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In this issue of GSA Network News, you'll find:
GSA Network Highlight
Community Mobilizes to Support GSA Club’s Marriage Equality Action
GSA Network Announcements
1. THIS SATURDAY! Expression Not Suppression conference (Central Valley)
2. Bring Sylvia Guerrero to your school (Bay Area)
3. Liberation Ink Posters - Free For GSAs
4. GSA Network Helps New Groundbreaking Documentary
Other Announcements
5. WOAH! Conference and Dance - April 16th (Bay Area)
6. LYRIC's new conference "Unchained" (Bay Area)
7. STRANGE HAPPENINGS! (Santa Cruz)
8. CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: Anthology by gender variant people of color
9. The LOUD youth Program Presents: 15 & Under Group (Bay Area)
10. AIDS Walk San Francisco July 17th 2005 (Bay Area)
11. BOOK READING: "At this Moment" (Los Angeles)
12. Recruiting new Youth Commissioners for 2005-06 term (San Francisco)
13. "T-shirt Tirade" - Equal Rights t-shirt humanizing Gay Rights
+++++++++++++++ GSA NETWORK HIGHLIGHT+++++++++++++++
Community Mobilizes to Support GSA Club’s Marriage Equality Action
“No one should have to question his or her rights and freedoms. We
all deserve the right to marry; we all deserve the right to love.” - Molly
Serra, International Studies Academy student
On Friday, March 25th, 2005, the Gay-Straight Alliance club at a San Francisco
public high school, International Studies Academy (ISA), defended marriage equality
despite threats of violence, a student walk-out, and parent protestors. Student
members of the Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) club did a presentation supporting
marriage equality as part of a school spirit rally. When the GSA members started
planning their 3-minute skit for the rally they never thought a small presentation
addressing the rights of same-sex couples to marry would ever escalate to protests
and a student boycott, especially in San Francisco where the first same-sex
marriages started in 2004. But even in San Francisco, misunderstanding and ignorance
is prevalent.
Throughout the week, GSA club members heard that a number of students planned
to boycott the presentation at the rally; on the day of the event, there were
even threats of violence targeting the marriage equality defenders. There were
also threats of parents and conservative churches protesting at the school on
Friday. School administrators at ISA had received a number of parent complaints
and a call from San Francisco Unified School District officials who also received
parent complaints. Despite the hostility, the GSA decided to continue with the
presentation and ISA’s administrators gave their full support to the students
in the GSA.
GSA club leaders, Joshua Donatto and Molly Serra, and other club members reached
out to the community in the days and hours before the event. The plan was to
assemble a group of GSA and marriage equality supporters in front of the school,
to counter any voices of hate coming from opposition protestors. A press release
was issued to the media as well. With less than 24 hours notice, GSA Network
and Equality California helped mobilize a group of about 20 supporters, including
Assemblyman Mark Leno, to show up at ISA on Friday with “Safe Schools
for All” and “We support the GSA” signs.
Inside the school, the GSA presentation was a huge success and only a small
handful of students walked out of the assembly. Instead the crowd was captivated
by the powerful statement being made. The GSA lined up to go onstage, knowing
their supporters were outside the school cheering them on. When their music
was queued they walked in with their heads up high knowing they were making
a difference. The presentation consisted of three couples dressed in wedding
attire: a lesbian couple, a straight interracial couple, and a gay interracial
couple. The couples held hands while another GSA member give a short speech
on the importance of marriage equality as well as information about the GSA
and the upcoming Pride month activities. The crowd cheered after the speech
was given and the GSA members slowly walked off the stage. Afterwards, the GSA
members jumped and cheered with excitement over their accomplishment in the
face of all those that opposed them. Later that day, some students, whose parents
were part of the potential opposition, said the protesters did show up but decided
to leave when they saw the crowd of supporters the GSA had assembled outside
the school.
GSA Network is incredibly proud of Joshua Donatto, Molly Serra, and all of the brave students in the GSA at ISA. We are grateful to Assemblyman Mark Leno, Equality California, and all of the supporters who showed up on Friday to support the GSA’s marriage equality action!
The GSA at International Studies Academy (ISA) issued the following
statement:
“The Gay Straight Alliance at ISA believes that we have rights
and freedoms that we are willing to fight for no matter what the cost. We believe
as youth that youth have the strongest voices in society and the community that
they live in. There are not enough youth fighting for their rights and the rights
of others. We want to compel and encourage other youth organizations and individuals
to speak out against hate and oppression, and to fight for the rights of the
people. This isn’t just about the right of same-sex couples around the
world to marry but also about making a change and being part of that change.
This is for all the rights and freedoms that are abused by those that support
oppression of any kind. This is our statement and our time to show the world
that we care and we want change to happen now.”
+++++++++++++ GSA NETWORK ANNOUNCEMENTS +++++++++++++
**********************************************
1. THIS SATURDAY! Expression Not Suppression conference (Central Valley)
Get Ready for EXPRESSION NOT SUPPRESSION CONFERENCE!!!
GSA Network's 3rd annual conference in the Central Valley will be on April
2, 2005 at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 4144 North Millbrook Avenue in
Fresno. The conference will be keynoted by Sylvia Guerrero, the mother of murdered
transgender teenager, Gwen Araujo. Sylvia's presentation will be followed by
two workshop sessions featuring workshop such as "how to do
drag", "trans 101", "Gay Families" and many many more.
The workshops will be followed by a FREE dinner, dance, and drag show.
Registration starts at 1 pm. Conference begins at 1:30 pm. Show and Dance from
7-11 pm.
Please pre-register (so we know how many folks to expect) on the web at www.gsanetwork.org
or you can call us at 559-453-9040. You can also register at the door at 1pm
at the Unitarian Universalist Church.
Thanks for your continuing efforts to fight homophobia and transphobia!
DETAILS
WHEN: April 2, 2005, 1pm
WHERE: Unitarian Universalist Church
4144 N. Millbrook (just south of Ashlan)
COST: FREE! FREE! FREE!
TO REGISTER OR FOR MORE INFORMATION: www.gsanetwork.org
/ 559-453-9040
**********************************************
2. Bring Sylvia Guerrero to your school (Bay Area)
GSA Network is honored to introduce a new program, Educating for Transgender
Student Safety, which brings Sylvia Guerrero to speak with students, teachers,
and staff at schools throughout the Bay Area about the experiences she and her
family have endured over the last two years after the death of her transgender
daughter, Gwen Araujo. In the fall of 2002, Sylvia Guerrero was forced into
the Bay Area's media spotlight by the murder of her transgender daughter, Gwen
Araujo. Even though it had only been a short time since Ms. Guerrero began accepting
Gwen as her daughter, instead of the son she had thought she was raising, she
suddenly found herself labeled a spokeswoman for respect and dignity for transgender
people.
If you would like to bring Ms. Guerrero to your school, please email info@gsanetwork.org.
Sylvia Guerrero's speaking tour is done in collaboration with GLSEN-San Francisco/East Bay and CUAV, and is supported by a grant from the Horizons Foundation - Gwen Araujo Memorial Fund for Transgender Education.
*********************************************
3. Liberation Ink Posters - Free For GSAs
LIBERATION INK POSTERS AVAILABLE
FREE FOR GSAs IN CALIFORNIA!!
Seven poster designs are available for GSAs, organizations, and individuals
to make change by building a presence of youth voices for justice, peace, and
youth empowerment and against hatred, harassment, and discrimination of all
kinds. Every GSA in California can receive 30 FREE posters to use at your school.
You can order more than 30 for $1 each. From community organizations and individuals
we request a donation of $5 each for 1-10 posters, $4 each for 11-30 posters,
and large quantity discounts are available.
You can view the designs and order posters on the Liberation Ink website: www.gsanetwork.org/freezone/liberation.
Liberation Ink was a collaborative project of GSA Network, LYRIC, and Mission
Grafica at the Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts in San Francisco. It
was supported by the Youth Initiatives Program of the Open Society Institute,
the San Francisco Arts Commission, and the Walter and Elise Haas Fund.
*********************************************
4. GSA Network Helps New Groundbreaking Documentary
GSA Network is pleased to help our friends at Women's Educational Media
with their newest documentary film project. Please check out the announcement
below to learn about their new film about gender roles, anti-gay attitudes,
and the pressure to conform in high school.
Dear Friends and Colleagues,
Women's Educational Media (WEM), an award-winning production company based in
San Francisco, is currently producing a new ground-breaking documentary that
will help young people talk about the ways anti-gay behavior affects all students,
gay or straight.
We are searching for teachers and youth service providers who can connect us
with students who could potentially be interviewed in the film. Teachers, counselors,
Gay Straight Alliance advisors, clergy, coaches and parents are encouraged to
contact us. More information about the film and our organization is below.
About the film:
Straightlaced (working title) makes the connection between the traditional
gender roles boys and girls follow to avoid being ostracized, and the anti-gay
attitudes that develop out of that. The pressure to conform is at the heart
of this documentary, which seeks to open dialogue among high school students
about diversity issues. The students we hope to feature include both straight
and gay students talking about their experiences and the social pressures they
face:
* Straight allies of LGBT students
* Victims of harassment - for either being gay or perceived as gay
* Harassers of gay and gender non-conforming people
* Reformed harassers
* Silent witnesses who stand by and watch LGBT harassment happen around them
* Gay and straight students who do and don't conform to traditional gender roles
By hearing these stories, we hope that students will think about their role
in anti-gay behavior and how the pressures of traditional gender roles limit
students from expressing who they truly are and what they want to be.
About Women's Educational Media:
The Respect For All Project, a program of Women's Educational Media,
encompasses a series of videos, printed curriculum guides and training programs
for teachers and youth to confront anti-gay prejudice, as well as other forms
of discrimination. Our films include LET'S GET REAL, about the epidemic of name-calling
and bullying, THAT'S A FAMILY!, a film about family diversity for elementary
school students, and IT'S ELEMENTARY-Talking About Gay Issues in School, which
models the successful ways teachers are addressing gay issues in age-appropriate
ways with students in the classroom.
If you have suggestions about people who should receive this email, please send their names and email addresses our way. Or feel free to forward this on to friends and colleagues.
Many thanks for your help and suggestions!
Best wishes,
Sue Chen
Associate Producer
Women's Educational Media
schen@respectforall.org
(415)641-4616 ext 304
++++++++++++++++ OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS ++++++++++++++++
GSA Network News is a publication of Gay-Straight Alliance Network. Events,
resources, and news items listed under "Other Announcements" are not
sponsored or written by GSA Network, and do not necessarily reflect the views
and opinions of GSA Network.
*********************************************
5. WOAH! Conference and Dance - April 16th (Bay Area)
The conference you've all been waiting for is finally here! WOAH!
WOAH stands for Workshops Organized Against Homophobia. It is a
conference for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning
youth (LGBTQ) and their straight allies sponsored by the Empowerment
Program at the Center for Human Development and the Pittsburg High
GSA. This year it will be held at Pittsburg High School in
Pittsburg, California on April 16 from 10am to 5pm. WOAH will have
workshops on lots of different topics like safer sex, LGBTQ activism
in schools, racism, transgender issues, relationship issues, being a
straight ally, and much more! We are honored to have Sylvia Guerrero
as our keynote speaker! Lunch will be provided. So join us for a
fabulous day of queer networking, learning, and fun! Dance to follow from 7-11pm!
What: WOAH Conference and Dance
Where: Pittsburg High School, 250 School St., Pittsburg
When: April 16, 2005. Conference from 10am-5pm, Dance from 7-11pm.
Who: Empowerment Program at Center for Human Development along with
the Pittsburg High GSA, GLSEN SF-EB, and Rainbow Community Center.
Directions:
From Contra Costa: Take Hwy 4 to the Railroad Ave. exit. >From 4 East turn
left onto Railroad and from 4 West turn right...
From Oakland/Berkeley: Take Hwy 24 East to 680 North to Hwy 4 East...
From San Francisco: Take 80East to Hwy 4 East...
From Hwy 4 East, take the Railroad Ave. Exit
Turn left onto Railroad
Just a few blocks down, Turn Right on School St.
The school is two blocks up on your right
BART Directions:
Take the Pittsburg/Bay Point train to the end of the line.
Then take bus 392 Eastbound and get off at Railroad Ave. and School St.
Walk up School St. two blocks and the school is on the right.
The bus is $1 and the 9:17am bus will get you there in time to see Sylvia Guerrero!
If you would like a ride from BART, please call us! We would be glad to pick
you up!
To arrange for a ride, or any other accomodations, call Renee by Thursday, April
14 at (925) 687-8844 x304 or email at renee@chd-prevention.org.
*********************************************
6. LYRIC's new conference "Unchained" (Bay Area)
LYRIC invites you to their Queer Youth Leadership Conference, "Unchained," to be held in San Francisco on Saturday, April 23, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm, at Everett Middle School, 450 Church Street, with a dance at 7:00 pm for youth 21 and under.
The conference is for LGBTQQ youth 25 and under and their allies. As LYRIC's
press release notes, "Produced by LYRIC and seven community partners ,
this free event is a hot opportunity for queer youth and allies of all backgrounds
to connect with their peers in an inclusive and safe space, to build relationships
with other youth, and to gain skills and tools to affect positive change in
oneself and the community."
For more information, check out www.lyric.org,
or contact Denny David at 415 703-6150 ext. 28, or denny@lyric.org.
*********************************************
7. STRANGE HAPPENINGS! (Santa Cruz)
STRANGE is a kick-ass program that empowers and supports Transgendered/Bisexual/
Lesbian/Gay/Queer/Questioning/Intersex youth and their allies in Santa Cruz
County. STRANGE has a lot of great stuff planned for the rest of the school
year. Read about what we're up to! Be in touch and spread the word! If you have
any questions, contact Sharon Papo, Program Coordinator at 831-469-1700 x151
or by e-mail Sharon.Papo@scccc.org.
Wilde Nights
Spread the word! STRANGE is in partnership with Wilde Nights - a very cool,
weekly safe space for queer and questioning teens and their allies to hang out.
Come and participate in wilde-ly fun and informational activities. We meet at
the Teen Center (downtown Santa Cruz) every Sunday night from 6:30 pm-9:30 pm.
Transgender Teen Project
Community event coming up on May 2, 2005! STRANGE, in collaboration
with Queer Youth Task Force, is launching the Transgender Teen Project. Ani,
fabulous STRANGE intern, is spearheading this project to spread awareness in
the community and on school campuses supporting youth who are being harassed
for gender non-conformity. We are looking for interested youth to be on the
planning committee.
Gay/Straight Alliances (GSAs)
Be brave! STRANGE supports existing Gay Straight Alliances in local
schools and is currently assisting Ageeta, an amazingly brave student
to start a GSA at Branciforte Middle School. Brandi is our awesome GSA intern
who is planning an all-GSA ice-cream party at San Lorenzo Park on Thurs. March
31 from 4:30-6:30pm.
*********************************************
8. CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: Anthology by Gender variant people of color
An anthology by radical gender variant people of color about our
experiences, struggles, organizing, anger and everything else. There
are so few accessible resources for gender variant (trans, intersex,
butch, genderqueer) people of color (POC) to analyze and speak to our
personal experiences and political work. I am looking for writings
that challenge what's already out there * I wanna know how we live in
our communities, how we do political work, what we want our world to
look like, how we change what gender and race looks like and,
generally how we mess with people's notions and keep on fighting and
surviving.
I am looking for essays, articles, interviews, rants, artwork
(photography, drawings, graphics etc) by gender variant people of
color to speak to some of these topics and begin to fill a void in
resources, writings, and visibility.
Let's link our stories, experiences, analyses, resources, activism, and confrontations.
Submit!
Topics may include but definitely aren't limited to:
* Trans issues in POC organizing work (Anti-Prison work, Immigrants
Rights, Hip Hop, Reclaiming Culture, Nationalism)
* Coming out
* The ways we experience racism, classism, abelism, sexism*
* Gender, Sex & Sexuality, Relationships
* Gender Variance in Indigenous Communities
* Boundaries of Butch/Trans/Genderqueer identities
* The Politics of Transitioning
* Transphobia in queer communities
Submission Guidelines:
5000 word limit
Deadline: June 30, 2005
Please send all submissions as an attachment to
transgressions1@yahoo.com
If sending submissions via ground mail include a cd or disk (mac
compatible) and a self addressed stamp envelope for response with
enough postage to return work submitted.
Send to:
Priyank Jindal
PO Box 34184 Philadelphia PA 19101
Priyank Jindal is a middleclass queer transgender desi doing
community-based organizing work in Philly around immigrants rights. He
has been published in Another World is Possible and That's Revolting:
Queer Strategies for Resisting Assimilation
The 15 & Under group for LGBTQQI youth & Allies Group
4:30-5:30 every Friday.
We're watching movies, eating, supporting one another & making safe &
fun space for everyone! As long as you're Under 16 & Queer, Questioning
&/or support LGBTQQI folks… COME BY!
SLUR THIS FUNK THAT
By Diversity Works
The goal of this workshop series is to explore generalizations & stereotypes,
their impacts & develop ways to combat hurtful language in our communities.
Anyone from 10-20 is invited.
May 5, 12 & 19th from 4-6pm
It'll be off the hook!
Sign up!! mailto:bridgette@pacificcenter.org
or (510)-548-8283x514
The Pacific Center's LOUD (Loving Ourselves & Uniting Diversity) is Located at 2712 Telegraph Ave. In Berkeley (Across from the Willard Pool). The 40L bus stops right out front, & we're a 10minute walk from Ashby or Downtown Berkeley BART.
*********************************************
10. AIDS Walk San Francisco July 17th 2005 (Bay Area)
On Sunday July 17th, 2005, 25,000 people will gather in Golden Gate Park for
the 19th annual AIDS Walk San Francisco- a 10 K walk that benefits the
San Francisco AIDS Foundation and dozens of other Bay Area
AIDS organizations. Since its creation in 1987, unprecedented numbers of walkers
have raised close to $50 million dollars to end the suffering brought about
by HIV/AIDS. This is made possible in part by teams from schools
and student groups.
We invite you to join with us at AIDS Walk San Francisco and help
support the fight against HIV/AIDS! By becoming an AIDS Walk Team, you
can play an important role in California's largest response to the AIDS crisis.
*A Team is a group of co-workers, fellow students, religious/civic organizations,
friends and families that pre-register, raise money and walk together.
*Walking as a team is fun and a morale builder for all types of companies, schools
and organizations. It is also a great way for you and your organization
to show support for those living with HIV/AIDS.
*Unlike other fundraisers, it is FREE to register and walk! Just call our office
at 415-615-9255 (ask for Molly), or register online at www.aidswalk.net.
*********************************************
11. BOOK READING: "At this Moment" (Los Angeles)
"I went to sleep. So many things had transpired. It was crazy. I guess
this is what happens when you're 20. You have one of those 'I-am-not-a-teenager-anymore'
crisis."
Trent Jackson, Author
LifeSupport is excited to have Trent Jackson, a young, upcoming gay author,
as he presents his new book At This Moment, March 31st, 7 pm at the Village,
1125 N. McCadden Place, Hollywood (Near Highland/Santa Monica Blvd). Every one
in attendance will receive a free copy of the book.
It's youth supporting youth at this fun, casual, free and confidential forum
where you can meet new friends, share your thoughts and experiences with others.
This session is part of LifeSupport, a weekly conversation group held every
Thursday from 7:00 to 8:30 pm. If you have any questions, call us at 310.874.8181
or info@lifeworksmentoring.org.
Because together, Life Works.
LIFEWORKS
-----Empowering the future of our youth
*********************************************
12. Recruiting new Youth Commissioners for 2005-06 term (San Francisco)
The San Francisco Youth Commission appreciates your continued support of youth
led change in San Francisco. We wanted to let you know that the Youth
Commission is recruiting new Commissioners for our 2005-06 term. We would
like to involve the youth in your organization in making positive change for
San Francisco's youth.
We hope that you will make copies of the Youth Commission application for interested
youth. The application is full of information that should answer many
questions about the Youth Commission. The application is available on our website
at www.sfgov.org/youth_commission.
Please note that applications are due no later than 5pm on Monday, May 2, 2005.
What's the Youth Commission? We are a city Commission made up of 17 diverse
young people from the ages of 12-23, charged with advocating for better youth
policies in City Hall. We educate youth about how to get involved in city government
so that it better addresses our needs. And, we work directly with the Board
of Supervisors and the Mayor to advocate for young people's issues. We
are one of the only voter-mandated Youth Commissions in the country and we have
been going strong for over 9 years!
We want to work with you! The Youth Commission offers presentations to
community based organizations throughout the year. Youth Commissioners
can talk with the youth in your program about how they can make change in city
government. We also invite you and the youth from your organization to
attend our full Commission and Committee meetings. If you would like more information
about our meetings and presentations, please feel free to call our office at
(415) 554-6446.
Please keep us updated on any relevant projects the youth in your organization
are working on. We know that young people are already speaking up for
youth and making change in their communities. We hope to support their
efforts and better connect them to the San Francisco Youth Commission!
In Community,
The San Francisco Youth Commission
Ralph G. Brancaccio is humanizing Gay Rights in a new project titled, "T-shirt
Tirade". He hopes to help break the barrier that is continually built
against the rights of the Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay, and Transgender (LBGT) community.
"T-shirt Tirade" is a new type of installation/demonstration humanizing Gay Rights. Brancaccio is asking people to wear a blue and red embroidered t-shirt stating, "I am a human being, not a sexuality, Equal Rights!" during their daily activity to show normal people doing normal things. Profits from T-shirt sales will be used to create a short film and a publicity campaign in states that are trying to turn our constitution against the LBGT community. The t-shirts are embroidered on both sides and are on sale for $25 on his website /www.RalphBrancaccio.com.
--
In this issue of GSA Network News, you'll find:
GSA Network Highlight
GSA Network Welcomes Our New Northern California Program Coordinator
GSA Network Announcements
1. Expression Not Suppression Conference (Central Valley)
2. GSA Network Leadership Training (Orange County)
3. Save the date! CSSC's First Virtual Safe Schools Workshop (California and
National)
4. Bring Sylvia Guerrero to your school (Bay Area)
5. Liberation Ink Posters - Free For GSAs (California)
Other Announcements
6. Last chance to order Day of Silence t-shirts & speaking cards!
7. GSA anti-homophobia training (Peninsula and South Bay)
8. Apply today for GLSEN's Jump-Start 2005-06 National Student Leadership Team
9. LGBT youth panelist needed (Greater Sacramento)
10. Free Film screening - Not in Our Town Northern California (Bay Area)
11. Educational Theatre - Paid Workshop for Youth (Bay Area)
12. Sing your heart out @ Club Karoke (Bay Area)
13. Call to artists for Dyke March 2005 logo
14. NEWS: Rule would make students get permission to join gay clubs
15. NEWS: Students, districts reconsider safety plan
+++++++++++++++ GSA NETWORK HIGHLIGHT+++++++++++++++
GSA Network Welcomes Our New Northern California Program Coordinator
GSA Network is very pleased to announce that Lai-San Seto has joined GSA Network
as our new Northern California Program Coordinator.
Lai-San Seto moved to the Bay Area in 2004. Most recently she worked as a referrals specialist for the San Francisco LGBT Community Center helping local LGBT individuals navigate the tangle of service organizations, social groups, and cultural opportunities that help make up the fantastic city of San Francisco.
Prior to her arrival in the Bay Area, she served as the Programs Coordinator
for the Greater Pittsburgh Chapter of the ACLU where her work focused on public
education and community organizing around vital civil liberties issues like
freedom of speech and the right to be treated equally and fairly under the law.
She most enjoyed working with the organization's youth interns and volunteers
to bring the message of how important it is for everyone to be vigilant, stand
up, and fight for their rights. As a college student she interned for the national
office of GLSEN and served as a board member of the Western Pennsylvania chapter
of GLSEN in 2002. She has also devoted many hours volunteering as a clinic escort
and outreach worker for Planned Parenthood.
She misses the snow and forests of her home state, but she's thrilled to be
back to working with youth activists. She's working for the day when every student
feels safe and supported in school.
You can contact Lai-San at lai-san@gsanetwork.org
+++++++++++++ GSA NETWORK ANNOUNCEMENTS +++++++++++++
**********************************************
1. Expression Not Suppression Conference (Central Valley)
Register for EXPRESSION NOT SUPPRESSION!!!
GSA Network's 3rd annual conference in the Central Valley will be on
April 2, 2005 at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 4144 North Millbrook Avenue
in Fresno. The conference will be keynoted by Sylvia Guerrero, the mother of
murdered transgender teenager, Gwen Araujo. Sylvia's presentation will be followed
by two workshop sessions featuring workshop such as "how to do
drag", "trans 101", "Gay Families" and many many more.
The workshops will be followed by a FREE dinner, dance, and drag show.
Registration starts at 1 pm. Conference begins at 2 pm. Show and Dance from
7-11 pm.
Please pre-register (so we know how many folks to expect) on the web at www.gsanetwork.org
or you can call us at 559-453-9040. You can also register at the door at 1pm
at the Unitarian Universalist Church.
Thanks for your continuing efforts to fight homophobia and transphobia!
DETAILS
WHEN: April 2, 2005, 1pm
WHERE: Unitarian Universalist Church
4144 N. Millbrook (just south of Ashlan)
COST: FREE! FREE! FREE!
TO REGISTER OR FOR MORE INFORMATION: www.gsanetwork.org
/ 559-453-9040
**********************************************
2. GSA Network Leadership Training (Orange County)
WHO: GSA Members and Advisors
WHEN: April 23rd, 2005, 10:00-4:00
(BREAKFAST & LUNCH PROVIDED)
WHERE: The Center - Orange County 12800 Garden Grove Blvd, suite F / Garden
Grove, CA
COST: Free!
For more information or to RSVP, please contact:
GSA Network, 213-534-7162, or info@gsanetwork.org
Co-sponsored by GSA Network and The Center Orange County
**********************************************
3. Save the date! CSSC's First Virtual Safe Schools Workshop (California
and National)
The California Safe Schools Coalition is introducing a regular series of topic-specific
statewide conference calls, open to all Coalition members, educators, safe schools
advocates and allies. Please join us for these opportunities to hear about the
latest safe schools victories, legal developments, new resources, and successful
strategies for improving school safety for LGBT students. Each conference call
will include presentations by Coalition members experienced in the topic at
hand as well as ample time for questions, discussion, and sharing of information.
Please join us for our first Virtual Safe Schools Workshop:
"TRANSFORMING YOUR SCHOOL: Ensuring the Safety of Transgender and Gender
Non-Conforming Students" Monday, April 11, 4:00-5:30pm
This interactive conference call workshop will include presentations from Chris
Daley of the Transgender Law Center, Jody Marksamer of the National Center for
Lesbian Rights, and Carolyn Laub of GSA Network. Discussion will cover safety
concerns for transgender and gender non-conforming students, legal requirements
for schools, new school district policies addressing practical safety concerns,
and strategies for making change in your community. Use this workshop to develop
your ideas for a school safety project focusing on gender identity, and apply
for the Coalition's 2005-2006 Mini-Grants! For more info, visit: www.casafeschools.org
For dial-in information, please RSVP to Molly O'Shaughnessy at molly@casafeschools.org.
**********************************************
4. Bring Sylvia Guerrero to your school (Bay Area)
GSA Network is honored to introduce a new program, Educating for Transgender
Student Safety, which brings Sylvia Guerrero to speak with students, teachers,
and staff at schools throughout the Bay Area about the experiences she and her
family have endured over the last two years after the death of her transgender
daughter, Gwen Araujo. In the fall of 2002, Sylvia Guerrero was forced into
the Bay Area's media spotlight by the murder of her transgender daughter, Gwen
Araujo. Even though it had only been a short time since Ms. Guerrero began accepting
Gwen as her daughter, instead of the son she had thought she was raising, she
suddenly found herself labeled a spokeswoman for respect and dignity for transgender
people.
If you would like to bring Ms. Guerrero to your school, please email info@gsanetwork.org.
Sylvia Guerrero's speaking tour is done in collaboration with GLSEN-San Francisco/East Bay and CUAV, and is supported by a grant from the Horizons Foundation - Gwen Araujo Memorial Fund for Transgender Education.
*********************************************
5. Liberation Ink Posters - Free For GSAs (California)
LIBERATION INK POSTERS AVAILABLE
FREE FOR GSAs IN CALIFORNIA!!
Seven poster designs are available for GSAs, organizations, and individuals
to make change by building a presence of youth voices for justice, peace, and
youth empowerment and against hatred, harassment, and discrimination of all
kinds. Every GSA in California can receive 30 FREE posters to use at your school.
You can order more than 30 for $1 each. From community organizations and individuals
we request a donation of $5 each for 1-10 posters, $4 each for 11-30 posters,
and large quantity discounts are available.
You can view the designs and order posters on the Liberation Ink website: www.gsanetwork.org/freezone/liberation.
Liberation Ink was a collaborative project of GSA Network, LYRIC, and Mission Grafica at the Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts in San Francisco. It was supported by the Youth Initiatives Program of the Open Society Institute, the San Francisco Arts Commission, and the Walter and Elise Haas Fund.
++++++++++++++++ OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS ++++++++++++++++
GSA Network News is a publication of Gay-Straight Alliance Network. Events,
resources, and news items listed under "Other Announcements" are not
sponsored or written by GSA Network, and do not necessarily reflect the views
and opinions of GSA Network.
*********************************************
6. Last chance to order Day of Silence t-shirts & speaking cards!
All orders for Day of Silence T-Shirts and Speaking Cards must be placed this week in order to receive them in time for your Day of Silence. You can order them from their respective pages online at www.dayofsilence.org
*********************************************
7. GSA anti-homophobia training (Peninsula and South Bay)
Are you interested in having your GSA deliver powerful, anti-homophobia workshops
for students and teachers at your school? The Outlet Program offers an
interactive, 50 minute long workshop, which helps every participant understand
that homophobia hurts us all. By training members of your GSA to deliver this
easy to learn workshop, we can reach thousands of teens and students in the
Peninsula and South Bay. Imagine the impact this can have on our community!
In addition, your GSA will get support and training in developing a strategy
for approaching teachers and administrators in getting workshops booked for
their school. This is an excellent opportunity for your GSA to actively make
your campus a safer, more accepting place for LGBTQQ students.
The Details about the Training
When? Saturday, April 2nd from 11am - 4pm
Where? Outlet @ CHAC, 711 Church St. (near the corner of Castro St.,) Mountain
View
Cost: FREE
Free lunch provided too!
Please RSVP to Juan at mailto:juan@chacmv.org
by Tuesday, March 22nd with the number of GSA members planning to attend this
training!
*********************************************
8. Apply today for GLSEN's Jump-Start 2005-2006 National Student Leadership
Team
It is 2005 -- students still hear anti-LGBT name-calling and see or experience
anti-LGBT harassment in schools all across America. It is 2005 -- we still hear
of LGBTQ and ally young people being beaten up and even murdered because of
their identities. It is 2005 -- now in it's third year, there is a network of
over 70 student organizer from across the country who have been trained to live
out the mission of GLSEN, assuring that "each member of every school community
is valued and respected regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression."
These 70 students could be you. You could be the positive change our movement
needs. GLSEN is offering you a chance to be part of the largest movement that
is working to end anti-LGBT bullying and harassment in K-12 schools. Are you
going to apply?
To apply of for more information, check out: www.glsen.org/cgi-bin/iowa/all/news/record/1777.html
*********************************************
9. LGBT youth panelist needed (Greater Sacramento)
San Juan Teachers Association is doing a training about LGBT youth and need a panel of students to share their stories. This is the 4th training this teachers' union has done and the teachers are always very receptive and appreciative. Real students telling their real stories is always the most powerful part of this training.
The panel is needed on Thursday April 21 from 6:00 to 7:30 PM. The training
will be held in the multi-purpose room at Fair Oaks School in Fair Oaks. It
is at the corner of Fair Oaks and Winding Way.
From downtown (e.g. The Lambda Center), take Highway 50 to Sunrise Blvd North.
Continue North to Sunset. Turn Right. Go 1 long block to Fair Oaks. Turn right
again. Keep going until you get to the school on the right side. There is a
stop sign right at the school!
If you can make this panel, please contact Tom Carroll (from GLSEN-GSAC) at
916-743-4680 ASAP or email GLSEN-GSAC at sacglsen@yahoo.com
and Jerry will forward your message to Tom.
*********************************************
10. Free Film screening - Not in Our Town Northern California (Bay Area)
Please join us for the free gala screening of NOT IN OUR TOWN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA:
WHEN HATE HAPPENS HERE, on Wednesday, April 6 at 7pm at the Grand Lake Theater,
3200 Grand Ave, Oakland.
Starting in 1995, Not In Our Town has shown communities all over the country
saying NO to hate crimes -- in schools, in workplaces, in the community. Not
In Our Town helps communities battling hate talk to -- and learn from -- each
other. www.pbs.org/niot
NOT IN OUR TOWN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA is the first episode in the series to focus
on one geographic area. California is a place that prides itself on its diversity
-- immigrants from all over the world make their homes here, many of our leading
elected officials are people of color, and the state is at the vanguard of the
battle for gay civil rights -- yet we are far from immune to hate-based violence.
In Not In Our Town Northern California, a co-production of The Working Group
and KQED-TV, "ordinary" citizens come together to create a powerful
deterrent against hate crimes.
Ultimately, we hope this film like its predecessors will spark a larger series
of discussions and actions against hate violence and intolerance. We hope you
will find a way to use this new film as an anti-intolerance resource in your
work. Please contact NIOT Campaign Director Pamela Calvert (pcalvert@theworkinggroup.org)
to engage you in a deeper conversation about how we can bring this about. The
film will air on KQED April 8 at 9pm. For more information: www.kqed.org/niot
FREE GALA SCREENING
NOT IN OUR TOWN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
APRIL 6, 7PM
GRAND LAKE THEATER, OAKLAND
*********************************************
11. Educational Theatre - Paid Workshop for Youth (Bay Area)
New Conservatory Theatre Center is looking for young people ages 13 - 18 to
participate in a special workshop to help us create our newest YouthAware Educational
Theatre Program, OutSpoken, a spin-off of our tolerance program The Other Side
of the Closet, which will further explore the different reasons young people
feel ostracized today by society and their peers. The afternoon will include
theatre games, improvisation, and focused writing exercises designed to generate
new material about the issues that teens face daily, including race, religion,
sexual orientation, body image, violence and peer pressure. Award Winning Playwright
Prince Gomovilas and theatre educator Jade Raybin will facilitate.
OutSpoken Workshop Saturday April 16th 1:30pm - 5:30pm
The New Conservatory Theatre Center, 25 Van Ness Avenue at Market St.
We are easily accessible by BART and MUNI.
All workshop participants will be compensated with lunch, a $25 stipend and
an opportunity to join a FREE 4 week theatre group this summer which will culminate
in preview performances of Outspoken. No prior theatre experience is necessary,
just a strong opinion and a willingness to be heard.
If you are interested, please send an email with the following information to
mailto:sara@nctcsf.org, and please type
"OutSpoken Spring Workshop" in the subject line:
*Name
*Address
*Home Phone
*Age
*School Name & Your Grade
Also please take a moment to answer these questions:
1) Has there ever been a time when you were treated badly only because of who
you are?
2) How did this make you feel and how did you react?
3) What is the main issue concerning you at school or at home right now and
WHY?
www.nctcsf.org/YouthAware.html
back to top
*********************************************
12. Sing your heart out @ Club Karoke (Bay Area)
Date: March 30
Time: 7-9PM
Address: 2128-15th Street/Market (behind Thai House)
Think you have what it takes to be the next American Idol? Or just want to
have a good time with other queer Asian and Pacific Islander youth like you? Get
your karaoke on at Club Karaoke hosted by AQU25A, API Family Project, and
Q-Action! All levels of talent are welcome. Bring your friends and come
make a friend. Dinner Provided! You can't beat that. To RSVP, contact Bryant
at bryant@apiwellness.org or 415-292-3420
x315.
* * * * * * *
SAVE THE DATE!
Thursday, May 19, 2005, is The First Annual National Asian & Pacific Islander
HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, commemorated with concurrent events in 6 cities across
the U.S. Join us in San Francisco at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts from
5:00-6:00 pm for a free, open-to-the-public Awareness Day Program featuring
Greg Louganis, Amy Hill, Alec Mapa, Helen Zia and The Hon. Cecilia Chung. Sign
our pledge against discrimination by visiting www.banyantreeproject.org.
*********************************************
13. Call to artists for Dyke March 2005 logo
CALL TO ARTISTS FOR DYKE MARCH 2005 LOGO: The San Francisco Dyke March Committee
is looking for a logo for the 2005 Dyke March. We are requesting that dyke/women
artists provide submissions by sending pdf files to info@dykemarch.org by March
18, 2005. The logo we select will appear on thousands of postcards as well as
posters, stickers and banners. It will also appear on t-shirts and our website
where the designer will be credited. The website is the primary international
link for all dyke marches. Please feel free to check out our website www.dykemarch.org
to see last year's graphic. We are looking for the basic design. Our graphic
artist will probably enhance it - possibly adding a background, changing the
color and including text. Our theme for 2005 is: DYKES ACROSS BORDERS. What
follows is a few paragraphs elaborating on the theme to help you get a better
sense of what we're trying to convey. Please lend your creativity. Unfortunately
we cannot pay anything. All the artists who submit will have our gratitude,
plus the honor and glory of being an essential part of the world's largest dyke
march.
Dykes Across Borders
"As a mestiza I have no country, my homeland cast me out; yet all countries
are mine because I am every woman's sister or potential lover. (As a lesbian
I have no race, my own people disclaim me; but I am all races because there
is the queer of me in all races.)
I am cultureless because, as a feminist, I challenge the collective cultural/religious
male-derived beliefs of Indo-Hispanics and Anglos; yet I am cultured because
I am participating in the creation of yet another culture, a new story to explain
the world and our participation in it, a new value system with images and symbols
that connect us to each other and to the planet. Soy un amasamiento..."
(Gloria Anzaldua, Borderlands/La Frontera, p. 80-81)
What are borders and nations?
Dykes refuse to acknowledge national/cultural borders as limitations: we care
about and are affected by everything that happens in the world. We recognize
human experience as human experience: at the grassroots, we organize around
common causes: hunger, shelter, living wage, environmental devastation, resistance
to fascist corporate takeovers. We recognize as illusionary the boundaries of
the state,and simultaneously, we respect people's rights to their national self-determination.
Dykes face opposition no matter nationality or place of origin. Our outsider's
perspective is necessary, particularly in response to the U.S. government's
irrational obstinance when it comes to the good of the world. Our border-crossing
is in variance with U.S. foreign policy, and we flout these heavily-guarded
lines in the sand with intentional grace and beauty, love and struggle.
Dykes are outside of the borders of the traditional life. We must remember:
all governments are woman-hating and work for greater and greater control of
each individual life; for dykes to reach across borders is to subvert that power
structure. We are inherently interstitial- that is, all dykes are inherently
in-between the borders of nations/sex/culture. We share this in common with
one another. We must remain conscious of our differences, and simultaneously
resist governmental and conservative attempts to divide us.
*********************************************
14. NEWS: Rule would make students get permission to join gay clubs
By MARY MacDONALD
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 03/18/05
A proposal before the state Board of Education could dissuade students from
joining high school clubs for gay students by requiring written parental permission.
The rule, proposed by schools Superintendent Kathy Cox, doesn't specifically
target clubs for gays. But it was requested by lawmakers who have tried unsuccessfully
for several years to squelch the gay student support groups that are popping
up in Georgia high schools. If the rule is approved by the state board, any
student who wants to take part in any school-related club or after-school activity
will need written permission from his or her parents.
To read the full article, visit:
www.ajc.com/news/content/metro/0305/18clubs.html
back to top*********************************************
15. NEWS: Students, districts reconsider safety plan
Students, districts reconsider safety plan
Discrimination issues at forefront of challenge to state education code
Santa Cruz Sentinel
March 20, 2005
By JEFF TOBIN
Sentinel Staff Writer
The fact that Brandi Foucheaux is a lesbian doesn't come up in conversation
most days.
The 17-year-old Harbor High School senior is interested in activism and has
college plans like many of her classmates.
She says discrimination there is more clandestine than overt.
"I don't think the students there take each other seriously enough for
it to be a big deal when things happen," Foucheaux said. "It's when
I actually have to address it; that's when it's uncomfortable, because they
make me think I'm making too big a deal out of a small thing."
Students aren't the only ones talking about discrimination in schools. Administrators
and boards are starting to take long looks at their policies regarding harassment
and student safety.
Schools are changing or considering changes to their policies to include more
people. Some are responding to a local controversy regarding homosexual issues,
while others have been trying to reword policies for more than a year.
At the heart of many local-level discussions in schools is AB 537, the California
Student Safety and Violence Prevention Act of 2000...
...For information about AB 537, go online to www.gsanetwork.org/resources/ab537.html
To read the full article, visit:
www.santacruzsentinel.com/archive/2005/March/20/local/stories/06local.htm
--
In this issue of GSA Network News, you'll find:
GSA Network Highlight
GSA activists fight militarism, racism, and repression
GSA Network Announcements
1. Sylvia Guerrero to speak at Expression Not Suppression (Central
Valley)
2. School Safety Grants Available - Proposals Due April 25, 2005
3. Bring Sylvia Guerrero to your school (Bay Area)
4. Liberation Ink Posters - Free For GSAs
Other Announcements
5. Gay-Straight Alliance Spring picnic (Antioch)
6. GSA Winter Formal (Santa Barbara)
7. An Evening with Alex Sanchez (Orange County)
8. Qpocalypse - An event for Queer Youth (San Francisco)
9. Youth Wanted - for the Human Rights Campaign (Bay Area)
10. WORKSHOP: Class And Privilege In The LGBT Community (Oakland)
11. JOB: Campaign Director at WILD
12. NEWS: S.V. school board sees new committee as way to tackle discrimination
13. NEWS: Barring military recruiters: The right to just say no
14. NEWS: Anti-hate battle detailed in film
+++++++++++++++ GSA NETWORK HIGHLIGHT+++++++++++++++
GSA activists fight militarism, racism, and repression
GSA activists and queer youth across California are taking up the fight against
militarism, racism, and repression. For example, a GSA in Pasadena has joined
with other campus groups to bring the voice of GI resisters to campus, Central
Valley GSA activists are participating in the "Rally in the Valley"
Peace fair, and Bay Area GSAers will join thousands in the streets of San Francisco
on March 19th to protest "Two years of occupation - US out of Iraq"
International Days of Action.
It has been over a year since 21 year old queer-identified GI resister Stephan
Funk refused to deploy to Iraq and instead served a six month sentence in military
prison at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. Since then over 5000 GI's have gone
AWOL, over 150,000 Iraqis (mostly non-combat civilians) and more than 1500 U.S.
soldiers have been killed for what many feel is an unjust war.
This weekend marks the two year anniversary of the war and occupation in Iraq.
As activists around the country paint signs, send email blasts, and call the
press many GSA activists find they have a unique contribution to add to the
anti-war movement. GSA clubs have experience in multi-issue organizing, understand
the impact that a one-day action (as in the Day of Silence and the Transgender
Day of Remembrance) can have on the overall climate, and queer youth and straight
allies are all too familiar with the unjust, immoral policies of the government
and the need to combat that.
So many GSAs and queer youth will use this weekend and the continued anti-war
movement as a way to join forces with other campus groups and the community
at large, finding ways to bridge issues and build a united front against growing
war and repression.
Send GSA Network reports about how your GSA is organizing or participating
in any anti-war activities this week.
For more information on youth and queer anti-war organizing, check out:
1.Surviving Militarism, Racism & Repression (American Friends Service Committee)
www.afsc.org/lgbt/YM/default.htm
2. Not in Our Name Project
www.notinourname.net/index.html
3. United for Peace and Justice
www.unitedforpeace.org/
4. War Resisters League
www.warresisters.org/
5. National Youth & Student Peace Coalition
www.nyspc.net/
+++++++++++++ GSA NETWORK ANNOUNCEMENTS +++++++++++++
**********************************************
1. Sylvia Guerrero to speak at Expression Not Suppression (Central Valley)
Get Ready for EXPRESSION NOT SUPPRESSION CONFERENCE!!!
GSA Network's 3rd annual conference in the Central Valley will be on April
2, 2005 at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 4144 North Millbrook Avenue in
Fresno. The conference will be keynoted by Sylvia Guerrero, the mother of murdered
transgender teenager, Gwen Araujo. Sylvia's presentation will be followed by
two workshop sessions featuring workshop such as "how to do
drag", "trans 101", "Gay Families" and many many more.
The workshops will be followed by a FREE dinner, dance, and drag show.
Registration starts at 1 pm. Conference begins at 2 pm. Show and Dance from
7-11 pm.
Please pre-register (so we know how many folks to expect) on the web at www.gsanetwork.org or you can call us at 559-453-9040.
You can also register at the door at 1pm at the Unitarian Universalist Church.
Thanks for your continuing efforts to fight homophobia and transphobia!
DETAILS
WHEN: April 2, 2005, 1pm
WHERE: Unitarian Universalist Church
4144 N. Millbrook (just south of Ashlan)
COST: FREE! FREE! FREE!
TO REGISTER OR FOR MORE INFORMATION: www.gsanetwork.org / 559-453-9040
**********************************************
2. School Safety Grants Available - Proposals Due April 25, 2005
The California Safe Schools Coalition (CSSC), a partnership of organizations and individuals dedicated to eliminating discrimination and harassment against students who are or are perceived to be lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender, is offering monetary grants up to $2,500 to local individuals and organizations that are working to protect California students from harassment and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in K-12 schools. GSA Network is a co-founder and co-leader of the California Safe Schools Coalition.
The Coalition invites and seeks diverse applicants. Individuals or organizations
that are located in rural areas or that address the needs of students of color
and/or transgender or gender non-conforming youth are encouraged to apply.
The simple application is available at www.casafeschools.org. Proposals must
be mailed or e-mailed by April 25, 2005.
If you have any questions, please contact Bob Kim (bob@pluribusconsulting.com)
or Molly O'Shaughnessy, Director, CSSC, (molly@casafeschools.org).
**********************************************
3. Bring Sylvia Guerrero to your school (Bay Area)
GSA Network is honored to introduce a new program, Educating for Transgender
Student Safety, which brings Sylvia Guerrero to speak with students, teachers,
and staff at schools throughout the Bay Area about the experiences she and her
family have endured over the last two years after the death of her transgender
daughter, Gwen Araujo. In the fall of 2002, Sylvia Guerrero was forced into
the Bay Area's media spotlight by the murder of her transgender daughter, Gwen
Araujo. Even though it had only been a short time since Ms. Guerrero began accepting
Gwen as her daughter, instead of the son she had thought she was raising, she
suddenly found herself labeled a spokeswoman for respect and dignity for transgender
people.
If you would like to bring Ms. Guerrero to your school, please email info@gsanetwork.org.
Sylvia Guerrero's speaking tour is done in collaboration with GLSEN-San Francisco/East Bay and CUAV, and is supported by a grant from the Horizons Foundation - Gwen Araujo Memorial Fund for Transgender Education.
*********************************************
4. Liberation Ink Posters - Free For GSAs
LIBERATION INK POSTERS AVAILABLE
FREE FOR GSAs IN CALIFORNIA!!
Seven poster designs are available for GSAs, organizations, and individuals
to make change by building a presence of youth voices for justice, peace, and
youth empowerment and against hatred, harassment, and discrimination of all
kinds. Every GSA in California can receive 30 FREE posters to use at your school.
You can order more than 30 for $1 each. From community organizations and individuals
we request a donation of $5 each for 1-10 posters, $4 each for 11-30 posters,
and large quantity discounts are available.
You can view the designs and order posters on the Liberation Ink website: www.gsanetwork.org/freezone/liberation.
Liberation Ink was a collaborative project of GSA Network, LYRIC, and Mission Grafica at the Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts in San Francisco. It was supported by the Youth Initiatives Program of the Open Society Institute, the San Francisco Arts Commission, and the Walter and Elise Haas Fund.
++++++++++++++++ OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS ++++++++++++++++
GSA Network News is a publication of Gay-Straight Alliance Network. Events,
resources, and news items listed under "Other Announcements" are not
sponsored or written by GSA Network, and do not necessarily reflect the views
and opinions of GSA Network.
*********************************************
5. Gay-Straight Alliance Spring picnic (Antioch)
Join us at black diamond mines in Antioch for a day of fun games and a potluck
picnic. Come meet GSA members from other schools and exchange ideas while playing
good old fashion games . There will also be an Easter egg hunt. Please bring
food to share!
Saturday March 26 from 11:30-4:00
Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve
(5175 Somersville Road Antioch) go to mapquest
for directions or for more information call Larson at (925) 437-0767
**Sponsored by the Antioch High School Gay Straight Alliance**
*********************************************
6. GSA Winter Formal (Santa Barbara)
GSA Winter Formal (but more towards Spring, and not formal!)
The Gay/Straight Alliance from Dos Pueblos High School, in conjunction with
other GSAs in the sunny Santa Barbara area, want YOU to be a part of their
dance.
What: Winter Formal (but more towards Spring, and not formal!)
When: March 19, 2005
Where: University of California at Santa Barbara-Graduate Student Association
Lounge
Cost: $5 per person
Why: Because LGBTQIA students want, and need, a place to dance, too!! :)
If you need more information (directions, details, song list, etc.) or have any questions, please email Kiely at khosmon@umail.ucsb.edu and she will get you in touch with the GSA president at DP High School.
*********************************************
7. An Evening with Alex Sanchez (Orange County)
The Center Orange County and The GSA of Western High School will be hosting
author Alex Sanchez on Wednesday, April 20th, from 6:30pm through 9pm. Alex
is the acclaimed author of Rainbow Boys, Rainbow High, and So Hard to Say. This
event is free. There will be a book signing, but it is not necessary to have
a book or purchase a book. You may bring personal copies to have signed as well.
Please feel free to address any questions to Brian Stires at mailto:bstires@thecenteroc.org
or (714) 534-0862 X206.
The Center OC is located at 12800 Garden Grove Blvd., Suite F, Garden Grove,
Ca 92843
*********************************************
8. Qpocalypse - An event for Queer Youth (San Francisco)
Qpocalypse - An event for Queer Youth (San Francisco)
~ an event for queer youth ~ this event is free
~ there will be free food, music and dancing
Who: lesbian, gay, bisexual, two-spirit, transgender, queer and questioning
youth of color (and their friends) 25 and under
What: art show/open mic (We are looking for visual artist to display their work
and performers for the event)
When: March 18th (April 22nd, May 20th, & June 17th)
Where: 2973 16th Street @ Mission in SF (Bart: 16th Street Bart Station &
Muni: 14, 22, 33, 49, And 53)
For more info call 415.777.5500 ex 311
Qpocalypse
03/18/05
04/22/05
05/20/05
06/17/05
*********************************************
9. Youth Wanted - for the Human Rights Campaign (Bay Area)
Youth Wanted - Youth Initiative Project of the Human Rights Campaign
Interested in helping out with a National organization and giving your input
as a queer youth (youth being 18-29)? Then join the sub-committee for the Youth
Initiative Project for the Human Rights Campaign (HRC). This is a new position
and HRC wants the help of today's queer youth in regards to galas, issues surrounding
gay marriage, volunteering, organizing, community etc.
If interested and want more information, please contact Courtney Hosmon at 415-999-1356
or at cour34@hotmail.com. Please spread
the word!
*********************************************
10. WORKSHOP: Class And Privilege In The LGBT Community (Oakland)
Tuesday, March 29
6:00 - 8:00pm, Oakland
This workshop will focus on class and privilege in the LGBT community
and generate an in-depth conversation about these complicated questions:
what sort of class image does the LGBT families movement present to the
rest of the world; what are the benefits and costs of representing
ourselves as middle- or upper-middle class; what are the values
associated with that image and are they consistent with our political
aims; what does our ability to adopt children from around the world
and/or to access various means of artificial insemination say about who
is part of the queer families movement; how do class concerns interact
with concerns about health care and immigration for queer people; how do
poor families fit into the image we present; and how do families with
children from heterosexual unions fit in?
For information contact, call Gwendolyn at Our Family Coalition (415) 981-1960
or email at Gwendolyn@ourfamily.org
Location: Bananas at 5232 Claremont Ave. in Oakland
*********************************************
11. JOB: Campaign Director at WILD
WILD for Human Rights: The Women's Institute for Leadership Development
for Human Rights (WILD for Human Rights) is a cutting-edge human rights
organization based in San Francisco. Our goal is to advance human rights
in order to end identity based discrimination in the US. Our work has
three components: strengthening the leadership of young and adult women
especially from immigrant and communities of color, providing human
rights education and training, and advocating for public policies that
better reflect human rights standards.
WILD for Human Rights, in partnership with the Women's Foundation of
California has launched a three-year (2004-2006) Human Rights Campaign
in San Francisco that advocates for legislation that adopts the United
Nations Convention on Economic Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), and
the United Nations Convention on the International Covenant of Civil and
Political Rights (ICCPR) at the local level. Implementation of this
legislation will use human rights as the overarching proactive framework
to protect, promote and fulfill the rights of all who live in San
Francisco.
The Campaign Director is a four-month consultant position, based in San
Francisco, from March 15- July 30, 2005.
Description: The Campaign Director will be responsible for leading our
San Francisco Human Rights campaign, that is already under way. The
director will work with staff and the established taskforce of community
leaders on a public hearing, media advocacy, city advocacy including
language for the ordinance, working with city officials, advocating for
a budget and establishing a monitoring body.
Qualifications: The ideal candidate will have a demonstrated ability to
run and manage campaigns and a strong understanding of Human Rights,
specifically as they relate to local policy. Experience working on
advocacy as well as media advocacy, working with communities of color,
immigrant, indigenous and women's communities a must. Excellent written
and verbal skills are essential. This position requires strong
leadership, creativity, and flexibility; the ability to work both
independently as well as in a team. Bilingual/Multilingual skills are
encouraged.
Salary: Dependant on experience.
Applications process:
Please send resume, references and cover letter with salary requirements to:
youmna@wildforhumanrights.org
or fax 415.355.4745.
WILD for human rights is an equal opportunity employer.
Immigrant/indigenous/women of color, low income, lesbian, gay bisexual,
transgender, and physically challenged are strongly encouraged to apply.
*********************************************
12. NEWS: S.V. school board sees new committee as way to tackle discrimination
March 1, 2005
By JEFF TOBIN
The Sentinel
The school district could soon have a new committee designed to deal with discrimination
issues at its campuses.
Scotts Valley board of education members decided to form the panel during their
meeting Monday in response to recent complaints about the visibility of homosexuality
at the high school.
The board also approved a resolution restating its opposition to bullying and
discrimination in all district schools, and a measure that will allow the district
to draft a more detailed non-discrimination policy. The board is looking at
Santa Cruz City Schools' unapproved policy as a starting point.
Since a well-attended public meeting last month, residents have launched salvos
at each other regarding classroom posters at Scotts Valley High School. Some
say the posters focus too much on tolerance for homosexuals, rather than for
an array of groups.
To read the full article, visit:
www.santacruzsentinel.com/archive/2005/March/01/local/stories/06local.htm
*********************************************
13. NEWS: Barring military recruiters: The right to just say no
The right to say no
Schools that wish to bar military recruiters because of "don't ask, don't
tell" are winning on free speech grounds
By Dan Allen From
The Advocate, March 15, 2005
You might think that a battle against military recruiters on college campuses
would be based on the right to freedom of association. But in fact it's become
a fight over freedom of speech. Congress and the Pentagon have been fighting
hard against a growing number of prestigious law schools that have barred military
recruiters because of the armed services' antigay "don't ask, don't tell"
policy. They argue that the 1995 Solomon Amendment allows them to withhold federal
funding from any school that doesn't allow on-campus recruiting.
To read the full article, visit:
www.advocate.com/html/stories/934/934_recruiters.asp
*********************************************
14. NEWS: Anti-hate battle detailed in film
Anti-hate battle detailed in film
Newark school to host screening of documentary about Araujo case, others
By Linh Tat, The Argus
March 16, 2005
NEWARK - Hate happens in small suburbs and large cities. It happens in towns
whose residents believe that nothing ugly ever could occur in their quiet neighborhoods.
But there is hope. A community can rally together and fight back.
That is the message of a documentary receiving an advance showing Thursday evening
at Newark Memorial High School.
To read the full article, visit:
www.insidebayarea.com/argus/localnews/ci_2609516
In this issue of GSA Network News, you'll find:
GSA Network Highlight
Youth Say "YES" to Renewed Activism in the GSA Movement
GSA Network Announcements
1. Press Release: Fullerton Student Journalist Should Be Reinstated
as Editor
2. SAVE THE DATE: Expression Not Suppression Conference (Central Valley)
3. School Safety Grants Available - Proposals Due April 25, 2005
4. Bring Sylvia Guerrero to your school (Bay Area)
5. Liberation Ink Posters - Free For GSAs
Other Announcements
6. Gay-Straight Alliance Spring picnic (Antioch)
7. GLSEN OC scholarships for Orange County GSAs
8. Looking for Queer & Trans Youth Organizers (San Francisco)
9. New Support Group for Queer and Questioning Youth (Fresno)
10. Gay Prom 2005 (Bay Area)
11. Project 10 Announcements: Scholarships, Prom, and Models of Pride (So Cal)
12. Day of Silence Organizing Day for GSAs (San Diego)
13. Filmmaking for Queer, Trans, Questioning, Straight Ally Youth (SF)
14. Online Nominations: Queer Youth Leadership Awards (Santa Cruz)
15. Writing Contest: Growing Up Queer in Contra Costa County
16. Not In Our Town: When Hate Happens Here (Northern California)
17. Take Back Your TV Rally (San Francisco)
18. NEWS: ACLU and Others Back Student Editor
19. NEWS: Parents given veto over clubs in Hanford
20. NEWS: Gay bashing erupts again at Tam High
21. NEWS: Middle school students stand up for gay classmate
+++++++++++++++ GSA NETWORK HIGHLIGHT+++++++++++++++
Youth Say "YES" to Renewed Activism in the GSA Movement
GSA Network held its first annual Youth Empowerment Summit (YES) on Saturday, March 5th at Horace Mann Middle School in San Francisco. Building on the momentum from years of working on OHMY, GSA Network's new conference was a huge success. Over 300 LGBTQQI and allied youth attended the all-day event, which featured 30 workshops, roundtable discussions, and rocking entertainment. The conference opening featured a panel of students and one GSA advisor, who spoke to the challenges and victories one experiences in the world of anti-oppression activism in schools. Sylvia Guerrero, mother of anti-transgender murder victim Gwen Araujo, appeared as the YES Keynote Speaker. Her moving speech inspired conference attendees to continue their struggle to combat transphobia, homophobia, and heterosexism. YES was followed by a youth dance in the San Francisco LGBT Center's beautiful ceremonial room and outdoor terrace overlooking the city skyline.
The aim of YES was to equip youth activists with the tools they need to challenge
oppression in schools, and enable adult allies to empower and build partnerships
with youth. Judging by YES participants' conference evaluations, GSA Network
accomplished its goal! One evaluation read, "This really was an empowering
experience, being with other queer people and allies and discussing what needs
to be done to change America. I came away with a new sense of liberation."
Another participant wrote, "I came here for my son, not for me. I hope
he can return next year with several of his friends. I think there is a lot
here for him and them. Thank you for your work."
Thank you to everyone who attended YES! Ultimately, it is you who determine
the success of the conference. YES wouldn't have been the amazing event it was
if you hadn't contributed your energy, insight, and passion to the experience.
Hope to see you there next year!
+++++++++++++ GSA NETWORK ANNOUNCEMENTS +++++++++++++
**********************************************
1. Press Release: Fullerton Student Journalist Should Be Reinstated
as Editor
Fullerton Student Journalist Should Be Reinstated as Editor
School District Was Wrong to Remove Her After Publishing Story About Gay Students,
ACLU and Others Say
LOS ANGELES - In a strongly-worded letter, the ACLU of Southern California along with the National Center for Lesbian Rights, the Gay-Straight Alliance Network and other members of the California Safe Schools Coalition demanded that an Orange County high school student be reinstated as editor-in-chief of her school newspaper and that her record be wiped clean.
Ann Long, a senior at Troy High School in Fullerton and former editor-in-chief
of her school newspaper, was removed from her position in January after publishing
an article about the experiences of three gay students at Troy.
Long was shocked her article caused her to be removed from her post.
"I got the approval of my journalism adviser, I checked my facts, and
all the students agreed to tell their stories in this article," said Long,
who is an honors student. "I thought this was an important issue, and so
did my sources, to discuss in the school newspaper because it promotes tolerance
and understanding."
School and district officials gave conflicting reasons for the decision to
end Long’s term as editor-in-chief. A vice principal told Long she "should
have known" to get parental permission before publishing the students'
stories, but according to the state attorney general such permission is not
required. A school district official claimed Long violated a state law requiring
parental permission for school surveys that ask students about their personal
beliefs about sexual behavior or family life. The law cited, however, has no
relevance to Long's article.
A school principal also charged Long with disobeying her adviser’s orders
to get parental permission and lying about it. Long insists she was never asked
to get such permission.
"Students may not be punished solely for expression that is constitutionally
protected if it happens outside the school gates," said Ranjana Natarajan,
a staff attorney for the ACLU of Southern California. "A school can't punish
a student just because it may not agree with her article's content."
Members of the California Safe Schools Coalition, a statewide partnership of
organizations committed to eliminating discrimination and harassment on the
basis of sexual orientation in schools, are supporting Long and her right and
the rights of the students featured in her article to tell their stories.
"School administrators are required by state and federal law to protect
the safety of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students," said Molly
O'Shaughnessy, Director of the California Safe Schools Coalition. "By punishing
a student simply for writing a newspaper article that deals responsibly with
sexual orientation, they are perpetuating a climate of fear and silence for
LGBT students."
###
**********************************************
2. SAVE THE DATE: Expression Not Suppression Conference (Central Valley)
Get Ready for EXPRESSION NOT SUPPRESSION!!!
GSA Network's 3rd annual conference in the Central Valley will be on April
2, 2005 at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 4144 North Millbrook Avenue, Fresno.
Registration starts at 1 pm. Conference begins at 2 pm. Show and Dance from 7-11 pm.
**********************************************
3. School Safety Grants Available - Proposals Due April 25, 2005
The California Safe Schools Coalition (CSSC), a partnership of organizations
and individuals dedicated to eliminating discrimination and harassment against
students who are or are perceived to be lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender,
is offering monetary grants up to $2,500 to local individuals and organizations
that are working to protect California students from harassment and discrimination
based on sexual orientation and gender identity in K-12 schools. GSA Network
is a co-founder and co-leader of the California Safe Schools Coalition.
The Coalition invites and seeks diverse applicants. Individuals or organizations
that are located in rural areas or that address the needs of students of color
and/or transgender or gender non-conforming youth are encouraged to apply.
The simple application is available at www.casafeschools.org. Proposals must
be mailed or e-mailed by April 25, 2005.
If you have any questions, please contact Bob Kim (bob@pluribusconsulting.com)
or Molly O'Shaughnessy, Director, CSSC, (molly@casafeschools.org).
**********************************************
4. Bring Sylvia Guerrero to your school (Bay Area)
GSA Network is honored to introduce a new program, Educating for Transgender
Student Safety, which brings Sylvia Guerrero to speak with students, teachers,
and staff at schools throughout the Bay Area about the experiences she and her
family have endured over the last two years after the death of her transgender
daughter, Gwen Araujo. In the fall of 2002, Sylvia Guerrero was forced into
the Bay Area's media spotlight by the murder of her transgender daughter, Gwen
Araujo. Even though it had only been a short time since Ms. Guerrero began accepting
Gwen as her daughter, instead of the son she had thought she was raising, she
suddenly found herself labeled a spokeswoman for respect and dignity for transgender
people.
If you would like to bring Ms. Guerrero to your school, please email info@gsanetwork.org.
Sylvia Guerrero's speaking tour is done in collaboration with GLSEN-San Francisco/East Bay and CUAV, and is supported by a grant from the Horizons Foundation - Gwen Araujo Memorial Fund for Transgender Education.
*********************************************
5. Liberation Ink Posters - Free For GSAs
LIBERATION INK POSTERS AVAILABLE
FREE FOR GSAs IN CALIFORNIA!!
Seven poster designs are available for GSAs, organizations, and individuals
to make change by building a presence of youth voices for justice, peace, and
youth empowerment and against hatred, harassment, and discrimination of all
kinds. Every GSA in California can receive 30 FREE posters to use at your school.
You can order more than 30 for $1 each. From community organizations and individuals
we request a donation of $5 each for 1-10 posters, $4 each for 11-30 posters,
and large quantity discounts are available.
You can view the designs and order posters on the Liberation Ink website: www.gsanetwork.org/freezone/liberation.
Liberation Ink was a collaborative project of GSA Network, LYRIC, and Mission Grafica at the Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts in San Francisco. It was supported by the Youth Initiatives Program of the Open Society Institute, the San Francisco Arts Commission, and the Walter and Elise Haas Fund.
++++++++++++++++ OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS ++++++++++++++++
GSA Network News is a publication of Gay-Straight Alliance Network. Events,
resources, and news items listed under "Other Announcements" are not
sponsored or written by GSA Network, and do not necessarily reflect the views
and opinions of GSA Network.
*********************************************
6. Gay-Straight Alliance Spring picnic (Antioch)
Join us at black diamond mines in Antioch for a day of fun games and a potluck
picnic. Come meet GSA members from other schools and exchange ideas while playing
good old fashion games . There will also be an Easter egg hunt. Please bring
food to share!
Saturday March 26 from 11:30-4:00
Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve
(5175 Somersville Road Antioch) go to mapquest
for directions
For more information call Larson at (925) 437-0767
**Sponsored by the Antioch High School Gay Straight Alliance**
*********************************************
7. GLSEN OC scholarships for Orange County GSAs
Dear Orange County GSA Members and other ally groups:
GLSEN-Orange County, a local of chapter GLSEN, Gay Lesbian Straight Education
Network, is an educational organization ensuring safe schools for all lesbian,
gay, bisexual and transgender students. GLSEN envisions a future in which every
child learns to respect and accept all people, regardless of sexual orientation
or gender identity/expression.
We write to share an exciting opportunity for you. GLSEN's Day of Silence is
a student-led day of action where those who support making anti-LGBT bias unacceptable
in schools take a day-long vow of silence to recognize and protest the discrimination
and harassment - in effect, the silencing - experienced by LGBT students and
their allies. The Day of Silence was founded in 1996 by students at the University
of Virginia and since has become a landmark national event. This year the Day
of Silence takes place April 13, 2005.
GLSEN -Orange County will be awarding 35 scholarships for student organizations
to create a greater awareness of gay lesbian, bi-sexual and transgender issues
on school campuses. We believe that students are creative, caring and natural
spokespersons to get this type of message to their peers. In order to help student
groups truly make a difference with their Day of Silence plans we are offering
$75 to the first 25 schools who complete the short application. We will also
be offering $50 to the next 10 additional schools that meet the criteria. Groups
must meet the standard criteria in order to receive these funds.
Criteria:
1. The Day of Silence Activities must be student lead.
2. The Scholarship must not be used to pay for any school employees' stipend
salary or any other compensation.
3. The scholarship must be used for this year's Day of Silence activities.
4. Awarded schools must send a 1/2 page report of their activities and up to
3 pictures by June 1, 2005.Applications must be received by March 20th, 2005.
Only one application per school will be selected.
Please mail your completed application to:
GLSEN-OC
12800 Garden Grove Blvd., Suite F
Garden Grove, CA, 92843
You will be notified by March 27th if your group will receive either the $75
or $50 awards.
For more information on the event you can go to the Day of Silence Web site
at www.dayofsilence.org
*********************************************
8. Looking for Queer & Trans Youth Organizers (San Francisco)
Are you aged 25 and under, interested in making a change in your
community and working with other queer youth? Consider applying to get
involved in The LGBT Centerís new youth-led organizing project. You
could be a paid organizer for a project looking at why queer and
transgender youth face such high levels of poverty, unemployment and
homelessness. Work with other youth to break these problems down,
figure out solutions, and make San Francisco a safer, better place to
live!
Project will run from April - December 2005.
For more information contact Colby at 415.865.5542 colbyl@sfcenter.org
Pick up an application at The Center's front desk (1800 Market St.).
Applications Due Tuesday, March 15, 2005.
Trans youth, homeless youth and youth of color especially encouraged to
apply!
*********************************************
9. New Support Group for Queer and Questioning Youth (Fresno)
Now meeting every Friday night at the Fresno Center For Non-Violence (on the
corner of McKinley and Van Ness across from Fresno City College) from 6:30 until
7:30pm, a support and anything-you-make-it group for queer and questioning high
school youth. Everyone is invited for discussions and kicking back. The group
is facilitated by Jeff Robinson. Call the Center for Non-Violence for directions
559-233-peace. Bus route accessible.
*********************************************
10. Gay Prom 2005 (Bay Area)
Project Eden presents:
Lambda Youth
Gay Prom 2005!!
"Come As You Are"
"Be Who You Are"
Make Your Dreams A Reality!
for who???? LGBTQ AND ALLIES, 20 AND UNDER, BAY AREA AND BEYOND
what?????? IT’S PROM!! YOUR PROM! DRESS TO IMPRESS!
BRING WHO YOU WANT TO. IT’S LGBTQ SAFE AND DRUG/ALCOHOL-FREE SPACE. THERE’S
A KING, KING, QUEEN, QUEEN CONTEST AND FAB RAFFLE PRIZES. IT’S BEAUTIFUL!
IT’S FUN!! IT’S GAY PROM!!
how much????? $20/advance; $25/door
where????? CENTENNIAL HALL IN HAYWARD
when??????? JUNE 11, 2005, 7PM-MIDNIGHT ALWAYS SECOND SATURDAY IN JUNE
Call 510/247-8200 or go to www.gayprom.org
for more info!
Over 21?
VOLUNTEER AT PROM! OR DONATE $$$ OR SERVICES!!
Lambda Youth Project is a program of Project Eden, Horizon Services, Inc
*********************************************
11. Project 10 Announcements: Scholarships, Prom, and Models of Pride
(So Cal)
1) Friends of Project 10 Inc. is sponsoring the Models of Excellence Scholarship
program for graduating senior high school students (in California schools, public,
private, and parochial) who are going onto higher education and who have demonstrated
a committment to LGBT civil rights issues, either in their school or in their
community. The scholarships are in the amount of $500 and $1,1000 each. Applications
are due by Aprile 16, 2005. Contact Friends of Project 10 Inc. at project10@hotmail.com
or call 626.577.4553 for an application and for more information.
2) The LGBT Youth Prom, sponsored by Friends of Project 10 Inc., will be held
on Friday evening, May 20, 2005, from 8 p.m. to 12 midnight at the FRIENDSHIP
AUDITIORIUM, located near Griffith Park at 3201 Riverside Dr., Los Angeles,
90027. The prom was moved from the SHERATON UNIVERSAL HOTEL due to the fact
that the Sheraton is being boycotted by workers who are trying to settle a contract.
In honor of the workers, Friends of Project 10 Inc. elected to move the prom
for this year. Visit www.modelsofpride.org
for prom information and to purchase tickets.
3) Save the date! Models of Pride XIII (MOP XIII) will be held on Saturday,
October 22, 2005, at Occidental College in Eagle Rock. Workshop applications
will be available shortly. Contact Friends of Project 10 Inc. at project10@hotmail.com
or call 626.577.4553 for information about workshops and to sign up to volunteer.
*********************************************
12. Day of Silence Organizing Day for GSAs (San Diego)
What: Day of Silence Organizing Day for Gay Straight Alliances
When: 1:00-3:00 March 12, 2005
Where: The LGBT Center in Hillcrest (3909 Centre St. 92103)
Who: GLSEN will host GSAs from around San Diego county for a networking forum
Food: Pizza, soda, snacks for all participants
GLSEN San Diego County (The Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network) is
going to host an event at the Center in Hillcrest that will help GSAs organize
in preparation for the Day of Silence (DoS is planned for April 13, 2005).
We will be providing snacks, soda, and pizza for the event.
The topics we'll be covering will be useful to students and GSA advisors alike:
ß Day of Silence organizing
ß Tips for keeping a GSA afloat
ß Lesson plans/ideas for advisors on constructive things to do at GSA
meetings
ß Brainstorming forum for students and adults
We'd love to have as large a student and/or teacher presence as we can.
Please respond to let us know how many adults and/or students are coming.
glsensd@glsensd.org
*********************************************
13. Filmmaking for Queer, Trans, Questioning, Straight Ally Youth (San
Francisco)
***DEADLINE EXTENDED TO MARCH 14th-- PLEASE FORWARD!!!***
CALLING ALL QUEER, TRANSGENDERED, QUESTIONING, AND STRAIGHT ALLY YOUTH WHO
WANT TO MAKE MOVIES!
Frameline and TILT in collaboration with Film Arts Foundation present: THE
YOUNG FILMMAKER PROJECT
Make a movie that will be screened in Frameline’s 29th San Francisco
International Lesbian & Gay Film Festival, the world’s oldest and
largest
celebration of LGBT cinema, which runs from June 16-26, 2005.
Learn the basics of filmmaking and collaborate with other youth and
experienced filmmakers to write, script, cast, storyboard, shoot, and edit
your own short movie.
No experience required. Participants receive a stipend for attending all
meetings.
Participants should be available to meet on the following dates:
* Pre-production: Saturdays, March 19, March 26, & April 9, Sunday, April
17, & Saturday, April 23, 1-4pm
* Production: Saturdays, May 7 and May 14, 11am-6pm
* Post-production: Saturday and Sunday, May 21 & 22, shifts to be
determined.
Deadline: Applications must be received by MONDAY, MARCH 14, 2005.
Applicants should submit the following:
NAME:
ADDRESS:
PHONE:
E-MAIL:
AGE:
1) What is your interest in filmmaking?
2) What kind of movie are you interested in making?
3) What kind of experience and qualities do you bring to the group? 4)
What would you like to get out of this workshop experience?
5) What do you think it takes to work well in a group?
6) Are you available to do screenwriting and production planning work
outside of class when necessary?
Send applications to:
Young Filmmaker Project
c/o Film Arts Foundation
145 Ninth Street, #101
San Francisco, CA 94103
or e-mail your application or questions to karah@filmarts.org.
Deadline: Applications must be received by Monday, March 14, 2005.
See www.frameline.org and www.tiltmedia.org
to learn more about Frameline
and TILT.
*********************************************
14. Online Nominations: Queer Youth Leadership Awards (Santa Cruz)
*** Online Nominations NOW ACCEPTED ***
visit: www.diversitycenter.org/qytf/2005qyla
to submit online nominations
Nominations Accepted Until March 15th
Please share this with those who work with youth in Santa Cruz County!
8th Annual Queer Youth Leadership Awards
Award Categories:
THE QUEER YOUTH LEADERSHIP AWARD
THE ALLIES TO QUEER YOUTH AWARD
THE QUEER YOUTH ORGANIZATIONAL ALLIANCE AWARD
Thank you for taking a moment to nominate someone for their work in helping
make Santa Cruz County safer for LGBTIQ Youth and their allies.
All nominated Queer Youth and their allies will be honored at the Variety Show
and Awards Ceremony on Sunday, April 17th, 4 PM at the Santa Cruz High School
Auditorium.
The Queer Youth Leadership Awards is a project of the Santa Cruz County Task
Force for LGBTIQ Youth, a Program of The Diversity Center.
If community members would like to make a contribution to QYLA and/or purchase
an ad in the QYLA 48-page printed program & resource guide, please contact
us at: qyla@diversitycenter.org
or 831-427-4004.
*********************************************
15. Writing Contest: Growing Up Queer in Contra Costa County
Rainbow Community Center announces a writing contest:
GROWING UP QUEER IN CONTRA COSTA COUNTY
FIRST PRIZE $100
SECOND PRIZE $75
THIRD PRIZE $50
The topic is broad, so consider the following: Negative and positive aspects
of growing up LGBTQI in CCC. How do the following affect you: The part of the
county in which you reside (Central, East, West, or South County). How ìoutî
are you? The support you do/donít get from family/friends/school/etcÖ.
Do other factors such as race, religion, class, gender, etc, play a role in
how you grew up in Contra Costa County? Do you use any of the following services?
Rainbow Community Center (RCC), Gay-Straight Alliance in your school, Gay Lesbian
Straight Education Network (GLSEN), Center for Human Development (CHD), any
other organization dedicated to LGBTQ youth.
Discuss how these services help you or how they could better help you. If you
do not use any of the preceding services discuss why you do not. What would
help, or would have helped you the most in growing up in Contra Costa?
Eligibility: Anyone 25 and under who is currently attending or attended High
School in Contra Costa County is eligible for the contest. Additionally anyone
23 and under in Alameda or Solano County who use services for LGBTQI youth in
Contra Costa County may also enter (specify which service and why you use it.)
Essays are to be:
No more then 7 pages in length.
Single spaced and typed.
Use 12 point Times New Roman font
Margins should be 1 inch.
All entries remain the property of Rainbow Community Center of Contra Costa
County (RCC). RCC reserves the right to publish or distribute your essay.
You MAY enter ìconfidentiallyî. If you say you wish to remain anonymous,
we will not publish any of the information on the coversheet (name, location,
etcÖ). If you do not enter confidentially, the Rainbow Community Center
will announce your name if you are a winner, and your essay maybe published
in its entirety, or excerpted.
On a coversheet you must include the following information:
Title of Essay
Name
Age
Gender
Sexuality
Level of "Outness" (not at all, to friends, to family, at school,
etc)
City in which you live
School Attending/Attended
Best way to contact you (email, phone, mail)
Whether your application is Confidential or not.
Deadline April 4th, 2005 (Postmarked or delivered to RCC)
Ken Levin
Rainbow Community Center of Contra Costa County
(925) 692-0090 ext 302
3024 Willow Pass Blvd. Suite 200
Concord, CA 94520
www.rainbowcc.org/youthpage.html
*********************************************
16. Not In Our Town: When Hate Happens Here (Northern California)
NOT IN OUR TOWN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA: WHEN HATE HAPPENS HERE
Things are hopping with our KQED-TV co-production, NOT IN OUR TOWN NORTHERN
CALIFORNIA , which has its KQED broadcast premiere on Friday, April 8, at 9
pm, with other regional airdates to come.
The show looks at five communities dealing with deadly hate violence over a
five-year period. Together, the stories reveal that whether the motivation is
racism, anti-Semitism, or crimes motivated by gender or sexual orientation,
hate is the same. But Californians are finding innovative ways to respond when
hate happens here.
We hope you will be able to join us for one of our free Bay Area community
screenings! Here's what's coming up:
MARCH 1: SAN FRANCISCO PUBLIC LIBRARY
Facing History and Ourselves will present a screening and panel discussion as
part of their exhibition "Choosing to Participate." Panelists include
TWG executive producer Patrice O'Neill; Rabbi Brad Bloom of B'Nai Israel Synagogue;
Pat Skillen of Not In Newark; Milanda Moore of the San Francisco Police Department
Hate Crimes Unit; and Jim Van Buskirk of the SF Public Library. Moderated by
Belva Davis. Tuesday, March 1; reception 4:30, screening 5:30. Main Library
Koret Auditorium, 100 Larkin.
MARCH 7-8: RIALTO CINEMAS LAKESIDE, SANTA ROSA
The Sonoma County Commission on Human Rights present two community screenings
in Santa Rosa with co-sponsors GLSEN North Bay, the Sonoma County Office of
Education, KRCB and Rialto Cinemas Lakeside. Monday, March 7 at 7:15 pm, with
panel discussion following screening; Tuesday, March 8 at 10:30 am, screening
only. Rialto Cinemas Lakeside, 551 Summerfield Rd.
MARCH 17: NEWARK MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL
The City of Newark, Newark Unified School District and Not In Newark host a
homecoming screening and discussion of how the community has evolved on Thursday,
March 17 at 7:00 pm. Newark Memorial High School, 39375 Cedar Blvd.
APRIL 5: NAPA COLLEGE
One of the first sites of a "Not On Our Campus" movement, Napa College
will feature a screening of NIOT Northern California as part of a week-long
series of activities and events focused on combating intolerance and hate. Tuesday,
April 5, 12:30 pm. Room 1033, Main Campus, 2277 Napa-Vallejo Highway.
APRIL 6: GRAND LAKE THEATER, OAKLAND
Our broadcast kick-off celebration will take place in the large auditorium at
Oakland's historic Grand Lake Theater, featuring the film's producers and special
guests. Wednesday, April 6, 7:00 pm. Grand Lake Theater, 3200 Grand Ave.
APRIL 8, 9 PM: TUNE IN TO THE BROADCAST ON KQED-TV!
Check out KQED's great website, www.kqed.org/niot
*********************************************
17. Take Back Your TV Rally (San Francisco)
TAKE BACK YOUR TV:
Monday, April 4, 6:30-8:30pm, San Francisco
We live in an age of media monopoly. More newspapers, radio stations and TV
affiliates are falling into the hands of a few mega-conglomerates, controlling
choices, viewpoints and diversity.
So let the TV titans know you’ve got something to say – and a new
place to say it. Join us on Monday, April 4 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm when we’ll
shut down King Street between 2nd and 3rd streets in downtown San Francisco
for a rally to Take Back Your TV. This event will feature live performances,
mic jams, spoken word poets and appearances by INdTV founder Al Gore, Spearhead,
Goapele and other special guests. You’ll be the first people in the country
to catch a sneak preview of INdTV’s programming. This event is free.
Get ready to transform TV.
INdTV, a new kind of television network, will democratize television by inviting
you, the viewer, to shape and be part of what goes on air.
Right now, the corporate networks control your choices. Unfortunately, much
of what airs is relegated to celebrity scandal, gross-out reality TV, or screaming
pundits.
It’s time to take back your TV. INdTV aims to help you do just that
by creating a network that’s of, by and with the people. It’s bringing
a fresh, independent voice to television because it’s created by people
on both sides of the television screen. In other words, we don’t want
you to just watch INdTV. We want you to participate by either submitting videos
on topics you care about or weighing in online to determine which programs and
topics should hit the airwaves.
INdTV will feature shows that give you a more authentic look at what’s
going on in your world -- the people, places, issues, events and trends you’re
passionate about.
*********************************************
18. NEWS: ACLU and Others Back Student Editor
ACLU Backs Student Editor
Group says her article on sexual orientation at a Fullerton high school was
protected by law.
By Joel Rubin
Times Staff Writer
March 8, 2005
Civil rights lawyers have entered the fray over the actions of an Orange County
student journalist, urging school district officials to reverse their decision
to punish her for an article published in a campus newspaper.
In a strongly worded, three-page letter, the American Civil Liberties Union
of Southern California criticized officials at Troy High School in Fullerton
for removing senior Ann Long as editor-in-chief of the Oracle.
Long, 18, was unseated last month after printing an article in which she chronicled
the decisions of three students to reveal their homosexuality and bisexuality
to family and friends.
"We're asking the school to put Ann back in her position," said Ranjana
Natarajah, the ACLU lawyer who sent the letter Monday to Fullerton Joint Union
High School Supt. George Giokaris. "None of the justifications the school
has given [for punishing Long] fit."
The letter was co-signed by representatives of the California Safe Schools Coalition,
the Gay-Straight Alliance and the National Center for Lesbian Rights.
To read the full article, visit:
www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-long8mar08,1,5672818.story?coll=la-headlines-california
*********************************************
19. NEWS: Parents given veto over clubs in Hanford
Parents given veto over clubs
Hanford students can be barred from activities.
By Sarah Jimenez / The Fresno Bee
March 9, 2005
HANFORD — Parents of local high school students can prevent their children
from joining certain clubs starting in the 2005-06 school year.Trustees with
Hanford Joint Union High School District voted 4-1 to approve a modification
of the district's student organization policy during their meeting Tuesday night.
Trustee Robert Hill said he understood the concerns of parents and said they
have a right to determine what their children are exposed to at school.
"I think the amended policy preserves that right of parents," Hill
said.
Trustee Simon Lakritz dissented, saying the school should stay out of the issue,
leaving parents and children to decide students' activities on their own. Starting
this fall, the district will send a list of clubs to Hanford High and Hanford
West parents at the start of each school year and give parents the option of
filling out a form regulating what clubs their kids cannot join.
The modified policy is in response to parents' concerns about the new Gay-Straight
Alliance Club on the Hanford West campus. Some parents originally asked trustees
to ban the club from the campus.
To read the full article, visit:
www.fresnobee.com/local/sv/story/10094195p-10920191c.html
*********************************************
20. NEWS: Gay bashing erupts again at Tam High
Gay bashing erupts again at Tam High
By Jennifer Gollan, IJ reporter
March 3, 2005
Lesbian teacher an apparent new target of vandal
A new rash of anti-gay hate crimes at Tamalpais High School left the epithets
"die fag" scrawled on the car of a 17-year-old student, and "fag
class" on the classroom door of a lesbian teacher.
The incidents follow at least six similar incidents which began in November
last year, perhaps the most brazen of which involved graffiti that read "die
fag" in 2 1/2-foot letters on the wall of the Mill Valley school's Keyser
Hall.
To read the full article, visit:
www.marinij.com/Stories/0,1413,234%257E24407%257E2742335,00.html
*********************************************
21. NEWS: Middle school students stand up for gay classmate
Middle school students stand up for gay classmate
The Advocate
March 9, 2005
Twelve Beatrice Middle School students in Beatrice, Neb., staged a brief walkout
this week to protest what they called the unfair treatment of a gay student.
The students refused to go to class after a teacher took gay pride posters away
from a gay student who had brought them to school, said Stevie Woodrum, one
of the eighth-graders involved.
To read the full article, visit:
www.advocate.com/new_news.asp?ID=15336&sd=03/05/05-03/07/05
----
In this issue of GSA Network News, you'll find:
GSA Network Highlight
9th Annual Day of Silence - START ORGANIZING NOW!
GSA Network Announcements
1. The Youth Empowerment Summit is This Saturday!
2. GSA Network Staff and Youth Featured on Sheila Kuehl's TV Show!!!
3. SAVE THE DATE: Expression Not Suppression Conference (Central Valley)
4. School Safety Grants Available - Proposals Due April 25, 2005
5. Bring Sylvia Guerrero to your school (Bay Area)
6. Liberation Ink Posters - Free For GSAs
Other Announcements
7. GSA Get Together in Sacramento
8. GSA Organizing Day in San Diego
9. Sac City College QSA Hosting a Prom
10. ALT's LGBTQ and Straight Ally Youth Night!
11. Chabot College GSA Promotes Queer Events and Awareness
12. AQUA events in March (San Francisco)
13. Southeast Asian Community Alliance youth photo exhibit (Los Angeles)
14. Queer/Questioning/Allies Group for Youth 15 and under (Berkeley)
15. HIFY's Spring provider trainings (San Francisco)
16. Learn Community Organizing Skills with CTWO
17. Cinequest Film Festival Offers Films for LGBT Youth (San Jose)
18. NEWS: Unclear gender: Let children determine own
19. NEWS: Oregon: Workshop's Original Title Restored
20. NEWS: Florida: Yearbook Picture Rejected
21. NEWS: The right to just say no to military recruiters on campus
22. NEWS: School Board Leaves Poster Issue to Scotts Valley High Principal
23. NEWS: Anti-gay graffiti found at Tam High
+++++++++++++++ GSA NETWORK HIGHLIGHT+++++++++++++++
9th Annual Day of Silence - START ORGANIZING NOW!
Don't just participate in the Day of Silence; organize others to get involved!
As the government tries to push the LGBT community back in to the closet we
must continue to find moving and creative ways to voice our opposition to this
repressive climate. The Day of Silence is a great way to participate in a day
of non-violent direct action, build bridges with other school clubs, find allies,
send a message of inclusivity of people of all sexual orientations and gender
identities, and educate the community about what a day of silence for a young
LGBTQ person is like.
Every year, GSAs and other students recognize the blatant inequality that empowers
some and disenfranchises others by wearing a sign explaining that they are choosing
not to speak for the day in support of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender
rights. The Day of Silence is to draw attention to those who have been silenced
by hatred, oppression, and prejudice.
Students at thousands of schools will participate this year.
Here are some organizing tips:
- Start your organizing today - submit the request to your principal
or appropriate staff.
- Broaden your work - Partner with other clubs such as the Black Student Union,
Chicano club, etc. (You can even create a card that includes numerous reasons
for not speaking)
- Start spreading the word!! Make flyers, stickers, buttons, etc.
The Day of Silence, a project of the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network,
in collaboration with the United States Student Association (USSA), is a student-led
day of action where those who support making anti-LGBT bias unacceptable in
schools take a day-long vow of silence to recognize and protest the discrimination
and harassment endured by LGBT students.
This year, the Day of Silence takes place on April 13, 2005. To register, please
visit the Day of Silence website at www.dayofsilence.org
Also, check out GSA Network's organizing guide for Day of Silence at www.gsanetwork.org/resources/dos.html
Let us know what you're doing for the Day of Silence and your GSA could get
highlighted in an upcoming issue of GSA Network News!!
+++++++++++++ GSA NETWORK ANNOUNCEMENTS +++++++++++++
**********************************************
1. The Youth Empowerment Summit is This Saturday!
Please pre-register for YES (Youth Empowerment Summit) by noon on Friday, March
4 if you haven't already.
www.gsanetwork.org/yes
YES is a FREE conference for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex,
queer, questioning, and straight ally youth dedicated to fostering safe schools
and youth activism. The conference is open to all youth and allies, with a focus
on middle school and high school.
Adults and teachers are welcome.
Some of the workshops you can look forward to include:
- Queer People of Color History
- Systems of Oppression
- How to Have a Kick-Ass GSA
- SB 71: Comprehensive Sex Ed Campaigns
- When You Gotta Go: A Safe Bathroom Access Workshop
- Arts Activism and Community Building
WHEN: Saturday, March 5
WHAT: Kick-ass conference (9 am - 5 pm) and dance (8 pm - 11 pm)
WHERE: Horace Mann Middle School, 3351 23rd Street, San Francisco (near 24th
St. BART)
COST: FREE!
Formerly OHMY (Overcoming Homophobia Meeting for Youth), YES is newly restructured
to focus more on giving youth organizers the tools to combat homophobia and
transphobia in schools.
The goals of YES are:
- to provide a safe space in which students may come together to explore the
multiple oppressions faced by youth
- to help teachers become advocates and form partnerships with LGBTQQI youth
- to help youth become armed with the tools needed to change the world!
By coming to YES, you will make new friends, be exposed to a wealth of valuable
resources, feel empowered and supported, and have fun!
Questions? Email yes@gsanetwork.org
**********************************************
2. GSA Network Staff and Youth Featured on Sheila Kuehl's TV Show!!!
Senator Sheila Kuehl, one of GSA Network's heroes for her historic legislation
(AB 537 and SB 71) that affect the LGBT youth community has a monthly TV Show
called "Get Used to It." Her show addresses issues affecting the LGBT
community. This month her show is all about "Youth Issues" and she
features GSA Network's Executive Director and one of the amazing youth activists
who has worked with GSA Network for several years.
Get Used To It #113
Title: Youth Issues
This month's episode of Get Used To It is scheduled to look at the
issues facing teenage gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people.
Host Sheila James Kuehl will lead a discussion on various topics,
including teen suicide. Joining our host are Jorge Valencia, Executive
Director of the Trevor Project; Carolyn Laub, Executive Director of the
Gay Straight Alliance Network; and Vanessa Coe, a youth activist from
Orange County. Please join us for this provocative and important
discussion.
Distribution
In addition to its regular appearance on CityChannel 10 in West Hollywood, Get
Used To It airs on the government access channel (unless otherwise noted) in
the following areas:
Area, Channel, Air Time
1. City of Los Angeles, CA, L.A. CityView Ch. 35, Wednesday, 9:30 pm
2. County of Los Angeles, CA, Cable Leased Access, Thursday, 5 pm, Saturday,
10 am
3. City/County of San Francisco, CA, CityWatch Ch. 26, Call CityWatch for times
4. City of Sacramento, CA, Access Sac. Ch. 73, Thursday, 10 pm, Friday, 4 pm,
Saturday, 6 am
5. City of Honolulu, HI, ATTN Ch. 54, Wednesday 5pm
6. Hawaii Kai, Oahu, HI, TCI network, Monday, 8:30 pm, Sunday, 7 pm
7. State of Rhode Island and New England, State Interconnect Ch.A, Thursday,
10 pm
8. Washington, D.C., CityCable Ch. 16, Call Channel 16 for times
9. Madison, WI, Citychannel 12, Wednesday, 5pm, Sunday 9am
10. Atlanta, GA, Ion 21 – Georgia Tech Cable Network, Wednesday 1pm
**********************************************
3. SAVE THE DATE: Expression Not Suppression Conference (Central Valley)
Get Ready for EXPRESSION NOT SUPPRESSION!!!
GSA Network's 3rd annual conference in the Central Valley will be on April
2, 2005 at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 4144 North Millbrook Avenue, Fresno.
Registration starts at 1 pm. Conference begins at 2 pm. Show and Dance from
7-11 pm.
**********************************************
4. School Safety Grants Available - Proposals Due April 25, 2005
The California Safe Schools Coalition (CSSC), a partnership of organizations
and individuals dedicated to eliminating discrimination and harassment against
students who are or are perceived to be lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender,
is offering monetary grants up to $2,500 to local individuals and organizations
that are working to protect California students from harassment and discrimination
based on sexual orientation and gender identity in K-12 schools. GSA Network
is a co-founder and co-leader of the California Safe Schools Coalition.
The Coalition invites and seeks diverse applicants. Individuals or organizations
that are located in rural areas or that address the needs of students of color
and/or transgender or gender non-conforming youth are encouraged to apply.
The simple application is available at www.casafeschools.org.
Proposals must be mailed or e-mailed by April 25, 2005.
If you have any questions, please contact Bob Kim (bob@pluribusconsulting.com)
or Molly O'Shaughnessy, Director, CSSC, (molly@casafeschools.org).
GSA Network is honored to introduce a new program, Educating for Transgender
Student Safety, which brings Sylvia Guerrero to speak with students, teachers,
and staff at schools throughout the Bay Area about the experiences she and her
family have endured over the last two years after the death of her transgender
daughter, Gwen Araujo. In the fall of 2002, Sylvia Guerrero was forced into
the Bay Area's media spotlight by the murder of her transgender daughter, Gwen
Araujo. Even though it had only been a short time since Ms. Guerrero began accepting
Gwen as her daughter, instead of the son she had thought she was raising, she
suddenly found herself labeled a spokeswoman for respect and dignity for transgender
people.
If you would like to bring Ms. Guerrero to your school, please email info@gsanetwork.org.
Sylvia Guerrero's speaking tour is done in collaboration with GLSEN-San Francisco/East Bay and CUAV, and is supported by a grant from the Horizons Foundation - Gwen Araujo Memorial Fund for Transgender Education.
*********************************************
6. Liberation Ink Posters - Free For GSAs
LIBERATION INK POSTERS AVAILABLE
FREE FOR GSAs IN CALIFORNIA!!
Seven poster designs are available for GSAs, organizations, and individuals
to make change by building a presence of youth voices for justice, peace, and
youth empowerment and against hatred, harassment, and discrimination of all
kinds. Every GSA in California can receive 30 FREE posters to use at your school.
You can order more than 30 for $1 each. From community organizations and individuals
we request a donation of $5 each for 1-10 posters, $4 each for 11-30 posters,
and large quantity discounts are available.
You can view the designs and order posters on the Liberation Ink website: www.gsanetwork.org/freezone/liberation
Liberation Ink was a collaborative project of GSA Network, LYRIC, and Mission Grafica at the Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts in San Francisco. It was supported by the Youth Initiatives Program of the Open Society Institute, the San Francisco Arts Commission, and the Walter and Elise Haas Fund.
++++++++++++++++ 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.
*********************************************
7. GSA Get Together in Sacramento
You're invited!
GSA GET TOGETHER
Friday, March 4th 6:00-9:00 pm (set-up 5:30 clean-up 9-9:30)
Games -- Music -- Fun
Hiram Johnson Cafeteria -- 6879 14th Avenue
Tickets $4.00 dollars
Includes soda and pizza. Please bring a side dish, chips, or a dessert to share
All area Gay-Straight Alliances are invited.
Let me know if you can come!
Contact Lynnette Schoorl: (916) 277-6300 ext. 1075 or e-mail LRSblue7@aol.com
GSA leaders/presidents may meet after the event to discuss future
activities and a spring dance.
GLSEN San Diego County is planning a GSA organizing day.
Saturday, March 12, 2005
1:00-3:00 PM
The LGBT Center in Hillcrest (3909 Centre St. 92103)
Our mission is two-fold. We're going to be activating the youth at the high
schools around San Diego to participate in the Day of Silence (held this year
on April 13, 2005). We're also going to be tackling the topic of keeping a GSA
afloat and providing pointers for techniques to reenergize them.
Contact GLSEN SD at our email address for further information. Our email address
is: glsensd@glsensd.org (Note:
It helps if you put "Day of Silence question" in the Subject Header
of the email (we get a lot of spam).
Sacramento City College QSA will be hosting a prom on April 22, 2005
from 9pm-12am. This event is open to anyone, gay or straight, and the
cost is $10 advance, $15 at the door. 107.9 will be doing the DJ-ing
and there will be a photographer for pictures.
It will be held at Sac City College (3835 Freeport Boulevard) in the
Student Center, right next to the cafeteria. If you have any
questions please feel free to contact me via email. Thanks and spread
the word to your friends!
-Eddie Smith
Vice President, Sac City QSA
tomsawyer3000@yahoo.com
*********************************************
10. ALT's LGBTQ and Straight Ally Youth Night!
Food -- Music -- Fun
What: Are you between the ages of 14 and 23? Want to meet other young LGBTQ
and straight alley young people? Come to the Awareness Leadership Team's (ALT)
youth night! Free food! Cool folks, bring your Gay-Straight Alliance, even!
When: Friday, March 9th 5:00-7:00 pm.
Where: Lighthouse Community Center at Hayward, located at 1217 A Street in Hayward,
CA. Three blocks from Hayward BART station on B Street.
Why: Enjoy the opportunity to meet other young LGBTQ and straight alley youth,
hangout and learn about what ALT does!
Contact Ravi Singh Rangi at ravi@glsen-sfeb.org
or call 925 685-5480!
*********************************************
11. Chabot College GSA Promotes Queer Events and Awareness
Local Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) Continues to Promote Queer Community
Events and Awareness
Hayward, California 2/27/2005
The Chabot Community College GSA, in Hayward, California, has once again pushed
for newsworthy and historic events in the local lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender,
and questioning (LGBTQ) community.
Chabot GSA is continuing its success from the fall 2004 semester. Fall 2004
saw the expansion of the anti-discrimination clause policy, at Chabot Community
College, to provide protection for individuals who seek their education at Chabot
Community College irregardless of their sexual identity or orientation. This
expansion clause was put into effect at the beginning of the Spring 2005 semester.
Additionally, Fall 2004 bore witness to the first ever raising of the Rainbow Pride Flag at the Chabot Campus. The club petitioned Dr. Robert Carlson, President of Chabot, for permission. Within a week the school granted the request to fly the flag on National Coming Out Day, which was Monday, October 11. The Chabot GSA wished to fly the Pride Flag to invite closeted members of the LGBTQ community to come out and know they are safe at Chabot.
The Spring 2005 semester will mark the first ever GSA Day held on the Chabot
Campus. GSA Day is a free open community event. We are targeting all members
of the local LGBTQ community to attend this event, which shall focus on community,
current events, building friendships, and community connections. Chabot GSA
Day will be hosted by Chabot GSA on Friday; March 18th 2005 between the hours
of 3:00pm and 5:30pm in building 2300 above the Chabot Cafeteria.
Spring 2005 will also see the return of the annual Southern Alameda County
Gay and Lesbian Film Festival at the Chabot Campus. This event is a collaboration
between local Hayward LGBTQ individuals and organizations. The two leading sponsor
organizations of this event are Chabot GSA and CommPre (Community Prevention
of Alcohol-Related Problems), a program of Horizon Services, Inc. The Southern
Alameda County Gay and Lesbian Film Festival will be held on Friday and Saturday,
March 18th and 19th, 2005 at Chabot Collegeís Little Theater between
the hours of 7:00pm and 10:00pm.
In celebration of the March 19th GSA Day and the March 18th and 19th Southern
Alameda Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, Chabot GSA once again petitioned Dr.
Robert Carlson, President of Chabot Community College, to allow us to the fly
the Rainbow Pride Flag for the days of these events. Once again the objective
of such a raising will be to promote awareness, equality, and protection for
LGBTQ students of Chabot and individuals in the community.
Ongoing projects of Chabot GSA include the expansion of a high school and queer
youth outreach program; which targets queer youth and encourages higher education,
support, and friendship. Additionally Chabot GSA strengthens its ties with local
LGBTQ organizations such as the Imperial Star Empire, Inc. of Alameda and Contra
Costa Counties. Chabot GSA also works collectively with other Chabot campus
clubs such as MEChA and Students for Social Justice (SSJ).
The clubís goal is to raise awareness and support throughout the East
Bay, believing that Chabot students have a responsibility to lead the community
towards acceptance for all its members. Chabot GSA members will be available
throughout the day on Friday, March 18th , in the conference room above the
Chabot Cafeteria; in building 2300 to answer questions, offer literature, and
discuss LGBTQ related issues.
For additional information, please contact the following officer of the club:
Mykel S. Stevens
Chabot Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA)
Vice President (Fall 2004 - Spring 2005)
415.515.8106
mailto:Sfo2ueer@yahoo.comsfo2ueer@yahoo.com
THE A-SPOT @ CAFE FLORE
March 3 || 3-5 PM || 2298 Market/Noe
We're revamping our monthly group and looking for political, artistic, fun,
crazy, creative, nerdy, cool queer APIs under 25 that are downe for a good time
and want to make a difference in the community. Bring a friend! Meet a friend!
Join us as we talk about coming out, sex, family, school, politics, partying,
drugs, sports, friends, and building an inclusive community. Look out for Bryant
with an AQUA sign.
YES, IT'S AQUA
March 5 || 9-5PM || 3351-23rd St.
Stop by our table to meet us and come to our workshop at the Youth Empowerment
Summit sponsored by the Gay-Straight Alliance Network. Our workshop will be
called "Hot, Healthy, Sex Positive Dating" where you'll get a chance
to bitch about dating, learn some skills to work the dating game, and have a
lot of fun!
QUEER ASIANS ON FILM
March 12-13 || times vary || Castro Theatre, SF
Don't see yourself respresented in the media? Well there's three queer Asian
films playing in this year's SF International Asian American Film Festival!
Come watch them with AQUA and get free or discounted tickets and watch some
yellow/brown same-sex loving on the big screen. PLEASE RSVP! For more information
about the festival, go to <http://www.naatanet.org>www.naatanet.org. Check
out the films "Ethan Mao" "Butterfly" and "Past Imperfect,
Future Tense"
SING YOUR HEART OUT
March 30 || tba
Inspired by American Idol? Get your karaoke on with other queer Asian and Pacific
Islanders just like you! All levels of talent are welcome. Free Food Provided!
You can't beat that.
To find out exact dates, times, locations of events, please contact Bryant Tan
at bryant@apiwellness.org
or 415-292-3420 x315. Please RSVP if you're planning to attend. Hope to see
you there!
*********************************************
13. Southeast Asian Community Alliance youth photo exhibit (Los Angeles)
Southeast Asian Community Alliance
invites you to a
PHOTO EXHIBIT/ BENEFIT
featuring the work of the SEACA Youth
Friday, March 18th, 2005
6:00 to 9:30 PM
Program begins at 7:00PM
Service Auction*
Light refreshments provided
Asian Pacific American Legal Center
1145 Wilshire Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90017
RSVP at (213)241-0241 or seaca.la@gmail.com
*Featured items include: individual portrait session, private tai chi lesson,
professionally baked and designed cake, and others
15 & UNDER QUEER, QUESTIONING & ALLIES YOUTH GROUP
WHAT’S UP? Come talk with folks like you about what’s going
on in our communities, go round the bay area, plan activities & eat some
food with friends. This is your group, so come do your thing!
WHERE? The Attic Youth space at the Pacific Center’s LOUD Youth
Program. 2712 Telegraph Avenue (@ Derby/ Across from the Willard Pool) in Berkeley.
WHEN? Every Friday from 4:30-5:30pm.
WHO? YOU (of course), your friends & your hosts Bit & Sam’Yel.
QUESTIONS? Call (510)548-8283x514/Email youth@pacificcenter.org
/OnLine www.pacificcenter.org/queeryouth.html
Register now to take advantage of HIFY's last two Spring provider trainings!
Working with LGBTQIQ Youth
It's not just about rainbow flags and HIV. Homophobia affects the well-being
of all young people, whether they are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer,
intersex, questioning (LGBTQIQ) or straight. Our interactive training gives
you the knowledge and skills to create a safe place for all young people to
explore their sexuality and gender regardless of how they identify. We also
discuss specific health concerns for LGBTQIQ youth and work on ways to develop
our own ability to be allies. Includes basic information on adolescent identity
development and transgender youth.
Tuesday March 15th 9am-5pm & Wednesday, March 16th 9am-3pm
Substance Use & Youth
The training is an overview of youth substance use and harm reduction. We discuss
harm reduction theory, analyze messages that youth receive about drugs, and
explore the context in which youth make decisions about substance use. Includes
activities to practice working with youth to reduce harm and promote health.
Wednesday March 30th 9am-5pm & Thursday March 31st 9am-3pm
Training Location
235 Montgomery Street (2 blocks from Montgomery BART Station), Conference Room
740
San Francisco
Costs
Training are only $25-$50 based on your agency's budget. Scholarships are available.
Continuing Education Units (CEU)
Courses meet qualifications for 14 contact hours of continuing education credit
for MFTs, RNs, and LCSWs.
To register for trainings
Go to www.hify.org/training.htm,
or call 415-274-1970 x48.
For More Information:
Contact: Training Coordinator, HIFY
235 Montgomery Street, Suite 430
San Francisco, CA 94104
415-274-1970 x48
415-274-1976 fax
trainings@hify.org
LEARN THE PRINCIPLES OF COMMUNITY ORGANIZING
Sign up for the COMMUNITY ACTION TRAINING (CAT)
of the Center for Third World Organizing (CTWO).
CAT is a weekend-long, intensive introduction to community organizing.
CAT provides hands-on training through field work, role plays, and discussions.
Learn from experienced organizers, share skills and knowledge with other
activists, and have fun meeting others dedicated to building a movement!
WHEN: April 22-24, 2005
WHERE: Oakland, CA
Registration deadline: April 15, 2005
WHEN: May 20 – 22, 2005
WHERE: Oakland, CA – New York, NY — the South (TBA)
Registration deadline: May 13, 2005
Reserve your spot today!
Register at www.ctwo.org/index.php?s=30
510.533.7583
--------------------------------
FIFTY DAYS THAT WILL CHANGE YOUR WORLD!
Apply to the Movement Activist Apprenticeship Program (MAAP)
A paid, national organizer training program for people of color.
Learn the art of organizing through in-the-field training and skills development
with a labor union or community organization.
Graduates of the program receive help finding employment as an organizer
with community-based organizations and labor unions fighting for justice.
MAAP 2005: August 2 – September 24, 2005
Application deadline: May 2, 2005
At a time of profound political challenges here and around the world, our communities
need strong, trained,
committed and strategic leaders. Spaces are limited.
Sign up today and reserve your place in the movement!
Films of Interest to LGBT Youth:
Once again Cinequest Film Festival brings great gay and lesbian programming
to the South Bay. This year, Cinequest 15 is proud to present several LGBT films
that range from a documentary about a current Supreme Court case, to a teenage
camping trip gone array, to an affair in Hong Kong. For show times, locations,
and expanded film descriptions go to www.cinequest.org
and check out the program guide. For Tickets call (408) 295-FEST.
Wilderness Survival Guide For Girls
Eli Depres and Kim Roberts’ Wilderness Survival for Girls is an edge-of-your-seat
thriller that explores the rich and intoxicating inner lives of teenage girls
when three best friends spend one last weekend together before they go their
separate ways.
We Are Dad
Born HIV positive, Bert is a 13-year-old, raised since he was weeks old by his
foster parents. But now that it has been determined that he is HIV negative,
the State of Florida wants to take him away from the only parents he has ever
known. Why? Because his foster parents are Roger and Steven, two gay dads, and
the State feels that Bert is now eligible to be adopted by a “normal”
couple.
Butterfly
Flavia is a 30-year-old teacher, mother and wife who always does what is expected
of her. But when she meets Yip, a charming woman, casually munching away in
a supermarket, a part of Flavia’s past, long buried, is rekindled.
Unclear gender: Let children determine own
Friday, February 18, 2005
WASHINGTON (AP) -- It's the first question new parents hear: girl or boy? But
hundreds of babies are born each year where the gender isn't clear. Prompt surgery
to assign one was once the norm.
But gender depends on more than anatomy or hormones. It also seems to stem from
the very earliest brain development, researchers said Friday in urging doctors
to hold off on the knife until children can determine their own sex.
To read the full article, visit:
www.cnn.com/2005/HEALTH/parenting/02/18/babies.unclear.gender.ap/
*********************************************
19. NEWS: Oregon: Workshop's Original Title Restored
From the New York Times
www.nytimes.com/2005/02/26/national/26brfs.html?oref=login
National Briefing
Published: February 26, 2005
OREGON: WORKSHOP'S ORIGINAL TITLE RESTORED The words "gay," "lesbian,"
"bisexual" and "transgender" are being restored to the title
of a government-sponsored workshop on suicide after a federal health agency
was bombarded with e-mail protests over their removal. The local organizers
of the panel discussion said they had been warned that if they did not change
the title, the workshop might be canceled by the federal Substance Abuse and
Mental Health Services Administration, which is financing it. After changing
the title to "Suicide Prevention in Vulnerable Populations" from "Suicide
Prevention Among Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual/Transgender Individuals," the Northwest
chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention was told by federal
officials that it could revert to the original title. (AP)
From the New York Times
www.nytimes.com/2005/02/26/national/26brfs.html?oref=login
National Briefing
Published: February 26, 2005
FLORIDA: YEARBOOK PICTURE REJECTED Clay County school officials are backing
a principal's decision to bar a picture of a lesbian student dressed in a tuxedo
from the high school yearbook. Sam Ward, principal of Fleming Island High School
in Green Cove Springs in northeastern Florida, said he pulled the senior class
picture because the student, Kelli Davis, was wearing boy's clothes and was
therefore not following the rules on dress. His decision was debated Thursday
at a Clay County school board meeting that drew 200 people, but the board took
no action, and Superintendent David Owens said the decision would stand. (AP)
The right to just say no
Schools that wish to bar military recruiters because of "don't ask, don't
tell" are winning on free speech grounds
By Dan Allen
From The Advocate, March 15, 2005
You might think that a battle against military recruiters on college campuses
would be based on the right to freedom of association. But in fact it’s
become a fight over freedom of speech. Congress and the Pentagon have been fighting
hard against a growing number of prestigious law schools that have barred military
recruiters because of the armed services’ antigay “don’t ask,
don’t tell” policy. They argue that the 1995 Solomon Amendment allows
them to withhold federal funding from any school that doesn’t allow on-campus
recruiting.
To read the full article, visit:
www.advocate.com/html/stories/934/934_recruiters.asp
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22. NEWS: School Board Leaves Poster Issue to Scotts Valley High Principal
February 23, 2005
Scotts Valley Banner and Valley Press
School Board Leaves Poster Issue to SVHS Principal
By Glenn Hines
The Scotts Valley school board at its Feb. 11 meeting decided to let Scotts
Valley High School Principal Nancy Serigstad handle the issue of equality postings
that have raised a controversy that culminated in the Feb. 7 meeting at the
high school student union.
"If you're looking to me to make a decision that impacts this public high
school, you have the wrong person," said board member Marshall Wolf. "The
only person who can make the right things happen at the high school is the principal
Nancy Serigstad. I believe in Nancy Serigstad and I believe that she has more
capabilities, even than this board--that's just my belief--to come to a conclusion
that will make the most people the most satisfied with an outcome here. Because
any decision this board makes is going to piss the hell out of most people in
this audience and the community."
"I've had to develop a tough skin these past few months because there has
been a lot coming at our school," said Serigstad. She also stated that
every single staff at Scotts Valley High School is there to protect the students,
to open up the classroom and let voices be heard, but that there is a bigger
obligation to make sure that all kids are safe.
"We have a group of students and we have a group in society that are targets
of violence and we need to make sure just as integration happened in the sixties
that we do not leave our children places where they are not safe," Serigstad
said.
"We are going to go forward as a board in reviewing all of our policies
with the California School Board Association," said school board president
Sue Roth. The policy review will take about two or three days. The results will
be taken back to Sacramento where they will be reviewed. The results will then
be reviewed with the school board. The school board bring the findings and recommendations
into a public session for an open discussion and approval by the school board.
The policies will be posted online for anyone to view them as well as policies
from other school sites. The process is tentatively scheduled to occur within
the next four to six weeks.
"It clearly appears that what we're doing now is within the law,"
said board member Joe Espinola. "We are following the law as best as we
can decipher it."
Espinola went on to state that the special session was very positive for the
community and that it was the most people who have ever come out for a single
issue focus that the board has ever seen.
"If anything that comes out of this I hope that this community has the
same energy, passion and zeal that they have on this single issue focus to go
forward with the more pressing needs of this district," he said.
Espinola stated that he has been the recipient of "some pretty nasty emails."
"I'm not going to repeat them to you," he said. "But I've clearly
been taking the brunt of some just really disgusting e-mails for whatever reason.
Because I'm labeled, somehow I'm seen as an enemy of a certain group of people
in this community. And really that is very, very misinformed."
A group of parents in the community have begun to circulate a petition. It says
the following:
"We have signed this petition to inform the school board of widespread
concern for the need to support a safe school environment for all students.
We want to eliminate any perception that this issue is only the concern of one
parent.
We request that the school board adopt policies that:
1) Require that our classrooms be safe learning environments for all students
with equal support for the safety of all students and all protected groups,
2) Promote tolerance for the differences, beliefs and values of all students,
3) Prohibit discrimination against any student or protected group, and
4) Prohibit direct classroom advocacy of, or demands for student support of,
beliefs or practices incompatible with students, beliefs or values."
5) The group of parents plan to ask for time on the school board agenda to formerly
present their petition.
"A growing number of parents that are concerned with what is happening.
There is a perception that if we're opposed to what's being taught in the classrooms
that we're anti-gay or discriminatory. This isn't true," said Kelly Duffin,
spokes person for the group leading the open petition.
Kelly said in a phone interview that he allows his daughter to have sleepovers
with one of her friends who has two mothers.
"Both sides of the issue want the same thing. We want tolerance and freedom
from discrimination. There's a disagreement about the ideal in carrying it out.
We want a safe learning environment, but one that won't exclude any groups,"
he said. " This could be a unifying event. Scotts Valley High is a young
school with no refined procedures in place. [The community] is being faced with
that growing reality."
###
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23. NEWS: Anti-gay graffiti found at Tam High
Tad Whitaker, Independent Journal
Saturday, February 05, 2005 - A new piece of anti-gay graffiti was found this
week at Tamalpais High School, the same day the school's theater program debuted
a play that incorporates hate crimes committed two months ago against a 17-year-old
student.
Tamalpais Union High School District Superintendent Bob Ferguson said the three-letter
word was scratched into a door at the school late Wednesday night or early Thursday
morning. It was removed immediately and officials are investigating, although
Ferguson added that it was small and hastily created.
"We didn't give much credence to it," he said.
Susan Brashear, co-director of the Conservatory Theatre Ensemble, said Vice
Principal Candace Curtis informed Thursday night's audience about what happened
after the debut of "Are We Married Yet? How the Rainbow Reached Marin."
No students or others associated with the play saw the graffiti, but Brashear
said it appeared to be more than a coincidence that it was found Thursday.
"Maybe they're gearing up because of our show," she said.
The school experienced a series of hate crimes against a 17-year-old girl who
was a member of a gay club. The incidents in November and December prompted
a police investigation and a candlelight vigil at the school, but no arrests
have been made.
Students used those events as an epilogue in the play, which also explores the
anguish of a bisexual Tam High student who hasn't come out to her parents; frustration
experienced by same-sex couples who received marriage licenses in San Francisco
last year only to have them nullified by the state Supreme Court; and the effect
the case had on Terry Stewart, who led the legal team for the city of San Francisco.
Ferguson said officials had hoped last year's incidents were in the past because
there had not been any incidents since the vigil. More investigation and discussion
might be needed, he added.
"The administration is on top of it," Ferguson said.
Contact: twhitaker@marinij.com
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