News
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10. NEWS: Huge Celebration of PRIDE
Hundreds of thousands fill Market Street with 'incredible' color

by Simone Sebastian, Demian Bulwa
San Francisco Chronicle
June 26, 2006

Bull-riding cowboys, pirates dressed in pink and pit bulls in rainbow-colored tutus filled Market Street among the 200 groups that left no societal convention unscathed Sunday in San Francisco's 36th annual Pride Parade and Celebration.

Hundreds of thousands of spectators jammed downtown sidewalks and reached over police gates to score multicolored beads and candy that parade participants threw into the cheering crowd.

"I'll show you my breasts!" 22-year-old Riley Fitzgerald called out jokingly in an effort to get a beaded necklace to match the pink one wrapped around his wrist. Fitzgerald, an emergency medical service volunteer with a perfect view of the parade from a Muni platform on Market Street, cheered loudly as Mayor Gavin Newsom's Mardi Gras-themed group passed.

"I am soaking up this parade. I am so stoked," he said with candy overflowing from his fanny pack, which also carried Band-Aids, gauze and sunscreen. "I feel like I'm able to participate and contribute to the continuity of this."

People poured out of BART and Muni stations and climbed onto streetlight poles and newspaper stands for better views. Others peered from hotel and apartment windows, waving rainbow flags or dancing -- one man in his underwear -- to the marching bands' music.

Bare breasts and pierced chests spotted the parade, which spanned more than a mile from Beale to Eighth streets.
As always, the Dykes on Bikes women's motorcycle group led the procession.

"The Dykes on Bikes are where it's at," former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown said as he hurried into position before the parade started. "That's what you want to see."

"The color is just incredible," Brown said, scanning the sea of performers in front of him. "The Lord has blessed us."

Not far behind the Dykes on Bikes, performers on the Balloon Magic float, many topless and a few on roller skates, were dressed in little more than colorful inflated latex....

...Some spectators said they felt the parade had become more diverse in recent years. They said its contingents were more representative of the many members of the gay community. There were teenagers representing high school gay-straight alliances and members of Old Lesbians Organizing for Change, which includes women age 60 and older.

Arianna Trujillo-Robnett, a 16-year-old student at Mount Pleasant High School in San Jose, said she was excited because she attended the parade last year with her mom; this year she was joined by nearly a dozen classmates. She said being gay in high school still carries a stigma.

"You have people who support us but don't associate with us," Trujillo-Robnett said.

Members of the Gay-Straight Alliance Network, which unites school-based GSAs around the Bay Area, carried signs that ranged from the whimsical to the political, including: "If you don't want a gay marriage, don't get one," "Viva la Revolucion Homosexual!" and "My sexual orientation? Horizontal, usually."

To read the full story, visit:
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/06/26/MNGAVJKD7D1.DTL&hw=gay+straight+alliance&sn=001&sc=1000

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11. NEWS: S.F. gay pride group hurls a 'Pink Brick' at Gov. Schwarzenegger

By Phillip Matier, Andrew Ross
San Francisco Chronicle
June 21, 2006

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is preparing to embrace gay Republicans at a fundraiser in Southern California next week -- but back in San Francisco, a brick is headed his way over his veto of last year's same-sex marriage bill.

Schwarzenegger is this year's recipient of the "Pink Brick'' award, a raspberry handed out annually by organizers of the San Francisco gay pride parade.

The governor received nearly a third of the 3,043 mail-in ballots cast in advance of this Sunday's parade. That was well ahead of the second-place Concerned Women for America, a Christian-based group that campaigns against same-sex marriage.

Last year's brick winner was Sen. Dianne Feinstein, for her analysis that the "too much, too fast, too soon" push for same-sex marriage rights had helped cost the Democrats the 2004 presidential election.

"It's just another way to put pressure on a leader to look at our community ... and take our issues seriously," said Lindsey Jones, executive director of the San Francisco pride parade.

The brick wasn't the only snub Arnold got in repayment for his veto in September of Assemblyman Mark Leno's bill granting same-sex partners the right to marry. Organizers of gay pride events in San Diego, Long Beach and elsewhere declined to publish the greeting and letter of appreciation that Schwarzenegger sent out last month ahead of the celebrations.

In San Francisco's case, organizers ran the governor's letter in their gay pride magazine -- but also included a side letter pointing out both Schwarzenegger's good deeds and failures when it came to issues of interest to the gay and lesbian community.

Asked about his refusal to back same-sex marriages during a Webcam conversation with the public Tuesday, Schwarzenegger -- whose chief of staff, Susan Kennedy, is a lesbian -- emphasized his support for domestic partner rights. But he said voters had sent a loud and clear "no" in 2000 when they passed Proposition 22, which reaffirmed the state's definition of marriage as being between a man and a woman.

And you can bet he will be singing much the same tune June 29 when he's scheduled to appear at a big Hollywood gathering benefiting the gay Log Cabin Republicans. It's his first appearance before a gay audience since taking office in November 2003.

To read the full story, visit:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2006/06/21/BAG6SJHBAD1.DTL&type=politics

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12. NEWS: SF GSA members recognized

by Rob Akers
Bay Area Reporter

Three youth members of gay-straight alliances who are active in the fight for gay rights were among 15 local high school students honored during a special ceremony held Friday, June 9, in the California State Building in San Francisco.

Assemblyman Mark Leno (D-San Francisco), in collaboration with Youth Leadership Institute, recognized the students during the second annual event held to honor youth who have shown exceptional commitment to community service.

"We had such a great time doing this last year, we couldn't help but do it again," Leno said during the ceremony. "It is this time that we recognize these remarkable youth to be honored by our office for civic and community service. It is outstanding that each of these students understand at such an early age what value to a community means."

Students recognized came from various high schools throughout San Francisco and included Talen Lee, a sophomore from Galileo Academy High School who is openly gay; Mary Louise Northcutt, a senior from Raoul Wallenberg Traditional High School; and Adrienne Formentos, a senior from Thurgood Marshall Academic High School.

To read the full story, visit:
http://www.ebar.com/news/article.php?sec=news&article=952

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June 21, 2006

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

GSA Network Highlight
Grants awarded to two GSAs in California!
Go directly to GSA Network highlight

GSA Network Announcements
1. Critical safer schools legislation progressing through state legislature!
2. Join GSA Network and tons of youth at SF PRIDE! THIS WEEKEND!!!!!!!! (San Francisco)
3. GSA Network Activist Camps! APPLY ONLINE NOW - SPOTS GOING FAST!
4. Support Youth Films at the SF LGBT Film Festival (San Francisco)
5. Join GSA Network at the SF AIDS WALK (San Francisco)
6. GSA Network is Hiring! - Development Coordinator and Operations Director (San Francisco)
Go directly to GSA Network announcements

Other Announcements
Southern California
7. LGBTQ Youth Pajama Party and Movie Night (Los Angeles)
Go directly to Southern California listings

Northern California
8. Calling All Youth Artists (Bay Area)
9. Rethinking Young People's Sexuality and Reproductive Health - 5th Annual Summer Institute (San Francisco)
Go directly to Northern California listings

National
10. Current and Third Millennium Foundation "Seeds of Tolerance" - Make A Video, Make A Difference
Go directly to National listings

Jobs
11. Community Organizer - Bienestar (Los Angeles)
Go directly to Jobs listings

News
12. NEWS: Lifetime's film on Gwen Araujo exceeds expectations
13. NEWS: Assembly Takes Up Bill To Include Gay Info In Textbooks
14. NEWS: Hundreds Protest Allowing Textbooks to Include Gay Information
Go directly to News listings


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

Grants awarded to two GSAs in California!

For the third year in a row, the California Safe Schools Coalition (CSSC), a partnership of organizations and individuals dedicated to eliminating discrimination and harassment on the basis of actual or perceived sexual orientation and gender identity in California schools has announced grants to local partners working to protect California students in K-12 schools. The goal of the Coalition, which was co-founded by GSA Network, is to support local efforts to implement AB 537, the California Student Safety and Violence Prevention Act of 2000, which added sexual orientation and gender (including gender identity) to the list of protected categories in the state Education Code.

The California Safe Schools Coalition (CSSC) is proud to announce its 2006-2007 Minigrant Program award recipients. Awards go to individuals and organizations who are doing work directly with schools to create a safer environment for all students, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Two Gay-Straight Alliance clubs were awarded grants this year: Carlsbad High School in San Diego County and Mission High School in San Francisco.

Carlsbad High School's GSA is a second-year recipient of the CSSC's Minigrant Program. With their renewed funding of $850, GSA students will train other GSA students to implement the LGBT awareness training they created using last year's Minigrant funding. Their hope is that the training that they have created will become a permanent and regular part of teacher in-service programs for the Carlsbad Unified School District. Some comments from teachers who participated in Carlsbad High's GSA training last spring include: "Your Breaking the Silence Training for teachers was presented with dignity and was very professional. I was touched to tears by your courage and personal stories."; and "You definitely inspired me to be more vigilant about getting on kids outside my classroom who use discriminatory language, and including more gay, lesbian, transgender role models in my curriculum".

The Mission High School GSA wants to be a model for other San Francisco or California high schools about how to promote the safety of LGBT students. With their grant of $2,000 they plan to empower and train student leaders to increase the awareness of LGBT issues within their school. With the goal of moving beyond tolerance to acceptance, the GSA plans to engage in the Day of Silence, organize Pride Assemblies, hold movie nights, engage in youth leadership training with other community partners, and hold a drama performance of a gay-related play such as the Laramie Project. GSA members plan on publishing an activities/curriculum manual documenting their projects to share with other schools who wish to create a safer learning environment.

Congratulations to Carlsbad GSA and Mission GSA!

For more information on the California Safe Schools Coalition, visit: www.casafeschools.org

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

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1. Critical safer schools legislation progressing through state legislature

GSA Network is pleased to announce that AB 606 (The Safe Place to Learn Act) passed the Senate's Education Committee this afternoon with a 7-2 vote. Recent Folsom High School graduate Lance Chih and GSA Network Executive Director Carolyn Laub both testified in favor of the legislation. The bill is expected to be voted upon by the Senate's Judiciary Committee in a hearing scheduled to take place during the afternoon of June 27.

SB 1437 (The Bias-Free Curriculum Act) passed the Assembly's Education Committee with a 7-3 vote last week during a hearing on June 14. Lance Chih and Rocklin High School rising senior Nicole Blagg testified in favor of the bill. The Assembly's Judiciary Committee is expected to vote on it during a hearing also scheduled for June 27.

Please visit www.gsanetwork.org/qyad to find out how you can support AB 606 and SB 1437 by contacting your legislators and educating people in your communities about issues LGBTQ youth are facing in California schools.

Finally, Governor Schwarzenegger has declared his lack of support for CA LGBTQ youth by announcing his intention to veto SB 1437. Speak out and tell him your opinions of this decision.

Visit Equality California's Action Center here and email him your thoughts directly, or use his automated phone system to punch in your support! Here's how to call:

CALL the governor's office at (916) 445-2841
Press 1 for English
Press 2 for legislation
Press 1 for SB 1437
Press 1 to support it!

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2. Join GSA Network and tons of youth at SF PRIDE! THIS WEEKEND!!!!!!!! (San Francisco)

Hey everyone,
We'd really love to see you (yes, YOU!) next weekend for San Francisco Pride! The parade on Sunday the 25th is going to be HUGE (and gay! It's going to be HUGELY GAY), and we want you to be a part of our youth contingent! If you're an adult ally and you want to join our contingent, sign up to be a contingent monitor!!

After the parade is Day 2 of the Pride Celebration at Civic Center -- we invite youth and adults to hang out in our booth and spread the word about GSA Network! All you have to do is give our coordinator Marco an email (marco@gsanetwork.org) or a call (415.552.4229) ASAP if you want to volunteer either as a contingent monitor, in the booth, or handing out flyers about safer school legislation.

Back to the parade! To march with us, here's what you've got to do:
1. Wake up early. Trust us, it's worth the pain!
2. By 9:00 AM, get yourself to Spear St. between Mission and Howard (BART and Muni riders: get off at the Embarcadero station. Spear is one block after Main St. Look it up on a map beforehand because it's easy to get disoriented the morning of the parade!). 
We are in Assembly Area G. G as in Gay. G as in, Get here by 9:15 AM at the very latest because we're 26th in the lineup!!!
3. Bring your posters, banners, and noisemakers! Bring your friends! Just BRING IT.

The Pride Parade is the climax of Pride Week; a week during which we honor our history and our future with everyone who chooses to support us. The Parade is the community's opportunity to express freedom, gratitude and pride for being able to live in harmony. Don't miss out!

SEE YOU ON THE 25TH! WE CAN'T WAIT TO SEE WHAT YOU'LL BE WEARING!

-- The Super-Excited Staff of GSA Network

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3. GSA Network Activist Camps! APPLY ONLINE NOW - SPOTS GOING FAST!

The GSA Activist Camps are youth-planned and youth-led intense 3-day events featuring hardcore community building, skill-building, political education, and leadership training for GSA members. All youth who will be involved in a high school or middle school GSA next year are strongly encouraged to apply.

Southern California Activist Camp - Los Angeles
July 14th - 16th, 2006

Central Valley Activist Camp - Fresno
August 11th - 13th, 2006

NEW DATE and LOCATION
Northern California Activist Camp - Fresno
August 11th - 13th, 2006

Exciting News!! We have decided to join the Northern California and Central Valley Camps this year to make one large, super fun, networking extravaganza!! This year the Northern California Camp will take place in sunny Fresno, California where we will house you at Fresno State University for three days of trainings, networking and FUN!! Lots of great activities including swimming, ping pong and pool.

TRANSPORTATION WILL BE PROVIDED FROM SAN FRANCISCO TO FRESNO!!

APPLY ONLINE! Click here to get more info and apply online!

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4. Support Youth Films at the SF LGBT Film Festival (San Francisco)

Frameline30
San Francisco International LGBT Film Festival
June 15-25, 2006
www.frameline.org/festival

Do It Yourself -- New Youth Films
Wednesday June 21  | 6:00 pm  | Roxie
$9 members   | $10 general   | DOIT21R
Free for ages 18 and under (present ID at door)!

CO-PRESENTED BY Dimensions Clinic, Gay-Straight Alliance Network, and Teaching Intermedia Literacy Tools

Adolescence and young adulthood is a time of golden beauty, vivid dreams, disappointments and hope. Here's an incredible chance to see new work made by youth in collaboration with media arts organizations including Frameline, TILT, BAVC and the Media Arts Center of San Diego.

Jennifer Gilomen's "Queer Youth Speak: In and Out at the Library" follows two young people as they experience the queer past through an archive and add their own poetic voices to the history they witness. Johanna Malaret and Ethan van Thillo's documentary  "Altared Lives" follows ten LGBTQ young adults as they explore religion, family, culture and sexuality.

The following films were made by the Wells Fargo/ Frameline Youth Filmmaker Workshop in collaboration with TILT. The lives of passengers briefly intersect on a BART train in erica sokolowershain's  "Where have we been all this time?" When a queer teenager stains her clothes, she must find a way to come out to her parents without her lucky shirt in Juliana Spector's "Stainless."

QUEER YOUTH SPEAK: IN AND OUT AT THE LIBRARY dir Jennifer Gilomen 2005 USA 14 min video
ALTARED LIVES dir Ethan van Thillo & Johanna Malaret 2006 USA 27 min video
WHERE HAVE WE BEEN ALL THIS TIME? dir ericka sokolowershain 2006 USA 7 min video
STAINLESS dir Juliana Spector 2006 USA 10 min video
TOTAL RUNNING TIME: 58 Min

Frameline30, the 30th San Francisco International LGBT Film Festival, screening June 15-25 at the Castro Theatre, Roxie Film Center, Victoria Theatre, Cinearts@Empire, and the Parkway Theatre is the oldest and largest event of its kind in the world. Tickets are available at Superstar Satellite video store located at 474 Castro Street (between Market and 18th Street in San Francisco), online at www.frameline.org/festival, by phone at 925 866 9559 and by fax at 925 866 9597.

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5. Join GSA Network at the SF AIDS WALK (San Francisco)

One easy way to give back this summer is by joining the LGBTQ youth walking contingent that will be participating in the San Francisco AIDS Walk on Sunday, July 16, in Golden Gate Park. GSA Network and the Lavender Youth Recreation and Information Center (LYRIC) are teaming up to make sure LGBTQ and straight ally youth have a huge presence at this year's AIDS Walk. Participants may even be eligible for $100 stipends if they walk this year, attend two related trainings, and volunteer for the AIDS Walk itself. More information about this is below!

Make $$$! Make Connections! Make a Difference!
Get your friends and get involved in a great cause: Join the Queer Youth Contingent of the 20th Annual AIDS Walk! (Sunday, July 16)
Get ACTIVE: Weekly Queer Youth Volunteer Nights at the AIDS Walk home base (Free dinner provided)
Get SMART: HIV 101 & Grassroots Fundraising Trainings
Get OUT: Use your new-found knowledge to raise money for communities affected by HIV/AIDS
Get PAID: $100 stipend for your participation
Get FASHIONABLE: Receive a free team T-Shirt
Get MOVING: AIDS Walk San Francisco - July 16, 2006
Get REGISTERED: For more information, contact Jaedon at LYRIC (jaedon@lyric.org) or 415.703.6150 x13

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6. GSA Network is Hiring! - Development Coordinator and Operations Director (San Francisco)

Development Coordinator: GSA Network seeks a part-time (20 hours per week) Development Coordinator to coordinate and support all aspects of the organization's growing individual donor program and development department systems. The Development Coordinator will be the first development staff member at GSA Network, and will work closely with the Executive Director, and development and special events consultants, to implement the annual fundraising plan ($86,250 from individuals in 2006, which is 9% of GSA Network's total budget). GSA Network now has 600 individual donors who contribute through personal solicitations of the Board and Executive Director, direct mail, a monthly pledge program, one annual fundraising event, and occasional house parties. The Development Coordinator will play an important role in helping GSA Network expand all of these activities and build stronger relationships with all individual donors. A demonstrated passion for LGBTQ youth leadership and empowerment, an understanding of youth culture, and commitment to social change is required for all positions at GSA Network.

Operations Director: GSA Network is looking for a full-time Operations Director to work in our San Francisco office. The Operations Director is responsible for fiscal and administrative management, technology and information systems, operations, and some fund development projects for GSA Network. In 2006, GSA Network will be leaving its fiscal sponsor, the Tides Center, and establishing its own 501c3 status. The Operations Director will lead GSA Network through this transition and will help set up new financial, human resources and administrative systems for our organization as an independent 501c3. A demonstrated passion for LGBTQ youth leadership and empowerment, an understanding of youth culture, and commitment to social change is required for all positions at GSA Network.

To get more information on the job descriptions and how to apply, visit: www.gsanetwork.org/about/index.html#jobs

Equal Opportunity Employer:
GSA Network, a project of the Tides Center, is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from youth, people of color, people of all sexual orientations and gender identities, and people with disabilities.

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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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7. LGBTQ Youth Pajama Party and Movie Night (Los Angeles)

LA Shanti presents a Youth Pajama Party and Movie Night featuring: PARIS IS BURNING - an exploration of the NY Ball scene. There will be a discussion to follow.

Friday, June 23rd
7-10pm
@ L.A. Shanti
1616 N. LaBrea Avenue
(Between Hollywood & Sunset)
323-962-8197 X323
This is a SUBSTANCE-FREE Social Event for LGTBQ Youth 15-24.

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Northern California
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8. Calling All Youth Artists (Bay Area)

Seeking submissions of art for new queer youth zine

A collection of youth perspectives on the violence they've experienced in their lives and in their communities

Many of us in the queer community have experienced violence and/or abuse at some point in our lives. Rarely, if ever, are we given the chance to share those experiences, much less heal from them. Four young women were given that opportunity through the Queer Young Women's Video Project (a project of LYRIC, Bay Area Video Coalition and San Francisco Women Against Rape) and wanted to continue that work by offering queer youth and their youth allies the chance to share their stories and end the silence surrounding violence in our community. We would like you to help us create a zine that reveals a side of our selves and our communities that has been hidden for too long. It is time to end the shame. Tell your story! End the silence! End the violence!

If you are an interested artist that's 24 or under, we invite you to submit your…

*Stories
*Poetry
*Songs
*Photography
*Drawings
*Paintings
*Collages
*Graphic art
...and anything that can be reproduced on a printed page.

We are accepting submissions from queer youth and their allies, 24 & under. We especially encourage submissions from those who have experienced violence and/or abuse, people of color, immigrant folks, women, transgender and genderqueer folks, poor and working class folks, differently-abled folks, homeless folks, and other marginalized communities.

The deadline for submissions is Tuesday, June 27th.

Please limit written works to 2 pages. For visual works, please include at least a 2-3 line explanation of what it means to you.

Email submissions to:
jaedon@lyric.org

Mail submissions to:
End the Silence Zine Project
C/O Jaedon
127 Collingwood Street
San Francisco, CA 94114

We also invite you to be part of the creative process and help us design and produce the zine:

Thursday, June 29th and Friday, June 30th
11 am to 5 pm
LYRIC
127 Collingwood Street, 2nd Floor
(Lunch will be provided)

For more details or to RSVP for the production days, please contact Jaedon:
415.703.6150 x13 or jaedon@lyric.org

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9. Rethinking Young People's Sexuality and Reproductive Health - 5th Annual Summer Institute (San Francisco)

National Sexuality Resource Center (NSRC) and San Francisco State University 5th Annual SUMMER INSTITUTE

2006 NSRC Summer Institute Theme:
Rethinking Young People's Sexuality and Reproductive Health
July 10 - July 28, 2006
Applications are still being accepted.

Final deadline is JUNE 30th
(only 3 spaces left, so apply today!)

Check out our website for information on courses and faculty: nsrc.sfsu.edu/summerinstitute

Join students, professionals, leading experts and faculty from the United States and internationally for this unique educational and networking gathering.

2006 Featured Events:
Susan Stryker, Ph.D. will present and discuss her Northern California Emmy Award winning film, "Screaming Queens: The Riot at Compton's Cafeteria."
Caitlin Ryan will discuss the Family Acceptance Project which studies the impact of family acceptance and rejection on the health, mental health and well-being of LGBT youth.
Who are "ex-gay" youth? How are LGBT communities building links to Black and Hispanic communities?
The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Policy Institute will present several recent policy-building projects.
Gary Dowsett, Ph.D. will discuss "Sex, Drugs, Love & Danger" highlighting the controversies now facing the field of sexuality.

Lecturers include:
Gilbert Herdt, Ph.D.
Dorinda Welle, Ph.D.
Gary Dowsett, Ph.D.
Deborah Tolman, Ed.D.

Courses involving theory, methodology and skills building include:
Sex, Social Inequality and Sexual Health
Qualitative Methods in Sexuality Research
Crises in Sexuality: Understanding Adolescent Sexualities and Identities

Special events include:
Guest speakers from local community based organizations
Professional networking forums
Academic advising

6 academic units offered. SFSU on-campus housing is available.

For more information, please contact:
Jennifer Feeney, Summer Institute & Education Coordinator
(415) 437-5113 or nsrc_si@sfsu.edu

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National
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10. Current and Third Millennium Foundation "Seeds of Tolerance" - Make A Video, Make A Difference

As we launch our biggest call-out ever for viewer created content (VC2), Current is trying to change the way we see each other.

In partnership with the Third Millennium Foundation, Current is unveiling “Seeds of Tolerance,” an opportunity for aspiring young journalists and filmmakers to produce short-form videos, or “pods,” on the issue of unlearning intolerance and understanding diversity.

Scheduled to start June 15, our audience is encouraged to submit stories, thoughts, poems, and anecdotes on the concept of tolerance. The video pieces can relate to racism, sexism, homophobia, economic or social class, disability, age or religion. We’re asking our audience: what does tolerance mean to you?

$100,000 for the Producer
Out of all the entries, five semifinalists will air on the network, and the grand prize winner will earn $100,000 cash, along with an additional $15,000 to a relevant charity of his or her choice. Two finalists will walk away with $10,000 each. All of the entries are eligible to be aired on the network.

Judges
Current is also reaching out to celebrity judges to help select our best videos, who will help select our semi-finalists along with a panel of Current and Third Millennium staff that reflects diversity in race, gender, ethnicity and sexual orientation. The final vote will be cast by our viewers, who will select the grand prize winner and two finalists online at www.current.tv/tolerance.

Marketing
Using a strategy that focuses on low-hanging fruit, the marketing campaign focuses on building relationships with non-profit and film organizations, with creative ideas that challenge the assumptions we all make about each other.

For more info: cvmclean@gmail.com

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Jobs:
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11. JOBS: Community Organizer - Bienestar (Los Angeles)

POSITION: Community Organizer
DEPARTMENT:  Public Affairs
REPORTS TO:  Public Affairs Director
SALARY RANGE: 32K to 35 K DOE/Q
EXEMPT/NON EXEMPT: Full time-Exempt      
Application Deadline: July 7, 2006

ABOUT BIENESTAR: Founded in 1989 as a grassroots organization based in Los Angeles, BIENESTAR is the largest Latino community-based organization in the United States that meets the social services, health education and prevention needs of Latino men, women, and children living with HIV/AIDS, and those most at risk of HIV, sexually transmitted diseases (STD's) and other infections. We accomplish this through community education, prevention, mobilization, advocacy, and the provision of direct social support services. BIENESTAR is a strong advocate for the civil rights of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) community.

POSITION DESCRIPTION: LGBT Latinos/as have largely been underrepresented in the LGBT movement in California. Anti-immigration legislation, harmful HIV/AIDS legislation, and the potential Anti-Gay Initiatives expected in November of 2008 could have devastating effects on the LGBT Latina/o community. Bienestar's Proyecto Orgullo is committed to building a strong base of LGBT Latina/o support against hateful and discriminatory legislation and works in support of pro-LGBT legislation. As LGBT and Latinas/os, we are affected by all of these issues. It's important we come together as a community and fight for Justice and Equality. Bienestar seeks a full-time community organizer to manage a sustained community education and LGBT support identification project.

HOW TO APPLY:
Please send resume and cover letter by July 7th to:
mguerrero@bienestar.org

To see full job description: www.bienestar.org/Employment.asp

No phone calls, please.

Bienestar is committed to enhancing the health and well-being of the Latino community and other underserved communities.

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News
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12. NEWS: Lifetime's film on Gwen Araujo exceeds expectations

By Charlie McCollum
San Jose Mercury News
Jun. 19, 2006

Earlier this year, Michael Magidson and Jose Merel, convicted of murdering Newark transgender teenager Gwen Araujo in October of 2002, stood in a courtroom in Hayward and were given the maximum sentence of 15 years to life.

Concluding a drawn-out legal process, the sentences brought some measure of closure to the teenager's family, but only a measure. Speaking for the family that day, Sylvia Guerrero, Gwen's mother, told the court that "we've each been given a lifetime sentence of loss and sadness."

Later, outside the courtroom, she added: "Gwen deserved the right to live her life. To grow up into a woman, to love, to succeed, to fail and to get back up again, just like all of the rest of us."

The short life of Gwen Araujo, and its tragic end, are the subject of "A Girl Like Me: The Gwen Araujo Story," a new film airing tonight at 9 on Lifetime. Co-produced by Los Angeles attorney Gloria Allred, who represented Guerrero during the trial, "A Girl Like Me" is a surprisingly strong effort from Lifetime, which most often favors the soapy and the overwrought even when a film is based on compelling real-life events.

As docudramas go -- and, on television, they usually go very badly (remember the ones on Amber Frey, Jessica Lynch and Scott Peterson?) -- this is reasonably quality stuff. It has a restrained script from Shelley Evans ("Footsteps"), smart direction from Agnieszka Holland ("Europa Europa" and episodes of "The Wire") and solid performances by Oscar winner Mercedes Ruehl ("The Fisher King") as Guerrero and J.D. Pardo ("American Dreams") as Gwen.


Ruehl, in particular, is masterful, portraying a mother who comes to accept that her son Eddie wants and needs to live his life as a woman, and giving Gwen the same unconditional love she had given Eddie. Some of the best scenes come when Guerrero has to deal with the prejudices of her own traditional Latino family and the tensions they create. (The family eventually came to accept Gwen's choice.)

To read the full story, visit:
http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/entertainment/television/14849877.htm

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13. NEWS: Assembly Takes Up Bill To Include Gay Info In Textbooks
SB 1437 Co-Authored By Santa Cruz Assemblyman

June 14, 2006
theKSBWchannel.com

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. -- The state Assembly heard testimony Wednesday on a bill that would require all California textbooks to note the accomplishments of gays and lesbians in history, and the stage is being set for a veto from the governor.

The controversial bill, SB 1437, is co-authored by Assemblyman John Laird, D-Santa Cruz. California could make history by passing it.

"The achievements of gays and lesbians throughout history are relevant whether or not you agree with people being gay and lesbian or how you feel about from a religous, social, or philosophical point of view," said Amy Wirth of the Diversity Center.

Opponents of the bill said the sexuality of historical figures is irrelevant to their contributions.

"They are talked about as men and women who are making contributions to our country, who have stepped up as statesmen, political people ... whatever their contributions have been ... and they're just looked at as people," said Rev. Dean Bouzeos of Santa Cruz Bible Church.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has said he will veto the bill, but that's little discouragement said those pushing for more diversity and tolerance in schools where children may struggle with their own identity.

"You know, we can learn a lot from each other whether it be the Latino community, whether it be gays and lesbians, whether it be the Christian community ... how they dealt with the human condition, and I think that's really important in what we want to teach in our history books," said John Collins of the Santa Cruz City School Board.

To read the full story, visit:
http://www.theksbwchannel.com/news/9371988/detail.html

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14. NEWS: Hundreds Protest Allowing Textbooks to Include Gay Information

June 12, 2006
Written for the web by  Elizabeth Bishop, KXTV - news10.net

Hundreds of members of conservative and religious groups rallied at the State Capitol to urge legislators and the governor to reject bills they say will indoctrinate public school children. They are especially upset about a bill that would require lessons on positive contributions of gays and lesbians in history.

Arguments broke out between the protesters and about a half dozen counter demonstrators who had their own signs and rainbow flags. Motorists driving past the main group of protesters honked their horns in support.

The Pacific Justice Institute and religious leaders oppose three bills that prohibit discrimination against gay students, promote tolerance of gays, and require schools to teach about accomplishments of gays in history and social studies classes.

"The legislators need to hear very clearly the position of parents in California," said Brad Dacus, president of the Pacific Justice Institute. "They aren't going to be silent on election day. Legislators need to realize they're going to be held accountable for whether to respect the rights of parents or whether they're going to turn public schools into places of indoctrination."

"We have secular schools and a secular government and the government is supposed to remain neutral on religious matters," said Jerry Sloan, the co-founder of the Lambda Community Center. "And gay people have every right to have our gay forefathers and foremothers recorded in history, literature and other parts of the school curriculum."

Senate Bill 1437, sponsored by St. Sen. Sheila Kuehl, D-Santa Monica, modifies current law to prohibit the state Board of Education or any school governing body from adopting texts that contain information that reflects negatively on race, ethnicity, gender, disability, nationality, sexual orientation or religion.

To read the full story, visit:
http://www.news10.net/storyfull2.aspx?storyid=18116

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June 14, 2006

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

GSA Network Highlight
Arroyo High School Wins Raffle for GSA Evaluation!!
Go directly to GSA Network highlight

GSA Network Announcements
1. GSA Network Activist Camps! APPLY ONLINE NOW - SPOTS GOING FAST!
2. March with GSA Network for PRIDE 2006 (San Francisco)
3. GSA NETWORK Pride Volunteers Needed (San Francisco)
4. Support Youth Films at the SF LGBT Film Festival (San Francisco)
5. Join GSA Network at the SF AIDS WALK
6. JOB: GSA Network is Hiring! - Development Coordinator and Operations Director (San Francisco)
Go directly to GSA Network announcements

Other Announcements
Southern California
7. UCLA Lavender Graduation (Los Angeles)
8. LGBTQ Youth Pajama Party and Movie Night (Los Angeles)
Go directly to Southern California listings

Northern California
9. Ugly Ducklings (San Francisco)
10. Aquellas L.O.C.A.S. Presents "A Night of Jotaria, Peliculas y Performances" (San Francisco)
Go directly to Northern California listings

National
11. ACTION ALERT: Save MySpace, Facebook, Friendster and Essembly…
12. LGBTQ Youth needed in Department of Public Health Research
Go directly to National listings

Scholarships
13. This is the LAST WEEK TO APPLY for $16,000 in scholarships! (Bay Area)
Go directly to Scholarships listings

News
14. NEWS: High schools should add Gay/Straight Alliance club
15. NEWS: Colin Higgins Foundation Honors LGBT Youth Demonstrating Courage in the Face of Discrimination
Go directly to News listings


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

Arroyo High School Wins Raffle for GSA Evaluation!!

What a great year for Arroyo High School in Southern California! Not only did they win the $100 drawing for turning in their year-end GSA Network evaluation, but they were also involved with many great events. Although the club was founded just one year ago in 2004, this GSA (known as Project 10) has been quite busy on campus! Achievements so far include: creating an awareness walk to inform their student body about hate crimes, selling red ribbons for one week to raise AIDS awareness, and having guest speakers from local community colleges. Project 10 has also been artistically creative by designing and making their own club t-shirts! These student-designed t-shirts are black with white lettering/designs, with three couples on the front: male-male, female-female, and male-female figures shaped like the universal restroom figures. Their club name, Project 10, is located just above the figures. Way to represent on your campus! A big congratulations goes out to Arroyo High School for all their hard work, as well as for winning $100.

Thanks to all who turned in an evaluation this year. Your feedback has been very helpful. Remember, your school may win $100 next year by turning in a GSA Network year-end evaluation but if we have not heard from you yet, we would still love to get your feedback about how the school year went and how GSA Network can better support your efforts to create a safer school climate for LGBTQ students, allies and the campus as a whole.

FILL OUT YOUR EVALUATION TODAY!! Go to www.gsanetwork.org/yearendeval/index.php

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

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1. GSA Network Activist Camps! APPLY ONLINE NOW - SPOTS GOING FAST!

The GSA Activist Camps are youth-planned and youth-led intense 3-day events featuring hardcore community building, skill-building, political education, and leadership training for GSA members. All youth who will be involved in a high school or middle school GSA next year are strongly encouraged to apply.

Southern California Activist Camp - Los Angeles
July 14th - 16th, 2006

Central Valley Activist Camp - Fresno
August 11th - 13th, 2006

NEW DATE and LOCATION
Northern California Activist Camp - Fresno
August 11th - 13th, 2006

Exciting News!! We have decided to join the Northern California and Central Valley Camps this year to make one large, super fun, networking extravaganza!! This year the Northern California Camp will take place in sunny Fresno, California where we will house you at Fresno State University for three days of trainings, networking and FUN!! Lots of great activities including swimming, ping pong and pool.

TRANSPORTATION WILL BE PROVIDED FROM SAN FRANCISCO TO FRESNO!!

APPLY ONLINE! Click here to get more info and apply online!

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2. March with GSA Network for PRIDE 2006 (San Francisco)

Hey all you GSA activists and allies!! - Come represent your school, your GSA, yourself!!

Join GSA Network in our 2006 San Francisco Pride Parade contingent!

GSA Network invites GSAs from all over Northern California to participate in the 36th Annual San Francisco Pride Parade!!
The Pride Parade is the climax of Pride Week; a week during which we honor our history and our future with everyone who chooses to support us. The Parade is the community's opportunity to express freedom, gratitude and pride for being able to live in harmony.
The Parade starts at 10:30 AM at Market and Beale Street, traveling west along Market Street to Eighth Street.

To march with us, do one of the following:
1) Check our website or call our number a few days before the parade for information on our lineup. www.gsanetwork.org or 415-552-4229
2) If you have no access to a computer: On Sunday June 25th from 9:30 - 10:30 AM, we will be directing youth from the corner of Mission and Spear Street to our lineup spot.

TO RSVP or for MORE INFORMATION contact Marco, GSA Network's Northern California Program Coordinator.

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3. GSA NETWORK Pride Volunteers Needed (San Francisco)

Volunteers Needed for the 2006 San Francisco Pride Parade!

GSA Network is looking for volunteers for this year's parade and celebration. 
Volunteer with our youth for a four hour shift on Saturday, June 24th at the Civic Center Pride Celebration.
Volunteer as a contingent monitor on Sunday, June 25th during the parade.

If you are interested, contact Marco with GSA Network at marco@gsanetwork.org or 415-552-4229

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4. Support Youth Films at the SF LGBT Film Festival (San Francisco)

Frameline30
San Francisco International LGBT Film Festival
June 15-25, 2006
www.frameline.org/festival

Do It Yourself -- New Youth Films
Wednesday June 21  | 6:00 pm  | Roxie
$9 members   | $10 general   | DOIT21R
Free for ages 18 and under (present ID at door)!

CO-PRESENTED BY Dimensions Clinic, Gay-Straight Alliance Network, and Teaching Intermedia Literacy Tools

Adolescence and young adulthood is a time of golden beauty, vivid dreams, disappointments and hope. Here's an incredible chance to see new work made by youth in collaboration with media arts organizations including Frameline, TILT, BAVC and the Media Arts Center of San Diego.

Jennifer Gilomen's "Queer Youth Speak: In and Out at the Library" follows two young people as they experience the queer past through an archive and add their own poetic voices to the history they witness. Johanna Malaret and Ethan van Thillo's documentary  "Altared Lives" follows ten LGBTQ young adults as they explore religion, family, culture and sexuality.

The following films were made by the Wells Fargo/ Frameline Youth Filmmaker Workshop in collaboration with TILT. The lives of passengers briefly intersect on a BART train in erica sokolowershain's  "Where have we been all this time?" When a queer teenager stains her clothes, she must find a way to come out to her parents without her lucky shirt in Juliana Spector's "Stainless."

QUEER YOUTH SPEAK: IN AND OUT AT THE LIBRARY dir Jennifer Gilomen 2005 USA 14 min video
ALTARED LIVES dir Ethan van Thillo & Johanna Malaret 2006 USA 27 min video
WHERE HAVE WE BEEN ALL THIS TIME? dir ericka sokolowershain 2006 USA 7 min video
STAINLESS dir Juliana Spector 2006 USA 10 min video
TOTAL RUNNING TIME: 58 Min

Frameline30, the 30th San Francisco International LGBT Film Festival, screening June 15-25 at the Castro Theatre, Roxie Film Center, Victoria Theatre, Cinearts@Empire, and the Parkway Theatre is the oldest and largest event of its kind in the world. Tickets are available at Superstar Satellite video store located at 474 Castro Street (between Market and 18th Street in San Francisco), online at www.frameline.org/festival, by phone at 925 866 9559 and by fax at 925 866 9597.

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5. Join GSA Network at the SF AIDS WALK

One easy way to give back this summer is by joining the LGBTQ youth walking contingent that will be participating in the San Francisco AIDS Walk on Sunday, July 16, in Golden Gate Park. GSA Network and the Lavender Youth Recreation and Information Center (LYRIC) are teaming up to make sure LGBTQ and straight ally youth have a huge presence at this year's AIDS Walk. Participants may even be eligible for $100 stipends if they walk this year, attend two related trainings, and volunteer for the AIDS Walk itself. More information about this is below!

Make $$$! Make Connections! Make a Difference!
Get your friends and get involved in a great cause: Join the Queer Youth Contingent of the 20th Annual AIDS Walk! (Sunday, July 16)
Get ACTIVE: Weekly Queer Youth Volunteer Nights at the AIDS Walk home base (Free dinner provided)
Get SMART: HIV 101 & Grassroots Fundraising Trainings
Get OUT: Use your new-found knowledge to raise money for communities affected by HIV/AIDS
Get PAID: $100 stipend for your participation
Get FASHIONABLE: Receive a free team T-Shirt
Get MOVING: AIDS Walk San Francisco - July 16, 2006
Get REGISTERED: For more information, contact Jaedon at LYRIC (jaedon@lyric.org) or 415.703.6150 x13

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6. GSA Network is Hiring! - Development Coordinator and Operations Director (San Francisco)

Development Coordinator: GSA Network seeks a part-time (20 hours per week) Development Coordinator to coordinate and support all aspects of the organization's growing individual donor program and development department systems. The Development Coordinator will be the first development staff member at GSA Network, and will work closely with the Executive Director, and development and special events consultants, to implement the annual fundraising plan ($86,250 from individuals in 2006, which is 9% of GSA Network's total budget). GSA Network now has 600 individual donors who contribute through personal solicitations of the Board and Executive Director, direct mail, a monthly pledge program, one annual fundraising event, and occasional house parties. The Development Coordinator will play an important role in helping GSA Network expand all of these activities and build stronger relationships with all individual donors. A demonstrated passion for LGBTQ youth leadership and empowerment, an understanding of youth culture, and commitment to social change is required for all positions at GSA Network.

Operations Director: GSA Network is looking for a full-time Operations Director to work in our San Francisco office. The Operations Director is responsible for fiscal and administrative management, technology and information systems, operations, and some fund development projects for GSA Network. In 2006, GSA Network will be leaving its fiscal sponsor, the Tides Center, and establishing its own 501c3 status. The Operations Director will lead GSA Network through this transition and will help set up new financial, human resources and administrative systems for our organization as an independent 501c3. A demonstrated passion for LGBTQ youth leadership and empowerment, an understanding of youth culture, and commitment to social change is required for all positions at GSA Network.

To get more information on the job descriptions and how to apply, visit: www.gsanetwork.org/about/index.html#jobs

Equal Opportunity Employer:
GSA Network, a project of the Tides Center, is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from youth, people of color, people of all sexual orientations and gender identities, and people with disabilities.

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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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7. UCLA Lavender Graduation (Los Angeles)

UCLA Presents the 9th Annual UCLA LAVENDER GRADUATION, celebrating the lives and achievements of our 2006 LGBT graduates. The Gayest Commencement on Campus! Share the joy, share the pride, share the fun with our new UCLA LGBT graduates!

June 17th, 2006
12:30 PM
Korn Convocation Hall
(in the UCLA Anderson School of Management)
Reception to Follow
Keynote Speaker: Bruce Vilanch
Music by Vox Femina Los Angeles
Featuring Distinguished Service by an LGBT Alumnus to the LGBT Community Award: honoring philanthropist Roberta Conroy, presented by 2005 recipient Paul Colichman,  founder of here! TV.
Other speakers/presenters:
Sen. Sheila Kuehl, California Senate
Judy Chaisson, Project 10
Moof Mayeda, NGLTF
Harold Kamaya, API PFLAG
Janina Montero, UCLA Vice Chancellor Student Affairs
Peter Hayashida, UCLA Assistant Vice Chancellor
Rae Lee Siporin, Rae Lee Siporin Library at the UCLA LGBT Center

This event is free and open to the public. Parking is $8. From the 405, go east on Sunset Blvd. Turn south onto Westwood Plaza. Go forward into Parking Structure 4. Follow signs to the Anderson Business School. Allow extra time due to commencement traffic.

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8. LGBTQ Youth Pajama Party and Movie Night (Los Angeles)

LA Shanti presents a Youth Pajama Party and Movie Night featuring: PARIS IS BURNING - an exploration of the NY Ball scene. There will be a discussion to follow.

Friday, June 23rd
7-10pm
@ L.A. Shanti
1616 N. LaBrea Avenue
(Between Hollywood & Sunset)
323-962-8197 X323
This is a SUBSTANCE-FREE Social Event for LGTBQ Youth 15-24.

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Northern California
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9. Ugly Ducklings (San Francisco)

Dear Friends, Colleagues, Amiable Acquaintances and Interested Viewers, it's that time. Tickets are on sale for the premiere of UGLY DUCKLINGS, the documentary I recently directed and produced for Hardy Girls Healthy Women. It will be part of the Frameline Film Festival.

Jennifer Morris, the Director of Programming for Frameline, had this to say about UGLY DUCKLINGS: "I watched your film and just loved it. ...Your film is one of the best docs on queer youth I have seen in along time. And believe me I have seen them all. Thank you for submitting it to us."

You can go online at frameline.org to purchase tix. Only $7 what a bargain! Kids under 18 are free.
What: UGLY DUCKLINGS
When: Sunday June 18 at 3:45pm
Where: Roxie, 3117 16th Street (btwn Valencia and Guerrero), San Francisco

To Purchase Tickets: online @ Frameline.org, or call 925-866-9597 (9am-5pm), or walk up to Superstar Satellite at 474 Castro Street between Market and 18th in San Francisco (1-8p).

A bit about the film:
Last summer I spent two months in Waterville, Maine following thirteen girls, aged 10 - 22, and one adult woman as they prepared for their roles in a play by award-winning playwright Carolyn Gage. The play, also called "Ugly Ducklings", deals with issues of bias-based harassment, youth suicide, homophobia (internal and otherwise), sexual orientation, coming out and general teenage angst. The documentary film explores these themes through candid interviews with the actors, some of whose actual lives mirror the play. The play was cast not knowing which actors, if any, were other than heterosexual. For some, these interviews were the first time they had openly declared their sexuality. The interviews along with rehearsal, workshop and performance footage are blended to create an educational and entertaining look at the thoughts and feelings of GLBTQ youth and their allies.

You are heartily encouraged to bring friends and family to see UGLY DUCKLINGS. The appropriate viewing age is twelve and up. It's a very useful educational tool for parents and educators, or anyone who interacts with youth - straight, gay or questioning. Feel free to circulate this email to all you think would be interested.

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10. Aquellas L.O.C.A.S. Presents “A Night of Jotaria, Peliculas y Performances” (San Francisco)

In Collaboration with QueLACo & part of the 2006 National Queer Arts Festival

June 16 6:30-7:30pm
LGBT Community Center / Rainbow Room
1500 Market St. @ Octavia, SF
Tickets: $5 - $7
No 1 Turned Away 4 Lack of $$

Pride. Cultura. Representation. It’s gonna be a hot night of cultural & community pride, Jotaria style! Aquellas L.O.C.A.S. is an up-and-coming youth group based in the Mission that provides support, education, and cultural affirmation to young, queer/gay Latinas coming from underserved and underrepresented communities. We recognize the lack of our visibility within society, our families, our school, and our neighborhoods and look to improve conditions through dialogue about issues important to us, and by connecting with other queer/gay Latinas.

Contact Info: aquellaslocas@yahoo.com

Performers/artists: Aquellas bringin’ down the house drumming Afro-Cuban style

Short films/Videos:
“Pura Lengua”, written/produced by Maritza Hernandez, directed by Aurora Guerrero
“Viernes Girl” (winner of the 2005 HBO/NYILFF short film competition) directed by Aurora Guerrero
“Tienes Hambre?” by artist/filmmaker Marco Mercedes Rivera-Weiss

Performers:
Maceo Cabrera Estevez doing performance theatre
Elizabeth Chavez, Chicana writer/storyteller/filmmaker/editor/publisher, reading from her works
Poet/rapper Lady Tragik
COME OUT & SUPPORT US!!!

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National
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11. ACTION ALERT: Save MySpace, Facebook, Friendster and Essembly…

Mobilize.org has launched a campaign in response to Congress’ attempt to censor the communication of our generation. We have created the action alert below and built a website, http://www.mobilize.org We are hoping to get as much grassroots action as possible around this important issue, especially from the online community. Please feel free to forward, re-post, and get it everywhere and anywhere you think it should be!

Breaking News: Save MySpace, Facebook, Friendster and Essembly…

Legislation introduced last week will limit social networking, even sites used for educational and professional opportunities. What’s next? HR5319 will censor the communication of our generation and tell us who we can talk to, when and how. Tell Congress that social networking is a movement that we built, a movement that we are going to fight for.  This morning we reached our 1,500th message sent to Congress, help keep the messages coming in strong!

The bill blocks the use of these sites in public libraries, which is for many, the only access that they have to a computer. Our hope is to be able to amend the bill to take these facts into consideration. We agree that there needs to be safeguards put in place for "sexual predators" and any other crimes that might occur because of the accessibility of information on these sites, but to ban them in schools (including using school computers afterschool) and public libraries, is for many - banning MySpace.

A discussion of social networking and the internet, especially one impacting the way our generation primarily communicates, cannot and should not occur without the input of young people. This campaign isn't about fighting legislators, it is about uniting young people and giving them a voice.

Visit www.mobilize.org/SOS, take action, tell your friends and get mad.

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12. LGBTQ Youth Needed in Department of Public Health Research

The Child, Adolescent, and Family Branch (CAFB) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Georgetown National Technical Assistance Center; and the American Institutes for Research (AIR) are collaborating on a project. We will interview gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) youth who receive services such as individual therapy, mental health treatment, Individualized Education Planning, and foster care. We would like to understand the needs and experiences of these youth.

We will use this information to write two documents, or "briefs." One will be a youth-to-youth brief. This brief will allow GLBT youth to provide support and lessons learned through their personal experiences in youth-serving systems. Youth will help to write this brief.

The second brief will help administrators and service providers to improve the support they provide to GLBT youth. We believe that both briefs will greatly benefit GLBT youth because they will improve the quality of services they receive. 

The first step in this process is to hold an information session so that youth can ask questions and receive more detailed information on the development of the briefs. We will hold this session two times via a toll-free conference call based on the availability of interested youth.

Youth will receive a $25 honorarium after the information session if he or she decides to participate in the interviews. 

If you are an interested youth who is GLBT or if you know youth who are interested, please contact Jeff Poirier or Marlene Matarese. Jeff and Marlene are AIR staff helping to plan the information session and the interviews. You can reach Jeff by e-mail at jpoirier@air.org or at 202-403-5368. You can reach Marlene at mmatarese@air.org or 202-403-6959. Please provide the name and contact information for interested youth as well as time of day he or she is available Monday through Friday for the information session. 

The deadline for submitting the names of interested youth is June 16th by 5PM EST.

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Scholarships
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13. This is the LAST WEEK TO APPLY for $16,000 in scholarships! (Bay Area)

Are you...
In need of money to help pay for your education?
Asian or Pacific Islander (A&PI)?
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning (LGBTQQ)?
22 years old or younger?
Living in the San Francisco Bay Area (Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, Santa Clara, Solano, Sonoma, San Francisco or San Mateo County)?
A high school senior, high school graduate, have your GED or attending college?

If you answered "yes" to all of the above, this scholarship is for YOU! This fund awards scholarships totaling $16,000 to deserving applicants, with the goal of eradicating the isolation, invisibility, homophobia and heterosexism faced by thousands of A&PI queer and questioning youth in the Bay Area and beyond.

To apply, download the application from www.apiwellness.org/youth_app.html and submit by JUNE 15, 2006. If you have any questions, please e-mail Bryant at scholarship@apiwellness.org.

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News
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14. NEWS: High schools should add Gay/Straight Alliance club

by William R. Chase
The Desert Sun
June 11, 2006

Sexual orientation discrimination against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered high school youth ranges from subtle name-calling, to moderate to extreme emotional and physical abuse, to sometimes even death. The personal safety for many of these beleaguered adolescents continues to be largely ignored by school boards and top administrators across the country.

However, in 1996, recognizing the potential threats from this type of discrimination, students at the Salt Lake City East High School set out to make their school a safer place for LGBTQ students. They did this by forming the first Gay/Straight Alliance. Their objective was simple: Provide a safe, confidential, all-inclusive learning environment for students, no matter what their sexual orientation.

Almost a decade later, the group is still functioning - successfully.

Unfortunately, only three Coachella Valley high schools have a formal GSA in place. The others ought to consider forming a GSA group on their campuses.

To read the full article, visit:
http://www.thedesertsun.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060611/COLUMNS26/606110325/1215

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15. NEWS: Colin Higgins Foundation Honors LGBT Youth Demonstrating Courage in the Face of Discrimination 

247gay.com
06.07.06

(San Francisco, CA) - The Colin Higgins Youth Courage Awards are given each year to acknowledge remarkable lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender youth who refuse to be silenced by societal norms, demonstrating amazing courage when confronted with hardship, intolerance and bigotry based on sexual orientation and/or gender identity.

This year's winners have battled through tremendous hardship and discrimination and in response have offered their support to other youth as they confront their own set of difficult circumstances.

"Their courage to fight for freedom, not just for themselves, but for other LGBT youth has made them symbols of compassion and strength as well as beacons of hope within their communities and among LGBT youth." said Vanessa Daniel, primary philanthropic advisor to the Colin Higgins Foundation.

Faced with incredible challenges including brutal poverty, homelessness and rejection from family and community, this year's honorees have emerged as agents of change, committed to social justice.

To read the full story, visit:
http://www.247gay.com/article.cfm?section=66&id=9609

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June 7th, 2006

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

GSA Network Highlight
HIV/AIDS & GSAs: Get educated, get involved, and GET WALKING AT SF AIDS WALK!
Go directly to GSA Network highlight

GSA Network Announcements
1. GSA Network Activist Camps! APPLY ONLINE NOW - SPOTS GOING FAST!
2. March with GSA Network for PRIDE 2006
3. Support Youth Films at the SF LGBT Film Festival (San Francisco)
4. GSA Network is Hiring! - Development Coordinator and Operations Director
Go directly to GSA Network announcements

Other Announcements
Southern California
5. Youth Activities at L.A. Pride - Peer Party 4 (Los Angeles)
Go directly to Southern California listings

Northern California
6. The Third Annual LGBTQ Youth Prom "A Night as a Movie Star" (San Jose)
7. What's happening at Lyric this month (San Francisco)
8. Trans March! 2006 (San Francisco)
9. Bay Area Video Coalition Summer Intensive Program (San Francisco)
10. Reserve now to bring The Other Side of the Closet tour to your school in 2006!
11. July 2006 Community Programs at JFCS (Marin)
Go directly to Northern California listings

Statewide
12. State Capitol exhibit celebrating LGBT Pride Month (Sacramento)
Go directly to Statewide listings

National
13. Graduating GSA Leaders Start a GenderYOUTH Network Chapter
14.Screaming Queens: The Riot at Compton‚s Cafeteria - Playing for Pride Month
15. GLBT Awareness Institute (Boston)
Go directly to National listings

Scholarships
16. Erika J. Glazer Family Scholarship Fund - 2006 Scholarship Program
Go directly to Scholarships listings

Jobs
17. Communications Coordinator - Bienestar (Los Angeles)
Go directly to Jobs listings

News
18. NEWS: LOS ALTOS: 300 march in gay pride parade organized by high school group
19. NEWS: B.C. to add gay issues to school curriculum
20. NEWS: Kentucky School Accused Of Dragging Feet On Gay Club 
21. NEWS: Canadian Province To Offer Gay H.S. Course
22. NEWS: School appeals ruling on expelled girls' suit
Go directly to News listings


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

HIV/AIDS & GSAs: Get educated, get involved, and GET WALKING AT SF AIDS WALK!

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the first diagnosis of AIDS in the United States, and currently over a million Americans are living with HIV. So much attention has been paid to how much more effectively HIV/AIDS is treated medically, it's too easy to assume that it is no longer an issue of concern for LGBTQ youth. This isn't true.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently reported that it estimates almost half of urbanite African-American men who have sex with men are believed to be infected. Because of the prevalence of abstinence-only programs that are often the only available forms of sexual education in many schools across the United States, many youth do not have adequate access to practical information about safer-sex practices. Lingering bias against LGBTQ people and people with AIDS (PWAs) repels many people, including youth, from getting tested regularly or taking proper steps to protect themselves when being sexually active. And, of course, we all know it can be entirely too easy to consider yourself invincible when you're a teenager.

So, what can your GSA do to spread information about being safe and preventing HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections? Here are a few tips:

1. Educate yourself! Visit your local Planned Parenthood office, LGBTQ community center, or check out the web sites of reliable LGBTQ-friendly youth-specific organizations who work directly on sexual health issues like Advocates for Youth (www.advocatesforyouth.org). Learn tips and strategies on how to make healthy decisions.

2. Advocate for education! SB 71, the California Comprehensive Sexual Health and HIV/AIDS Prevention Act of 2004, requires that all sexual education curriculum and materials be medically-appropriate, accurate, and objective. It also states that sexual health education must be inclusive of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trangender individuals.

Find out more about SB 71 at www.gsanetwork.org/resources/index.html and determine if your school is following the law. If it is not, consider mounting a campaign with your GSA to convince your school to teach health classes that do educate everyone how to stay safe.

We all know GSAs are all about improving the safety and support of students and increasing tolerance. One great way to increase safety is by helping folks to stay healthy!

3. Educate everyone else! Hold an event or organize efforts to educate more of your classmates. Some possible ideas might include hosting a speaker, convening a school-wide forum, or mounting a poster campaign.

4. Fundraise for a good cause! What does your GSA do to raise cash?
Visit www.gsanetwork.org/resources/fundraising.html for fundraising tips and then donate some of those dollars to an organization that works on HIV/AIDS issues.

One easy way to give back this summer is by joining the LGBTQ youth walking contingent that will be participating in the San Francisco AIDS Walk on Sunday, July 16, in Golden Gate Park. GSA Network and the Lavender Youth Recreation Information Center are teaming up to make sure LGBTQ and straight ally youth have a huge presence at this year's AIDS Walk. Participants may even be eligible for $100 stipends if they walk this year, attend two related trainings, and volunteer for the AIDS Walk itself. More information about this is below!

Make $$$! Make Connections! Make a Difference!

Get your friends and get involved in a great cause: Join the Queer Youth Contingent of the 20th Annual AIDS Walk! (Sunday, July 16)

Get ACTIVE: Weekly Queer Youth Volunteer Nights at the AIDS Walk home base (Free dinner provided)

Get SMART: HIV 101 & Grassroots Fundraising Trainings

Get OUT: Use your new-found knowledge to raise money for communities affected by HIV/AIDS

Get PAID: $100 stipend for your participation

Get FASHIONABLE: Receive a free team T-Shirt

Get MOVING: AIDS Walk San Francisco - July 16, 2006

Get REGISTERED: For more information, contact Jaedon at LYRIC (jaedon@lyric.org) or 415.703.6150 x13

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

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1. GSA Network Activist Camps! APPLY ONLINE NOW - SPOT GOING FAST!

The GSA Activist Camps are youth-planned and youth-led intense 3-day events featuring hardcore community building, skill-building, political education, and leadership training for GSA members. All youth who will be involved in a high school or middle school GSA next year are strongly encouraged to apply.

Southern California Activist Camp - Los Angeles
July 14th - 16th, 2006

Central Valley Activist Camp - Fresno
August 11th - 13th, 2006

NEW DATE and LOCATION
Northern California Activist Camp - Fresno
August 11th - 13th, 2006

Exciting News!! We have decided to join the Northern California and Central Valley Camps this year to make one large, super fun, networking extravaganza!! This year the Northern California Camp will take place in sunny Fresno, California where we will house you at Fresno State University for three days of trainings, networking and FUN!! Lots of great activities including swimming, ping pong and pool.

TRANSPORTATION WILL BE PROVIDED FROM SAN FRANCISCO TO FRESNO!!

APPLY ONLINE! Click here to get more info and apply online!

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2. March with GSA Network for PRIDE 2006

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Calling all SoCal GSAs interested in participating in the 2006 Los Angeles Pride Parade on Sunday, June 11th. GSA Network and GLSEN Los Angeles have begun the planning process for participation in this year's pride parade. We want youth to take over the streets this year with a HUGE turnout. We had 500 LGTBQ Youth and straight allies in Sacramento, can we beat that here in Los Angeles???

If your GSA is interested in participating or being involved in the planning process for L.A. Pride, contact Sandy with GSA Network at sandy@gsanetwork.org or 213-534-7162 or David with GLSEN, Los Angeles at glsenla@glsenla.org or 323-369-2024.

**********

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
San Francisco Pride Parade - Commemorate-Educate-Liberate-Celebrate!
Sunday, June 25th, 10:30 AM
Marco Castro-Bojorquez
415-552-4229
marco@gsanetwork.org

**********

CENTRAL VALLEY
Fresno Rainbow Pride - 16th Annual GLBT Pride Parade & Festival
Saturday, June 3rd
Contact: Ty Ryan
559-268-2780
ty@gsanetwork.org

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3. Support Youth Films at the SF LGBT Film Festival (San Francisco)

Frameline30
San Francisco International LGBT Film Festival
June 15-25, 2006
www.frameline.org/festival

Do It Yourself -- New Youth Films
Wednesday June 21  | 6:00 pm  | Roxie
$9 members   | $10 general   | DOIT21R
Free for ages 18 and under (present ID at door)!

CO-PRESENTED BY Dimensions Clinic, Gay-Straight Alliance Network, and Teaching Intermedia Literacy Tools
Adolescence and young adulthood is a time of golden beauty, vivid dreams, disappointments and hope. Here's an incredible chance to see new work made by youth in collaboration with media arts organizations including Frameline, TILT, BAVC and the Media Arts Center of San Diego.

Jennifer Gilomen's "Queer Youth Speak: In and Out at the Library" follows two young people as they experience the queer past through an archive and add their own poetic voices to the history they witness. Johanna Malaret and Ethan van Thillo's documentary  "Altared Lives" follows ten LGBTQ young adults as they explore religion, family, culture and sexuality.

The following films were made by the Wells Fargo/ Frameline Youth Filmmaker Workshop in collaboration with TILT. The lives of passengers briefly intersect on a BART train in erica sokolowershain's  "Where have we been all this time?" When a queer teenager stains her clothes, she must find a way to come out to her parents without her lucky shirt in Juliana Spector's "Stainless."

QUEER YOUTH SPEAK: IN AND OUT AT THE LIBRARY dir Jennifer Gilomen 2005 USA 14 min video
ALTARED LIVES dir Ethan van Thillo & Johanna Malaret 2006 USA 27 min video
WHERE HAVE WE BEEN ALL THIS TIME? dir ericka sokolowershain 2006 USA 7 min video
STAINLESS dir Juliana Spector 2006 USA 10 min video
TOTAL RUNNING TIME: 58 Min

Frameline30, the 30th San Francisco International LGBT Film Festival, screening June 15-25 at the Castro Theatre, Roxie Film Center, Victoria Theatre, Cinearts@Empire, and the Parkway Theatre is the oldest and largest event of its kind in the world. Tickets go on sale to Frameline members Friday, May 26. General public ticket sales begin Friday, June 2. Tickets are available at Superstar Satellite video store located at 474 Castro Street (between Market and 18th Street in San Francisco), online at www.frameline.org/festival, by phone at 925 866 9559 and by fax at 925 866 9597.

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4. GSA Network is Hiring! - Development Coordinator and Operations Director

Development Coordinator: The GSA Network seeks a part-time (20 hours per week) Development Coordinator to coordinate and support all aspects of the organization's growing individual donor program and development department systems. The Development Coordinator will be the first development staff member at GSA Network, and will work closely with the Executive Director, and development and special events consultants, to implement the annual fundraising plan ($86,250 from individuals in 2006, which is 9% of GSA Network's total budget). GSA Network now has 600 individual donors who contribute through personal solicitations of the Board and Executive Director, direct mail, a monthly pledge program, one annual fundraising event, and occasional house parties. The Development Coordinator will play an important role in helping GSA Network expand all of these activities and build stronger relationships with all individual donors. A demonstrated passion for LGBTQ youth leadership and empowerment, an understanding of youth culture, and commitment to social change is required for all positions at GSA Network.

Operations Director: GSA Network is looking for a full-time Operations Director to work in our San Francisco office. The Operations Director is responsible for fiscal and administrative management, technology and information systems, operations, and some fund development projects for GSA Network. In 2006, GSA Network will be leaving its fiscal sponsor, The Tides Center, and establishing its own 501c3 status. The Operations Director will lead GSA Network through this transition and will help set up new financial, human resources, and administrative systems for our organization as an independent 501c3. A demonstrated passion for LGBTQ youth leadership and empowerment, an understanding of youth culture, and commitment to social change is required for all positions at GSA Network.

To get more information on the job descriptions and how to apply, visit: www.gsanetwork.org/about/index.html#jobs

Equal Opportunity Employer:
GSA Network, a project of the Tides Center, is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from youth, people of color, people of all sexual orientations and gender identities, and people with disabilities.

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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. Youth Activities at L.A. Pride - Peer Party 4 (Los Angeles)

Peer Party is the youth section of the Christopher Street West L.A. Pride Festival (June 10-11).
Peer Party provides LGBQT youth under 24 a safe place to socialize, express themselves, feel empowered, and enjoy a weekend filled with youth-oriented activities. West Hollywood Idol will highlight this year's event. WeHo Idol will be a two-day singing contest to crown the 2006 WeHo Idol. We will also be having our MySpace.com workshop, a forum for lesbian youth, an HIV/STDs 101 workshop, and more! Don't miss out on this opportunity to kick it with your peers at Peer Party 4!

Check out our web site for the latest info:www.cityx1.com/peerparty4

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Northern California
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6. The Third Annual LGBTQ Youth Prom "A Night as a Movie Star" (San Jose)

The Billy DeFrank LGBT Community Center presents...

The Third Annual LGBTQ Youth Prom "A Night as a Movie Star"
Friday, July 14
7 p.m. - 12 a.m.
Advance tickets $15
$17 at the door
Lights…Camera…Action!!!

Get ready for the glamour and excitement of Prom Night!

Join the Billy DeFrank Center's for the Third Annual LGBTQ Youth Prom! This year's fun theme is "A Night as a Movie Star." Walk down our red carpet, dress as your favorite movie star or just show up looking fabulous!
Bring a date or just come ready to mingle! Join us for food, dancing, games, prizes, pictures and more!
The prom is for youth ages 13-20 only Formal Attire is requested.

IMPORTANT REMINDERS!
A school or California state Photo ID is required to enter, All coats, bags and purses must be checked at the door, No in and out privileges,This is a drug, alcohol and smoke free event.

Advance tickets are $15 and can be bought online. Tickets purchased on the day of event or at the door are $17. Buy Tickets online at: defrank.org/events/2006_07_14_youth-prom.html

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7. What's happening at LYRIC this month (San Francisco)

Event 1:
Friday, June 23rd, 3pm-6pm: LYRIC's All Ages BBQ and Picnic! Dolores Park, 19th Street and Dolores Street. We are inviting you and your crew to LYRIC's all ages BBQ. Bring your mom, dad, sister, brother, uncle, boyfriend, girlfriend, best friend, or just your favorite person and have some great food and good times in Dolores Park!  Dolores Park is accessible on MUNI's 33, 26, and J Lines. In order to make our events as accessible as possible, we're happy to provide reasonable accommodations upon request (e.g. reserved seating, larger print documents, ASL interpreters/translation services, etc.). Please let us know if there are ways that we can support your involvement in LYRIC's Pride Events! Like all LYRIC events, the picnic is a clean and sober space. For more information, visit the event website (www.lyric.org/pride.html) or e-mail Erica Newport at Erica@lyric.org.

Event 2:
Friday, June 23rd 8pm-12am: LYRIC's Annual Pride Dance is at Eureka Valley Recreation Center, 100 Collingwood Street and 18th Street (across the street from LYRIC). Dance the night away! DJ LUNA will be spinning tasty beats all night long! The dance is for folks 24 and under. Like all LYRIC events the dance is FREE! Snacks and refreshments aplenty. The Eureka Valley Recreation Center is accessible on MUNI's M, L, K, 33, and 24 Lines. In order to make our events as accessible as possible, we're happy to provide reasonable accommodations upon request (e.g. reserved seating, larger print documents, ASL interpreters/translation services, etc.). Please let us know if there are ways that we can support your involvement in LYRIC's Pride Events! Like all LYRIC events, the dance is a clean and sober space. For more information, visit the event website (www.lyric.org/pride.html) or e-mail Erica Newport at Erica@lyric.org.

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8. Trans March! 2006 (San Francisco)

Friday June 23th, the Friday before Pride, 7 pm March.
3 pm - 7 pm Speakers and Performers
Dolores Park, Dolores and 19th Street
Calling all transfolks, friends, allies and admirers! We are calling for this march to demonstrate that we are a significant and growing portion of the lgbtiq community; to increase our visibility and presence in the tgiqlb community and the overall community at large; to encourage more trans and gender-variant people to come out; to build connections among ftm, mtf, bayot, crossdressers, sadhin, hijra, transvestites, bantut, drag queens, drag kings, mahu, transsexuals, bakla, travesti, genderqueers, kathoey, two spirit, intersex and those with other labels for themselves and no labels for themselves, those who see gender as having more than two options, and those who live between the existing options; to support one another as a community, through all of our struggles; to speak out against violence, hate, transphobia, and the oppression of any and all of us under the existing social structure; and to be fabulous and powerful in the company of others that are fabulous and powerful. Dress up, show up, bring signs, speak out, and be what happens!

For more info, contact: samdavis66@sbcglobal.net
We Need Volunteers! To volunteer as a stagehand or other positions please contact: rahel_smith@hotmail.com.

The Trans March is an independent, volunteer-organized, DIY, community event.

Please enhance, translate and pass this on to any groups, lists, or individuals who might be interested.

** Performers in Dolores Park and Civic Center will include: **
Shawna Virago, punk rock icon
Leslie Feinberg, pioneering trans novelist
Katastrophe, hip hop superstar
Lipstick Conspiracy, all-transwoman rock legend
The Momma's Boyz, drag king singers
The Suga-Glida, hot blues and sexy beats
Dyspecific, uncategorizable punk rock heroes
The Cockivores, sexy drag king favorites
Storm Florez, soulful comic guitarist
Kaia Wilson, lead singer of Team Dresch
Thea Hillman, brilliant intersex writer
Sini Anderson, visionary community-building poet
California State Assemblyman Mark Leno
District Attorney Kamala Harris
Supervisor Bevan Dufty
Tenants rights organizer Robert Haaland
along with: cheerleaders, belly-dancers, dancers,
guitarists, and many others!
The Trans March is produced by over 50 grassroots
community volunteers, with primary sponsorship from:
Good Vibrations,
National Center for Lesbian Rights,
United Genders of the Universe!
Horizons Foundation,
Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence,
and co-sponsorship by:
Walden House, FTM International, SEIU Local 790,
Fresh Meat Productions, Femina Potens, and the
San Francisco LGBT Community Center.

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9. Bay Area Video Coalition Summer Intensive Program (San Francisco)

BAVC (Bay Area Video Coalition) is about to start up a summer intensive program, called Digital Pathways. Digital Pathways is a summer intensive program that immerses youth in a program of either video production or music production. The program continues in the fall and spring over a series of workshops (producing music or movies) which culminates in a summer 2007 internship working at a production company.

This class is paid for by the City of San Francisco, and includes a STIPEND payment (which means youth get paid to take the class!).

Applications are due by June 20th. Classes start around July 5th.
Please contact Jessica Dorfman or Dillon Thomas at Bay Area Video Coalition. Email dillon@bavc.org for an application form for youth to fill out and fax/deliver back to BAVC.

Bay Area Video Coalition
2727 Mariposa Street, 2nd Floor
San Francisco, CA 94110
415.558.2150
dillon@bavc.org

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10. Reserve now to bring The Other Side of the Closet tour to your school in 2006!

YouthAware Educational Theatre Presents…
The Other Side of the Closet by Ed Roy Directed by Sara Staley
A Safe Schools Program for Teens

Reserve now … the 2006 tour is already booking up!                                                 
The following dates are still available:
10/24 & 31, 11/6, 8, 9, 16, 20, 21, 27-30, 12/4, 5, 6 11-14
Check your calendars now before the end of the school year!

On Tour in Northern California October 24th - December 14th 2006
Thousands of students each year are targets of harassment based on their actual or perceived sexual orientation. The Other Side of the Closet by Ed Roy is a play for teens that supports a safer school curriculum wherein students, teachers and parents can learn about diversity and acceptance in an innovative and engaging format. This program has been touring Northern California middle and high schools each fall since 2000 as part of the YouthAware Educational Theatre program at the New Conservatory Theatre Center located in San Francisco. Set in and around a high school, this hard-hitting play tells the story of five teens who are grappling with issues of peer pressure, youth violence, homophobia, behavior norms, stereotypes, discrimination and identity. Each performance is followed by a facilitated discussion session with the actor/educators and student audience. Post-show lesson plans will also be provided for teachers. Appropriate for 7th - 12th graders, The Other Side of the Closet is available to tour to your school or community on Mondays through Thursdays from October 24th - December 14th 2006. The program is about 70 minutes in length and can be performed up to two times a day in any theatre, gymnasium, cafeteria or other multi-purpose room. We can also present the play in the evening for community events, and we are willing to stay overnight for multiple performances in areas that are too far to travel back and forth from San Francisco in a day, The New Conservatory Theatre Center is a non-profit organization, and a small donation is requested to cover production costs. Cost underwriting is available for low-income schools. Food and lodging must also be provided for our cast and crew of seven for any overnight travel. Please call for more information or to discuss logistics. (415) 861-4914 or email sara@nctcsf.org 

You may also download a preview copy of the script from our web site at www.nctcsf.org/Other.html.

What audiences are saying about The Other Side of the Closet …

I really enjoyed the play. This is the first live action performance on the subject of tolerance that I have seen where multiple topics were brought into focus so well. I am glad a program like this exists and that finally the safe schools message, and the reality of the issue that a lot of us, maybe even all of us deal with every day, are so effectively being communicated to my generation.
- Student from Fremont High School in Sunnyvale

It got students to think about words such as "gay" and "fag" that are sometimes used negatively in casual conversation. The discussion helped many students realize that this can be offensive to individuals and entire group …. I think this is a great program that can really help open the minds of many teenagers.
- Student from Oceana High School in Pacifica

I really enjoyed your play. It really inspired me not to use disrespectful language or to treat others differently no matter if they are gay or not. You guys should continue to share your message with other high school students because many don't know about the respect you teach.
- Student from El Cerrito High School in El Cerrito

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11. July 2006 Community Programs at JFCS (Marin)

Unless otherwise noted, these programs will be held at Jewish Family and Children’s Services at 600 Fifth Avenue in San Rafael.

Free Program for Holocaust Survivors
Café By The Bay
Café By The Bay is a monthly event for Holocaust Survivors in Marin. Join us on Wednesday, July 19, 2:00 to 4:00 pm, to meet Gayle Zahler, Assistant Executive Director of JFCS and our new Marin Branch Director. For more information, contact Lorraine Harris at 415/419-3635 or LorraineH@jfcs.org. FREESliding-Fee, Nonsectarian Programs Open to All

Camp Fun!
It’s time for a little summer fun for parents and their 2- to 4-year olds. Join our Camp Fun summer playgroup. Come to all four sessions or just one or two. Mondays, July 24 through August 14, 10:00 to 11:30 am (7/24 – movement and song; 7/31 – cooking; 8/7 – arts and crafts; 8/14 – a surprise finale.) $20 per session or $75 for the series/sliding fee scale available. Pre-registration required. Contact Bonni Schiff at 415/419-3632 or BonnieS@jfcs.org or register online at www.ParentsPlaceOnline.org.

What To Do With The Mad You Feel (for parents of 4- to 10-year olds)
Angry feelings are a natural part of being human; nevertheless, we don’t have to hurt anyone when we experience anger. In this workshop, we will explore helpful ways to think about anger and self-control for both you and your children, and strategies to help children develop self-regulation in the face of angry feelings. Tuesday, July 11, 6:30 to 9:00 pm. $30 per person/sliding fee scale available. Pre-registration required. Contact Bonni Schiff at 415/419-3632 or BonniS@jfcs.org or register online at www.ParentsPlaceOnline.org.

How To Talk So Kids Will Listen (for parents of 3- to 10-year olds)
Learn to encourage willing cooperation and practice discipline techniques that really work in a supportive and informative group. Based on the popular book by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish. Wednesdays, July 19 and 26, 6:30 to 9:30 pm. With Bonnie Romanow. $85 per person, 2 sessions (includes $10 workbook fee)/sliding scale available. Pre-registration required. Contact Bonni Schiff at 415/419-3632 or BonniS@jfcs.org or register online at www.ParentsPlaceOnline.org.

Volunteers Needed!
Wanted: A Receptionist for JFCS in Marin
If you’d like to spend some time sitting in our lovely front office, greeting people, answering the phone, and helping JFCS to help others, we have just the job for you! JFCS needs a volunteer who can cover for our receptionist from time to time. It’s not a hard job, but it’s a very important one. Think you might be interested? Contact Bonni Schiff at 415/419-3632 or BonniS@jfcs.org.

Brighten A Senior’s Life
The JFCS Senior Companionship Program matches up volunteers with homebound seniors. As a companion, you’ll build a relationship with a senior through weekly visits, and JFCS will provide training and educational support. This is an opportunity to be of service and to enrich a senior’s life as well as your own. Think you might be interested? Contact Lorraine Harris at 415/419-3634 or LorraineH@jfcs.org

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Statewide
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12. State Capitol exhibit celebrating LGBT Pride Month (Sacramento)

For the fifth year in a row, the California State Capitol Museum Second-Floor Capitol Rotunda will display an exhibit recognizing the history of gays and lesbians. Join us at the Opening Ceremony: 5:00 pm, June 13, Capitol Rotunda. This is believed to be the only LGBT-themed exhibit to be displayed in a state capitol building.

This display is part of a series of Community Pride projects brought to you by the Legislative LGBT Caucus and the Lavender Library, Archives and Cultural Exchange. The exhibit will be on display during regular Capitol hours June 1-30. For further information contact the Lavender Library at info@lavenderlibrary.org.

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National
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13. Graduating GSA Leaders Start a GenderYOUTH Network Chapter

Currently, the GenderYOUTH Network is made up of over 200 student leaders who are members of one of our 45 chapters in 25 states across the US, including at the University of San Francisco. In 2005 we trained over 950 at 26 local and campus events. We want to extend an offer to graduating GSA leaders in California to continue their advocacy work in college by starting a chapter or affiliating a pre-existing group to mobilize their campuses and local communities against gender-based violence and discrimination. The Network provides youth an opportunity to connect with other youth leaders, trainings, national coordinated campaigns (including 50 under 30 which focuses on fatal violence due to gender expression), one-on-one National GenderYOUTH support, and more. 

Dozens of teens have been violently murdered, hundreds have experienced job discrimination, and thousands have suffered harassment and bullying, because they didn't meet someone's ideal for masculinity or femininity. And now is the time to act! Join the GenderYOUTH Network to exercise our right to express ourselves freely regardless of gender and mobilize against gender-based violence and discrimination. You will be a part of a network of youth leaders working on their college campuses and local communities. For more information, please go to www.genderyouth.org to find how to get in the Network!

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14. Screaming Queens: The Riot at Compton's Cafeteria - Playing for Pride Month

This film documents the militant beginnings of transgender activism in San Francisco in the 1960s. It tells the story of a 1966 riot at Gene Compton's Cafeteria, a late-night hangout popular with queer youth. The riot started when a drag queen resisted arrest during a police raid, the same spark that ignited the Stonewall Riots in New York three years later.

Screaming Queens relates this story to the riot's underlying causes; such as employment and housing discrimination, police harassment, lack of appropriate health care, and neighborhood displacement; and shows
how grassroots organizing for social and economic justice paved the way for effective resistance to social oppression, and to a real change in the quality of transgender lives.

The film, narrated by transgender historian Susan Stryker, brings together the recollections of former prostitutes, police officers, ministers, and night club entertainers, along with some amazing archival footage that makes the '60s come alive.

Screaming Queens is rated TV-14. It deals with serious subject matter but is suitable for high school students and mature middle-school students. It was funded in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and has already been broadcast during prime time on KQED's critically acclaimed documentary series "Truly, CA," which showcases work about our state, our stories

School teachers are allowed to record PBS broadcasts for classroom use free of charge, so we wanted to make sure members of your network knew the film would be widely available throughout California during the month of June.

Screaming Queens is also available for educational market purchase from Frameline Distribution,
www.frameline.org. We intend to develop studies guides and related curriculum in the months ahead, but hope people feel free to use the film however they see fit, for the time being.

You might also want to check out the websites www.comptonscafeteriariot.org, where you can learn more about events in San Francisco commemorating the 40th Anniversary of the riot, and the film's own website, www.screamingqueensmovie.com.

Please find below a list of public television broadcasts, both in California and throughout the United States.

BROADCAST SCHEDULE
KOCE-50, Huntington Beach, CA -- Tue 6-27-06, 10:00 PM
KQED-9, San Francisco, CA -- Thu 6-29-06, 9:30 PM
KQED-9, Salinas, CA -- Thu 6-29-06, 9:30 PM
KTEH-54, San Jose, CA -- Sun 6-18-06, 11:00 PM
KRCB-22, Rohnert Park, CA -- Tue 6-20-06, 9:00 PM
KVPT-18, Fresno-Visalia, CA -- Fri 6-2-06, 11:00 PM
KBDI, Broomfield, CO -- Sat 6-17-06, 10:00 PM
WETA-26, Washington, DC -- Sat 6-17-06, 11:00 PM
WPBA-30, Atlanta, GA -- Mon 6-19-06, 11:00 PM
WILL-12, Springfield, IL, IL -- Mon 6-26-06, 10:00 PM
WTIU-30, Bloomington, IN -- Fri 6-9-06, 10:00 PM
WTIU-30, Lafayette, IN -- Fri 6-9-06, 10:00 PM
WGBH-44 (WGBX), Boston, MA -- Sun 6-18-06, 10:00 PM
WWPB-31, Hagerstown, MD -- Wed 6-14-06, 1:00 AM
WFPT-62, Frederick, MD -- Wed 6-14-06, 1:00 AM
WGPT-36, Oakland, MD -- Wed 6-14-06, 1:00 AM
WMPB-67, Baltimore, MD -- Wed 6-14-06, 1:00 AM
WMPT-22, Annapolis, MD -- Wed 6-14-06, 1:00 AM
WCPB-28, Salisbury, MD -- Wed 6-14-06, 1:00 AM
WCPT-36, Oakland, MD -- Wed 6-14-06, 1:00 AM
WTVS-56, Detroit, MI -- Sun 6-25-06, 11:30 PM
WGVU-35, Grand Rapids, MI -- Sun 6-18-06, 12:00 AM
WGVK-52, Kalamazoo, MI -- Sun 6-18-06, 12:00 AM
WNET-13, New York, NY -- Fri 6-30-06, 10:30 PM
WNET-13, New York, NY -- Tue 7-4-06, 3:30 AM

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15. GLBT Awareness Institute (Boston)

Suffolk University (www.suffolk.edu) is excited to again offer a summer program exclusively for GLBT high school students - the GLBT Awareness Institute (July 9th - 22nd 2006). High school sophomores and juniors will have an opportunity to connect with other GLBT youth and develop a greater understanding of sexual orientation and gender identity. For many high school students who may be out or coming out, or questioning their sexuality / gender identity, one of the biggest challenges they face is a lack of resources, friends and support to help them discover and define their sense of self. This program aims to accomplish these goals and more through an intensive two-week program of educational sessions, guest speakers, activities and trips.

A sample of tentative institute sessions (subject to change) include: GLBT History, queer theory, homosexuality and religion, queer pop culture, coming out at college, safer sex, trans101, community resources and more! Students will also participate in select collaborative sessions with the Student Leadership and Service Learning Institute.

If that wasn't enough, students will have the opportunity to experience college life and enjoy many of the cultural and social aspects of city life in Boston, MA. Students will live in Suffolk University residence halls and participate in several field trips to area attractions including: a day trip to Provincetown, MA, a New England Aquarium Whale Watch, a Boston Duck Tour, the Boston Freedom Trail and more…

A flyer and an article about this program are included with this email. I encourage you to share this information with any interested youth (ages 15-17).  We do have full scholarships available for this program. If you have a student that you would like to send to the GLBT Awareness Institute but who does not have the financial support to attend - please call me at 617-305-2500 to discuss scholarship opportunities.  

For more information about this program please visit www.suffolk.edu/summerinstitutes.
Students must be current high school sophomores and juniors to participate.

I hope to see some of your students in Boston this summer!

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Scholarships
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16. Erika J. Glazer Family Scholarship Fund - 2006 Scholarship Program

Below are the guidelines for the Erika J. Glazer Family Scholarship Fund - 2006 Scholarship Program. Please note that the 2006 program is limited to students accepted to, or currently attending, California State University, Los Angeles.

Complete application packets must be received in our office no later than 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 15, 2006. Please refer to the guidelines and application for full details.

PLEASE DISTRIBUTE TO YOUR STUDENTS & OTHER APPROPRIATE CONTACTS.

Established by the Erika J. Glazer Trust of 1985, the Erika J. Glazer Family Scholarship Fund will award several multi-year scholarships of up to $7,000 per year (the total amount of scholarship funds available per year is $30,000-$40,000) to academically qualified students in need of financial assistance. However, the amount and number of recipients will be at the sole discretion of the scholarship committee appointed by the scholarship donors and the Liberty Hill Foundation.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

To be considered for the Erika J. Glazer Family Scholarship, applicants must meet all of the following criteria:

1. Meet the requirements of California Assembly Bill 540 (Nonresident Tuition Exemption).

2. Be a graduating high school senior or an undergraduate college student who has attended a public or private high school in Los Angeles County for at least three years.

3. Be accepted to, or currently attend, California State University, Los Angeles during the 2006-2007 school year and for all subsequent years of the scholarship, while pursuing a full course load for a Bachelor's degree in any discipline. Recipients must maintain good academic standing.

4. Be the child of immigrant parents.

5. Be ineligible for federal and state financial aid and demonstrate financial need. Please note that there is no particular threshold of financial need we are considering. It is up to the applicant to decide if she/he would be a competitive applicant given her/his particular circumstances.

6. Demonstrate leadership, merit, a commitment to community service and/or potential for academic achievement.

7. Provide clear and detailed information about any disciplinary or criminal record (e.g. school suspensions, arrests, convictions, etc.) and a full and detailed explanation of the circumstances leading to such actions.

8. Make every effort to be available for a personal interview should one be required.

9. Be willing to attend an awards ceremony on a date to be determined in Los Angeles should one be awarded a scholarship.

For Application email Carol Lee
Program Associate, Donor Advised Funds
Liberty Hill Foundation
2121 Cloverfield Boulevard, Suite 113
Santa Monica, CA 90404

Phone: (310) 453-3611, ext. 130
Fax: (310) 453-7806
Email: clee@libertyhill.org
Web: www.libertyhill.org/

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Jobs:
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17. JOBS: Communications Coordinator - Bienestar (Los Angeles)

POSITION: Communications Coordinator                                  
DEPARTMENT: Public Affairs
REPORTS TO:  Public Affairs Director            
SALARY RANGE: 37K to 45K DOE/Q
EXEMPT/NON EXEMPT: Full time-Exempt      
Application Deadline: June 21, 2006 COB

ABOUT BIENESTAR: Founded in 1989 as a grassroots organization based in Los Angeles, BIENESTAR is the largest Latino community-based organization in the United States that meets the social services, health education and prevention needs of Latino men, women, and children living with HIV/AIDS, and those most at risk of HIV, sexually transmitted diseases (STD's) and other infections. We accomplish this through community education, prevention, mobilization, advocacy, and the provision of direct social support services. BIENESTAR is a strong advocate for the civil rights of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) community.
POSITION DESCRIPTION: The Communications Coordinator will work closely with the Public Affairs Director and Public Affairs staff on relevant communications (70%) and public policy (30%) issues. He or she will have primary responsibility for drafting much of the agency's written communications, including media advisories, news releases, brochures, newsletters, as well as provide media relations, marketing, and community relations support. The Communications Coordinator will be responsible for the agency website and will also assist in public policy development.

HOW TO APPLY:
Please email for full job announcement mguerrero@bienestar.org - send resume and cover letter by June 21 to: mguerrero@bienestar.org

No phone calls, please.

Website: www.bienestar.org

Bienestar is committed to enhancing the health and well-being of the Latino community and other underserved communities.

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News
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18. NEWS: LOS ALTOS: 300 march in gay pride parade organized by high school group

by Simone Sebastian
San Francisco Chronicle
June 5, 2006

Downtown Los Altos was awash in rainbow-colored flags, balloons and leis Sunday afternoon as hundreds of participants in the city's controversial first Gay Pride Parade marched through its typically quiet streets.
Police and organizers estimated that more than 300 people -- including a gay and lesbian square dancing group and members of the Los Altos High School Gay-Straight Alliance, which spearheaded the parade -- walked the eight-block route. A sparse but exuberant crowd of supporters lined the sidewalks and provided non-stop applause.

"For a first-time event done on such short notice, I am surprised and overwhelmed by the turnout," said Henry Roux, co-chair of the Los Altos Alliance for Youth, which sponsored the parade. "This has been criticized as a divisive event -- quite the contrary. This event helps to cure a rift."

The Los Altos High School Gay-Straight Alliance organized the parade after the City Council voted in February to ban proclamations regarding sexual orientation. The decision sparked emotional debate in the community.
"I had no idea how big all this would get," 16-year-old Julie Ershadi, a member of the high school alliance, said during a rally after the parade. "I have been told many times that this event is a part of history."

To read the full story, visit:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/06/05/BAGLSJ88BI1.DTL

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19. NEWS: B.C. to add gay issues to school curriculum
Same-sex couple withdraw complaint after province agrees to offer course

by EVA SALINAS
The Globe and Mail
June 2, 2006

VANCOUVER -- The B.C. government is breaking new ground in education by adding gay and lesbian issues to the provincial curriculum, educators and equality advocates say.

"It's really a tremendous leap forward for the education system," said Peter Corren, who recommended curriculum changes to the government.

Mr. Corren, 59, and his partner Murray Corren, 60, launched a complaint with the B.C. Human Rights Tribunal in 1999, objecting to the limited diversity taught in schools. Last month, they agreed to a settlement from the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of the Attorney-General, and they withdrew their complaint yesterday.
The settlement includes the introduction of a high-school course, to be drafted for September, 2007. "I think it shows how we're leading in a lot of areas," Attorney-General Wally Oppal said of the plan. "The idea is to teach the students more about diversity. By that I mean ethnicity, racism, gender issues, issues relating to sexual orientation."

Peter Corren said educators from around the province will design the course from scratch, as there has been nothing comparable elsewhere in Canada. The closest example, he said, is legislation that was recently passed in California requiring gay and lesbian history to be taught in schools, although Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is expected to veto the decision.

To read the full article, visit:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20060602.BCGAY02/TPStory/National

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20. NEWS: Kentucky School Accused Of Dragging Feet On Gay Club 

by 365Gay.com
June 1, 2006

(Covington, Kentucky) A Kentucky LGBT civil rights group is urging a Covington high school to stop delaying the approval of a Gay-Straight Alliance.

The Kentucky Equality Association said Thursday that LGBT students at Boone County High School are the victims of discrimination. The organization also said that the school's action may be illegal under the Kentucky Education Reform Act.

In a letter to the school the Association reminded it that the Federal Equal Access Act requires schools to treat GSA's as they would any other school group.

Included in the letter was an information packet about GSAs entitled "Just the Facts" that has been endorsed by a number of professional groups including the American Association of School Administrators, the American Federation of Teachers and the American Psychological Association.

While the school has delayed making a decision on whether it will allow a GSA to organize it has approved 16 other clubs including one dedicated to the animated cartoon, Anime.

To read the full article, visit:
http://www.365gay.com/Newscon06/06/060106kySchool.htm

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21. NEWS: Canadian Province To Offer Gay H.S. Course

by Rich Peters
365Gay.com
June 1, 2006

(Vancouver, British Columbia) Grade 12 students in British Columbia schools will learn about LGBT issues in a new course to be offered this fall.

The course, to be called Social Justice, will examine a range of topics, including race, ethnicity, gender, and sexual orientation. It stems from a British Columbia Human Rights complaint filed by a same-sex couple.

Murray Corren and his same-sex partner, Peter, accused the Ministry of Education of discrimination against gay students and the children of same-sex partners.

A human rights tribunal heard evidence in the case last year. 

Correm, a teacher in Coquitlam, has been fighting for recognition of gay issues in the curriculum for nearly nine years. He says that there is systemic discrimination through omission and "suppression of queer issues in the whole of the curriculum."

The couple's complaint focused on the Social Studies curriculum set by the provincial government that includes specific reference to aboriginals, women, and multiculturalism, but there is no mention of gays, lesbians, or transsexuals.
Corren said the curriculum should include LGBT history and historical figures, the presences of positive gay role models - past and present, the contributions made by gays to society and civilization, along with issues relating to same-sex marriage and gay families.

To read the full story, visit:
http://www.365gay.com/Newscon06/06/060106bcclass.htm

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22. NEWS: School appeals ruling on expelled girls' suit

May 30, 2006
The Press-Enterprise
by Jessica Zisko

A private Christian school in Wildomar is asking a state appellate court to reverse a Riverside County Superior Court ruling that a discrimination lawsuit against the school could move forward.

Attorneys for California Lutheran High School have filed a motion asking the 4th District Court of Appeal, Division 2, in Riverside to overturn the lower court's refusal in March to dismiss the case.

Two teenagers and their parents sued alleging discrimination, invasion of privacy and unfair business practices after school officials expelled the girls on suspicion they were lesbians. The girls will not be identified in court documents.

Religion and education watchdogs groups, including the Pro-Family Law Center in Temecula and the Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund, say the case could set a state precedent on whether religious schools can exclude gays and lesbians.

To read the full story, visit:
http://www.pe.com/localnews/morenovalley/stories/PE_News_Local_P_luth31.180e0b9f.html

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