. San Diego Pride will provide an evaluation of the intern's work in accord with the institution's standards and procedures.

What is expected of San Diego Pride Youth Interns?
Students are expected to commit 5 to 10 hours per week to their internship during the fall and up to 30 hours per week in the late spring and early summer.

The Intern will:
• Assist with organization, youth participation in and planning of the Youth Pride event.
• Collaborate with San Diego area queer youth agencies and encourage youth contingent participation in the San Diego Pride parade.
• Participate in the planning and organization of the Youth Xpress at the San Diego Pride Festival. This includes building a county wide network of collaborating agencies.
• Organize youth participation and planning of the Youth Zone at the San Diego Pride Festival.
• Reach out to youth oriented businesses and organizations to encourage their participation in San Diego Pride youth events and activities.
• Recruit, train, and motivate volunteers.
• Talk with potential sponsors about their involvement in Pride and issues of importance to the LGBT queer community.
• Collaborate with San Diego Pride staff on San Diego Pride priority projects.

What experience can a San Diego Pride intern receive?
Interns will gain experience working in a non profit organization dedicated to fostering pride in and respect for the LGBT communities of San Diego. A high degree of exposure to the San Diego LGBT community and events will be gained. Intern will participate in staff / production meetings where strategy is determined and plans are made. Interns are given a high amount of responsibility and work side-by-side with staff members working in key program areas in a fast paced setting.

Who can apply for San Diego Pride internships?
Internship opportunities are open to qualified High School students entering or in their senior year of high school. Students must be affiliated with a GSA (Gay Straight Alliance or comparable program) at an accredited academic institution or job training program. High School students are required to complete a Parental/Guardian Consent Form and sign a confidentiality agreement.

We offer interns the opportunity to demonstrate leadership and develop skills in the following areas:
• Organizing and Training
• Media and public relations
• Fundraising and development
• Internet
• Budgeting and Accounting
• Event logistics and management

Qualifications & Skills
Successful candidates must have the following:
• Openness and thirst for learning - strong desire to excel as an organizer of San Diego Pride youth activities.
• Computer proficiency for word processing, database work, e-mail, and WWW research.
• Enormous drive to achieve measurable progress towards meaningful outreach to youth to increase awareness and participation in San Diego Pride events.
• Enthusiastic desire to work as part of a team in a fast-paced environment.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented and responsible self-starter.
• Strong listening, speaking, and writing skills.
• Ability and desire to travel to high schools in San Diego County. This internship requires outreach to GSA and other youth organizations.
• Willingness to work evening and weekend hours when projects demand.
• Capacity and desire to work in a multi-cultural environment where commitment to diversity based on race, ethnic origin, gender, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, and physical ability is an important institutional value.

Anticipated Time Commitment
5-10 weekly hours. (January thru April and August thru December)
30 weekly hours (May, June, July)
2008 Intern position is from January – August with an opportunity to extend through December 2008.
This position requires evening and weekend availability.

Stipend
$325 per month (Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec)
$975 per month (May, June, July)

How can I apply for a San Diego Pride Internship?
Applications are being accepted now.

To apply, please submit a one-page cover letter stating:
• Why you would like to work as a San Diego Pride Youth Intern.
• What you think you can contribute to San Diego Pride through your work as an intern.

Also submit:
• Your resume.
• Letter of recommendation from GSA leader, coach, advisor or school principal.
• Two non-family/relative references (contact information only, not letters of recommendation).
• A writing sample.

Send application materials to:
San Diego Pride Internships
POB 34366
San Diego, CA 92163

DO NOT fax or email your application materials. We welcome your internship questions by telephone, e-mail or mail.
Thank you for your interest in joining San Diego Pride as an intern!

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Central Valley
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10. San Joaquin Family Cookbook Project (Stockton)

SAN JOAQUIN FAMILY COOKBOOK PROJECT - Have some fun with us!

NEXT POTLUCK:
Wednesday, February 13, 2008, 6pm-8pm
at Valley Ministries Church, 4118 Coronado, Stkn
Click here for directions: http://www.valleyministries.com/location.cfm

Marriage Equality USA is gathering 100 stories and recipe's that reflect the diversity of our local Gay and Lesbian community. If you have a great recipe to share, join us for the next Family Cookbook Potluck! Just bring a prepared dish to share AND a written recipe.

Recipe Submission by March 19, 2008
Submit Recipe online at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=17233607453 or email to mailto:ca-sanjoaquin@marriageequality.org

HOPE YOU CAN MAKE IT!

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Northern California
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11. GSA Summit (San Jose)

Unite the South Bay GSAs! GSA members and leaders are invited to an enlightening GSA Summit, where they will be encouraged to discuss issues, share ides, and meet new people.

Thursday January 31st
5-8pm

Join the DeFrank ShOut Group and other GSA activists at this Gay-Straight Alliance Summit!
- Eat free food
- Network with other GSA activists
- Develop strategies for your GSA!

This event is intended for GSA advisors, students, and allies.

Find out more at http://defrank.org/events/GSA_Summit.html

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12. Youth Leadership Retreat (San Jose)

February 16-17
Free to Attend

Yikes- If you applied before Jan 10th please email Cassie ASAP. Your application may be lost in server-land and we don't want to forget you!

Join the LGBT community's new generation of leaders for social justice on this two-day, two-night training retreat developed by the Billy DeFrank LGBT Center and the Pacific Center.

The retreat will be located at the picturesque Marin Headlands hostel and transportation is provided from San Jose and Berkeley.

The retreat will consist of several workshops to empower youth in areas of effective communication, community organizing and strategies to identify and overcome oppression.

This is a FREE event and youth need to apply ASAP for limited spaces on our website or by contacting:
Cassie Blume (mailto:cassieb@defrank.org or 408-293-3040 ext. 111) or
Erica Newport (mailto:Erica@PacificCenter.org or 510-548-8283 ext. 514).

Co-sponsored by the Metropolitan Community Church of San Jose.

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13. Join the CUAV LGBTQ Speakers Bureau (San Francisco)

Community United Against Violence (CUAV) speakers go into classrooms and community groups to speak out and educate about queer issues.

CUAV is currently accepting applications for our upcoming Speakers Bureau Training scheduled for
Sundays February 24th & March 2nd 10 AM - 6PM
Note: participation both days is required.

This will be a fun, free training-lunch provided!

If you are interested in being part of CUAV,
email mailto:connie@cuav.org
or call (415) 777-5500 ext. 303

Folks of color, gender queer & transgender folks, women, interns, and queer youth strongly encouraged to apply.

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Statewide
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14. Free Workshop on Building Resiliency

The Afterschool for All Technical Assistance Collaborative (AFA TAC) invites all site coordinators, program directors, or those in similar leadership positions in an afterschool program to participate in our upcoming Learning Cirlce on Building Resiliency on Thursday, February 7th from 9-1pm (with an optional networking lunch from 1-2pm). The location is TBA. A description of the Learning Circle is below and the RSVP deadline is January 31st.

Please RSVP to Annie Nogg at mailto:anogg@calsac.org or call 415-957-9775.

See our brochure at http://pofskil.com/fs/d:l/wrlol6e6abkieu/wtx3e1pn0pw0jz/1 for more information and a comprehensive list and descriptions of all seven AFA TAC Learning Circle dates and topics taking place this winter and spring. For more information about AFA TAC please go to http://www.calsac.org/projects/sfLeadership or call 415-957-9775.

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15. Project L.Y.F.E. is Seeking Queer Asian American Voices

Project L.Y.F.E. (Leadership and Youth Fighting for Education) is documenting the ways in which Queer Asian American college students navigate the socio-educational landscape of higher education.

Everyday, Queer Asian American college students come "out" in classrooms, writing about y(our) experiences, challenging
stereotypes and fighting for LGBTIQ rights all in support of a Queer Asian American movement. This process of "queering" often goes undocumented and Project L.Y.F.E. strives to secure space in history for a Queer Asian American movement.

Project L.Y.F.E. is an interview-based, qualitative, ethnographic project that is looking for student organizers, activists and
leaders to share their experiences of success, struggle and compromise. While previous literature has addressed the formation of
Queer communities and identities within Asian America, Project L.Y.F.E. will document the substantive individual and collective actions and advocacy efforts Queer Asian American college students fight for. Champion your student organizing efforts be RECOGNIZED.

If you are a self-identified Queer Asian American college student, Project L.Y.F.E. needs you!

L.Y.F.E. as an asian american
a queer L.Y.F.E.
living L.Y.F.E.
a L.Y.F.E. of struggle
How do you live your L.Y.F.E.?
Project L.Y.F.E. - y(our) L.Y.F.E. stories.

For more information on how you can let your VOICE be heard, email mailto:ProjectLYFE@gmail.com

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National
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16. Join COLAGE's National Board of Directors

The COLAGE Board of Directors is a group of dedicated volunteers that includes youth and adults with LGBT parents, as well as LGBT parents, and allies from around the United States. The Board convenes for in-person meetings twice annually in addition to participating in ongoing conference calls and committee meetings. The Board provides crucial guidance and oversight for COLAGE and its programs, performs important fundraising and governance duties, and supports the staff of COLAGE in their ongoing work. Each Board member is an ambassador for the organization as well. COLAGE will soon launch its new strategic plan. We are looking for dynamic, self-starters to join the Board of Directors.

Click here for COLAGE Board description and application: http://colage.org/about/board.htm

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17. National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

"Prevention is Power: Get educated, Get tested, Get involved, and Get treated" is the theme for the 9th annual observance of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NBHAAD) on February 7th.

In the United States, HIV/AIDS is a tremendous epidemic affecting more than 1 million people. However, HIV/AIDS has had a disproportionate impact on communities of color, particularly Black communities.

So what does HIV look like in the Black Community?

- Blacks account for 49 percent of the new HIV/AIDS diagnosis in the US (2005).
- Blacks account for 50 percent of the estimated AIDS cases in the US.
- Of 141 infants prenatally infected with HIV, 65 percent were Black
- The rate of AIDS diagnosis for Black adults and adolescents was 10 times the rate for whites and 3 times the rate for Hispanics.
- Black women are most likely to be infected with HIV through high risk heterosexual contact.
- Injection drug use is the second leading cause of HIV infection for both Black men and women.

Learn more about NBHAAD:

National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
http://www.blackaidsday.org

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services information on NBHAAD:
http://www.hhs.gov/aidsawarenessdays/factsheets/february7.html

From Research to Practice: Young African American Woman and HIV
http://www.advocatesforyouth.org/publications/frtp/youngaawomen.htm

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Scholarships
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18. PFLAG Scholarships Available

The San Jose Peninsula chapter of PFLAG would like to inform you of our scholarship program.

Each year our chapter offers scholarships to high school seniors from San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties whose educational history, personal plans and activities demonstrate support for justice and equality for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons. This year we will award four $2,000.00 scholarships. Any graduating seniors (LGBTQ and allies) may apply.

San Jose/Peninsula PFLAG scholarships provide financial support for high school seniors who will be attending an accredited two- or four-year college, university, or business/technical school in Fall 2008. The awards are provided with understanding that the funds will be used to offset the costs of tuition, books, or required fees.

Application Deadline: Postmarked by Saturday, March 29, 2008.

Mail application and related materials to:
PFLAG Scholarships
Attn: Maribeth Ament,
1795 Lexington St., Santa Clara, CA 95050.
(NOTE: If possible, e-mail your essay to mailto:pflag.scholarship@yahoo.com before March 29.)You may visit our web site at http://www.pflagsanjose.org to print applications and to read more about our organization.

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19. Samuel Huntington Public Service Award Program

The Samuel Huntington Public Service Award provides a $10,000 stipend for a graduating college senior to pursue one year of public service anywhere in the world. The award allows recipients to engage in a meaningful public service activity for a year before proceeding on to graduate school or a career.

Deadline: February 15, 2008

All graduating students from accredited colleges in the United States are invited to apply. Non-U.S. citizens are eligible to apply but must be graduating from a U.S. college or university. For further information and an application form, visit the National Grid Web site at http://fconline.foundationcenter.org/pnd/10010216/nationalgridus

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20. Gay & Lesbian Armenian Society Scholarship

GALAS, the Gay & Lesbian Armenian Society is accepting applications for $1000 renewable scholarships for undergraduate and graduate studies.

Applicants must be of Armenian descent (1st, 2nd or 3rd generation), supportive of the LGBTQ community, and attending a California school.

Applications are due by February 28th. To obtain an application visit http://www.galasla.org

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Jobs
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21. Join COLAGE's Staff Team

COLAGE's National Program Coordinator supports and oversees programs with and for diverse populations of children, youth, and adults who have one or more LGBTQ parents nationally. Primary responsibilities are planning and executing local and regional events often in partnership with other organizations; coordination of pen pal, scholarship and online community programs for constituents; and overall support of the Program Director and COLAGE national programs. The Coordinator is also responsible for targeted outreach, information gathering and organizing with and among youth of color in mixed race/ethnicity families and families of color, and related program development, volunteer recruitment and management, program evaluation, administration, reporting, media relations and fundraising support.

The range of tasks is varied and must be completed in a fast-paced, supportive and fun environment. This is a position for an energetic, motivated and highly organized candidate and is an outstanding opportunity to help grow a leading youth, LGBT, family organization working for social justice.

Click here for complete job announcement: http://www.colage.org/join/employment.htm

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News
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22. NEWS: Discrimination Suit Against Christian School Dismissed

Discrimination suit against Christian school dismissed

January 18, 2008
The Press-Enterprise
By Sarah Burge

A discrimination lawsuit over a Wildomar Christian school's expulsion of two students suspected of being lesbians has been thrown out by a Riverside Superior Court judge.

In a ruling Jan. 11, Judge Gloria Trask found there was no legal basis for the claim that the school falls under the California civil-rights law that prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation in business settings.

Legal experts have said the case might set a state precedent on whether religious schools can exclude gay students.

The teenagers and their parents sued California Lutheran High School after school officials expelled the girls, both 11th-graders, in 2005 on the suspicion they were involved a lesbian relationship.
Neither the girls nor their parents were identified in court documents.

The school's religious code of conduct states that students can be removed from school for immoral or scandalous behavior that contradicts Christian values.

John McKay, the attorney for the school, applauded the judge's decision.

The school is a private religious institution, McKay said, adding that it accepts no money from the state or federal government.

"You can't infringe upon the basic rights of a religious group and their right of association by forcing them to accept people who don't believe in their values," McKay said.

How could the school teach that homosexuality is a sin, McKay asked, and at the same time allow these two girls to be students there?

Still, McKay said, the case is likely to continue. The plaintiffs are expected to appeal.

Kirk D. Hanson, one of the former students' attorneys, could not be reached for comment Friday.

Steve Rosenbaum, who became principal of California Lutheran after the girls were expelled, said Friday that the school was pleased with the judgment.

"We are confident," Rosenbaum said, "that things will continue to proceed according to the Lord's plan."

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January 16, 2008

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

GSA Network Highlight
Upholding the Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Go directly to GSA Network highlight

GSA Network Announcements
1. Workshop: How to Organize for the Day of Silence (San Francisco)
2. Don’t Miss Expression NOT Suppression! (Central Valley)
3. GSA Network is Hiring: Advocacy Program Manager
4. Now Hiring: High School DVD Project Coordinator
5. eQuality Scholarships - Apply Today!
6. Get GSA Network T-shirts, Buttons & More!
Go directly to GSA Network announcements

Other Announcements
Southern California
7. Picnic and Kickball (Los Angeles)
8. LGBT Poetry Workshop (Los Angeles)
9. Free Movie Screening at Crossroads School! (Santa Monica)
10. Project TransVoices (West Hollywood)
11. Pacific Pride Foundation Youth Groups (Central Coast)
12. Trans Sister Tales (Los Angeles)
13. Four Paid Internships Available (Los Angeles)
14. San Diego LGBT Pride Youth Internship (San Diego)
Go directly to Southern California listings

Central Valley
15. New GLBTQ Teen Support Group (Modesto)
Go directly to Central Valley listings

Northern California
16. Pink Parenting: Providing a Facilitating Environment for Gay & Lesbian Kids (San Francisco)
17. GSA Summit (San Jose)
18. Youth Leadership Retreat (San Jose)
Go directly to Northern California listings

Statewide
19. Project L.Y.F.E. is Seeking Queer Asian American Voices
20. Free Workshop on Building Resiliency
21. California Lead Organizers Institute: Now Accepting Applications
Go directly to Statewide listings

National
22. Editor Seeks GLBT Youth Who Have Been Kicked Out
23. National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day - February 7th
24. National Youth At-Risk Conference
Go directly to National listings

Scholarships
25. Gay & Lesbian Armenian Society Scholarship
26. Next Level Scholarship
27. Samuel Huntington Public Service Award Program
Go directly to Scholarships listings

Jobs
28. Director of Communications and Marketing
29. Director of Educational Programs
30. National Program Coordinator
Go directly to Jobs listings

News
31. NEWS: Petition Against Students' Rights Falls Short
Go directly to News listings

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

Upholding the Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

The federal bill that officially recognized Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday was signed into law by President Reagan on November 2, 1983 after intense Congressional pressure. Initially opposed to the bill, Reagan finally relented after a veto-proof majority in Congress passed the King Day Bill. The bill’s signing into law was lauded as a great success for peace and social justice activists, who for years had lobbied Congress (and the public) to officially recognize one of the greatest forces of the Civil Rights Movement. Indeed, according to a 2006 article in The Nation, more than 6 million signatures were collected in favor of the national holiday, deemed to be "the largest petition in favor of an issue in US history.”

The movement to have Dr. King’s birthday, legacy, and collaborative achievements recognized is an example of the impact that passionate, organized activism can have. As young activists who are struggling on your respective campuses to achieve a safe environment for all students, what can you do to honor and uphold the legacy that Dr. King represents?

One possibility would be to work extra hard to understand the different intersections of oppressions and how they function both on and outside of your campuses. You can do this through inviting different student groups on your campus to hold anti-racism/anti-oppression workshops in your GSA. These workshops can be in the form of student panels where different experiences are discussed and then followed by dialogue, for example, and then talk about how racism plagues the LGBTQ community.

Another thing you can do to build an anti-oppression GSA is to build coalitions with other student groups. If your GSA builds coalitions with other student groups that are focused on building diversity on your campus, not only will your broaden your GSA’s understanding of oppression, but you may also pick up some very important straight people of color allies. If you encourage both queer and straight people of color to join your GSA and educate them (and yourselves) accordingly, your campus will definitely reap the benefits.

Finally, also think about holding events on your campus aimed at promoting awareness around issues of race, sexuality, gender, color, etc. (You might even want to do these as a coalition!) A poetry slam, for example, never fails to get a crowd’s attention; neither does a musical performance, a movie screening, or a volunteer drive. Your GSA could also honor the different LGBTQ people of color who had a seminal impact on the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s by posting up flyers with their achievements. (Start with Bayard Rustin, for example, the often-overlooked principal organizer of the 1963 March on Washington.) The possibilities for collaboration, education, and peace-building are endless.

Remember that your GSA’s opportunity to understand and take action against all forms of oppression should take place year-round. Don’t be afraid to stand up for what’s right!

Remember Dr. King’s immortal words in Letter from a Birmingham Jail: “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”

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

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1. Workshop: How to Organize for the Day of Silence (San Francisco)

GSA Network welcomes GLSEN National for an evening of organizing!!

Have you ever felt uncomfortable speaking about your life, or your significant other? Have you ever been bullied, harassed, or called names because of your real or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity/expression? Then you should organize a Day of Silence event!!

Come learn how to organize a powerful Day of Silence and Breaking the Silence event in your school and community. If you have already done one, come share your experiences and gain new tips. All are welcome and dinner will be served!

What: A workshop on Organizing a Day of Silence
Presented By: GLSEN National
When: Friday, February 8, 2008 6:00 - 8:00 pm
Where: GSA Network, SF Office
1550 Bryant Street, Room 200
San Francisco, CA 94103

Please RSVP with Marco: mailto:marco@gsanetwork.org or 415-552-4229

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2. Don’t Miss Expression NOT Suppression! (Central Valley)

GSA Network's ENS Conference is coming soon to Fresno. ENS is a FREE conference for LGBTQQI youth activists and their allies who are dedicated to defeating homophobia and transphobia and creating safe and supportive schools for everyone. The target audience is high school & middle school students. Teachers & GSA advisors are welcome.

Here are some of the workshops planed for that day:
• Jeff Robinson: Fresno’s Queer History -
• Queer Activism After High School
• Do you know that you are an Expert?: Your Role in Changing the Political Climate
• Where is the Love? Working with Healthy and Unhealthy Relationships
• How to Have a Kick-Ass GSA
• How to Do Drag
• Feel Yourself: Tips to creating a more Positive You
• Understanding Sex and Spirituality
• How to be an Ally to Queer People of Color
• Coming out: Tips and Strategies
• Safer Sex
• Gender, Gender Everywhere: An exploration of Gender Identities and Expressions
• Organizing a Powerful Day of Silence
• Resources, Tools and Networks for Safe Schools Advocates

WHO: LGBTQQI youth activists & their allies
WHERE: 2131 North Van Ness, Fresno, CA, 93704
WHEN: Saturday, February 9, 12:00pm-9:30pm
WHY: To meet other youth leaders, learn new skills, and share strength!
COST: Everything, including food, is FREE!
WHAT ELSE: Get down & dance with everyone you've just met at a special, youth-only Freedom to Marry Valentine’s Dance and Drag Show

The ENS Conference is a chance for LGBTQQI and straight ally youth to network and enjoy free workshops on activism and topics related to queer life.

Pre-register for the GSA Network's ENS Conference at http://www.gsanetwork.org/ens
For more info, email mailto:robin@gsanetwork.org or call 559-268-2780.

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3. GSA Network is Hiring: Advocacy Program Manager

Gay-Straight Alliance Network (GSA Network) is a statewide, youth-driven, social justice organization based in San Francisco that empowers youth activists fighting homophobia and transphobia in high schools and middle schools. GSA clubs provide support to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) youth who are facing pervasive discrimination and harassment at school. As a non-profit organization formed in 1998, GSA Network provides resources, training, and grassroots organizing support to clubs working to educate schools about LGBTQ issues and organize for social change. GSA Network currently runs a network of over 650 GSA clubs throughout California.

The Advocacy Program Manager is responsible for developing and managing GSA Network's policy advocacy campaigns, engaging LGBTQ and straight ally youth in policy advocacy work at the local and state level, training youth leaders in public policy and civic engagement, organizing a Queer Youth Advocacy Day in Sacramento, and organizing the GSA Advocacy & Youth Leadership Academy (GAYLA). In 2008, GSA Network's policy advocacy work at a state level will be focused on implementation state non-discrimination laws protecting transgender and gender non-conforming students. A demonstrated passion for LGBTQ youth leadership and empowerment, experience in policy advocacy, and a commitment to social justice are required for this position.

You can see the full job description at: http://www.idealist.org/if/i/en/av/Job/258240-72

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4. Now Hiring: High School DVD Project Coordinator

The Frameline/GSA Network High School Distribution Project is a collaborative undertaking between Frameline ( national distributor of educational LGBT films and producer of the San Francisco International LGBT Film Festival) and the Gay Straight Alliance Network (GSA Network). The project will provide high quality educational media focused on LGBT issues to high school students throughout the state of California. Frameline will work with the GSA Network of more than 650 high school clubs throughout the state to distribute DVDs selected in consultation with high-school members of the Gay Straight Alliances. Frameline will also develop and provide accompanying study guides and supplementary materials to help ensure usability and enhance educational impact. This project will provide powerful media directly to students that will educate and inform while helping to eliminate homophobia and discrimination in California's high schools. Ultimately, this project will provide opportunities for individuals to play a primary role in creating safer and more productive school environments in their own hometowns for LGBT teens and all students through their ability to purchase and donate DVDs directly to participating GSAs.

The Project Coordinator will play a primary role in the design, development and implementation of all aspects of the project. Under the supervision of Frameline's Distribution Director, the Coordinator will work closely with both Frameline and GSA Network staff to coordinate youth involvement at all stages and ensure deadlines are met and deliverables are fulfilled. This is a temporary, part-time position, 20-30 hours per week, lasting approximately eleven months (January 2008 through October 2008). Work schedules require expanded hours and flexibility during peak periods as well as some travel within California. Compensation will be commensurate with the candidate's abilities and experience (salary range is $2,000 to $2,800 per month)

For more information and to apply for the position, please visit - http://www.frameline.org/participate/employment.aspx

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5. eQuality Scholarships - Apply Today!

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6. Get GSA Network T-shirts, Buttons & More!

Another GSA Network T-shirt hot off the press - Cafepress that is. Do you just love our GSA Power postcard? Well, now it's a shirt. Buy it today and help support GSA Network!

Order one of our three New T-shirts and help support GSA Network:
* GSA Power
* A is for Ally
* Activist
* Male, Female, Other / Neither / All of the above

Also in stock:
* I heart GSA
* I HELLA Heart GSA
* and our classic GSA Organizing Shirt

These new designs can ONLY be purchased at our online store. For every item you buy GSA Network gets a small donation ($3-5) to keep doing all the good work we do!!!

So, help support GSAs and look cool doing it.

To Buy Today: http://www.cafepress.com/gsanetwork

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Sunday 1/27 12pm

Come hang out with LGBTQ youth, and LifeWorks staff & Mentors for a picnic lunch and a game of kickball! In case you don't remember from middle school kickball is like baseball but you kick a big ball instead of trying to hit a little one with a bat, so it's easier and way more fun!

A wholesome Sunday afternoon in the park with your big queer family.

Location & flyer TBA, it will be at a park in the LA area.

RSVP to mailto:rsvp@lifeworksmentoring.org to let us know you want to go =)

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8. LGBT Poetry Workshop (Los Angeles)

Whether you are new to writing or a published poet, this workshop is of good use to all who attend. Bring poems that you are shaping, create new ones in class, or simply sit back and take pleasure in a community of people who are inspired by the written word. This workshop is led by poet and educator, Imani Tolliver.

LGBT Poetry Workshop at the Village
Facilitated by: Imani Tolliver

January 28th [2nd and 4th Monday of Every Month]
8:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.

The Village at Ed Gould Plaza
1125 N. McCadden Place Los Angeles, CA 90038
323-860-7302

http://www.myspace.com/lgbtpoetryatthevillage
[Join the site, post a poem and give feedback!]

All are welcome!

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9. Free Movie Screening at Crossroads School! (Santa Monica)

As part of the queer film series at Crossroads, sponsored by FLAG (our gay/straight alliance), we will be having our next movie screening on Wednesday, Jan. 30th, from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. We invite you to join us for a great event!

We will be screening the wonderful and inspirational documentary, Call Me Troy, about one of the heroes of the modern gay rights movement, Rev. Troy Perry.

Special Bonus!: The filmmakers will be joining us for the event, as will Troy Perry! This is one movie night you don't want to miss-Troy is an incredible speaker, and you will be glad you had the chance to meet him in person and up close.

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. We expect students from many gsa's will be attending--come meet them!

The movie is FREE and free pizza and drinks will be provided! But please reply and let us know if you might come, so we have an idea of how much food to get.

**When you reply, make sure to include your name and the school (if any) you are from, as well as how many people you are bringing-this helps a great deal

Directions are below. Please email us at mailto:flag2@xrds.org
If you have any more questions, please feel free to e-mail and ask. Hope to see you there.
Many thanks to LifeWorks Mentoring for co-sponsoring this event.

Call Me Troy
DIR: Scott Bloom, 2007
Lots of people learn about history; some people make it. Come meet someone who has made history on behalf of the LGBT community.

As described by the Austin Gay and Lesbian International Film Festival:
"Profiling the life and times of one of the gay community's most visible and tenacious advocates for change, Rev. Troy Perry, Call Me Troy is a truly inspirational story about a remarkable and dynamic individual whose activism was decades ahead of its time.
Rev. Perry is perhaps best known as the founder of the Metropolitan Community Church - the first church to recognize the spiritual needs of the gay community - but his "firsts" don't stop there. He was the first openly gay person to serve on the Los Angeles County Commission on Human Relations. In 1969, Perry performed the first public same-sex wedding in the U.S., and in 1970 he filed the first-ever lawsuit seeking legal recognition for same-gender marriages. From presidential advisor to outspoken advocate, Perry has been on the front lines leading the charge for equal rights and protections for gay men and lesbians the world over as well as providing a place for all people, gay and straight, to worship side by side. This film celebrates his life and his legacy."

Director/Producer Scott Bloom, Co-Producer Larry Diamond, and Rev. Perry himself will be present at our event!

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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10. Project TransVoices (West Hollywood)

Do you identify as trans or gender variant?
Do you feel strongly about equality for trans people?
Do you want to tell your story, or want to be involved with a project which tells the stories of gender variant people?
Are you between the ages of 14 and 24?

Project TransVoices will meet weekly on Monday evenings from 7pm to 9pm in West Hollywood. PTV will provide an environment for community building and support, culminating in a group-directed video project. The PTV video will be broadcast via diverse grassroots media and used for education to increase awareness of trans/gender issues.

For more information please call 626.202.4514 or email mailto:projecttransvoices@gmail.com.

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11. Pacific Pride Foundation Youth Groups (Central Coast)

Our youth program provides a nurturing environment where LGBT youth can feel safe and comfortable expressing themselves, exploring their identities, and connecting with others. The group is free, for ages 14-23, and provides weekly meetings and special events throughout the year.

LGBT Youth Group - Santa Barbara: Thursdays 4:15 pm, PPF South County office, 126 East Haley Street
LGBT Youth Group - Santa Maria: Mondays 1:00 pm, PPF North County office, 819 West Church Street
LGBT Youth Group - Lompoc: Wednesday, 5:00 pm, South Side Cafe, 105 S. "H" Street

For more information please contact: Mariela Marin (805) 963-3636 ext 130

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12. Trans Sister Tales (Los Angeles)

What: "Trans Sister Tales" is a group of monologues written, performed, created, directed and produced by trans women which will be performed by an all star cast. The event will be held in a theater, and filmed for educational and entertainment purposes.

When: January 24th, 2007 @ 8:00pm-9: 30pm, reception following
Where: Lyric Theater - 520 N. La Brea, Los Angeles, Ca. 90036
Why: The show's creator and producer, Dee Dee Flores, says, " As an
actress, I grew tired of non trans people telling me to portray my
community in an inaccurate light. But instead of just complaining, I
decided to do something about it, which is what inspired Trans Sister
Tales."

Flores's fellow co-producer, also an actress (and writer), Leslie Townsend, comments, "This is a chance for trans women to tell their own
stories, with their own words. If Tinsel Town and the 7:00 news refuse to reflect us as decent people who deserve respect and love, then we will help them along and produce our own images".

Joy Behar said it the best on "The View" last fall when she said, "This is the year of the "trannie"!", during Candis Cayne's appearance. (Cayne was the first prime time trans actress). Behar was right on point in expressing that there has been a recent tidal wave of trans visibility in the media, from television, movies, documentaries and print. However, having visibility is not necessarily better then having no visibility at all. Some harmful images are hurting a community that seldom gets the chance to sincerely define themselves.

"Trans Sister Tales" is more then a declaration that trans women are engaged in protecting their presentation, but that they are devoted to encouraging ignorant people to awaken to the fact that trans people are a part of the human race, and that they have decided to break out and express themselves. Through the testimonies and personal performance art that will be showcased, this show seeks not just to educate people about who trans women truly are, but also to inspire all people to just follow their heart.

For more information, please contact MAGNET:
EMAIL: mailto:magnet_right_now@yahoo.com
Office# (310) 621-0011

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13. Four Paid Internships Available (Los Angeles)

Special Events Intern

Job Summary:
GLAAD's Special Events Intern will support the work of the entire Special Events team by managing projects and providing logistical support to the team. The Special Events Intern will focus specifically on the Los Angeles and San Francisco GLAAD Media Awards and help oversee the various volunteer committees related to the Media Awards. The Special Events Intern reports to the Special Events Manager in GLAAD's Los Angeles office. The position can begin as early as February 15th and will end 12 weeks later.

GLAAD Media Awards Intern

Job Summary:
This Intern will work directly with GLAAD's Media Awards Communications Manager on the 19th Annual GLAAD Media Awards. A vital part of GLAAD's program work, the GLAAD Media Awards recognize and honor the media for their fair, accurate and inclusive representations of the LGBT community and the issues that affect their lives. The Intern will work on publicity and show production for the events: duties will include trafficking nominated materials, researching and writing nominee descriptions and Special Honoree bios, and proofreading press releases.

This internship is an excellent opportunity for a candidate looking to gain first-hand experience of a major PR and fundraising event.The GLAAD Media Awards Fellow reports to the Media Awards Communications Manager in GLAAD's Los Angeles office. The position can begin as early as January 3, 2008 and will end 12 weeks after the start date.

Volunteer Recruitment Intern

Job Summary:
Reporting to the Volunteer Manager, the Volunteer Management Intern will aid in developing specific volunteer outreach in markets across the US, increasing our contacts in cities that we work in regularly, and identifying and developing relationships with relevant organizations. The intern will also work on recruitment and creating relationships with volunteer groups for the Media Awards.

Membership Intern

Job Summary:
The Membership Intern will support the Membership program with direct mail, telemarketing, Internet and grassroots marketing efforts. Responsibilities include departmental administrative support, developing
and managing projects, data analysis and report compilation, customer
service, and other projects as needed.

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14. San Diego LGBT Pride Youth Internship (San Diego)

What is the San Diego LGBT Pride Youth Internship program?
San Diego Pride has an internship available for high school students in their senior year. The internship is located at the San Diego Pride office in Hillcrest. The intern will be the primary organizer of youth in San Diego Pride related activities.

Course credit for the internship will depend on the policies of the particular institution the student is attending. San Diego Pride will provide an evaluation of the intern's work in accord with the institution's standards and procedures.

What is expected of San Diego Pride Youth Interns?
Students are expected to commit 5 to 10 hours per week to their internship during the fall and up to 30 hours per week in the late spring and early summer.

The Intern will:
• Assist with organization, youth participation in and planning of the Youth Pride event.
• Collaborate with San Diego area queer youth agencies and encourage youth contingent participation in the San Diego Pride parade.
• Participate in the planning and organization of the Youth Xpress at the San Diego Pride Festival. This includes building a county wide network of collaborating agencies.
• Organize youth participation and planning of the Youth Zone at the San Diego Pride Festival.
• Reach out to youth oriented businesses and organizations to encourage their participation in San Diego Pride youth events and activities.
• Recruit, train, and motivate volunteers.
• Talk with potential sponsors about their involvement in Pride and issues of importance to the LGBT queer community.
• Collaborate with San Diego Pride staff on San Diego Pride priority projects.

What experience can a San Diego Pride intern receive?
Interns will gain experience working in a non profit organization dedicated to fostering pride in and respect for the LGBT communities of San Diego. A high degree of exposure to the San Diego LGBT community and events will be gained. Intern will participate in staff / production meetings where strategy is determined and plans are made. Interns are given a high amount of responsibility and work side-by-side with staff members working in key program areas in a fast paced setting.

Who can apply for San Diego Pride internships?
Internship opportunities are open to qualified High School students entering or in their senior year of high school. Students must be affiliated with a GSA (Gay Straight Alliance or comparable program) at an accredited academic institution or job training program. High School students are required to complete a Parental/Guardian Consent Form and sign a confidentiality agreement.

We offer interns the opportunity to demonstrate leadership and develop skills in the following areas:
• Organizing and Training
• Media and public relations
• Fundraising and development
• Internet
• Budgeting and Accounting
• Event logistics and management

Qualifications & Skills
Successful candidates must have the following:
• Openness and thirst for learning - strong desire to excel as an organizer of San Diego Pride youth activities.
• Computer proficiency for word processing, database work, e-mail, and WWW research.
• Enormous drive to achieve measurable progress towards meaningful outreach to youth to increase awareness and participation in San Diego Pride events.
• Enthusiastic desire to work as part of a team in a fast-paced environment.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented and responsible self-starter.
• Strong listening, speaking, and writing skills.
• Ability and desire to travel to high schools in San Diego County. This internship requires outreach to GSA and other youth organizations.
• Willingness to work evening and weekend hours when projects demand.
• Capacity and desire to work in a multi-cultural environment where commitment to diversity based on race, ethnic origin, gender, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, and physical ability is an important institutional value.

Anticipated Time Commitment
5-10 weekly hours. (January thru April and August thru December)
30 weekly hours (May, June, July)
2008 Intern position is from January – August with an opportunity to extend through December 2008.
This position requires evening and weekend availability.

Stipend
$325 per month (Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec)
$975 per month (May, June, July)

How can I apply for a San Diego Pride Internship?
Applications are being accepted now.

To apply, please submit a one-page cover letter stating:
• Why you would like to work as a San Diego Pride Youth Intern.
• What you think you can contribute to San Diego Pride through your work as an intern.

Also submit:
• Your resume.
• Letter of recommendation from GSA leader, coach, advisor or school principal.
• Two non-family/relative references (contact information only, not letters of recommendation).
• A writing sample.

Send application materials to:
San Diego Pride Internships
POB 34366
San Diego, CA 92163

DO NOT fax or email your application materials. We welcome your internship questions by telephone, e-mail or mail.
Thank you for your interest in joining San Diego Pride as an intern!

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Central Valley
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15. New GLBTQ Teen Support Group (Modesto)

A new GLBTQ Teen Support Group (14 - 19 years old) will be held the seconnd and fourth Wednesdays of every month from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

The GLBTQ Youth Group provides social activities and informational workshops for youth, ages 14-19. Allies are welcome. Food and music will be provided.

The group will meet at College Avenue Congregational Church (corner of Orangeburg and College in Modesto).

To learn more please contact the Ed and Elizabeth Plata, Program Managers at 209-818-2378 or mailto:modteens@stanpride.org.
http://www.stanislauspridecenter.com/services/glbtqyouth.php

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Northern California
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16. Pink Parenting: Providing a Facilitating Environment for Gay & Lesbian Kids (San Francisco)

SAN FRANCISCO CENTER FOR PSYCHOANALYSIS
2340 Jackson Street, between Fillmore & Webster, 4th Floor

Public Lecture Series

Pink Parenting: Providing a Facilitating Environment for Gay & Lesbian Kids
Gary Grossman, Ph.D.

Wednesday, 1/23/2008; 7:30pm - 9:00pm

As attitudes towards homosexuality have become more accepting, the age at which gay people are coming out has been decreasing. Raising a gay or lesbian child, or a child who parents believe may be gay, presents unique challenges. Parents are often uncertain how best to respond when a child comes out or expresses confusion about his or her sexuality. In this lecture, Dr. Grossman will address some of the challenges faced by gay and lesbian teens and their parents. Developmental milestones for gay and lesbian teenagers and the facilitative tasks of their parents will be discussed.

Gary Grossman, Ph.D. is a Clinical Psychologist and Psychoanalyst with over 25 years of experience working with gay men. He has taught at a variety of academic and clinical settings on the topics of homosexuality and psychoanalysis, gay development, and the psychological impact of HIV. He has been a member of the Committee on Gay & Lesbian Issues of the American Psychoanalytic Association for the past 10 years, and served as its Chair from 2000 - 2005.

Dr. Grossman is an Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Psychiatry, University of California, SF and is member and faculty of the San Francisco Center for Psychoanalysis, where he also serves as chair of the Community Education & Service Division. Dr. Grossman is in Private Practice in San Francisco.

Registration Info: Public Lectures (These lectures are free of charge)

Send the following information:
Name, Address, City State Zip, Phone (day) (eve.), Fax, Email

Include the following:
Pink Parenting: Providing a Facilitating Environment for Gay & Lesbian Kids
Gary Grossman, Ph.D.
Wednesday, 1/23/2008

Please send in registration or RSVP to:
SFCP, 2340 Jackson St., San Francisco, CA
415-563-5815/FAX 415-563-8406; finance@sf-cp.org

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17. GSA Summit (San Jose)

Unite the South Bay GSAs! GSA members and leaders are invited to an enlightening GSA Summit, where they will be encouraged to discuss issues, share ides, and meet new people.

Yikes- If you applied before Jan 10th please email Cassie ASAP. Your application may be lost in server-land and we don't want to forget you!

Join the LGBT community's new generation of leaders for social justice on this two-day, two-night training retreat developed by the Billy DeFrank LGBT Center and the Pacific Center.

The retreat will be located at the picturesque Marin Headlands hostel and transportation is provided from San Jose and Berkeley.

The retreat will consist of several workshops to empower youth in areas of effective communication, community organizing and strategies to identify and overcome oppression.

This is a FREE event and youth need to apply ASAP for limited spaces on our website or by contacting:
Cassie Blume (mailto:cassieb@defrank.org or 408-293-3040 ext. 111) or
Erica Newport (mailto:Erica@PacificCenter.org or 510-548-8283 ext. 514).

Co-sponsored by the Metropolitan Community Church of San Jose.

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19. Project L.Y.F.E. is Seeking Queer Asian American Voices

Project L.Y.F.E. (Leadership and Youth Fighting for Education) is documenting the ways in which Queer Asian American college students navigate the socio-educational landscape of higher education.

Everyday, Queer Asian American college students come "out" in classrooms, writing about y(our) experiences, challenging
stereotypes and fighting for LGBTIQ rights all in support of a Queer Asian American movement. This process of "queering" often goes undocumented and Project L.Y.F.E. strives to secure space in history for a Queer Asian American movement.

Project L.Y.F.E. is an interview-based, qualitative, ethnographic project that is looking for student organizers, activists and
leaders to share their experiences of success, struggle and compromise. While previous literature has addressed the formation of
Queer communities and identities within Asian America, Project L.Y.F.E. will document the substantive individual and collective actions and advocacy efforts Queer Asian American college students fight for. Champion your student organizing efforts be RECOGNIZED.

If you are a self-identified Queer Asian American college student, Project L.Y.F.E. needs you!

L.Y.F.E. as an asian american
a queer L.Y.F.E.
living L.Y.F.E.
a L.Y.F.E. of struggle
How do you live your L.Y.F.E.?
Project L.Y.F.E. - y(our) L.Y.F.E. stories.

For more information on how you can let your VOICE be heard, email mailto:ProjectLYFE@gmail.com

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20. Free Workshop on Building Resiliency

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21. California Lead Organizers Institute: Now Accepting Applications

2008 California Lead Organizers Institute: Now Accepting Applications!

The Center for Third World Organizing and the UC Berkeley Labor Center are proud to offer the 4th annual California Lead Organizers Institute (CLOI)* for lead organizers, organizing directors, and/or anyone who is responsible for supervising and developing staff in labor and community organizations.

CLOI develops organizers' skills in staff and member leadership development, strategic campaign planning, accountability systems in the workplace, and coalition building.

The year-long program begins with a week-long training at the San Juan Bautista Retreat Center on March 3rd-7th.
To apply, please complete the attached application and send it to mailto:marialaborcenter@yahoo.com by January 25th 2008.

For more information contact Maria Abadesco at (510) 643-1573, mailto:marialaborcenter@yahoo.com or Jackie Byers at (510)533-7583, mailto:jbyers@cwto.org.

* Although CLOI is a California-based program, there are a limited number of slots for organizations outside of California.

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National
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22. Editor Seeks GLBT Youth Who Have Been Kicked Out

An editor is putting together an anthology that revolves round GLBT youth who have or are experiencing homelessness due to being kicked out by family members.

If this sounds like something you or someone you know might be interested in, contact me at (mailto:aratliff@pflag.org) and I look forward to hearing from you.

Adam Ratliff
Communications Coordinator
PFLAG National

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23. National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day - February 7th

"Prevention is Power: Get educated, Get tested, Get involved, and Get treated" is the theme for the 9th annual observance of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NBHAAD).

In the United States, HIV/AIDS is a tremendous epidemic affecting more than 1 million people. However, HIV/AIDS has had a disproportionate impact on communities of color, particularly Black communities.

So what does HIV look like in the Black Community?

- Blacks account for 49 percent of the new HIV/AIDS diagnosis in the US (2005).
- Blacks account for 50 percent of the estimated AIDS cases in the US.
- Of 141 infants prenatally infected with HIV, 65 percent were Black
- The rate of AIDS diagnosis for Black adults and adolescents was 10 times the rate for whites and 3 times the rate for Hispanics.
- Black women are most likely to be infected with HIV through high risk heterosexual contact.
- Injection drug use is the second leading cause of HIV infection for both Black men and women.

Learn more about NBHAAD:

National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
http://www.blackaidsday.org

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services information on NBHAAD:
http://www.hhs.gov/aidsawarenessdays/factsheets/february7.html

From Research to Practice: Young African American Woman and HIV
http://www.advocatesforyouth.org/publications/frtp/youngaawomen.htm

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24. National Youth At-Risk Conference

The National Youth At-Risk Conference trains adults who serve youth to create safe, healthy, caring, and intellectually empowering educational environments that foster the well-being of all children and adolescents. The conference is March 2-5, 2008 in Savannah, GA.

Find out about the conference at http://ceps.georgiasouthern.edu/conted/yar2008.html

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Scholarships
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25. Gay & Lesbian Armenian Society Scholarship

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26. Next Level Scholarship

Are you trying to take your game to the next level? You want to make your way to college and get that degree? If you are a junior or senior in high school and looking for a way to help pay for college, BET and The Sallie Mae Fund want to help by making $25,000 in scholarships available to students in need.

To enter the Next Level Scholarship Competition write 500 words about the obstacles you have had to overcome to realize your dream of a college education.

Four scholarships will be awarded: $10,000, $7,500, $5,000 and $2,500 dollars.

Visit: http://www.bet.com/Contests/Next+Level+BET+SallieMae+Scholarship for more information

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27. Samuel Huntington Public Service Award Program

The Samuel Huntington Public Service Award provides a $10,000 stipend for a graduating college senior to pursue one year of public service anywhere in the world. The award allows recipients to engage in a meaningful public service activity for a year before proceeding on to graduate school or a career.

Deadline: February 15, 2008

All graduating students from accredited colleges in the United States are invited to apply. Non-U.S. citizens are eligible to apply but must be graduating from a U.S. college or university. For further information and an application form, visit the National Grid Web site at http://fconline.foundationcenter.org/pnd/10010216/nationalgridus

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Jobs
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28. Director of Communications and Marketing

POSTION SUMMARY
Based in San Francisco, GroundSpark is a small, Academy Award-winning media production and education organization with a strong national reputation for producing high quality documentary films that open up dialogue about prejudice and discrimination and spark shifts in attitudes, behaviors, laws and policies.

Over the past 20 years, GroundSpark has pioneered a long-term social change strategy that pairs media distribution with political and community organizing and offers professional development on how to use our films to make a difference. An ambitious, well-conceived marketing and distribution operation is crucial to our success as social change activists.

A leader in the field of anti-bias education, GroundSpark’s primary current focus is its Respect For All Project. Through the distribution of award-winning films, accompanying curricula, and a training program aimed at educators, youth service providers and parents, the project strives to create safe schools and communities by opening up dialogue about diversity, prejudice and discrimination. Through this work GroundSpark has been a national pioneer advocating for the inclusion of age-appropriate curricula that addresses anti-gay bias.

The Director of Communications and Marketing will take the lead role in growing the audiences for our work and communicating with donors, educators, activists and the public. The Director will provide strategic leadership in ensuring that our films, the issues they address, and our staff’s expertise are widely showcased in progressive and mainstream media, on the web, and in outlets in relevant professional fields.

The chosen candidate will focus much of the next two years on publicizing our newest film- based media campaign, Straightlaced, about the pressures that teens face to conform to gender role expectations. A high priority is also the development and use of new technologies to increase interactivity, sales, and support with audiences, customers, and donors.

Description of Major Duties
The Director of Communications and Marketing is a new senior position that requires skills in strategic communications, marketing, writing and relationship-building:

- Strategic planning and leadership for marketing, public relations and communications;
- Creation of collateral material to showcase GroundSpark’s work to foundations, donors, the media, and corporate sponsors;
- Creative and editorial oversight of GroundSpark’s website, print and electronic communications materials;
- Direction of GroundSpark’s overall marketing program including initiating and negotiating bulk sales of films, promoting sales through brochure mailings, email campaigns, and key promotional screenings, pursuing home video sales, and developing specialized promotions to key audience segments;
- Exploration and implementation of new media delivery options such as podcasting, blogging, and streaming and use of Web 2.0;
- Conceptualization and planning of communications, media, and marketing strategy for key events, including film premieres;
- Oversight of media strategy including press releases, op-ed pieces and consultant relations;
- Oversight of sales data analysis to determine the effectiveness of different promotional initiatives;
- Collaboration with the Director of Educational Programs to market GroundSpark’s professional development workshops;
- Management of the communications and marketing program budget.

The Director is part of GroundSpark’s senior management team and reports directly to the Executive Director. S/he oversees the work of the Media Relations Coordinator and will oversee the hiring of a new Communications and Marketing Associate.

Desired Professional Experience
The ideal candidate will have a background in corporate or non-profit marketing, strategic communications, or a related field that combines ambition and a passion for social justice with a desire to see concrete changes and measurable shifts.

We are seeking the following experience and qualifications:
• Minimum of five to seven years of increasing responsibility in the combined fields of marketing, communications and public relations;
• Record of measurable results in creating and managing programs aimed at increasing earned income revenue streams, including promotional activities and sales;
• Expertise in, and passion about new media and web-based marketing and communications;
• Excellent oral, written and public speaking communication skills;
• Extensive experience providing artistic direction and interfacing with graphic designers, and communications-related vendors;
• Demonstrated project management and analytical experience;
• Passion about the issues GroundSpark’s films address and a demonstrated commitment to progressive social justice issues;
• Activist experience with lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender issues;
• Familiarity and experience with independent film/media a plus.
• Entrepreneurial, a good sense of humor, and flexible.

Salary & Benefits
The range for this position is $60,000 to $70,000 depending on experience. GroundSpark offers excellent benefits including three weeks paid vacation, medical, dental, and vision coverage for staff members and their dependents (eligibility for spouses or domestic partners), eligibility for 403 (b) plan.

To Apply:
Please submit a substantive cover letter, resume, and writing sample from the last five years to: mailto:jobs@groundspark.org. Put “Director of Communications and Marketing” in the subject line.
Applications will be reviewed as they are received. No phone calls please. Position open until filled. GroundSpark is an equal-opportunity employer and actively strives for a diverse, dynamic staff and board.

More About GroundSpark
Our Mission: GroundSpark creates visionary films and dynamic educational campaigns that move individuals and communities to take action for a more just world.

The films in GroundSpark’s Respect For All Project include It’s Elementary—Talking About Gay Issues in School, That’s a Family! (about growing up in different kinds of family structures) and Let’s Get Real (about bullying and prejudice). Our offices are located in San Francisco’s mission district. Our staff is highly committed and dedicated and our office culture is warm, professional yet informal, fun and caring.

To learn more about GroundSpark, please visit: http://www.groundspark.org.

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29. Director of Educational Programs

POSITION SUMMARY
Based in San Francisco, GroundSpark is a small, Academy Award-winning media production and education organization with a strong national reputation for producing high quality documentary films that open up dialogue about prejudice and discrimination and spark shifts in attitudes, behaviors, laws and policies.

Over the past 20 years, GroundSpark has pioneered a long-term social change strategy that pairs media distribution with political and community organizing, and offering professional development on how to use our films to make a difference. Ambitious well-conceived outreach and education campaigns are crucial to our success as social change activists.

A leader in the field of anti-bias education, GroundSpark’s primary current focus is its Respect For All Project (RFAP). Through the distribution of award-winning films, accompanying curricula, and a training program aimed at educators, youth service providers and parents, the project strives to create safe schools and communities by opening up dialogue about diversity, prejudice and discrimination. Through this work GroundSpark has been a national pioneer advocating for the inclusion of age-appropriate curricula that addresses anti-gay bias.

The Director of Educational Programs leads the implementation of GroundSpark’s education and advocacy campaigns, which are designed to enable large numbers of youth and adults to see and discuss our films and take action for change. The Director oversees GroundSpark’s collaborations with schools, advocacy and educational organizations to actively address bias and create safe and welcoming schools through the use of GroundSpark’s “Respect For All Project” films.

The Director manages the Respect For All Project professional development program, and secures key opportunities to showcase our films and programs as part of professional development opportunities in many fields. The Director is part of GroundSpark’s senior management team and reports directly to the Executive Director. The Director supervises the Community Projects Manager, National Outreach and Media Relations Coordinator, Program Associate and a team of facilitator consultants.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES
• Contribute as part of the senior management team to ongoing strategic planning and organizational development, continuously striving to implement best practices in program delivery and organizational systems, messaging, and positioning.
• Direct The Respect For All Project (RFAP) professional development program for educators, youth service providers, community members, and parents and guardians in California and across the nation. Cultivate and maintain a talented team of professional facilitators, overseeing workshop program content and creation of accompanying materials. Promote the professional development program.
• Lead the development of a new education campaign (including professional development, curriculum, and national organizing and outreach) centered on our forthcoming new film about the pressures teens face to conform to gender stereotypes.
• Oversee the creation of new curriculum guides.
• Cultivate strategic partnerships and relationships with relevant agencies and ally organizations and other national, regional, and local organizations to pursue film distribution and collaboration opportunities.
• Represent GroundSpark and The RFAP at conferences, screenings, workshops, forums, and in the media. Provide leadership in organizational messaging about strategies to reduce bias and prevent violence.
• Direct the work of The Respect For All National Coalition (a partnership with the National Education Association, Child Welfare League of America, Association of Children’s Museums, National Association of School Psychologists, and the After School Alliance) to provide professional development in conjunction with our films in cities across the country.
• Oversee the education and outreach program budget; contribute to grant reporting and written narratives for grant proposals; assist with presentations about outreach and training programs to funders.
• Oversee The RFAP program evaluation and analysis, maintaining relevant evaluation tools and instruments to assess the impact of The RFAP on workshop participants, professionals, and students.
• Keep abreast of key developments in the anti-bias educational movement, the safe schools organizing network, and other social movements related to the content and themes of the RFAP films.
• Supervise and mentor program staff.

Desired Professional Experience
The ideal candidate will have a background in education, multicultural or anti-bias advocacy or training, political organizing or a related field that combines ambition and a passion for social justice with a desire to see concrete changes and measurable shifts. We are seeking the following experience and qualifications:

• Proven experience in program management;
• Experience organizing large-scale initiatives for progressive or educational issues;
• Expertise in conducting diversity or anti-bias training;
• Expertise in writing curriculum or professional development training materials;
• Experience or expertise in rigorous program evaluation;
• Demonstrated knowledge of the public education arena and infrastructure;
• Demonstrated familiarity with the current landscape of safe schools advocacy work;
• A track record as a highly effective communicator—superior written and oral communication skills; adept at crafting proposals, detailed correspondence, agendas, summary reports, and making persuasive oral presentations;
• Demonstrated experience developing and maintaining collaborative organizational relationships with diverse constituencies, both progressive and mainstream;
• Demonstrated experience in managing and inspiring staff;
• Demonstrated experience in crafting and monitoring programmatic budgets;
• Strong database management skills and high comfort level with using a database as a management tool; ability to keep clear, systematic electronic records;
• Bachelors degree or equivalent; Masters preferred.

Personal Attributes
The Program Director will be:
• Committed to and enthusiastic about GroundSpark’s mission and programs with a demonstrated commitment to social justice issues and expertise with LGBT and racial diversity issues;
• Highly entrepreneurial; resourceful and flexible, with an ability to anticipate and take initiative on events and opportunities which may advance GroundSpark’s program locally, regionally, and nationally; enthusiastic and motivated about how successful implementation of our campaigns also contributes to the financial viability of the organization.
• A strategist who is adept at planning, prioritizing, organizing and following through; highly energetic and able to balance multiple competing priorities; systematic and thorough;
• A team builder and player who is adept at management, leadership, and collaboration; able to provide strong, clear supervision and motivation for staff and consultants;
• Willing and flexible for periodic travel;
• Confident, diplomatic, able to listen and share information well. Emotionally mature with a strong sense of humor.

Salary and Benefits
Salary range is $65,000 - $80,000 depending on experience, plus excellent benefits including three weeks paid vacation, medical, dental, and vision coverage for staff and their dependents (eligibility for spouses or domestic partners), eligibility for 403 (b) plan.

To learn more about GroundSpark, please visit: http://www.groundspark.org

Applications will be reviewed as they are received. To apply, please submit a substantive cover letter, resume, and writing sample from the last five years to: mailto:jobs@groundspark.org
Please put “Director of Educational Programs” in the subject line. No phone calls please.
Position open until filled.

GroundSpark is an equal-opportunity employer and actively strives for a diverse, dynamic staff and board.

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30. National Program Coordinator

Title: National Program Coordinator
Organization: COLAGE
Full time, exempt position.

Position Overview
The COLAGE Program Coordinator supports and oversees programs with and for diverse populations of children, youth, and adults who have one or more LGBTQ parents nationally. Primary responsibilities are planning and executing local and regional events often in partnership with other organizations, coordination of pen pal, scholarship and online community programs for constituents, and overall support of the Program Director and COLAGE national programs. The Coordinator is also responsible for related outreach, organizing, volunteer recruitment and management, program evaluation, administration, reporting, media relations and fundraising.

The range of tasks is varied and must be completed in a fast-paced, supportive and fun environment. This is a position for an energetic, motivated and highly organized candidate and is an outstanding opportunity to help grow a leading youth, LGBT, family organization working for social justice.

Organization
COLAGE is a national movement of children, youth and adults who have one or more lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and/or queer parents. We build community and work toward social justice through youth empowerment, leadership development, education and advocacy. Based in San Francisco, COLAGE offers an integrated array of local, regional and national programs. To learn more, visit http://www.colage.org.

Responsibilities Include
- Coordinate COLAGE's programming during one-day and weekend events across the country including recruitment, training and support of volunteers, program planning, outreach, curricula development, and collaborative efforts with host and co-sponsoring organizations;
- Coordination of national pen pal program and maintenance of online communities for children, youth and adults with LGBTQ parents;
- Coordinate the outreach and administration of the COLAGE undergraduate scholarship program;
- Provide support to all of COLAGE's national programs, conferences, community forums and outreach functions in coordination with the Program Director through training of trainers, volunteer development, relationship building, information and referral, new program development, research and evaluation;
- Help grow COLAGE's membership, particularly in communities of color and among other historically oppressed groups and underrepresented constituents;
- Engage COLAGErs of color and COLAGERs in communities of color to develop programs and ensure COLAGE's work and plans are informed by, reflective of, and responsive to their needs and aspirations;
- Maintain and build close collaborations with local and regional LGBT family groups, vendors and other organizations in mutual community building, education, and advocacy efforts;
- Develop and conduct educational presentations for diverse audiences within the LGBT community as well as for professional development workshops;
- Strategically track and manage program data, fulfill evaluation activities and provide reports for staff, board, and funding sources;
- Assist with development and production of on-line programs and educational materials/publications;
- Provide general administrative and office support.

Skills & Qualifications
- Experience facilitating groups and leading trainings;
- Confidence working with and presenting to youth as well as adults;
- Significant knowledge and/or experience with youth who have LGBTQ parents and/or other populations of youth - 2-3 years previous experience in areas of grassroots organizing, program development, and/or youth leadership preferred;
- Outstanding interpersonal skills, ability to cultivate relationships with a variety of people; must have demonstrated cultural competence in working with diverse populations, including communities of color, immigrants, boys/men, girls/women, and transgender persons, lesbians, gays, and bisexuals, persons of varying ages, socioeconomic backgrounds, health status and abilities, as well as commitment to diversifying organizations and building anti-racist and multicultural alliances;
- Excellent oral, writing, research, listening, and organizational skills, including demonstrated ability to plan events, juggle numerous details and multiple tasks;
- Experience in developing and presenting workshops, educational seminars or other public speaking;
- Experience with recruitment and support of volunteers and leading a team;
- Excellent computer literacy in word processing, data entry & manipulation, mail merges and desktop publishing;
- Dependable, self-motivated with ability to work independently and as part of a team; maintains punctual project management and meets deadlines;
- Willing and able to travel;
- Willing to work a schedule that includes weekend and week-long events;
- Bi-lingual (Espanol/Ingles) a plus (please note in cover letter or resume);
- Internet savvy.

Compensation: Annual Salary $35,000+ (commensurate with experience), plus excellent benefits (including three weeks paid vacation and full range of health care insurance)

To Apply
PLEASE SEND YOUR APPLICATION BY POSTAL MAIL - NOT EMAIL
Include a cover letter, resume, and 2-3 references (contact info only) to:

Program Coordinator Hiring Committee
COLAGE
1550 Bryant Street, Suite 830
San Francisco, CA 94103

Interviews will begin in early February, 2008. This position will remain open until filled.

COLAGE is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer who strives to reflect our diverse constituents.
People of color and people with LGBT parents are strongly encouraged to apply.

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23. Afterschool Program Instructor

Position Title: Oakland Afterschool Program Instructor
Program:Webster Academy and East Oakland Pride Elementary
Reports to: Oakland Afterschool Site Coordinator

Job Summary:
We are looking for someone committed to work cooperatively with Oakland After School Site Coordinator and designated school staff to design and implement all objectives of the Touch the Sky After School Program at Webster Elementary School and East Oakland Pride Elementary. Both schools are located on the same site.

Under supervision of the After School Coordinator, the After School Program Assistant will perform program duties assigned by the Program Coordinator as well as assist in implementing development skills and programming to children at the site.

Duties:
Provide clear leadership to students and create a safe, well-structured environment where students are comfortable learning.
Provide a relationship as a positive role model and mentor to all students participating in the program.
Provide challenging opportunities for students to develop and contribute to the program activities.
Develop and implement academic and enrichment activities to improve student literacy and math skills.
Monitor student progress in schoolwork, keep track of progress and missed assignments and act accordingly.
Regularly update Program Director and Program Coordinator, and parents on student progress and status in the program.
Complete necessary paperwork in a timely fashion eg. incident reports, activity report sheets etc.
Complete rotating responsibilities eg. sign in / sign out, supervising recess etc.
Participate in additional activities eg. field trips, special events as necessary
Attend program staff meetings to plan and evaluate program activities.
Participate in required training and as much optional training aspossible.
Perform additional duties as assigned by the Program Director to meet the program's aims and objectives.
Other duties as assigned by the Site Coordinator to meet the program's objectives.

Qualifications:
Spanish/English Bilingual skills highly desirable.
Minimum of 2 years of life/volunteer/professional/educational experience working with diverse youth in organized settings.
Experience working with elementary and middle school aged youth is desirable
English and Spanish bilingual skills are highly desirable
Working knowledge of MS Word and Excel or other equivalent programs.
Ability to work independently on multiple projects in a fast paced environment.
Excellent writing and public speaking skills.
Detail oriented and well organized.
Able to do word processing and data entry.
Able to manage time and meet deadlines.
Must pass a Health Screening/TB Clearance and Background/Fingerprint Clearance

Hours: 22 hours per week, depending upon subject areas of instruction. The After School Instructor position is a 10-month job from now to mid-June with option to renew in August.
Compensation: $13 - $16.50 per hour depending on experience.
Location: Webster Academy and East Oakland Pride Elementary in Oakland, CA. No phone calls, please.
Positions will remain open until filled. Interviews will begin January 28, 2008. Interested applicants should email a cover letter, resume and three professional references to mailto:touchtheskyASP@gmail.com. No phone calls, please. Attachments are acceptable.

People from underserved and underrepresented communities are strongly encouraged to apply. No phone calls, please.

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News
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31. NEWS: Petition Against Students' Rights Falls Short

Petition Against Students' Rights Falls Short

January 15, 2008
The Advocate

A signature-gathering drive to overturn civil rights protections for California students has failed, according to a joint press release from five LGBT organizations.

The Student Civil Rights Act, which went into effect on January 1, prohibits in publicly funded schools and activities discrimination that is based on religion, race, disability, gender, or sexual orientation. Opponents, led by the Alliance Defense Fund and Advocates for Faith and Freedom, were able to garner just 350,000 signatures, far fewer than the necessary 433,000 to qualify for a June referendum. According to a joint press release from Equality California, Lambda Legal, the Gay-Straight Alliance Network, the Transgender Law Center, and the National Center for Lesbian Rights, state law prohibits discrimination but SB 777 updates the state's education code to reflect current law so school administrators and teachers are better trained to protect students.

The Gay-Straight Alliance Network and Equality California filed a motion in December to intervene, along with legal representation by the other three organizations in addition to the law firms of Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton and David C. Codell.

Geoff Kors, executive director of Equality California, said in the statement that policy opponents have been on a campaign to spread misinformation. "With no money or visible evidence of signature gathering, we will never know if they actually collected the 350,000 signatures they claim," he said. "What is clear is that they failed. Despite their vicious attack, Californians stood with us and said 'no' to turning back the clock on civil rights and protecting all youth from discrimination in our schools.”

The California legislature passed the bill in September 2007, and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed the bill into law the following month.

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January 9, 2008

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

GSA Network Highlight
When Posters Keep Getting Torn Down - Take Action!
Go directly to GSA Network highlight

GSA Network Announcements
1. Expression NOT Suppression Conference is One Month Away!
2. GSA Network is Hiring: Advocacy Program Manager
3. Now Hiring: High School DVD Project Coordinator
4. eQuality Scholarships - Apply Today!
5. Get GSA Network T-shirts, Buttons & More!
Go directly to GSA Network announcements

Other Announcements
Southern California
6. Latino/a Coalition for Justice Meeting (Los Angeles)
7. Youth Needed to Testify at Press Conference (Los Angeles)
8. San Diego LGBT Pride Youth Internship (San Diego)
9. Pacific Pride Foundation Youth Groups (Central Coast)
10. REACH LA presents Gotta Skate '08 (Los Angeles)
11. GLAAD Has Four Paid Internships Available (Los Angeles)
Go directly to Southern California listings

Central Valley
12. New GLBTQ Teen Support Group (Modesto)
Go directly to Central Valley listings

Northern California
13. Free Ice Skating (San Jose)
14. Frameline Generations Filmaker Workshop (San Francisco)
15. Youth Groups (San Jose)
16. Youth Leadership Retreat (San Jose)
Go directly to Northern California listings

Statewide
17. California Lead Organizers Institute: Now Accepting Applications
Go directly to Statewide listings

National
18. National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day - February 7th
19. National Youth At-Risk Conference
Go directly to National listings

Scholarships
20. Next Level Scholarship
21. Samuel Huntington Public Service Award Program
Go directly to Scholarships listings

Jobs
22. National Program Coordinator
23. Afterschool Program Instructor
Go directly to Jobs listings

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

When Posters Keep Getting Torn Down - Take Action!

If your GSA's hallway posters announcing meetings or promoting campaigns are repeatedly ripped down or defaced, take positive action. Here are some things you can do:

* Keep track of how many posters you put up and how many get torn down. Use this concrete information to approach your administration and enlist their support in addressing the problem. Consider asking other clubs on campus to do the same thing. Have each club put up the same number of posters and record the number that are torn down or defaced. Note discrepancies between clubs. Is the problem widespread or targeted? Use the information you gather to make a case for addressing intolerance at your school.

* Report incidents of poster defacement to your administration as vandalism. If you can provide documentation that your posters are being targeted, your administrators might let you display your posters in a more protected area or display case.

* Put a surprise message under the posters so that when a poster is torn down, another message is revealed. Taping a message behind your GSA announcement poster insures that people who tear down the original poster are left with something to think about.

Sample messages can include statements like:
- Hate is easy. Love is hard.
- You have just committed a hateful act.
- There used to be a poster here that promoted respect and diversity. What are you doing to stop the hate?

* Have GSA club members hang out near the places your club's announcements are posted. By doing this you can see if your presence nearby has an effect, or you may be in a position to respond immediately to an act of vandalism.

Does your GSA have any other effective ideas for dealing with this all-too-common problem? Let us know what works for you. E-mail your strategies to mailto:info@gsanetwork.org.

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

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1. Expression NOT Suppression Conference is One Month Away!

Don’t forget to mark your calendars! The Central Valley Expression NOT Suppression Conference is only one month away. Make sure you and your GSA Register Online to attend the ENS Conference!

GSA Network's Expression NOT Suppression Conference is coming soon to the Central Valley. ENS is a FREE conference for LGBTQQI youth activists and their allies who are dedicated to defeating homophobia and transphobia and creating safe and supportive schools for everyone. The target audience is high school & middle school students. Teachers & GSA advisors are welcome.

WHO: LGBTQQI youth activists & their allies
WHERE: 1343 East Barstow Avenue, Fresno, 93710
WHEN: Saturday, February 9, 11:00am-9:30pm
WHY: To meet other youth leaders, learn new skills, and share strength!
COST: Everything, including food, is FREE!
WHAT ELSE: Get down & dance with everyone you've just met at a special, youth-only dance at the same location – we will be celebrating the Freedom to Marry movements and there will be a Drag Show as well – if you’d like to participate, contact us NOW.

The ENS Conference is a chance for LGBTQQI and straight ally youth to network and enjoy free workshops on activism and topics related to queer life.
Pre-register for the GSA Network's ENS Conference at http://www.gsanetwork.org/ens
For more info, email mailto:ens@gsanetwork.org or call 559-268-2780.

Don't forget, GSA Network is also looking for Conference Committee members! If you are interested, please contact Robin at mailto:robin@gsanetwork.org

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2. GSA Network is Hiring: Advocacy Program Manager

Gay-Straight Alliance Network (GSA Network) is a statewide, youth-driven, social justice organization based in San Francisco that empowers youth activists fighting homophobia and transphobia in high schools and middle schools. GSA clubs provide support to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) youth who are facing pervasive discrimination and harassment at school. As a non-profit organization formed in 1998, GSA Network provides resources, training, and grassroots organizing support to clubs working to educate schools about LGBTQ issues and organize for social change. GSA Network currently runs a network of over 650 GSA clubs throughout California.

The Advocacy Program Manager is responsible for developing and managing GSA Network's policy advocacy campaigns, engaging LGBTQ and straight ally youth in policy advocacy work at the local and state level, training youth leaders in public policy and civic engagement, organizing a Queer Youth Advocacy Day in Sacramento, and organizing the GSA Advocacy & Youth Leadership Academy (GAYLA). In 2008, GSA Network's policy advocacy work at a state level will be focused on implementation state non-discrimination laws protecting transgender and gender non-conforming students. A demonstrated passion for LGBTQ youth leadership and empowerment, experience in policy advocacy, and a commitment to social justice are required for this position.

You can see the full job description at: http://www.idealist.org/if/i/en/av/Job/258240-72

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3. Now Hiring: High School DVD Project Coordinator

The Frameline/GSA Network High School Distribution Project is a collaborative undertaking between Frameline ( national distributor of educational LGBT films and producer of the San Francisco International LGBT Film Festival) and the Gay Straight Alliance Network (GSA Network). The project will provide high quality educational media focused on LGBT issues to high school students throughout the state of California. Frameline will work with the GSA Network of more than 650 high school clubs throughout the state to distribute DVDs selected in consultation with high-school members of the Gay Straight Alliances. Frameline will also develop and provide accompanying study guides and supplementary materials to help ensure usability and enhance educational impact. This project will provide powerful media directly to students that will educate and inform while helping to eliminate homophobia and discrimination in California's high schools. Ultimately, this project will provide opportunities for individuals to play a primary role in creating safer and more productive school environments in their own hometowns for LGBT teens and all students through their ability to purchase and donate DVDs directly to participating GSAs.

The Project Coordinator will play a primary role in the design, development and implementation of all aspects of the project. Under the supervision of Frameline's Distribution Director, the Coordinator will work closely with both Frameline and GSA Network staff to coordinate youth involvement at all stages and ensure deadlines are met and deliverables are fulfilled. This is a temporary, part-time position, 20-30 hours per week, lasting approximately eleven months (January 2008 through October 2008). Work schedules require expanded hours and flexibility during peak periods as well as some travel within California. Compensation will be commensurate with the candidate's abilities and experience (salary range is $2,000 to $2,800 per month)

For more information and to apply for the position, please visit - http://www.frameline.org/participate/employment.aspx

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4. eQuality Scholarships - Apply Today!

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5. Get GSA Network T-shirts, Buttons & More!

Another GSA Network T-shirt hot off the press... Cafepress that is. Do you just love our GSA Power postcard? Well, now it's a shirt. Buy it today and help support GSA Network!

Order one of our three New T-shirts and help support GSA Network:
* GSA Power
* A is for Ally
* Activist
* Male, Female, Other / Neither / All of the above

Also in stock:
* I heart GSA
* I HELLA Heart GSA
* and our classic GSA Organizing Shirt

These new designs can ONLY be purchased at our online store. For every item you buy GSA Network gets a small donation ($3-5) to keep doing all the good work we do!!!

So, help support GSAs and look cool doing it.

To Buy Today: http://www.cafepress.com/gsanetwork

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The Latino/a Coalition for Justice is a coalition of LA Latino/a Organizations and Individuals that are working to support the Latino/a LGBT community.

UPDATE* UPDATE* UPDATE* UPDATE*
INFORME* INFORME*INFORME* INFORME* (En Español Abajo)

Reminder - The next meeting of the Latino Coalition for Justice will be:

Date: Jan 10, 2007
Time: 6 pm
Place: Lambda Legal Office, 3325 Wilshire Blvd, #1300
Parking: On the street, Free after 6 pm.

On the Agenda:
1. Updates/ Announcements
2. Latino Gay Family Day

Coalición Latina para la Justicia- Los Angeles es una coalición de organizaciones e individuos Latinos que trabajan para apoyar la comunidad Latina LGBT.

INFORME* INFORME*INFORME* INFORME*

Recordatorio- La Proxima junta de la Coalicion Latina para la Justicia sera:

Fecha: 10 de enero, 2007
Hora: 6 pm
Local: Oficina de Lambda Legal, 3325 Wilshire Blvd, #1300
Estacionamiento: En la calle, gratis despues de la 6.

En la agenda:
1. Informes/ Anuncios
2. Dia de la Familia Gay

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7. Youth Needed to Testify at Press Conference (Los Angeles)

The Asian Pacific American Legal Center is holding a media briefing to correct misinformation about the California Student Civil Rights Act, SB 777, which became law on Jan. 1, 2008.

We're looking for youth who would like to share their story! Please call asap if you are interested in testifying with us along with legislators & community leaders.

Contact:
Vivien Hao (323) 893-4743
Karin Wang (213) 241-0234

WHEN: Friday, January 11, 2008, 9 a.m.
WHERE: Asian Pacific American Legal Center, 1145 Wilshire Boulevard, 2nd Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90017 (cross street: Lucas)

California Senate Bill 777 was passed by the state legislature and signed into law by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on Oct. 12, 2007. Also known as the California Student Civil Rights Act, SB 777 is a “clean up” bill whose main purpose is to clarify existing laws – it does not create new protections. SB 777 standardizes references in the Education Code to groups protected by existing state civil rights laws, including students of color, students with disabilities, and LGBT students. Unfortunately, misinformation about the impact of the bill has been circulating in the Chinese American community, creating unnecessary concern about the safety of Chinese American children while also creating unfounded fear toward members of the LGBT community. This press conference will explain what the law actually does as well as provide statements from individuals and organizations that support the bill.

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8. San Diego LGBT Pride Youth Internship (San Diego)

What is the San Diego LGBT Pride Youth Internship program?
San Diego Pride has an internship available for high school students in their senior year. The internship is located at the San Diego Pride office in Hillcrest. The intern will be the primary organizer of youth in San Diego Pride related activities.

Course credit for the internship will depend on the policies of the particular institution the student is attending. San Diego Pride will provide an evaluation of the intern's work in accord with the institution's standards and procedures.

What is expected of San Diego Pride Youth Interns?
Students are expected to commit 5 to 10 hours per week to their internship during the fall and up to 30 hours per week in the late spring and early summer.

The Intern will:
• Assist with organization, youth participation in and planning of the Youth Pride event.
• Collaborate with San Diego area queer youth agencies and encourage youth contingent participation in the San Diego Pride parade.
• Participate in the planning and organization of the Youth Xpress at the San Diego Pride Festival. This includes building a county wide network of collaborating agencies.
• Organize youth participation and planning of the Youth Zone at the San Diego Pride Festival.
• Reach out to youth oriented businesses and organizations to encourage their participation in San Diego Pride youth events and activities.
• Recruit, train, and motivate volunteers.
• Talk with potential sponsors about their involvement in Pride and issues of importance to the LGBT queer community.
• Collaborate with San Diego Pride staff on San Diego Pride priority projects.

What experience can a San Diego Pride intern receive?
Interns will gain experience working in a non profit organization dedicated to fostering pride in and respect for the LGBT communities of San Diego. A high degree of exposure to the San Diego LGBT community and events will be gained. Intern will participate in staff / production meetings where strategy is determined and plans are made. Interns are given a high amount of responsibility and work side-by-side with staff members working in key program areas in a fast paced setting.

Who can apply for San Diego Pride internships?
Internship opportunities are open to qualified High School students entering or in their senior year of high school. Students must be affiliated with a GSA (Gay Straight Alliance or comparable program) at an accredited academic institution or job training program. High School students are required to complete a Parental/Guardian Consent Form and sign a confidentiality agreement.

We offer interns the opportunity to demonstrate leadership and develop skills in the following areas:
• Organizing and Training
• Media and public relations
• Fundraising and development
• Internet
• Budgeting and Accounting
• Event logistics and management

Qualifications & Skills
Successful candidates must have the following:
• Openness and thirst for learning - strong desire to excel as an organizer of San Diego Pride youth activities.
• Computer proficiency for word processing, database work, e-mail, and WWW research.
• Enormous drive to achieve measurable progress towards meaningful outreach to youth to increase awareness and participation in San Diego Pride events.
• Enthusiastic desire to work as part of a team in a fast-paced environment.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented and responsible self-starter.
• Strong listening, speaking, and writing skills.
• Ability and desire to travel to high schools in San Diego County. This internship requires outreach to GSA and other youth organizations.
• Willingness to work evening and weekend hours when projects demand.
• Capacity and desire to work in a multi-cultural environment where commitment to diversity based on race, ethnic origin, gender, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, and physical ability is an important institutional value.

Anticipated Time Commitment
5-10 weekly hours. (January thru April and August thru December)
30 weekly hours (May, June, July)
2008 Intern position is from January – August with an opportunity to extend through December 2008.
This position requires evening and weekend availability.

Stipend
$325 per month (Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec)
$975 per month (May, June, July)

How can I apply for a San Diego Pride Internship?
Applications are being accepted now.

To apply, please submit a one-page cover letter stating:
• Why you would like to work as a San Diego Pride Youth Intern.
• What you think you can contribute to San Diego Pride through your work as an intern.

Also submit:
• Your resume.
• Letter of recommendation from GSA leader, coach, advisor or school principal.
• Two non-family/relative references (contact information only, not letters of recommendation).
• A writing sample.

Send application materials to:
San Diego Pride Internships
POB 34366
San Diego, CA 92163

DO NOT fax or email your application materials. We welcome your internship questions by telephone, e-mail or mail.
Thank you for your interest in joining San Diego Pride as an intern!

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9. Pacific Pride Foundation Youth Groups (Central Coast)

Our youth program provides a nurturing environment where LGBT youth can feel safe and comfortable expressing themselves, exploring their identities, and connecting with others. The group is free, for ages 14-23, and provides weekly meetings and special events throughout the year.

LGBT Youth Group - Santa Barbara: Thursdays 4:15 pm, PPF South County office, 126 East Haley Street
LGBT Youth Group - Santa Maria: Mondays 1:00 pm, PPF North County office, 819 West Church Street
LGBT Youth Group - Lompoc: Wednesday, 5:00 pm, South Side Cafe, 105 S. "H" Street

For more information please contact: Mariela Marin (805) 963-3636 ext 130

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10. REACH LA presents Gotta Skate '08 (Los Angeles)

INCREDIBLE SKATE PARTY TO BREAK OPEN THE NEW YEAR!!!!!! ORGANIZED AND
HOSTED BY THE OVAHNESS & GIRLS LEADERSHIP TEAM

Friday Jan 11, 2008 at 9:00 PM

WORLD ON WHEELS
4645 1/2 VENICE BLVD.
LOS ANGELES, CA 90019

$12 @ the door
FREE FOR YOUTH UNDER THE AGE OF 24

F or more info call Tyrone (213)622 0650
http://www.myspace.com/ovahness

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11. GLAAD Has Four Paid Internships Available (Los Angeles)

Special Events Intern

Job Summary:
GLAAD's Special Events Intern will support the work of the entire Special Events team by managing projects and providing logistical support to the team. The Special Events Intern will focus specifically on the Los Angeles and San Francisco GLAAD Media Awards and help oversee the various volunteer committees related to the Media Awards. The Special Events Intern reports to the Special Events Manager in GLAAD's Los Angeles office. The position can begin as early as February 15th and will end 12 weeks later.

GLAAD Media Awards Intern

Job Summary:
This Intern will work directly with GLAAD's Media Awards Communications Manager on the 19th Annual GLAAD Media Awards. A vital part of GLAAD's program work, the GLAAD Media Awards recognize and honor the media for their fair, accurate and inclusive representations of the LGBT community and the issues that affect their lives. The Intern will work on publicity and show production for the events: duties will include trafficking nominated materials, researching and writing nominee descriptions and Special Honoree bios, and proofreading press releases.

This internship is an excellent opportunity for a candidate looking to gain first-hand experience of a major PR and fundraising event.The GLAAD Media Awards Fellow reports to the Media Awards Communications Manager in GLAAD's Los Angeles office. The position can begin as early as January 3, 2008 and will end 12 weeks after the start date.

Volunteer Recruitment Intern

Job Summary:
Reporting to the Volunteer Manager, the Volunteer Management Intern will aid in developing specific volunteer outreach in markets across the US, increasing our contacts in cities that we work in regularly, and identifying and developing relationships with relevant organizations. The intern will also work on recruitment and creating relationships with volunteer groups for the Media Awards.

Membership Intern

Job Summary:
The Membership Intern will support the Membership program with direct mail, telemarketing, Internet and grassroots marketing efforts. Responsibilities include departmental administrative support, developing
and managing projects, data analysis and report compilation, customer
service, and other projects as needed.

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Central Valley
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12. New GLBTQ Teen Support Group (Modesto)

Northern California
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13. Free Ice Skating (San Jose)

Thursday Jan 10th

Join the DeFrank Youth Program for ice skating @ Downtown Ice (between the San Jose Museum of Art and the Fairmont Hotel at the Circle of Palms).

This is a FREE event and is intended for youth ages 13-22. We will meet at the Ice Rink at 5:00pm -- bring your signed waiver or San Jose won't let you skate.

Click here to print a waiver. http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=0012Uz6EQRwWRoWyyHGmHqc0CkSTr1I6t1s-FS5Lzt5D5_ZN6BQnl4kdkE4zR-94PTlK-b4RXMTtt8ltJlfkm-ofYm3DUy-NTqMo23bcHVYNFU9OulGlF66s08T6DdBShuIDBg3O0ltPsSHp4-qq_0X3A==

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14. Frameline Generations Filmaker Workshop (San Francisco)

Youth and Elders Making Movies Together
A FREE QUEER YOUTH AND ELDER VIDEO WORKSHOP

Shoot your own film. Find your own voice to tell stories through video.

Spaces still available for youth!!!!!

Please call or email Jennifer Morris at 415-703-8650 x 310 or mailto:jennifer@frameline.org

Frameline and the Bay Area Video Coalition (BAVC) are offering a FREE filmmaking workshop for youth 15 - 21 years old and elders 60 and older who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning. Learn together how to write, shoot and edit your own film in a 4- month workshop starting January 14th, 2008. You will work on Apple computers using Final Cut Pro. Workshops happen at BAVC on Monday and Wednesday evenings from 5:30pm - 8:30pm and some Saturdays for production. Classes begin on January 14th.

All films will screen at the 32nd San Francisco International LGBT Film Festival June 19 - 29, 2008 and participants who finish the workshop will receive a $100 stipend and a pass to the festival.

Spaces are still available, but the class starts soon so contact Jennifer at Frameline right away.

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15. Youth Groups (San Jose)

Youth Events Committee
5:30-6:30p.m. on Tuesdays
Want to help create events and activities for LGBTQ youth in San Jose? Then the events committee is for you! Plan dances, movie days, field trips, and more.

Youth Support Group
4:00pm-5:00p.m. on Wednesdays
The group is confidential and for all LGBTQQ youth. We have discussions, activities and just hang out. Its a great way to meet other queer and questioning youth.

shOUT Youth Activism
5:30pm-7:00p.m. on Wednesdays
shOUT! is a social, activist, and activities group for queer youth ages 13-22. We are currently planning for the Jan 31st GSA Summit.

Billy DeFrank Youth Center

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16. Youth Leadership Retreat (San Jose)

February 16-17
Free to Attend

Apply Now!!

Join the LGBT community's new generation of leaders for social justice on this two-day, two-night training retreat developed by the Billy DeFrank LGBT Center and the Pacific Center.

The retreat will be located at the picturesque Marin Headlands hostel and transportation is provided from San Jose and Berkeley.

The retreat will consist of several workshops to empower youth in areas of effective communication, community organizing and strategies to identify and overcome oppression.

This is a FREE event and youth need to apply ASAP for limited spaces on our website or by contacting:
Cassie Blume (mailto:cassieb@defrank.org or 408-293-3040 ext. 111) or
Erica Newport (mailto:Erica@PacificCenter.org or 510-548-8283 ext. 514).

Co-sponsored by the Metropolitan Community Church of San Jose.

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Statewide
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17. California Lead Organizers Institute: Now Accepting Applications

2008 California Lead Organizers Institute: Now Accepting Applications!

The Center for Third World Organizing and the UC Berkeley Labor Center are proud to offer the 4th annual California Lead Organizers Institute (CLOI)* for lead organizers, organizing directors, and/or anyone who is responsible for supervising and developing staff in labor and community organizations.

CLOI develops organizers' skills in staff and member leadership development, strategic campaign planning, accountability systems in the workplace, and coalition building.

The year-long program begins with a week-long training at the San Juan Bautista Retreat Center on March 3rd-7th.
To apply, please complete the attached application and send it to mailto:marialaborcenter@yahoo.com by January 25th 2008.

For more information contact Maria Abadesco at (510) 643-1573, mailto:marialaborcenter@yahoo.com or Jackie Byers at (510)533-7583, mailto:jbyers@cwto.org.

* Although CLOI is a California-based program, there are a limited number of slots for organizations outside of California.

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National
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18. National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day - February 7th

"Prevention is Power: Get educated, Get tested, Get involved, and Get treated" is the theme for the 9th annual observance of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NBHAAD).

In the United States, HIV/AIDS is a tremendous epidemic affecting more than 1 million people. However, HIV/AIDS has had a disproportionate impact on communities of color, particularly Black communities.

So what does HIV look like in the Black Community?

- Blacks account for 49 percent of the new HIV/AIDS diagnosis in the US (2005).
- Blacks account for 50 percent of the estimated AIDS cases in the US.
- Of 141 infants prenatally infected with HIV, 65 percent were Black
- The rate of AIDS diagnosis for Black adults and adolescents was 10 times the rate for whites and 3 times the rate for Hispanics.
- Black women are most likely to be infected with HIV through high risk heterosexual contact.
- Injection drug use is the second leading cause of HIV infection for both Black men and women.

Learn more about NBHAAD:

National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
http://www.blackaidsday.org

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services information on NBHAAD:
http://www.hhs.gov/aidsawarenessdays/factsheets/february7.html

From Research to Practice: Young African American Woman and HIV
http://www.advocatesforyouth.org/publications/frtp/youngaawomen.htm

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19. National Youth At-Risk Conference

The National Youth At-Risk Conference trains adults who serve youth to create safe, healthy, caring, and intellectually empowering educational environments that foster the well-being of all children and adolescents. The conference is March 2-5, 2008 in Savannah, GA.

Find out about the conference at http://ceps.georgiasouthern.edu/conted/yar2008.html

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Scholarships
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20. Next Level Scholarship

Are you trying to take your game to the next level? You want to make your way to college and get that degree? If you are a junior or senior in high school and looking for a way to help pay for college, BET and The Sallie Mae Fund want to help by making $25,000 in scholarships available to students in need.

To enter the Next Level Scholarship Competition write 500 words about the obstacles you have had to overcome to realize your dream of a college education.

Four scholarships will be awarded: $10,000, $7,500, $5,000 and $2,500 dollars.

Visit: http://www.bet.com/Contests/Next+Level+BET+SallieMae+Scholarship for more information

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21. Samuel Huntington Public Service Award Program

The Samuel Huntington Public Service Award provides a $10,000 stipend for a graduating college senior to pursue one year of public service anywhere in the world. The award allows recipients to engage in a meaningful public service activity for a year before proceeding on to graduate school or a career.

Deadline: February 15, 2008

All graduating students from accredited colleges in the United States are invited to apply. Non-U.S. citizens are eligible to apply but must be graduating from a U.S. college or university. For further information and an application form, visit the National Grid Web site at http://fconline.foundationcenter.org/pnd/10010216/nationalgridus

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Jobs
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22. National Program Coordinator

Title: National Program Coordinator
Organization: COLAGE
Full time, exempt position.

Position Overview
The COLAGE Program Coordinator supports and oversees programs with and for diverse populations of children, youth, and adults who have one or more LGBTQ parents nationally. Primary responsibilities are planning and executing local and regional events often in partnership with other organizations, coordination of pen pal, scholarship and online community programs for constituents, and overall support of the Program Director and COLAGE national programs. The Coordinator is also responsible for related outreach, organizing, volunteer recruitment and management, program evaluation, administration, reporting, media relations and fundraising.

The range of tasks is varied and must be completed in a fast-paced, supportive and fun environment. This is a position for an energetic, motivated and highly organized candidate and is an outstanding opportunity to help grow a leading youth, LGBT, family organization working for social justice.

Organization
COLAGE is a national movement of children, youth and adults who have one or more lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and/or queer parents. We build community and work toward social justice through youth empowerment, leadership development, education and advocacy. Based in San Francisco, COLAGE offers an integrated array of local, regional and national programs. To learn more, visit http://www.colage.org.

Responsibilities Include
- Coordinate COLAGE's programming during one-day and weekend events across the country including recruitment, training and support of volunteers, program planning, outreach, curricula development, and collaborative efforts with host and co-sponsoring organizations;
- Coordination of national pen pal program and maintenance of online communities for children, youth and adults with LGBTQ parents;
- Coordinate the outreach and administration of the COLAGE undergraduate scholarship program;
- Provide support to all of COLAGE's national programs, conferences, community forums and outreach functions in coordination with the Program Director through training of trainers, volunteer development, relationship building, information and referral, new program development, research and evaluation;
- Help grow COLAGE's membership, particularly in communities of color and among other historically oppressed groups and underrepresented constituents;
- Engage COLAGErs of color and COLAGERs in communities of color to develop programs and ensure COLAGE's work and plans are informed by, reflective of, and responsive to their needs and aspirations;
- Maintain and build close collaborations with local and regional LGBT family groups, vendors and other organizations in mutual community building, education, and advocacy efforts;
- Develop and conduct educational presentations for diverse audiences within the LGBT community as well as for professional development workshops;
- Strategically track and manage program data, fulfill evaluation activities and provide reports for staff, board, and funding sources;
- Assist with development and production of on-line programs and educational materials/publications;
- Provide general administrative and office support.

Skills & Qualifications
- Experience facilitating groups and leading trainings;
- Confidence working with and presenting to youth as well as adults;
- Significant knowledge and/or experience with youth who have LGBTQ parents and/or other populations of youth - 2-3 years previous experience in areas of grassroots organizing, program development, and/or youth leadership preferred;
- Outstanding interpersonal skills, ability to cultivate relationships with a variety of people; must have demonstrated cultural competence in working with diverse populations, including communities of color, immigrants, boys/men, girls/women, and transgender persons, lesbians, gays, and bisexuals, persons of varying ages, socioeconomic backgrounds, health status and abilities, as well as commitment to diversifying organizations and building anti-racist and multicultural alliances;
- Excellent oral, writing, research, listening, and organizational skills, including demonstrated ability to plan events, juggle numerous details and multiple tasks;
- Experience in developing and presenting workshops, educational seminars or other public speaking;
- Experience with recruitment and support of volunteers and leading a team;
- Excellent computer literacy in word processing, data entry & manipulation, mail merges and desktop publishing;
- Dependable, self-motivated with ability to work independently and as part of a team; maintains punctual project management and meets deadlines;
- Willing and able to travel;
- Willing to work a schedule that includes weekend and week-long events;
- Bi-lingual (Espanol/Ingles) a plus (please note in cover letter or resume);
- Internet savvy.

Compensation: Annual Salary $35,000+ (commensurate with experience), plus excellent benefits (including three weeks paid vacation and full range of health care insurance)

To Apply
PLEASE SEND YOUR APPLICATION BY POSTAL MAIL - NOT EMAIL
Include a cover letter, resume, and 2-3 references (contact info only) to:

Program Coordinator Hiring Committee
COLAGE
1550 Bryant Street, Suite 830
San Francisco, CA 94103

Interviews will begin in early February, 2008. This position will remain open until filled.

COLAGE is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer who strives to reflect our diverse constituents.
People of color and people with LGBT parents are strongly encouraged to apply.

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23. Afterschool Program Instructor

January 2, 2008

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

GSA Network Highlight
Make 2008 Great - Run a Campaign for Unbiased Sex Ed at Your School
Go directly to GSA Network highlight

GSA Network Announcements
1. Now Hiring: High School DVD Project Coordinator
2. eQuality Scholarships - Apply Today!
3. Get GSA Network T-shirts, Buttons & More!
4. Re-register Your GSA Today - Get New Resources & Keep Informed!
Go directly to GSA Network announcements

Other Announcements
Southern California
5. REACH LA Seeks New Youth G2G Leadership (Los Angeles)
Go directly to Southern California listings

Statewide
6. Researcher Seeks Parents and Caregivers of Trans Youth for Survey
Go directly to Statewide listings

National
7. Enter to Win $3500
8. LGBT Students of Color: Speak Out!
9. Make EC Available Over-the-Counter for ALL Women
10. Movement Activist Apprenticeship Program
Go directly to National listings

Jobs
11. ACCESS Coordinator
12. Operations Manager
13. Youth Team is Hiring Youth 14-16
14. Reproductive Justice Leadership Coordinator
15. Hate Violence Advocate
Go directly to Jobs listings

News
16. NEWS: Effort to Block California Anti-Bias Bill
17. NEWS: Calif. Anti-biasBill Causes Stir Over 'Gender'
Go directly to News listings

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

Make 2008 Great - Run a Campaign for Unbiased Sex Ed at Your School

Is your health teacher willing to answer when students ask questions in class about homosexuality, abortion, or masturbation?

In that same health class, are students provided accurate information about contraceptive methods that help prevent pregnancy and STIs AND cover the needs of all students, including LGBTQ youth?

Are you allowed to learn about sexual health without first bringing in a permission slip from your parents/guardians?

If you answered no to any or all of the above questions, and you are a student in a California public school, you might not be receiving the sexual health education that you need and deserve under law.

The California Comprehensive Sexual Health and HIV/AIDS Prevention Act of 2004 (aka SB 71) became law a few years ago and clarified the state’s laws on sexual health education. It’s there to make sure that sex ed speaks to the needs of everyone.

As a student in a California public school, you have the right to sexual education that is medically-accurate, comprehensive, age-appropriate, and unbiased. This means that if your school offers sex ed, you have the right to get your questions answered and to get the information you need to make healthy decisions for yourself.

To learn more about the law itself, please read GSA Network’s resource sheet which can be found http://www.gsanetwork.org/resources/index.html

You might have heard that other states still require “abstinence-only” sex ed in their classrooms, and that this policy is being pushed by the White House. The law is different here in California, but that doesn’t mean that it is being implemented at all schools. In fact, GSA Network has received reports from several clubs across the state from students who say they are not getting the education they need and deserve. Some clubs, like the GSA in Rancho Bernardo for example, decided to study up themselves and present their own sex ed workshop after school. Other GSAs are talking to their teachers, school administrators, and member of their schools board.

What should you do if you think your school isn’t following the law? Here are some possible steps you can take with your GSA at your school:

1. Know what your rights are—read GSA Network’s SB 71 resource sheet and review what’s going on in your health classes—and start educating other students. This could be the first step in a SB 71 implementation campaign at your school or planning a sex ed workshop of your own.

2. Reach out for help—contact the GSA Network closest to you and get connected with a Program Coordinator who can talk with you about action you can take. We can give you tips on how to launch a SB 71 implementation campaign! Local offices of organizations like Planned Parenthood (http://www.plannedparenthood.org) or BIENESTAR in Southern California can also provide you with speakers, brochures, and other resources.

3. Figure out who the players are & who has the power—Look around, ask around, and determine who in your school is making the decisions that are leading to you not receiving an adequate education. If your health text book is sketchy with the info, then maybe it’s time to talk to the school board because they’re the folks who decide which books to buy. If your teacher reluctant to answer your questions, perhaps it’s time to talk to the head of the health department at your school or to the principal.

4. Go to the top—The California Department of Education is the state agency in charge of making sure schools follow SB 71. It might be beneficial to enlist their help and notify somebody at the state level. Send an email to them at mailto:schoolhealth@cde.ca.gov or call them at 916-310-0914. Explain what’s going in you school and ask for help.

GSA Network is working to respond to GSAs’ concerns about sex ed and LGBTQ youth and we want to help you run a campaign to make changes at your school! If your GSA is serious about running a campaign to impliment SB 71 and get unbiased sex education at your school, contact mailto:advocacy@gsanetwork.org or 415-552-4229 today!

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

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1. Now Hiring: High School DVD Project Coordinator

The Frameline/GSA Network High School Distribution Project is a collaborative undertaking between Frameline ( national distributor of educational LGBT films and producer of the San Francisco International LGBT Film Festival) and the Gay Straight Alliance Network (GSA Network). The project will provide high quality educational media focused on LGBT issues to high school students throughout the state of California. Frameline will work with the GSA Network of more than 650 high school clubs throughout the state to distribute DVDs selected in consultation with high-school members of the Gay Straight Alliances. Frameline will also develop and provide accompanying study guides and supplementary materials to help ensure usability and enhance educational impact. This project will provide powerful media directly to students that will educate and inform while helping to eliminate homophobia and discrimination in California's high schools. Ultimately, this project will provide opportunities for individuals to play a primary role in creating safer and more productive school environments in their own hometowns for LGBT teens and all students through their ability to purchase and donate DVDs directly to participating GSAs.

The Project Coordinator will play a primary role in the design, development and implementation of all aspects of the project. Under the supervision of Frameline's Distribution Director, the Coordinator will work closely with both Frameline and GSA Network staff to coordinate youth involvement at all stages and ensure deadlines are met and deliverables are fulfilled. This is a temporary, part-time position, 20-30 hours per week, lasting approximately eleven months (January 2008 through October 2008). Work schedules require expanded hours and flexibility during peak periods as well as some travel within California. Compensation will be commensurate with the candidate's abilities and experience (salary range is $2,000 to $2,800 per month)

For more information and to apply for the position, please visit - http://www.frameline.org/participate/employment.aspx

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2. eQuality Scholarships - Apply Today!

The eQuality Scholarship Collaborative awards scholarships to graduating high-school seniors in northern and central California for their service to the LGBT community. In 2008, 10 or more $5000 scholarships will be awarded to assist with post-secondary educational expenses - tuition, books, and supplies.

Applications are available from high school guidance counselors throughout Northern and Central California.

Applicants must:
- be graduating from a high school in northern or central California;
- have applied to an accredited post-secondary institution - college, university, or trade school.

Completed applications, including transcripts and a letter of recommendation, must be postmarked no later than February 16, 2008.

The Collaborative is the joint effort of a group of individuals and organizations based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Organizational members include PG&E PrideNetwork, KP Pride, Genentech Out & Equal, Ally Action, Out & Equal Workplace Advocates, and GSA Network.

For more information or to download an application, visit the Collaborative's web site at http://www.allyaction.org/scholarship.

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3. Get GSA Network T-shirts, Buttons & More!

Another GSA Network T-shirt hot off the press... Cafepress that is. Do you just love our GSA Power postcard? Well, now it's a shirt. Buy it today and help support GSA Network!

Order one of our three New T-shirts and help support GSA Network:
* GSA Power
* A is for Ally
* Activist
* Male, Female, Other / Neither / All of the above

Also in stock:
* I heart GSA
* I HELLA Heart GSA
* and our classic GSA Organizing Shirt

These new designs can ONLY be purchased at our online store. For every item you buy GSA Network gets a small donation ($3-5) to keep doing all the good work we do!!!

So, help support GSAs and look cool doing it.

To Buy Today: http://www.cafepress.com/gsanetwork

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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 resource sheets, campaign 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:
mailto:info@gsanetwork.org
415-552-4229

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Statewide
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6. Researcher Seeks Parents and Caregivers of Trans Youth for Survey

You are invited to participate in a Survey of Parents or Caregivers of transgender or gender variant youth who are currently 25 years old or younger. This survey is includes foster parents, shelter staff and extended family members who are 18 years of age or older who may be primary caregivers of the youth. The goal of this study is to lead to improved mental health services and other supports for transgender youth and their families and caregivers.

Transgender Youth and Families Needs Assessment Survey is being conducted by Donna Matthews, Graduate Student at CA State University Sacramento. To participate or for more information contact:
mailto:transfamilysurvey@comcast.net or
Donna Matthews/TransFamilySurvey
P.O. Box 5083
Sacramento, CA 95817

Note: Transgender Youth and Families Needs Assessment Survey conducted by Donna Matthews has been approved by the Division of Social Work at CSUSF Institutional Review Board as a no-risk study. The human subjects approval number is 07-08-051.

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7. Enter to Win $3500

Was sex ed at your school a total drag or did you love it?

If you could design a whole new system to for teens to learn about sex and its consequences, what would you create?

Advocates for Youth, along with a dynamic group of progressive organizations, is hosting a sex ed digital video contest for young people from age 15-30.

To learn how you can win $3,500 or other prizes - and for official context rules - click here!
<http://ent.groundspring.org/EmailNow/pub.php?module=URLTracker&cmd=track&j=182268869&u=1824972>

You can record a video with your cell phone or webcam - or, if you're a special effects guru, you can create an animated masterpiece - It's up to you! Remember, content and creative vision will be weighed more heavily than production quality.
All entries must be submitted by January 7, 2008.

First place wins a $3500 scholarship to the educational institution of your choice (or cash equivalent); second place wins $1000 cash; and third prize is your choice of a Nikon P5000, a Nintendo Wii or an iPhone.

Enter the Fresh Focus Video Contest today for your chance to win $3,500!

Video finalists will be featured at the Sex: Tech Conference: Focus on Youth, an Inaugural STD/HIV Prevention Conference about youth and technology, January 22 - 23, 2008 in San Francisco, CA at SFSU's Institute for Next Generation Internet.

Advocates for Youth is dedicated to creating programs and advocating for policies that help young people make informed and responsible decisions about their reproductive and sexual health. Advocates provides information, training, and strategic assistance to youth-serving organizations, policy makers, youth activists, and the media in the United States and the developing world.

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8. LGBT Students of Color: Speak Out!

GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network) is looking for students to be part of a study about the experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students of color. You can help GLSEN inform education policymakers and the public about what's really going on in our nation's schools.

If you:
- currently attend a U.S. high school (grades 9-12),
- are a person of color,
- are lesbian, gay, bisexual and/or transgender, and
- would like more information about participating

Please contact Elizabeth Diaz, Research Associate, at mailto:ediaz@glsen.org or 212-727-0135 (extension 8051). All participants will be compensated for their time. Please note that participants will be required to get written permission from a parent or guardian in order to participate.

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9. Make EC Available Over-the-Counter for ALL Women

A Petition to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

In America, where 95 percent of the annual 750,000 teenage pregnancies are unintended and quality reproductive services for young women are often limited, activists like you must take action to make emergency contraception more widely available.

Advocates for Youth and Choice USA urge you to Take Action! It has been one year since the FDA's ruling to make over-the-counter sales of EC available only to women ages 18 and older. We continue to ask for the removal of this age restriction.

Learn more and sign the petition! http://ent.groundspring.org/EmailNow/pub.php?module=URLTracker&cmd=track&j=181814463&u=1818962

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10. Movement Activist Apprenticeship Program

Now Accepting Applications for MAAP 2008The Movement Activist Apprenticeship Program (MAAP) is a paid 8-week intensive national organizer training program for people of color, who are committed to learning the theory and practice of building social justice movements through direct-action organizing. Participants learn the art and science of organizing through in-the-field training and skills development with a community or labor organization. Graduates of the program receive help finding employment as organizers with community and labor organizations fighting for social justice. Over the years, MAAP has produced hundreds of emerging organizers of color, who have continued to work for social justice and gone on to play key roles in the Movement.MAAP 2008

CYCLE:
June 16th - August 8thPlease submit applications to the CTWO training department by March 7, 2008 via email: mailto:trainings@ctwo.org, fax: (510) 533-0923 or snail mail: CTWO Training Department, 1218 E. 21st St., Oakland, CA 94606.

Qualified applicants must be people of color, at least 18 years of age, and display a commitment to building a movement for racial and social justice. In order to be considered, individuals must be fill out an application and attend a Community Action Training during the spring in one of the following cities: Oakland, CA; Los Angeles, CA; Brooklyn, NY; Miami, FL; or New Orleans, LA.

To learn more about the application process, please go to http://www.ctwo.org/index.php?s=27.

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Jobs
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11. ACCESS Coordinator

Community United Against Violence (CUAV) is a multicultural organization working to end violence against and within lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning (LGBTQQ) communities. We understand oppression to be a form of violence and work to end and heal from all forms of oppression. CUAV offers a 24-hour confidential, multilingual crisis line, free counseling, legal advocacy, and emergency assistance (hotel, food and transportation vouchers) to LGBTQ survivors of domestic violence and hate violence.

The ACCESS Project is a two year pilot project funded by the Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF); it is a collaboration between LYRIC, CUAV and Youth In Focus (YIF), that exists to empower LGBTQQ youth to take a leadership role to eliminate barriers to full participation and representation in the community; deepen the San Francisco provider community’s understanding and awareness of issues affecting LGBTQQ youth and their families; build bridges among and between LGBTQQ communities and other communities; strengthen the infrastructure of existing community-based organizations (CBOs) to better serve LGBTQQ persons; increase visibility of and access by LGBTQQ youth and their families to important community services. During its implementation phase, the ACCESS Project invited a cohort of CBOs to work with our youth-adult teams over a six-month period to assess, receive training in and institutionalize practices into the organization to increase access for LGBTQQ youth.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILTIES:
The ACCESS Coordinator will be the lead CUAV staff involved with the ACCESS project, and an ACCESS core group member, who will lead one youth-adult team, and be responsible for coordinating CUAV’s development of the curricula for CBO training and technical assistance.

SPECIFIC DUTIES:
ACCESS Coordinator Project Responsibilities
• Participate in large and core group meetings with ACCESS partners on a regular basis, for the purpose of planning, implementing and evaluation of the ACCESS project; including purchasing food for training and work days, securing space for all training and work days
• Development of curricula for CBO training and technical assistance
• Facilitate training of trainers on CBO development curricula
• Coordinate one youth-adult team to do on-site training and institutionalization of development with CBOs
• Provide direction for the project
• Follow ACCESS partner agreements
• Participate in program evaluation activities as required by DCYF and as will be developed by the ACCESS partnership
• Provide LYRIC with reports on activities under the agreements in order to fulfill reporting requirements to any funding source
Participate in Education Team to coordinate the smooth functioning of services

General CUAV Staff Responsibilities
• Represent the agency at meetings with other agencies and organizations so as to enhance survivor services for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender persons, particularly for communities facing multiple forms of oppression.
• Participate in staff meetings and trainings.
• Actively engage in agency anti-oppression work
• Occasionally represent CUAV at conferences; offer staff presentations about what was learned
• Work in partnership with the entire staff to ensure that Community Agreements are understood and followed
• Perform other duties as agreed by the Education Team or requested by the Executive Director

REQUIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
• Experience facilitating groups and leading trainings
• Confidence working with and presenting to adults as well as youth
• Experience leading a team / strong leadership skills
• Familiarity with LGBTQQ issues, especially LGBTQQ youth issues
• Experience coordinating projects or programs
• Demonstrated cultural competence in working with diverse populations, including communities of color, immigrants, men, women, and transgendered persons, lesbians, gays, and bisexuals, persons with HIV, and persons of varying ages, socioeconomic backgrounds, and abilities
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Excellent problem solving skills
• Responsible and punctual
• Excellent organization skills, attention to detail, time management, and follow-through
• Competent using basic computer software such as MS Word, Internet browsers and search techniques, email programs, etc

STATUS:
This is a part-time, 20 hrs per week, temporary position, through July 2008, with the possibility of renewal
This position reports directly to the Director of Community Education
Must be available weekday afternoons
This position will be paid $15-$16/hr, depending on experience

TO APPLY:
Submit cover letter and resume by January 15th, 2008.
ATTN: Director of Community Education, CUAV, 170A Capp Street, San Francisco, CA 94110
mailto:pablo@cuav.org – subject: ACCESS Project Coordinator

CUAV strives to cultivate a staff that reflects the diverse communities we serve. All interested individuals, particularly women, people of color, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning people, and persons with disabilities including HIV positive are encouraged to apply.

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12. Operations Manager

Position Title: LYRIC Operations Manager (1 FTE)

Organization Description
Founded in 1988, the Lavender Youth Recreation & Information Center (LYRIC) provides supports and services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (LGBTQQ) youth, 24 years of age and under. LYRIC's mission is to build community and inspire positive social change with LGBTQQ youth, their families, and allies of all races, classes, genders, and abilities. LYRIC facilitates community building, education and economic development, health and wellness, and leadership development programming reaching over 800 youth and outreaching to another 4000 annually. The organization has a current budget of approximately $1.2 million, 12 full-time and 2 part-time employees, and operates from the house it owns on 127 Collingwood Street in the heart of the Castro.

Position Summary
The Operations Manager serves as a key member of LYRIC’s Administrative Team, which shares the responsibilities necessary to ensure the agency’s overall administration is supporting the needs of the program and fund development departments, meeting LYRIC’s fiscal, legal and contractual obligations, and creating a safe and positive work environment for LYRIC’s staff, interns and volunteers. This position reports to the Executive Director, and works cooperatively with other members of the administrative team, including the Fiscal Manager and any interns, consultants and vendors that may be engaged to support the administration of the organization. Position responsibilities and vendor relationships can be restructured within the boundaries of the areas of responsibilities detailed below to build on a candidate’s strengths and support areas identified as areas for growth.

Responsibilities
Office Management:
• Facility management: Coordination of general office organization and appearance including cleaning/garbage removal/recycle and repair, ensure compliance with Americans With Disabilities Act
• Facility maintenance and renovation: Manage all projects including act as liaison to external contractors, oversee related budgets, review and approve related invoices, coordinate with applicable city agencies
• Supply inventory: stock maintenance, organization, and procurement protocol
• Equipment maintenance and upgrade, including processing of leases and maintenance agreements, and management of warranties database
• Liability Insurance: Preparation of renewal packet, ongoing review of coverage, ongoing internal risk management compliance and improvement
• Maintenance and review of all vendor relationships
• Reception/Intra-office communication: Back-up phone coverage 10-6, M-F, maintenance of voicemail system, maintenance of staff and email lists, maintenance of updated staff lists, welcoming of visitors to office 10-6, M-F
• Out-going mail preparation & delivery; In-coming mail distribution; Courier and express mail coordination
• General clerical support: Phone calls, faxing, copying, typing
Computers
• IT management: daily troubleshooting; oversight/coordination of IT contractor(s) including IT plan development/implementation and relevant line-item budget oversight
• Maintenance and upgrade of hardware
• Software maintenance and upgrade
• Ongoing improvement and maintenance of office computer “systems”; including internal network, Internet and Email
• Staff training: review training options with staff as needed

Human Resources Administration
• New hire initial orientation and paperwork processing [orientation will include ED and supervisor of new staff]
• Payroll: timesheet administration and collection, leave balance maintenance
• Health/Dental/Life Insurance administration; Retirement Plan administration
• Exit processing [exit interview will be conducted by ED]
• Labor law ongoing compliance and advisory role as needed
• On-going HR training coordination
• Workers Comp claim processing
• Personnel matters advisory role as needed
• Support ED with coordination of general staff training needs and requirements
• Development and update of all HR related manuals, including personnel manual, safety manual, technology policies

General Support Functions
• Board of Directors Communication: Assist ED in supporting Board relationship, including assistance with preparation of monthly Board Packet, Maintenance of board email list [should include ED]
• Annual Audit: Part of Audit prep team as relates to File Maintenance; Lease and rental reports; In-Kind donation Reports; Vacation accrual reports; Insurance and policy reports
• Community Relations: Respond to general information requests; Maintain information packets and respond to information requests; Conduct tours of facility as appropriate, Website maintenance, Friends of LYRIC Newsletter development and dissemination

Qualifications
• At least two years experience in office or operations management capacity, preference for experience in direct social services environment and with organizations serving youth
• In-depth computer skills; mastery or Microsoft Office suite, high competency in managing office networks, intranet, and security (specifically Windows Small Business Server 2003), experience troubleshooting hardware and software problems
• Familiarity with CA HR law and application
• Experience procuring and managing vendor relationships
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent problem-solving skills
• Experience and competencies in working in a multiracial, multicultural environment
• Passion and commitment to fostering healthy LGBTQQ youth
• Understanding of youth development, social justice and anti-oppression
• Highly positive and enthusiastic style
• Self-motivated and ability to take initiative, manage, and complete multiple projects within deadlines
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment; highly organized.
• Ability to hold yourself accountable for your own work
• Commitment to ongoing self-improvement
• Bi/Multi-lingual desirable.
• Preference for candidate with a valid drivers license and access to a registered and insured vehicle to use in carrying out job responsibilities
• Ability to work evenings and weekends as required

Salary
Salary Range: $35,000 - $40,000 per annum, commensurate with experience. Position includes full benefits package.

LYRIC is an equal opportunity employer. Applications are strongly encouraged from women, people of color, immigrants, young people, lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, transgender and genderqueer people, people living with HIV/AIDS, people who are differently-abled, and bilingual and bicultural people.

To apply please email your resume with full contact information and a cover letter to mailto:OMjob@lyric.org. Please put OM and your name in the subject line. Applicants may also submit resume and cover letter by mail to: LYRIC – Attn: Operations Manager Search, 127 Collingwood Street, San Francisco, CA 94114. No phone calls or faxes, please. We will contact you directly if we wish to talk with you about the position. This position will remain open until filled, but please note that interviews are scheduled to begin as early as 1/7/08. Thank you in advance for your interest in the position.

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13. Youth Team is Hiring Youth 14-16

What is the Youth Team?
Youth Team members are a diverse group of youth from across San Francisco that will help the Mayor’s Office and the Department of Children, Youth, and their Families (DCYF) make sure that the services and programs they pay for truly meet the needs of San Francisco youth. The Youth Team collects youth input through surveys, focus groups and other methods. They create and share recommendations that represent youth voices and opinions about what they need. This powerful group of youth is an advisory group for DCYF on policies and funding decisions that affect youth now and in the future. The Youth Team is trained and supported by Youth Leadership Institute.

The Youth Team is an opportunity for you to develop leadership and advocacy skills, create lasting changes in San Francisco communities, and build meaningful relationships with other youth leaders from across San Francisco. We are currently looking for 14-16 year olds.

What does Youth Team offer you?
• Opportunities to make a positive difference in your community
• Learn how to gather input from young people across San Francisco
• Develop skills in leadership, advocacy, communication and public speaking
• Learn about public policy
• Valuable experiences and skills to use on college and professional resumes
• Meet new young people from all around San Francisco
• Fun and interesting ways to get community service hours for school
• Get paid minimum wage
Youth Team Member Responsibilities:
• Actively participate in all scheduled Youth Team meetings, trainings and events, including a retreat in early February.
• Share your ideas and opinions and be willing to learn. Youth Team is only as fun, interesting & effective as you make it!
• Be interested in working with a diverse group of youth from across the city.

What is the time commitment?
• A minimum of 5 hours a week and up to 10 hours a week
• Weekly meetings every Monday and Wednesday from 4-6:30pm
• Youth Team Trainings: 2-4 trainings per year
• Mandatory Retreat January 4th & 5th 2008

Recruitment Process:
• Complete and return application ASAP and no later than January 2nd, 2008. Contact Zakiya Harris at (415) 836-9160 ext 245 or e-mail her at: mailto:zharris@yli.org to obtain an application.
• We will contact you after receiving the application and set up an interview.

Directions:
• Please type or print clearly.
• If you need more space, feel free to attach additional sheets.
• Please answer all questions.
• Please mail, fax or hand-deliver the application ASAP.
• Fill out the application as best you can. If you have any questions, please call Zakiya Harris at (415) 836-9160 ext 245 or e-mail her at: mailto:zharris@yli.org.

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14. Reproductive Justice Leadership Coordinator

REACH LA Seeks
G2G Reproductive Justice Leadership Coordinator

Reports to: Executive Director
Salary Range: $25,000 - $30,000
@ 100% time (40 hours/week) + Benefits

REACH LA is seeking a self-starter to implement the REACH LA's reproductive justice leadership program that primarily targets young women of color, ages 12-24.

Candidate should have a strong interest/background in reproductive justice, community organizing and youth development. Candidate should possess strong administrative and organizational skills, as well as excellent written and verbal communication ability. Candidate must be able to work with a variety of diverse people including staff, communityˆbased organizations, local, regional, state and national legislators and their staff, and public policy organization, women's interests groups, health and social service providers throughout the Los Angeles area.

Position Purpose:
Under the direction of the Executive Director, the Program Coordinator is responsible the G2G Sexual/Reproductive Health Leadership Program, including recruitment, training and project execution.

Principal Responsibilities:
1. Recruit and train a group of 15-20 young women of color, ages 14-24, on reproductive justice.
2. Develop activities and/or workshops that educate other young women of color about reproductive justice movement, political assessment, issues surrounding young women and the political landscape.
3. Develop activities & opportunities that introduce and engage the G2G Leadership team with local, regional, state and national legislators, staffs, and political allies. This includes producing 5 ˆ statewide "town hall" convening to bring regional youth and policy makers together to discuss issues concerning young women at sexual risk.
4. Aid in the development of an event and/or series of workshops that teach peer education methods around reproductive justice, HIV/AIDS, STI and pregnancy prevention.
5. Implement and facilitate REACH LA's Sexual Health Education By Youth workshop and event program curriculum as needed.
6. Provide one-on-one risk reduction counseling to young women at sexual risk (WSR) including client case management and resource referrals as needed.
7. Assess and evaluate program curriculum, contracts and update materials as needed.
8. Work with the Program Manager on contract reporting and annual audits.
9. Serve as public speaker or health educator for as needed.
10. Serve as a representative of REACH LA to the Los Angeles community as needed to foster collaborative partnerships with other youth-serving entities.
11. Other duties as assigned.

Requirements:
- In progress BS or BA degree in Public Health, health/human service, or women's studies, field or two (2) years equivalent experience in community organizing.
- One-year experience in counseling.
- Experience working with youth, primarily young women of color
- Effective oral and written communication skills.
- Current political knowledge around reproductive justice.
- Working knowledge of word processing (MS Word) and spreadsheet (MS Excel) programs.
- Current California Driver License and ability to drive to and from program sites.

Preferred:
- Bilingual (English/Spanish)
- Current pregnancy prevention, HIV/AIDS, STI's knowledge.
- Experience in providing workshops for at-risk populations.

Qualified persons may send letter of introduction, resume, and 3 references via fax (213) 622-0976 or by email mailto:reachla@earthlink.net. Position open until filled.

REACH LA is an equal opportunity employer.

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15. Hate Violence Advocate

Title: Hate Violence Advocate

Community United Against Violence (CUAV) is a multicultural organization working to end violence against and within lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning (LGBTQQ) communities. We are also dedicated to confronting all forms of oppression, such as racism, sexism, ageism, and classism. CUAV offers a 24-hour confidential, multilingual crisis line, free counseling, legal advocacy, and emergency assistance (hotel, food and transportation vouchers) to lgbt survivors of domestic violence and hate violence. CUAV uses education as a violence prevention tool through the Speakers Bureau and the Love and Justice Project.

General Responsibilities:
This is a permanent, 20 hrs/wk position responsible for providing counseling and advocacy to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender persons who are victims of domestic violence or hate violence.

Specific Duties:
1. Provide short-term counseling and advocacy services to gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning survivors of hate violence.

2. Provide legal advocacy and court accompaniment to survivors of violence seeking orders of protection.

3. Provide crisis support of survivors of violence including emergency housing, food, clothing, and transportation. Assist survivors in developing and maintaining a safety plan.

4. Provide case management to survivors of violence including expanding the clients resources and providing linkage to job, housing, education, health, community, and legal organizations.

5. Respond to crisis calls during the day and during occasional evening and weekend shifts and provide effective, back-up coverage for other direct services programs and general office support.

6. Participate in culturally and linguistically appropriate community education and outreach efforts particularly prioritizing underserved populations.

7. Respond to crisis calls during the day and during occasional evening and weekend shifts and provide effective, back-up coverage for other direct service programs and general office support.

8. Actively engage in agency anti-oppression work through internal work such as the people of color discussion group and the white anti-racism discussion group and external work facilitating anti-oppression trainings for other organizations.

9. Complete administrative duties including appropriate client record keeping and documentation.

10. Represent the agency at meetings with other agencies and organizations so as to enhance survivor services for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender persons and particularly for communities facing multiple forms of oppression.

11. Participate in staff meetings, team meeting and trainings.

12. Perform other duties as coordinated by the Hate Violence Director with oversight by the Executive Director.

Job Requirements:
1. Bilingual in English and another language (Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin, Tagalog, Vietnamese, or other Asian language)

2. A minimum of two years prior experience in providing counseling and advocacy services preferably to violence victims and or to the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender communities.

3. Demonstrated cultural competence in working with diverse populations, including communities of color, immigrants, men, women, and transgender persons, lesbians, gays, and bisexuals, persons with HIV, and persons of varying ages, socioeconomic backgrounds, and abilities.

4. Excellent communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.

5. A Bachelor's Degree or equivalent education or life experience.

Supervisorial Relationshiop:
This position reports directly to the Hate Violence Director, with oversight by the Executive Director.

Compensation:
.5 FTE, Salary $33,000-35,000 FTE equivalent (.5 = $16,500-$17,500). Good benefits including three weeks paid vacation, medical, vision, dental, and long-term disability.

To Apply:
Submit cover letter and resume attention: Executive Director, CUAV, 170A Capp St. San Francisco, CA 94110.

CUAV strives to cultivate a staff that reflects the diverse communities we serve. All interested individuals, including women, people of color, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning people, and persons with disabilities including HIV positive are particularly encourage to apply.

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News
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16. NEWS: Effort to Block California Anti-Bias Bill

Effort to Block California Anti-Bias Bill

December 30, 2007
New York Times
By Rebecca Cathcart

LOS ANGELES — Conservative groups in California are gathering signatures to try to block an anti-discrimination bill because it includes language that would extend protection to public-school students based on their sexual orientation and gender identity.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, a Republican, signed the bill in October, but it does not become law until Jan. 1. Opponents have until Jan. 10 to gather 500,000 signatures to put a referendum on the next ballot.

Lawyers for two groups, the Alliance Defense Fund and Advocates for Faith and Freedom, sued the state in a federal court in San Diego soon after the bill was signed to oppose the definition of “gender” and the inclusion of “sexual orientation” in the education code.

California defines gender — along with other protected classes like race, nationality, disability and religion — as “actual or perceived.” The groups opposing the bill say that definition could lead to false accusations of discrimination.

“This lawsuit argues that the redefinition of gender should be declared unconstitutional because it is too vague,” said Jennifer Monk, a lawyer for Advocates for Faith and Freedom. “If it’s not based on physical anatomy or how they act or dress, and it’s all based on what they think they are, then how is a teacher to know how a student identifies?”

Ms. Monk and Karen England, executive director of the Capitol Resource Institute, a conservative policy group based in Sacramento that is not a party to the suit, have raised concerns that self-defined gender identification could enable boys to enter girls’ locker rooms and bathrooms, violating privacy laws.

Equality California, which worked to build support for the bill, and the Gay-Straight Alliance Network filed a motion to intervene in San Diego on Dec. 21, saying they should be heard in the lawsuit as parties with a vested interest in the court’s decision.

“The same concocted concerns could theoretically apply to any of the categories,” said Shannon Minter, legal director for the National Center for Lesbian Rights, who filed the motion to intervene on behalf of the two groups.

“A student could identify as African-American or Muslim or Jewish, even if others do not perceive that student as such.”

Mr. Minter said the complaint by the conservative groups sought to erase protections for only lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youths. “They are simply attacking L.G.B.T. students in California,” he said.

The Gay-Straight Alliance Network has 10,000 student members in California schools who worked in support of the bill and who would benefit from the protections it provides to gay and lesbian students, said Carolyn Laub, executive director of the network. The bill also extends protection to people “associated” with students who identify with the protected groups.

The Capitol Resource Institute is working to gather the required signatures to put a referendum on the state ballot in June. If it succeeds, the bill would be suspended until the vote.

Until now, the definitions of categories like race, nationality, gender and sexual orientation existed only in the hate-crimes statute of the penal code. Educators had to consult education statutes and then cross-reference them with the penal code to navigate anti-discrimination laws.

“What this bill did was clean up the code,” Mr. Minter said. “It was not a substantive change to the law.”
California legislators amended the hate crimes statute in 1994 to define each of the protected classes as actual or perceived characteristics of identity.

In 2000, the California Student Safety and Violence Prevention Act added gender and sexual orientation as protected categories in the education code and referenced the penal code definitions.

Conservative groups have been working since then to overturn the inclusion of those categories in the education code.

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17. NEWS: Calif. Anti-biasBill Causes Stir Over 'Gender'

Calif. anti-bias bill causes stir over 'gender'

December 23, 2007
USA Today
By William M. Welch

LOS ANGELES — Warning that boys soon will be able to use girls' bathrooms and locker rooms, social conservatives and religious groups are trying to block a California law from taking effect in January that is designed to prohibit discrimination against gay and transgender people in schools.

Opponents are circulating petitions and fliers in churches and elsewhere warning that the law will permit "homosexual indoctrination" of schoolchildren as young as 5 and that "gender-specific bathrooms would also be discriminatory."

"This is absolutely one of the most radical pieces of legislation we have ever seen," says Karen England, leader of the petition drive and executive director of the Capitol Resource Institute, a Sacramento lobbying and advocacy group for "family-friendly policies."

The law's sponsor says opponents are making "stupid claims" that aren't true. State Sen. Sheila Kuehl, a Democrat from Santa Monica, says the law she authored makes no mention of bathrooms and will not open the locker-room doors to gender mixing.

She says it clarifies and consolidates a 1999 California law that banned sexual discrimination in schools.

The new law, Kuehl says, is intended to strengthen and consolidate anti-discrimination language in the state's education code. The amended bill adds "gender" to the list of traits protected from discrimination.

Kuehl was the first openly gay person elected to the California Legislature and is a former child actor who played Zelda Gilroy on The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis TV show from 1959 to 1963.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, a Republican, signed her bill into law in October.

California "has some of the most comprehensive laws prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity" in the country, says Seth Kilbourn, political director of Equality California, a lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civil rights and advocacy group that has pushed for gay rights and same-sex marriage laws.

England's group filed a referendum petition with the state attorney general's office aimed at blocking the new law until it can be placed before voters in a 2008 election. Opponents face a Jan. 10 deadline to obtain the 433,971 necessary signatures to get it on the ballot.

Another group, Advocates for Faith and Freedom, filed suit in U.S. District Court arguing the new law is unconstitutionally vague and would violate state rights to privacy.

It was filed on behalf of a group of teachers, school board members and a San Diego County high school student identified as "Jennifer N."

Robert Tyler, general counsel for the group and lead attorney in the suit, says the new law expands on existing anti-discrimination law by defining gender "to mean, in short, you are what you think you are regardless of your assigned sex at birth."

The suit contends that the new law "will eliminate the biological understanding of the term 'gender.' "

"This law will allow kids, boys and girls in public schools, to decide their own gender," Tyler says. "As a result, they have the right to go into any restroom they choose and any locker room they choose."

Kilbourn says, "Those claims are completely false and absurd."

He says it would remain up to individual districts and schools to decide how to accommodate transgender students.

"For seven years this kind of discrimination has been prohibited by California law, and there's been no such outrageous outcome," Kilbourn says.

England says the group has received more than 100,000 signatures and is counting on receiving 400,000 more petitions with multiple signatures.

The group has distributed petitions at more than 40 locations around California, many of them Christian churches and at least two Republican Party headquarters. The group has made available a ready-to-print flier for insertion in church bulletins urging churchgoers to sign the petition "to save our kids from homosexual indoctrination."

"References to 'mom and dad' will be considered promoting bias against homosexuals," the flier says.

"Any school activities such as having a prom king and queen or gender-specific bathrooms would also be discriminatory," it says. Children as young as 5, "will be subjected to the promotion of homosexuality."

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