GSA Network News archives

GSA Network News Email Archive - March 2006

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March 29, 2006

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

GSA Network Highlight
Day of Silence 2006 – Time to get prepared!
Go directly to GSA Network highlight

GSA Network Announcements
1. Liberty For All Tour, Uniting the Human Rights Movement
2. 3 HOT! GSA Network Activist Camps coming soon!
3. Looking for GSAs to Participate in L.A. Pride 2006 (Los Angeles)
4. GSA LEADERSHIP TRAINING (Alameda)
5. Safe Schools for All - A Community Forum in MDUSD (Contra Costa)
6. Re-Register your GSA today - get new resources & keep informed!! (Statewide)
7. Liberation Ink Posters - Free For GSAs (Statewide)
8. Sign-up for the High Contrast Photo Exhibit at your school (Bay Area)
Go directly to GSA Network announcements

Other Announcements
Southern California
9. Movie - A Blinding Flash (Los Angeles)
10. It's All About Love..... Youth Conference (Los Angeles)
11. 2006 Leigh Steinberg Bridges Camp (Orange County)
Go directly to Southern California listings

Central Valley
12. The Mpowerment Project of Bakersfield will be hosting an alternative prom. (Bakersfield)
13. Lesbian,Gay,Bi-sexual,Trans-gender & STRAIGHT PROM (Central Valley and beyond)
Go directly to Central Valley listings

Northern California
14. WOAH 2006 - Workshops Organized Against Homophobia (Contra Costa)
15. Unchained - Young Women's Health Fair - Unchained Dance (San Francisco)
16. Fun things to do at Outlet (South Bay)
17. Call for Aspiring Young LBGTQ Filmmakers! (Bay Area)
18. Queer Girls Talking About Sex! (San Francisco)
19. GLAM looking for chior members (Bay Area)
Go directly to Northern California listings

Statewide
20. California Safe Schools Coalition (CSSC) Minigrant
Go directly to Statewide listings

National
21. GLBT Leadership Mountaineering Course
Go directly to National listings

Scholarships
22. SCHOLARSHIP: The Felicia Park-Rogers Summer Internship Program at COLAGE
23. SCHOLARSHIP: Harvard University Undergraduate Scholorship
24. SCHOLARSHIP: Women's Foundation & WNEA of PG&E (Northern California & Central Valley)
25. SCHOLARSHIP: Models of Excellence scholarship competition
Go directly to Scholorships listings

Jobs
26. JOB: Horizons - Program Officer
Go directly to Jobs listings

News
27. NEWS: Poll: Gays gaining greater acceptance among Californians
28. NEWS: Christian youth rally in S.F.
29. NEWS: Trans Mission
Go directly to News listings

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

Day of Silence 2006 – Time to get prepared!

A few years back in a study titled, "Diversity on Campus: Reports from the Field," authors focused on the impact of diversity on student learning. It was stated that “regardless of background, students will tend to accept and appreciate diversity on campus if they have had a broad range of positive experiences that were deliberately structured to achieve the goals of acceptance and appreciation.” Knowing this impact and the direct correlation of self-disclosure to empathy it is easy to understand the importance of having every voice of difference heard on a school campus.

One must also remember that having your voice heard may be most effective with the use of SILENCE. As author William James once noted, “It is as important to cultivate your silence power as your word power.”

This year’s 10th anniversary of the Day of Silence is scheduled for Wednesday, April 26. The Day of Silence is a day in which people of all sexual orientations and gender identities who support lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) rights take a vow of silence to recognize and protest the silence that LGBT people face each day.

The project consists of a vow of silence for the entire school day, or however long your school wishes to have it, where participants pass out cards that state their reasons for not speaking (see below). At the end of the silence, participants can host a series of follow up events to educate their communities on how to keep the silence from continuing. Many GSAs have organized around the Day of Silence as a way of raising awareness and fighting homophobia in their schools.

No matter where you are in the process, here are some tips for planning and running a successful Day of Silence while you still have a month to plan.

Before...
• Your GSA should prepare in advance for how exactly you want to approach the project and what you want the day to consist of. After deciding what it is your club would like to do, you should make a to-do list so that everyone knows just what needs to be done. Be sure to include who is in charge of each item and when it needs to be finished.
• You should try and get as many people as possible aware of the event and involved in participating. You could do that by sending out e-mail announcements, advertising in the school newspaper, notifying local media outlets, putting up flyers and posters, and of course word of mouth.
• Prepare how you will offer your message of silence – either through handing out note cards, putting the message on a t-shirt or other creative ideas.

Text for the cards that Day of Silence participants pass out:
Please understand my reasons for not speaking today. I support lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender rights. People who are silent today believe that laws and attitudes should be inclusive of people of all sexual orientations and gender identities. The day of silence is to draw attention to those who have been silenced by hatred, oppression, and prejudice. Think about the voices you are not hearing. What can you do to end the silence?

• Consider including other clubs in your school that may be interested in collaborating on the project, or having the Day of Silence be a multi-issue project reflecting on the silencing of multiple groups and communities.
• Find out if staff or faculty members may be interested in participating.
• Schedule a meeting with your principal explaining your plans for the Day of Silence.
• Have a pre-silence meeting to discuss positive ways to handle harassment from non-participants.
• Build bridges to other groups that face being silenced -- that way everyone feels as though they can relate.

During...
• Have a resource spot or staffed table where people can find info about your GSA or other LGBTQ groups and resources.
• Organize some sort of a visible display such as having your participants all wear black or eat lunch together in silence.
• Post an announcement in the daily bulletin explaining the event and requesting that all staff and students be respectful of the participants of the project.
• Some participants may not be able to handle the length of the silence -- you should think of creative ways to handle these situations, such as: create a safe space or safe room where you can go if needed to reflect or get away from temptation to speak, or have a short, scheduled break in the day where you can all speak and then return to silence.
• Consider asking teachers to participate by developing a silent lesson plan like showing As If It Matters or another similar video and having a silent journal writing exercise afterward. If your GSA has not received a copy of As If It Matters, please email info@gsanetwork.org or call 415-552-4229.

After...
• Host a party or get together to break the silence and celebrate coming together for this cause.
• Write up an evaluation documenting your club's planning process and experience with the Day of Silence.
Your club’s participation in this event will not only allow fellow students to witness the non-verbal reality of silence that happens in the LGBT community everyday, but it will allow the entire campus to watch students, as participants, transform into educators.

This resource sheet was adapted from materials published by the Day of Silence Project. For more information, check out the website: www.dayofsilence.org.

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

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1. Liberty For All Tour, Uniting the Human Rights Movement

You’ve Heard of Speed Dating – Now try Speed Activist Networking …building Coalitions One Relationship at a Time.

Representatives from some of the leading human and civil rights organizations are touring California from Sunday, March 26-Monday, April 3, 2006 seeking to introduce regional organizational volunteer leaders and to other regional organizational volunteer leaders with the goal of building more powerful and connected networks around the state. You don’t have to fight for what is right alone – come get to know your fellow “few who do”.

Liberty for All Tour Travelers include: (partial list)
Sam Thoron, National President, (PFLAG) Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays * Francine Ramsey, Executive Director, Zuna Institute, Rigo Marquez, Community Organizer, Bienestar * Mandy Benson, Field Director, California National Organization of Women * Molly McKay, Field Director, Equality California * Lai-San Seto, Advocacy Coordinator, Gay-Straight Alliance Network * Shayna Gelender, ACLU No Cal*

Find an event near you! (If you missed the event in your area and want more information contact the RSVP contact for that event)

*San Francisco: Sunday, March 26 - 10 a.m.-12 p.m. @ the Women’s Building, Audre Lorde Room, 3543 18th St. #8. RSVP/more info: sf@eqca.org

*San Rafael: Sunday, March 26 - 2-4 p.m. @ the Marin Law Center (101 Lucas Valley Road, Suite 380, San Rafael, CA 94903
More info/RSVP: amanda.shepard@gmail.com

*Berkeley: Sunday, March 26 - 6-8 p.m. @ Unitarian Universalist Church, 1 Lawson Road, Kensington. More info/RSVP: alameda@eqca.org

*Palo Alto: Monday, March 27 - 11:30-1:30 luncheon @ 1st Presbyterian Church of Palo Alto, 1140 Cowper Street, Palo Alto, CA 94301. RSVP/more info: nmarcotte@aclunc.org

*Seaside: Monday, March 27 -5:30-7 p.m. @ 1237 Luxton St., Seaside. More info/RSVP mpnow@sbcglobal.net

*San Luis Obispo: Tuesday, March 28 – 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. @ University Union, Chumash Room, Cal Poly Campus. More info/RSVP: slo@eqca.org

*Ventura: Tuesday, March 28 – 6-8 p.m. @ Unitarian Universalist Church, 5654 Ralston, Ventura. More info/RSVP: ventura@eqca.org

*Los Angeles: Wednesday, March 29 – 12-2 p.m. @ BIENESTAR’s offices, 5326 E. Beverly Blvd. LA, CA 90022. More info/RSVP: rmarquez@bienestar.org

*West Hollywood: Wednesday, March 29 - 6-8 p. m. @ Congregation Kol Ami, 1200 N. La Brea Ave, West Hollywood, CA 90038. More info/RSVP: molly@eqca.org

*Long Beach: Thursday, March 30 – noon-1:30 p.m. @ Long Beach LGBT Center, Darryl Fine Room, 2017 E. Fourth St. Long Beach, CA 90814. More info/RSVP: molly@eqca.org

*Mission Viejo: Thursday, March 30 – 2-4 p.m. @ the Universalist Unitarian Church of South County/Tapestry 25801 Obrero Drive, Mission Viejo 92691 More info/RSVP: molly@eqca.org

*San Diego: Friday, March 31 – 6-9 p.m. @ the LGBT Center, 3909 Centre Street. San Diego, CA 92103. More info/RSVP: tmurray@aclusandiego.org

*Palm Springs: Saturday, April 1 – 11 a.m.-1:00 p.m. @ Meet up with Tour Participants at EQCA/NCLR’s VIP Dinah Shore Reception. $100 tickets. More info/RSVP: heidi@eqca.org

*Riverside: Saturday, April 1 - 3– p.m. @ Universalist Unitarian Church of Riverside, 3657 Lemon Street, Riverside, CA 92501. More info/RSVP: inlandempire@eqca.org

*Bakersfield: Sunday, April 2 – 10:00 a.m.-noon @ Denny’s Restaurant Banquet Room, 8710 Rosedale HWY, Bakersfield, 93312. More info/RSVP: molly@eqca.org

*Fresno: Sunday, April 2 – EQCA & GSA Networks’s joint office opening mixer – 2-4 p.m. @ 928 North Van Ness Avenue, Fresno, CA 93728. More info/RSVP: Marisela@eqca.org

*Stockton: Sunday, April 2 – 7-9:00 p.m. @ the Sky Box at University of the Pacific Stadium - Pershing & Alpine Avenues, Stockton; More info/RSVP: kaschick@earthlink.net

*Chico: Monday, April 3 – 1-3 p.m. @ Chico State University, BMU 303, 3rd Floor Bell Memorial Union. More info/RSVP: butte@eqca.org

*Sacramento: Monday, April 3 – 5:30-7:00 p.m. @ Deep, 2030 H St, Sacramento, CA; More info/RSVP: intern1@canow.org

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2. 3 HOT! GSA Network Activist Camps coming soon!

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

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

Northern California Activist Camp - Oakland
July 28th - 30th, 2006

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

Look out for the application process, but mark your calendars now.

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3. Looking for GSAs to Participate in L.A. Pride 2006

Calling all SoCal GSAs interested in participating in the 2006 Los Angeles Pride Parade on Saturday, June 10th. GSA Network and GLSEN Los Angeles have begun the planning process for participation in this year's pride parade. We want youth to take over the streets this year with a HUGE turnout. We had 500 LGTBQ Youth and straight allies in Sacramento, can we beat that here in Los Angeles???

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

See you at pride!

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4. GSA LEADERSHIP TRAINING (Alameda)

This FREE event will be held from 9:30 am - 4 pm on Saturday, April 15th and includes breakfast and lunch.|

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

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

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

WHO: GSA Members, potential members, and GSA advisors
WHEN: Saturday, April 15, 2006, 9:30 am-4:00 pm
WHERE: Girls Incorporated of Alameda County - 13666 East 14th Street San Leandro, CA 94578
COST: Free!
CO-SPONSORS: GSA Network, GLSEN SF-EB and GIRLS INC.

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

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

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5. Safe Schools for All A Community Forum in MDUSD (Contra Costa)

Join Us!
Join students, parents, MDUSD staff, and other community leaders for...

A Community Forum
Thursday April 27th from 6:30pm-9:00pm
Location: Concord Veterens Memorial Bldg. 2290 Willow Pass Rd. Concord CA

You’re invited to a special evening of Community Dialogue on the current state of LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning) youth safety issues in Mt. Diablo Unified School District.

Join Us!
Join local community members and members of the Contra Costa Safe Schools Coalition to learn more about:
• AB 537 (The Student Safety & Violence Prevention Act of 2000)
• SB 71 (The Comprehensive Sexual Health & HIV/AIDS Prevention Education Act of 2003)
• What is currently happening in MDUSD around these issues,

For more information please contact:
Julie Lienert, CCSSC Coordinator (925) 685-5480 or julie@glsen-sfeb.org
Paul Brown, PFLAG (925) 443-3603 or paulshermanbrown@yahoo.com
Leslie Stewart, Rainbow Community Center at (510) 839-1608 or leslie@lwvba-ca.org

GSA Network is a member of the Contra Costa Safe Schools Coalition

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

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

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

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

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

LIBERATION INK POSTERS AVAILABLE
FREE FOR GSAs IN CALIFORNIA!!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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++++++++++++++++ OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS ++++++++++++++++
GSA Network News is a publication of Gay-Straight Alliance Network. Events, resources, and news items listed under "Other Announcements" are not sponsored or written by GSA Network, and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of GSA Network.

Southern California
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9. Movie - A Blinding Flash (Los Angeles)

A Blinding Flash of the Obvious is a dynamic documentary that tells the compelling story of the 2004 Cincinnati, OH campaign: Citizens to Restore Fairness. This was the local campaign that helped repeal Cincinnati's 11-year-old anti-gay law that explicitly discriminated against gay, lesbian and bisexual citizens. The film is part of People For the American Way Foundation's newly launched, Focus on Fairness Toolkit. Gripped by the heart and passion of business, civic and religious leaders, you will see how a small group of dedicated individuals led a community to victory.

DATE: Thursday, April 6, 2006
TIME: Reception: 7:00 - 7:45 PM
Viewing/Panel: 8:00 - 9:00 p.m.
LOCATION: L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center
The Village at Ed Gould Plaza
1125 N. McCadden Place
Los Angeles, CA 90038
Free parking available.
SPACE LIMITED, RSVP by April 3, 2006 to www.kintera.org/TR.asp?ID=M7151054510269687425593465 or email fairness@pfaw.org

We felt this film had to be made and the Cincinnati story shared for three reasons:
1. It was the only pro-gay rights initiative that passed anywhere in the country in 2004.
2. It took place in Cincinnati, one of the five most conservative regions in the country.
3. While the citizens of Cincinnati were undoing over a decade of discrimination against the LGBT community, they also voted against the Ohio same-sex marriage ban that passed statewide.

Join us at 7:00 p.m. for a reception with local and community leaders preceding the screening at 8:00 p.m. Following the film, there will be an interactive panel discussion featuring some of today's leading voices in the struggle for LGBT equality. Together, help us Focus on Fairness in California.
For more information, contact Valerie Israel at fairness@pfaw.org or 310.385.4193, or visit www.FocusOnFairness.com

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10. It's All About Love..... Youth Conference

A day for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, same gender loving, queer, questioning youth of color & allies to come together & let the world have it...

When: Saturday, April 29, 2006
Where: Manual Arts High School
4131 South Vermont Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90037
Time: 10:00a – 5:00p
Cost: Free to all Participants, Breakfast & Lunch Provided

Workshops for Youth, Parents, Teachers & Community

TO REGISTER (Provide name, organization, and number of people) OR ASK QUESTIONS (including donations, advertisement and resource fair): Contact Cristina @: 323/823-1257
or email: qyccaorg@yahoo.com

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11. 2006 Leigh Steinberg Bridges Camp (Orange County)

I am very excited to tell you about the 2006 Leigh Steinberg Bridges Camp, a weeklong, overnight camp that brings together youth from diverse backgrounds and prepares them to be leaders that will build bridges of understanding and help keep our schools and neighborhoods free from violence and intolerance.

This summer OC Human Relations is offering two dynamic camps for OC high and middle school students , HR 101: July 24-28 and HR: 201 August 7-11. Using fun hands-on activities, multi-media presentations and even campfires and hikes, Bridges Camp participants are challenged to think about ways to break barriers, combat prejudice and take a stand against hate and violence.

We are looking for traditional and non-traditional leaders from diverse backgrounds to join us this summer. Please help us identify students who would benefit from this opportunity by passing an application on to them.

The 2006 application is attached, please feel free to print copies, however, if you would like additional applications or have any questions, please contact me at 714-567-7566 or email: Alison@ochumanrelations.org

Applications are due May 19th.

www.ochumanrelations.org

Making Orange County a better place for ALL people to live, work and do business.

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Central Valley
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12. The Mpowerment Project of Bakersfield will be hosting an alternative prom. (Bakersfield)

WHEN: On April 8th 2006.
COST: Tickets are $10 per couple and $6 per single bid.
TIME: The prom will last from 8pm until Midnight.
AGE: Age limits are age 16-25.

If your interested in tickets you can contact us at 661-325-0836. if you have any other questions you may e-mail me at Sony0483@aol.com there is a limited number of tickets. act fast and get your tickets now.

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13. Lesbian,Gay,Bi-sexual,Trans-gender & STRAIGHT PROM (Central Valley and beyond!)

Where? 430 W Grant Line Rd, Tracy, 95376
When? April 13, 2006 7-11p.m.
Why? To celebrate all that the L.G.B.T.Q community has won through the battle ofequality
Cost? $8.00 SINGLE / $15.00 COUPLES
Please join us for a festive night of fun, dancing, and laughter while we burn up the dance floor with the best beats of Central California and beyond
Theme: Hawaiian Tropics
Tickets are on sale NOW PURCHASE AT : www.eqca.org/prom
For more information regarding upcoming event or interested in purchasing tickets email: justin@justindaley.com

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14. WOAH 2006 - Workshops Organized Against Homophobia (Contra Costa)

spread the word

The premier conference for queer youth and straight allies in Contra Costa County.
(this conference is FREE!)

Who? Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Two Spirit, Transgender, Queer and Questioning Youth. 23 and Under
(Straight and Adult Allies more than welcome to attend)

What? Bringing together sexually diverse communities to network, gather resources and hook up!
(Youth from all over the Bay Area should see what Contra Costa County has to offer.)

Registration and Workshop information to come.

When? May 6, 2006 9am - 5pm

Where? Pittsburg High School, 250 School Street Pittsburg, CA
(There will be Transportation to and from Pittsburg BART.)

Why? Because homophobia, racism, transphobia, sexism and other forms of oppression are still an issue.
(Let's make our communities safe.)

REMEMBER THIS CONFERENCE IS FREE TO PARTICPANTS!

REGISTER ONLINE
www.chd-prevention.org

For more info contact Mario at 925.687.8844 x 304 or email mario@chd-prevention.org

**we are still looking for workshops**

A project of the Center for Human Development's Empowerment Program in collaboration with the Contra Costa Safe Schools Coalition. With support from the Keller Canyon Mitigation Fund, The California Endowment, Contra Costa Health Services (AIDS Program), Horizons Foundation, and Wells Fargo.

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15. Unchained - Young Women's Health Fair - Unchained Dance (San Francisco)

Wanna attend the Unchained Conference, Young Women's Health Fair, and Unchained Dance?

Saturday, May 20th
1 day! 3 big events for LGBTQQ youth!

2nd annual Unchained Conference / 11th annual Young Women's Health Fair / The Unchained Dance

Join over 400 hundred youth for a day of workshops, food, performances, and an opportunity to connect with community organizations from around the Bay Area!

Unchained Conference and Young Women's Heath Fair , two of LYRIC's most popular events, are together at last! The conference is a chance for queer youth and their allies of all backgrounds to connect with their peers, learn from one another, and have some fun. The fair is a sex-positive event for lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer women-attend workshops, get resources, and did we mention gift bags?!

WHO: LGBTQQ youth (24 & under) and their allies (including teachers/adult allies!)
WHAT: New workshops, new performers, and a chance to connect with other youth!
WHEN: Saturday, May 20th, 10a.m. - 6p.m.
WHERE: Everett Middle School , 450 Church St. (@ 17th St.), San Francisco , CA

The Unchained Dance …it's back! At a new location, at a new time, and with new DJs. Come to the conference and fair, but make sure you stay for the dance!
WHO: LGBTQQ youth (24 & under)
WHAT: A bangin' after-party with guest DJs and door prizes!
WHEN: Saturday, May 20th, 8p.m. - 12a.m . (midnight)
WHERE: EVRC, 100 Collingwood St. (@ 18th St.), San Francisco , CA (Castro District)

Wanna lead a workshop, provide a resource table, become an event volunteer, or perform?
If so, go to /www.lyric.org/Unchained06.html and submit your workshop, tabling, volunteer, or performance proposal online!

Questions? Contact Denny David at 415.703.6150 x28 or mailto:denny@lyric.org and find out how you can get involved with these upcoming events.

LYRIC is thrilled to bring you the 2nd annual Unchained Conference and the 11th annual Young Women's Health Fair , co-sponsored by GLSEN San Francisco-East Bay, Spectrum, and Billy DeFrank LGBT Community Center.

The Unchained Conference is a hot opportunity for queer youth and their 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/tools to effect positive change in oneself and one's community. This conference seeks to prioritize youth of color by developing content that reflects the experiences of their communities.

The Young Women's Health Fair , now in its 11 th year, is a progressive and sex positive event - an opportunity for LBTQQ young women to come together to talk and learn about sex and controversial topics that are not discussed in mainstream health education.

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16. Fun things to do at Outlet (South Bay)

Butchlalis at Friends of Outlet!
Wed. April 5th from 6:30-8:30, a performance troupe of Latina butches and FTM's from LA will be doing a performance for Friends of Outlet!! Want to know more info check out http://butchlalis.com/news.html. This will be held out the Mt. View Recreation Center. Please pass the word on. As usual, this is free and open to all lgbtqq youth and allies 13-20.

Ally Panel at Friends of Outlet
Wed. April 19th , 6:30-8:30pm we will have another FoO meeting at the Mt. View Rec. We are having a panel of straight allies come and speak about their experiences as allies, how they became one, why, what they do, etc. This is a great opportunity for GSA members to come and hear from other allies, get
some tips, know they are not alone, etc. Please encourage your GSA to come to this event. We will be sending out flyers with detailed information the next few weeks.

OUT TO EAT!
Save the date, Thursday, April 27th!
Check website for details. www.projectoutlet.org

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17. Call for Aspiring Young LBGTQ Filmmakers! (Bay Area)

Wells Fargo/Frameline in collaboration with TILT present THE YOUNG FILMMAKER PROJECT 2006
(email Jennifer@frameline.org for application - DEADLINE MONDAY, APRIL 10)

What is it?
A free seven-week project working with other Bay Area youth and experienced filmmakers to write, script, cast, storyboard, shoot, edit and present a short movie that will screen in the 30th San Francisco International Lesbian & Gay Film Festival June 16-26, 2006. Through hands-on exercises, you will learn how to make a movie from beginning to end – from using a digital video camera to directing actors to editing your footage. You will also get a stipend for your full participation. It doesn’t get better than this!

Who is it for?
Twelve Bay Area youth ages 15-20 who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning or queer. No prior video experience is necessary to participate. Young women and people of color are encouraged to apply.

When is it?
Workshops start April 22-June 3, 2006 on Saturdays from 11am-4pm. There will be additional times required for editing and homework outside of class.
Class dates: 4/22, 4/29, 5/6, 5/13, 5/20, 5/27, 6/3

Where is it?
Workshops will take place at Film Arts Foundation. 145 Ninth Street #101, San Francisco, CA 94103. (between Mission & Howard Sts.) Near bus lines: 14 Mission, 26 Valencia, 19 Polk, 21 Hayes, F Market. BART: Civic Center

What else do I get?
You will receive a stipend and two dvd copies of your movie for your full participation in the project. You will also receive a guest filmmaker pass to attend all screenings and events at the 30th SF Int’l Lesbian & Gay Film Festival June 15-25, 2006. You will also be eligible to apply for a Mentorship offered in Late Summer/Fall 2006 to make your own individual short movie with the help of a professional filmmaker/mentor.

How can I apply?
Fill out the application completely and submit by mail, email or in person Monday, April 10, 2006. We will notify you by April 14, 2006.
By mail or drop off in person:
Film Arts Foundation/TILT
145 Ninth Street #101
San Francisco, CA 94103
By email: Jennifer@frameline.org

Questions?
Contact Jennifer Morris, Frameline Festival Co-Director.
Jennifer@frameline.org
415-703-8650 x310

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18. Queer Girls Talking About Sex! (San Francisco)

I am looking for women-identified folks under 25 who want to spend Friday, March 31st (no school for SF) and Saturday, April 1st, TALKING ABOUT SEX in a safe, fun and positive environment with other women.

Topics of conversation, include, but are not limited to:
Anatomy and physiology
Queer Sex
Safer Sex
Health issues
Trans Health and Education
Sexual Communication
Relationships
Violence against Women
Community
Empowerment and of course, sex!

There are also TONS O' PRIZES - everything from music gift certificates to Good Vibrations Erotica and books, free lube and sex supplies-even tickets to the zoo!

Food will be provided.

When: 3/31/06-4/1/06 from 11-5pm
Where: Center for Young Women's Development: 1550 Bryant Street in SF
How: Please have Young Women RSVP no later then March 28th to Mercedes at 415.703.6150 x 21 or mercedes@lyric.org.

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19. GLAM looking for chior members (Bay Area)

Members Needed!!

WE where founded by San Francisco Gay mens chorus as well as many other groups and organizations.
please contact me as our show chior is open to all from 13 to 22 I have a flyer also when you are in need of it just contact me please at coreyh33@yahoo.com

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Statewide
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20. California Safe Schools Coalition (CSSC) Minigrant

The California Safe Schools Coalition Minigrant Committee is requesting proposals for minigrants to do safe schools work for the 2006-2007 academic year!

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

The California Safe Schools Coalition is offering monetary grants up to $4,000 for districts, local organizations and individuals working to eliminate discrimination and harassment on the basis of actual or perceived sexual orientation and gender identity in K-12 schools.

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. Applications must be emailed by April 10, 2006.

For an application contact Meghan Elliott, Outreach & Communications Coordinator @ ph: 415-626-1680 or meghan@casafeschools.org or for more information about the California Safe Schools Coalition go to www.casafeschools.org

GSA Network is a co-founder and member of the California Safe Schools Coalition.

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

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

The Felicia Park-Rogers Internship Program

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

COLAGE is the only national organization serving people with LGBT parents, therefore presenting a unique perspective on LGBT issues, and providing a once in a lifetime opportunity for interns. This is a hands-on job: you won't just be filing, you'll get to use your creativity and initiative. We are looking for team players who are motivated to learn, share, play, and work hard in support of COLAGE's mission. Interns will assist the staff on current or new projects, with both local and national events, and with office management

How to Apply for Summer Internships
Deadline: Friday, April 7th 2006
Postmark by April 7th or fax by midnight on April 7th
Please mail, email, or fax us the following information:
1. Your resume;
2. A cover letter sharing your interest in working for
COLAGE and qualifications;
3. Contact information for two people who will serve as references and can attest to your experience and skills.

Select applicants will be invited to participate in an interview during April. Internships will be offered during May.

COLAGE also has fall/spring work-study internships; if you are interested contact COLAGE for more information.

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

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National
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22. GLBT Leadership Mountaineering Course

10 days
June 16 – 25, 2006
Rocky Mountains of Colorado
The GLBT Leadership Mountaineering Course is a 10-day wilderness course designed for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered young adults (ages 16-25) from across the country.The experiential nature of the Outward Bound curriculum provides hands-on opportunities to explore leadership, risk-taking, change, challenge, problem-solving and self-directions.

On this course, you get to know other GLBT young adults and stretch your personal limits in Outward Bound activities together within a safe and supportive environment.Expect to have fun and learn what it means to be a leader in the GLBT community and transfer newly developed leadership skills into your life
back home or in school.

Your group will learn the skills necessary to safely backpack in the wilderness, rock climb and rappel. You will also experience a “solo,”time alone in the wilderness to reflect on the course and your life. Lesbian and gay Outward Bound staff will provide expert skills, knowledge and facilitate discussions.
It is not necessary for you to be “out”to family and friends to participate in this course.

To apply,please call Cara Branesky at 720-497-2360 or 888-837-5211.
Much of the tuition for this course has been generously donated by the Gill Foundation and Outward Bound scholarships.Up to 100% scholarship support
(not including the $100 application fee) is available based on need and merit.

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Scholarships
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23. SCHOLARSHIP: Harvard University Undergraduate Scholarship

Harvard University announced over the weekend that from now on undergraduate students from low-income families will pay no tuition. In making the announcement, Harvard's president Lawrence H. Summers said, "When only 10 percent of the students in Elite higher education come from families in lower half of the income distribution, we are not doing enough. We are not doing enough in bringing elite higher education to the lower half of the income distribution."
If you know of a family earning less than $40,000 a year with an honor student graduating from high school soon, Harvard University wants to pay the tuition. The prestigious university recently announced that from now on undergraduate students from low-income families can go to Harvard for free...no tuition and no student loans!

To find out more about Harvard offering free tuition for families making less than $40,000 a year visit Harvard's financial aid website at: calmail.berkeley.edu/Redirect/adm-is.fas.harvard.edu/FAO/index.htm or call the school's financial aid office at (617) 495-1581.

SEND TO SOMEONE WHETHER THEY CAN USE OR NOT. THEY JUST MIGHT KNOW SOMEONE WHO CAN!

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24. SCHOLARSHIP: Women's Foundation & WNEA of PG&E (Northern California & Central Valley)

Ranging from $2,500 to $1,500 each

The Women's Foundation of California is proud to partner with the Women's Employee Association Network (WNEA) of PG&E for their 2006 Scholarship Program. Through this partnership, PG&E will be awarding eight or more scholarships in varying amounts (ranging from $2,500 to $1,500 each) to young women throughout Central and Northern California (PG&E's service region) for higher education related expenses. If you know of young women that could benefit from receiving a scholarship, please encourage them to visit the Women's Foundation website (http://www.womensfoundca.org/) to view the eligibility requirements and download the scholarship application. They should complete and return the application form with a copy of their transcript to Women's Foundation by Thursday, April 27, 2006. Scholarships will be awarded in August 2006 in San Francisco.

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25. SCHOLARSHIP: Models of Excellence scholarship competition (Statewide)

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

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

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

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Jobs
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26. JOB: Horizons - Program Officer

Summary
Horizons Foundation seeks a Program Officer to lead and oversee the foundation's growing grantmaking and leadership-development programs. Key qualifications include deep experience in, knowledge of, and commitment to the LGBT community, excellent organizational and communications skills, and expertise in grantmaking and program management. This position is full-time and is supported by a grants administrator position. This position reports to the Executive Director.

For Job anouncement go to www.horizonsfoundation.org/page/aboutus/programofficer

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News
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27. NEWS: Poll: Gays gaining greater acceptance among Californians

Associated Press
SAN FRANCISCO

Gays and lesbians are gaining greater acceptance in the state, although about half of all Californians still oppose same-sex marriage, according to a new statewide poll released Wednesday.

The Field Poll showed that 43 percent of Californians approve of legalizing same-sex marriage, while 51 percent disapprove. The split is similar among registered voters, with 44 percent approving and 50 percent disapproving.

Those findings were unchanged from polls in 2003 and 2004, researchers said.

However, only 40 percent of Californians support amending the U.S. Constitution to define marriage between a man and a woman, while 50 percent do not. Among registered voters, the same percentage support it; 52 percent do not.

When the question was further broken down, one-third (32 percent) of Californians favored legalizing same-sex marriage, one-third (32 percent) favored allowing civil unions, but not marriage and one-third (32 percent) favored no legal recognition for such couples at all.

Meanwhile, general public opinion toward homosexuality seems to be improving.

To read the full article, visit:
http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/breaking_news/14159326.htm

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28. NEWS: Christian youth rally in S.F.

San Francisco Chronicle
Joe Garofoli, Chronicle Staff Writer
Saturday, March 25, 2006

More than 25,000 evangelical Christian youth landed Friday in San Francisco for a two-day rally at AT&T Park against "the virtue terrorism" of popular culture, and they were greeted by an official city condemnation and a clutch of protesters who said their event amounted to a "fascist mega-pep rally."

"Battle Cry for a Generation" is led by a 44-year-old Concord native, Ron Luce, who wants "God's instruction book" to guide young people away from the corrupting influence of popular culture.

Luce, whose Teen Mania organization is based in Texas, kicked off a three-city "reverse rebellion" tour Friday night intended to counter a popular culture that he says glamorizes violence and sex. The $55 advance tickets for two days of musical performances and speeches were sold out, but walk-up admission was available for $199.

After stops in Detroit and Philadelphia in the next few weeks, Luce wants to unleash a "blitz" of youth pastors into the communities to do everything from work with the homeless to find new ways to bring others to Christ. He challenged youth leaders to double the size of their groups in the next year.

And then he plans to return to San Francisco next year to chart their progress.

That's bad news to Assemblyman Mark Leno, D-San Francisco, who told counterprotesters at City Hall on Friday that while such fundamentalists may be small in number, "they're loud, they're obnoxious, they're disgusting, and they should get out of San Francisco."

Luce didn't flinch in the face of the counterprotest. The author, host of the "Acquire the Fire TV" cable television program and a President Bush appointee to a federal anti-drug abuse commission, wants teens to find Bible-based solutions for the spread of sexually transmitted disease, teen pregnancy, drug abuse and suicide.

The villains, Luce said, range from the promiscuity and "sexualization" of young people on MTV and the popular online meeting hub MySpace.com to a corporate culture that spends millions trying to woo the under-21 crowd.

Battle Cry will try to bring them back to God through two days of religious rockers, speakers and the debut of what Luce called a Christian alternative to My Space.com.

"This is more than a spiritual war," Luce said. "It's a culture war."

To read the full story, visit:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/03/25/BATTLE.TMP

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29. NEWS: Trans Mission

Can a 6-year-old make up his mind about being a her? Parents at a recent conference say "yes."

March 9-15, 2006
City beat
Doron Taussig

Nine years ago, after five miscarriages and 11 rounds of in vitro fertilization, a 36-year-old New Jersey woman named Stephanie gave birth to twins ˜ one boy and one girl. She was ecstatic. She dressed her children in pink and blue and gave them traditional his and hers toys.

Her daughter grew into a happy, outgoing child. But her son was quiet, and often seemed sad, as though he were pondering something terribly important. When he began to speak, he said the damnedest thing: "I'm a girl." Stephanie would try to explain that because he had a penis, he was a boy, but she couldn't sell him on the idea. The child pouted when his sister wore dresses and he couldn't; he seemed truly happy playing dress-up with her clothes.

When he was three, Stephanie walked into the bathroom to find her son poking his penis with an unopened nail clipper. "It doesn't go there," he explained. When he was five, as his mother tucked him into bed, he told her, "God made a mistake."

Stephanie was bewildered. She went online and looked up "boys who dress like girls," but that only led her to porn sites. Most of the doctors and therapists she contacted didn't want to deal with her problem. Eventually, a pediatrician informed her about a psychiatric condition called Gender Identity Disorder. The causes aren't fully understood, but essentially there's a conflict between your gender identification and your biological sex.

Most parents with children in this predicament deny, ignore or attempt to treat the problem. But when Stephanie's son was six, she decided to try something else. Instead of repeatedly telling her son he was a boy ˜ telling him that he was "defined by his genitals," as she says now ˜ Stephanie allowed him to choose his own gender.

"He" became a "she."

To read the full story, visit:
http://citypaper.net/articles/2006-03-09/cb.shtml

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March 22, 2006

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

GSA Network Highlight
Starting a GSA in a Private Religious School?
Go directly to GSA Network highlight

GSA Network Announcements
1. 3 HOT! GSA Network Activist Camps coming soon!
2. Save the Date! - GSA Network Youth Conferences YES & E.N.S.
3. Looking for GSAs to Participate in L.A. Pride 2006 (Los Angeles)
4. GSA Network Featured in History Book about the GSA Movement
5. GSA LEADERSHIP TRAINING (Alameda)
6. Safe Schools for All - A Community Forum in MDUSD (Contra Costa)
7. Re-Register your GSA today - get new resources & keep informed!! (Statewide)
8. Liberation Ink Posters - Free For GSAs (Statewide)
9. Sign-up for the High Contrast Photo Exhibit at your school (Bay Area)
Go directly to GSA Network announcements

Other Announcements
Southern California
10. It's All About Love..... Youth Conference (Los Angeles)
11. LGBTQ Youth Prom (Los Angeles)
12. The Girl Blue Project (Los Angeles)
Go directly to Southern California listings

Central Valley
13. The Mpowerment Project of Bakersfield will be hosting an alternative prom. (Bakersfield)
14. Lesbian,Gay,Bi-sexual,Trans-gender & STRAIGHT PROM (Central Valley and beyond)
Go directly to Central Valley listings

Northern California
15. SOUL Summer School 2006 (Bay Area)
16. Volunteers are needed to support Queer survivors of Hate Violence & Domestic Violence (Bay Area)
17. Screaming Queens - Free Movie Screening
18. 13th Annual Cesar E. Chavez Commemorative March and Festival (San Jose)
19. Door-Knocking Training! -- Free
Go directly to Northern California listings

Statewide
20. California Safe Schools Coalition (CSSC) Minigrant
Go directly to Statewide listings

National
21. HRC Youth College for Campaign Training
Go directly to National listings

Scholarships
22. SCHOLARSHIP: Women's Foundation & WNEA of PG&E (Northern California & Central Valley)
23. SCHOLARSHIP: San Jose-Peninsula PFLAG will be awarding five $2,000 scholarships
24. SCHOLARSHIP: Models of Excellence scholarship competition
Go directly to Scholorships listings

News
25. NEWS: Silence 'Directives' Will Not be Ignored
Go directly to News listings

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

Starting a GSA in a Private Religious School?

Most GSAs are started in public schools where the student body tends to come from a variety
of different backgrounds. Students are used to seeing differences in race, language, culture,
religion, economic background, etc. So other differences, like differences in sexual
orientation or gender identity, often can be easier to accept. But what if you are a student
who goes to a private religious school where differences are not as common?

Private schools are not governed by AB 537 (The California Student Safety and Violence
Prevention Act of 2000) in the way that public schools are, so they can set their own rules,
making it difficult, if not impossible at times, to start a GSA club on the campus. But even so,
more and more LGTBQ students and their straight allies are forming GSA clubs in their
private religious schools. Chelsea, a junior at Moreau Catholic High School, a private school
in Northern California, said a GSA club was started at her school because a lot of youth were
complaining to the school about how they were being harassed because of their sexuality.
The counselors decided to have one-on-one meetings with the students, but instead the
students kept suggesting that they be allowed to meet with other students who were
experiencing the same things that they were going through. “It’s more powerful,” Chelsea
says, “when kids reach out to other kids, rather than adults reaching out to kids.” So, after
finding a teacher who would approve of it, they began holding meetings. At first the
meetings were held in secret, “because kids did not want bullies to come in and attack them,”
but one of the rules taught in our school, said Chelsea, is to "reach out and accept
differences as God would" and that ultimately made the GSA welcome in the school.

Administrative support was the biggest obstacle, according to Christie, a senior at Cathedral
Catholic High School in San Diego (formerly USDHS). There was resistance to having a “gay”
club and there was fear that students would not participate, so they decided to form a
Tolerance Club, which focuses on Human Rights and Social Justice. That idea has proven
successful. The Tolerance Club has been very active this year screening several movies. They
screened the movie “Crash” which was followed by a workshop on discrimination with a
teacher’s panel and student-led discussions. They screened the movie “Invisible Children”
which focused on a student-led movement to provide help and support to the child soldiers
of Uganda, and they screened the movie “The Breakfast Club” which was followed by a
discussion about stereotypes. The Tolerance Club is now in the process of planning for The
Day Of Silence on April 26, which will be the first time the school has participated in that
event.

If students in private religious schools are interested in starting a GSA Club, Christie
suggests considering the Tolerance Club or Human Rights Club approach, which is
sometimes easier to get support for than a GSA, and also looking to the Religion Department
for a supportive teacher. “The Religion Department is the most liberal department on
campus,” she says. “You can get support from liberal teachers like the Catholic Social Justice
teacher.” The other suggestion Christie has is to focus on educating people instead of
fighting them. “Sometimes it’s that people just don’t know, instead of having made a
conscious choice to discriminate.”

The GSA Club at Moreau Catholic High School has hung up Liberation Ink posters in the halls
all over the school, which Chelsea thinks has made students more comfortable "coming out".
The club is also helping to organize a GSA Prom. “Many students believe that being gay is not
a sin because we were all created by God," Chelsea adds, "and God would never create
anything bad.”

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

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1. 3 HOT! GSA Network Activist Camps coming soon!

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

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

Northern California Activist Camp - Oakland
July 28th - 30th, 2006

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

Look out for the application process, but mark your calendars now.

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2. Save the Date! - GSA Network Youth Conferences YES & E.N.S.

YES and E.N.S. are FREE conferences for LGBTQQI youth activists and their allies who are dedicated to defeating homophobia and transphobia and creating safe and supportive schools for everyone. The target audience is high school & middle school students, and teachers & GSA advisors are welcome.

YES - Youth Empowerment Summit - San Francisco
November 18th, 2006

E.N.S. - Expression Not Suppression - Fresno
October 28th, 2006

Mark your calendars today! These events not to be missed!!

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3. Looking for GSAs to Participate in L.A. Pride 2006

Standing Out, Standing Together documents the growth of organizations representing our lesbian and gay youth. These young adults are being transformed from victims into prideful political agents. In this regard, Miceli sounds a theme that all Americans should hear: gay youth and our public schools are today a key battleground not only for lesbians and gays but for Americans in general. Melinda Miceli's book is to date the most empirically based and reliable guide to understanding the contradictory status of being young and gay in America.
- Steven Seidman, author of Beyond the Closet: The Transformation of Gay and lesbian Life

Standing Out, Standing Together is the first study to systematically document the importance of youth activism for the LGBT movement. Miceli demonstrates the creative ways that young people and their allies have generated support and developed coalitions in communities across the country to form a national movement of Gay-Straight Alliances. Social movement scholars and educators have much to learn from these youth activists and from Miceli's analysis of their efforts to protect and extend the rights of LGBT youth. This book should be read by anyone who is interested in youth activism and in the expansion of civil rights in contemporary American society.
- Nancy A. Naples, author of Feminism and Method: Ethnography, Discourse Analysis and Activist Research

The first history of the GSA movement in the U.S., this book is filled with perceptive and compassionate insights about adolescent sexualities. Miceli has written an inspiring story about social change.
- Janice Irvine, author of Talk About Sex: The Battles Over Sex Education in the United States

Just a decade ago, school-based support groups for lesbians and gay students were rare and often met with confusion and shock by school administrators and local communities. Standing Out, Standing Together documents the emergence of such alliances-now numbering over 2000 throughout the U.S.-exploring both the factors that contributed to their relatively rapid rise, as well as those that stirred controversy and posed roadblocks.

Drawing on over 10 years of interviews with students, teachers, administrators, and political activists, Melinda Miceli exposes both the personal and political sides of this ongoing battle for acceptance and support. In this pioneering study, Miceli shows the evolution of gay and lesbian youth from silent victims to political actors and founders of a new social movement that strives to make schools more accepting places for all students.

-Melinda Miceli is Associate Professor of Sociology at the University of Hartford.

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5. GSA LEADERSHIP TRAINING (Alameda)

This FREE event will be held from 9:30 am - 4 pm on Saturday, April 15th and includes breakfast and lunch.|

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

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

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

WHO: GSA Members, potential members, and GSA advisors
WHEN: Saturday, April 15, 2006, 9:30 am-4:00 pm
WHERE: Girls Incorporated of Alameda County - 13666 East 14th Street San Leandro, CA 94578
COST: Free!
CO-SPONSORS: GSA Networ, GLSEN SF-EB and GIRLS INC.

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

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

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6. Safe Schools for All A Community Forum in MDUSD (Contra Costa)

Join Us!
Join students, parents, MDUSD staff, and other community leaders for...

A Community Forum
Thursday April 27th from 6:30pm-9:00pm
Location TBA

You’re invited to a special evening of Community Dialogue on the current state of LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning) youth safety issues in Mt. Diablo Unified School District.

Join Us!
Join local community members and members of the Contra Costa Safe Schools Coalition to learn more about:
• AB 537 (The Student Safety & Violence Prevention Act of 2000)
• SB 71 (The Comprehensive Sexual Health & HIV/AIDS Prevention Education Act of 2003)
• What is currently happening in MDUSD around these issues,

For more information please contact:
Julie Lienert, CCSSC Coordinator (925) 685-5480 or julie@glsen-sfeb.org
Paul Brown, PFLAG (925) 443-3603 or paulshermanbrown@yahoo.com
Leslie Stewart, Rainbow Community Center at (510) 839-1608 or leslie@lwvba-ca.org

GSA Network is a member of the Contra Costa Safe Schools Coalition

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

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

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

LIBERATION INK POSTERS AVAILABLE
FREE FOR GSAs IN CALIFORNIA!!

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

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

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

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11. LGBTQ Youth Prom (Los Angeles)

Friends of Project 10 Inc. has a new web site up (http://www.modelsofpride.org/) where youth can download information and applications for our upcoming LGBTQ Youth Prom, to be held on Friday, May 19, 2006, from 8 pm to 12 midnight, at Friendship Auditorium in LA (near Griffth Park),

Save the Date ---> Models of Pride XIV (MOP XIV) conference to be held on Saturday, November 4, 2006, at Occidental College in Eagle Rock.

Please contact our office for more information at project10@hotmail.com or 626.577.4553.

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12. The Girl Blue Project (Los Angeles)

The Girl Blue Project is currently accepting applications for its 2006 session. The Girl Blue Project is a self-awareness program combined with the performing arts and community service.

THIS PROGRAM IS FREE.

We invite teen girls between the ages of 14 and 18 years old (if you are 18 you must be a continuing high school student. We do not accept college students) of every race, religion and sexual orientation to apply.

YOU MUST BE ABLE TO COMMIT TO THE ENTIRE PROGRAM.

The dates for the 2006 session are July 5th through August 18th. Classes are Monday through Friday from 8am to 3pm. We offer classes in Yoga, American Sign Language, Etiquette, Life skills, Self-Awareness, Voice, Dance, Acting and much much more!!! The Girl Blue Project is fun, creative and challenging!

For more information please visit our website at www.thegirlblueproject.org or email us at info@thegirlblueproject.org. To contact by phone call Marlow at 213-387-2053.

APPLICATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY JUNE 30TH. Interviews will be held on July 1st from 10am to 3:30pm. and Sunday July 2nd from 12pm to 3pm.*
All applicants will be contacted by phone or email upon receipt of application. Please leave a phone number and email address. We look forward to meeting you.

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Central Valley
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13. The Mpowerment Project of Bakersfield will be hosting an alternative prom. (Bakersfield)

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14. Lesbian,Gay,Bi-sexual,Trans-gender & STRAIGHT PROM (Central Valley and beyond!)

Where? 430 W Grant Line Rd, Tracy, 95376
When? April 13, 2006 7-11p.m.
Why? To celebrate all that the L.G.B.T.Q community has won through the battle ofequality
Cost? $8.00 SINGLE / $15.00 COUPLES
Please join us for a festive night of fun, dancing, and laughter while we burn up the dance floor with the best beats of Central California and beyond
Theme: Hawaiian Tropics
Tickets are on sale NOW PURCHASE AT : www.eqca.org/prom
For more information regarding upcoming event or interested in purchasing tickets email: justin@justindaley.com

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Northern California
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15. SOUL Summer School 2006 (Bay Area)

-June 14th through August 5th-
Applications are due April 10th, 2006!

"Those who do not move do not notice their chains." -Rosa Luxemburg

Applications are due April 10th 2006!
SOUL Summer School is an 8-week intensive organizer training and political education internship program. 12 interns from around the country spend
eight weeks with us, participating in organizing skills sessions that focus on:
*Building bases
*Building the fight
*Building community organizations & also participating in political education sessions that focus on:
*Systems of oppression
*Histories of resistance
*Tools for the Movement

The other component (and perhaps the most important) to SOUL's unique training program, is the internship. Interns spend around 30 hours weekly
working at local Bay Area grassroots community organizations that are fighting for (among other issues):
Immigrant rights! Juvenile justice!
Education justice! Affordable housing!
Environmental justice! Living wage jobs!
& an end to United States imperialism!

People of color, working class people, young people, transgender people, queer people, differently abled people, and women are especially encouraged to apply.

Interns receive a stipend, help in finding housing, and a binder with materials on organizing skills & political education.
SOUL is a political education and youth organizing training center. Our mission is to serve as a training center to develop a new multi-racial generation of young organizers - especially young women, young people of color, queer youth, and working class youth - who will have the skills and the vision needed to struggle for the liberation of all oppressed people. Since 1996, we have trained over 3,500 young people on radical political education and organizer training.

*The training space is wheelchair accessible.*

APPLICATION DUE IN THE SOUL OFFICE BY April 10th!
Please send your application to: SOUL -- 287 17th St. #225 /Oakland CA 94612 or fax it to us at (510) 451-5866 or e-mail it to us at: akua@youthec.org
For an application or if you have questions call Akua at 510.451.5466 ext. 312

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16. Volunteers are needed to support Queer survivors of Hate Violence & Domestic Violence (Bay Area)

Community United Against Violence is a multicultural anti-oppression organization serving our diverse Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning communities through our 24 crisis line: (415) 333-HELP.

Our next Crisis Line Volunteer Training begins Saturday April 22, 2006.

To volunteer, please contact Vanissar at (415) 777-5500 ext. 323, or email vanissar@cuav.org
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17. Screaming Queens - Free Movie Screening

You are invited to a free screening of "Screaming Queens," a remarkable documentary film by Susan Stryker and Victor Silverman.

Three years before the famous rioting at New York's Stonewall Inn, a group of transgender individuals and street hustlers fought back for the first time in history against everyday police harassment. This was known as the 1966 Riot at Gene Compton's Cafeteria in the Tenderloin at Turk and Taylor in San Francisco.

The kick-off to a series of 40th Year Anniversary activities will be held on March 23, 2006 at 7:00pm at the Metropolitan Community Church Sanctuary at 150 Eureka in San Francisco with a free screening of "Screaming Queens." This film chronicles this historic time marking one of the beginnings of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender movement. Co-Producer Susan Stryker will be present.

The riots "were the first time that people who were discriminated against because of their gender identity banded together to resist their oppression," noted Stryker. "And it had results--in the years after the riot, trans activists and allies began to make real progress in meeting the unique social and medical needs of trans people."

Commemoration activities are sponsored in part by Good Vibrations, San Francisco's legendary destination for accurate information about sex. "As one of the top US employers of transgenders, Good Vibrations is proud to continue the fight for transgender equality, a fight that was started forty years ago at the Compton's Cafeteria," says Theresa Sparks, Good Vibrations General Manager and CFO.

This kick-off event pays homage to the courageous pioneers who participated in the Compton's Cafeteria Riot. This is an opportunity to meet LGBT
community leaders, view the documentary "Screaming Queens" and learn more about San Francisco LGBT history.

This event is free, but seating is limited to the first 250 attendees.

Hope to see you there!!

More information coming soon to www.comptonscafeteriariot.org.

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18. 13th Annual Cesar E. Chavez Commemorative March and Festival (San Jose)

13th Annual Cesar E. Chavez Commemorative March and Festival, scheduled to take place March 25th and 26th.

The march will begin at the Mexican Heritage Plaza on Saturday March 25, the Pre-March Rally begins at 10:00AM. The March begins at 11:00AM the The march will end at Cesar Chavez Plaza in downtown San Jose.

The outdoor festival runs both Saturday and Sunday, and will take place at Cesar Chavez Plaza . There are also booths for rent for, food, non-profits, and merchandise sales. Booth Point of Contact: Helen Barcellos at 408.776.1533.

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19. Door-Knocking Training! -- Free

Who Said Organizing Can’t be Fun?

JOIN US FOR A FREE INTERACTIVE DOOR-KNOCKING TRAINING! CTWO INTRODUCES ITS NEW COMMUNITY ORGANIZING TOOLKIT. PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD.

WHEN:Saturday, March 25th 2006
9:30 AM Registration
10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Lunch will be served.

WHERE:CompassPoint Nonprofit Services - 731 Market Street, Suite 200 / San Francisco, CA 94103

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National
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21 . HRC Youth College for Campaign Training

August 14-20, 2006 - Washington, DC

Activate your future with the Human Rights Campaign's Youth College!
Or, encourage a friend or young person to apply!

What is the Human Rights Campaign's Youth College?
A diverse group of 30 participants, ages 18-24, will take part in a unique program that trains young people in political skills and places them with political and ballot campaigns across the country. The Human Rights Campaign Youth College includes: Intensive, week-long training in campaign skills led by political professionals;
Fulltime, paid position on a congressional, ballot or statewide campaign; and Follow-up retreat for guidance focusing on future jobs possibilities Campaign Training

The Human Rights Campaign will hold its intensive, week-long Youth College training academy in August 2006 in Washington, D.C. HRC pays all expenses. Nationally recognized political professionals will lead workshops on: planning a winning political campaign; developing a strong message; handling the media: creating a field plan; and fundraising for the campaign

Campaign Experience
August 21-November 7, 2006
After the week-long training, participants will be placed in full-time, paid positions on political campaigns for approximately three months, from August to November. Each political campaign provides housing; HRC pays for travel and gives a stipend to each participant.

Political campaigns view the Human Rights Campaign Youth College participants as valuable members of their staffs. Graduates of the program have worked in every aspect of campaigns, including media relations, fund raising and field operations.

Follow-up Retreat:
Novembr 10-12, 2006
When the campaigns end, Youth College graduates gather again in Washington, D.C. for a follow-up retreat. They review their experiences and focus on future goals, learning how to put their new skills to work on the job or in further education.

Qualifications:
Youth College applicants should have: an interest in electoral politics and a commitment to GLBT civil rights; experience in community organizing or involvement in campus or local politics; and the ability to work full-time for approximately three months on a political campaign.

Application requirements:
complete the application form; obtain two, one-page letters of recommendation; write a personal statement; and submit a resume.

Please apply for Youth College 2006. To apply, go to www.hrcactioncenter.org/ct/r1AAB791fXgn/

All application materials must be postmarked by May 1, 2006. HRC will interview finalists via telephone by June 1, 2006. Participants and alternates will be notified by June 15, 2006. Participants must be available to work full time on a campaign August 21-November 7, 2006 and attend the follow-up retreat November 10-12, 2006.

For more information, contact youthcollege@hrc.org or call 202/628-4160 or contact: The Human Rights Campaign, Attn: Youth College, 1640 Rhode Island Ave., N.W., Fax: 202/347-5323.

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Scholarships
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22. SCHOLARSHIP: Women's Foundation & WNEA of PG&E (Northern California & Central Valley)

Ranging from $2,500 to $1,500 each

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23. SCHOLARSHIP: San Jose-Peninsula PFLAG will be awarding five $2,000 scholarships (Santa Clara or San Mateo counties)

PFLAG scholarship award ceremony NEW DATE!
Tuesday May 9, 2006
All of the other details remain the same...

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

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

Scholarship deadline is March 31, 2006.

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

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

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

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

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24. SCHOLARSHIP: Models of Excellence scholarship competition (Statewide)

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News
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25. NEWS: Silence 'Directives' Will Not be Ignored

Gilroy Dispatch
Monday, March 20, 2006
By Heather Bremner

Gilroy - After learning that the school board has banned teacher participation in the Day of Silence, community members still wondered aloud: what consequences would fall on the shoulders of those who chose to ignore the mandate?

Although Gilroy High School teacher Sally Enriquez vowed in February that she and the other teachers who participated in the national protest last April are "still gonna do it," this year, district officials said that's no longer true.

GHS Assistant Principal Greg Camacho-Light said he has met with the educators and they are not going to participate in the Day of Silence. The high school administrator said Enriquez was concerned that GHS had not done enough to deal with the issue at hand, which was harassment of gay students.

But after explaining in detail what action GHS has taken, such as staging two employee workshops on intolerance and informing students "you're so gay" slang will not be tolerated, the teachers were satisfied. What will happen to teachers who still participate is a non-issue, he said.

"Directives - you don't see them ignored," Camacho-Light said. "To go completely against a directive, it doesn't happen ... I understand people worrying, but I don't think they should be concerned. I think we should move forward and help our kids (remain) safe."
Enriquez chose to refrain from commenting for this story. She didn't want to be in the "limelight," Camacho-Light said. The assistant principal said teachers didn't feel comfortable approaching students who were harassing other students, but now that the administration has made it clear that they will back them, the educators feel more secure.

Also, locals have complained that the high school's focus on discrimination and tolerance, is specifically tailored for gay students and doesn't address the numerous slurs cast at Christians, overweight students and others.

"I think conservatives are more abused and assaulted at Gilroy High School and not by students, but by teachers," Mark Zappa said, recalling at time when his daughter was singled our for her views and given a bad grade on a paper that backed President Bush.

Although the Day of Silence backers continue to claim that the high school is seeped in anti-gay sentiment, Zappa said he has yet to hear of a single incident where that was the case.
Camacho-Light said students have reported being picked on for their sexual preference or perceived preference and teachers have witnessed incidences. The incidences he specified were students saying "you're so gay" or calling one another a "faggot."

Of course, students are bullied for a variety of reasons and if students are picked on or slandered for being Christian, Jewish, Hispanic or whatever, there will be consequences, he said.
"What we're trying to say is this isn't being civil, this is being mean," Camacho-Light said. "It isn't just about gay and lesbian issues."

To read the full story, visit:
http://www.gilroydispatch.com/news/contentview.asp?c=181674

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March 15, 2006

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

GSA Network Highlight
"We believe that we can not expect people to stand for us, if we do not stand for them"
Go directly to GSA Network highlight

GSA Network Announcements
1. 3 HOT! GSA Network Activist Camps coming soon!
2. Save the Date! - GSA Network Youth Conferences YES & E.N.S.
3. GSA Network Featured in History Book about the GSA Movement
4. GSA Leadership Training (Contra Costa)
5. Safe Schools for All - A Community Forum in MDUSD (Contra Costa)
6. Re-Register your GSA today - get new resources & keep informed!! (Statewide)
7. Liberation Ink Posters - Free For GSAs (Statewide)
8. Sign-up for the High Contrast Photo Exhibit at your school (Bay Area)
Go directly to GSA Network announcements

Other Announcements
Southern California
9. LGBTQ Youth Prom (Los Angeles)
10. Lifeworks Mentoring Events (Los Angeles)
Go directly to Southern California listings

Central Valley
11. The Mpowerment Project of Bakersfield will be hosting an alternative prom. (Bakersfield)
12. Lesbian,Gay,Bi-sexual,Trans-gender & STRAIGHT PROM (Central Valley and beyond)
Go directly to Central Valley listings

Northern California
13. Volunteers are needed to support Queer survivors of Hate Violence & Domestic Violence (Bay Area)
14. Transgender 101 - A Workshop for Service Providers (Marin)
15. Save the Date - WOAH (Workshops Organized Against Homophobia) 2006 (Bay Area)
16. Youth Speaks has FREE Youth Workshops at the LGBT Center! (San Francisco)
Go directly to Northern California listings

Statewide
17. California Safe Schools Coalition (CSSC) Minigrant
Go directly to Statewide listings

National
18. HRC Youth College for Campaign Training
Go directly to National listings

Scholarships
19. SCHOLARSHIP: Women's Foundation & WNEA of PG&E (Northern California & Central Valley)
20. SCHOLARSHIP: San Jose-Peninsula PFLAG will be awarding five $2,000 scholarships
21. SCHOLARSHIP: Models of Excellence scholarship competition
Go directly to Scholorships listings

News
22. Gay Teens Are Using the System
23. City's stifling of Los Altos High gay group seems unconstitutional
Go directly to News listings

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

We believe that we can not expect people to stand for us, if we do not stand for them

The Gay-Straight Alliance Save Darfur Team (gsasavedarfurteam@hotmail.com) has just received a $1,000 grant and sponsorship from MTV! The GSA Save Darfur Team is a coalition of seven G.S.As in the L.A. area that have dedicated themselves to fighting oppression abroad in Darfur, Sudan. For the past three years, there has been a genocide (like the Holocaust) in Darfur, Sudan, where millions are being raped and pillaged, and 10,000 Islamic Africans each month are murdered by Islamic Arabs due to the color of their skin. (To find out more, visit www.savedarfur.org). Several G.S.As have united to form one team to give aid and relief to these oppressed people.

Why? We believe that we can not expect people to stand for us, if we do not stand for them. We hope to send the message that oppression is oppression and all forms of discrimination must be combated, whether it's genocide, or homophobia. Only when we all unite and stand together, can the wall of oppression truly fall. This "Outreach Program" has been truly successful in building bridges with other clubs on campus and even creating relationships with powerful organizations. Check out our donation page at the AJWS, at https://donate.ajws.org/03/ca_gsa.

Recently, the GSA Save Darfur Team hosted a Guest Speaker Assembly at Mira Costa High School with Sudanese Refugee Alephonsion Deng, and former U.S. Ambassador of War Crimes, Pierre Prosper. Several Media venues were there, and you may have seen us on the 10 O'Clock News on KTLA. U.S. Senator Feinstein, CA Senator Debra Bowen, Congresswomen Jane Harman, and CA Assemblyman Ted Lieu all gave us Proclamations of Support. If your school is interested in hosting this event or other similar events, or your GSA is interested in joining our team (and it doesn't matter where your school is located), please contact us at gsasavedarfurteam@hotmail.com.

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

Northern California Activist Camp - Oakland
July 28th - 30th, 2006

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

Look out for the application process, but mark your calendars now.

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YES - Youth Empowerment Summit - San Francisco
November 18th, 2006

E.N.S. - Expression Not Suppression - Fresno
October 28th, 2006

Mark your calendars today! These events not to be missed!!

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3. GSA Network Featured in History Book about the GSA Movement

GSA Network is proud to let you know about an outstanding new book that is available. "Standing Out, Standing Together: The Social and Political Impact of Gay-Straight Alliances" by Melinda Miceli is the first history written of the GSA movement in the US. GSA students all over the country, including California, were interviewed for the book. Additionally, GSA Network's Executive Director, Carolyn Laub, was interviewed extensively for the book.

The best place to get "Standing Out, Standing Together" is online at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, etc.
www.amazon.com/gp/product/0415950929/ref=sr_11_1/002-9789052-7776849?

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4. GSA LEADERSHIP TRAINING (Contra Costa)

This FREE event will be held from 9:30 am - 4 pm on Saturday, March 18 and includes breakfast and lunch.|

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

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

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

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

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

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

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5. Safe Schools for All A Community Forum in MDUSD (Contra Costa)

Join Us!
Join students, parents, MDUSD staff, and other community leaders for...

A Community Forum
Thursday April 27th from 6:30pm-9:00pm
Location TBA

You’re invited to a special evening of Community Dialogue on the current state of LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning) youth safety issues in Mt. Diablo Unified School District.

Join Us!
Join local community members and members of the Contra Costa Safe Schools Coalition to learn more about:
• AB 537 (The Student Safety & Violence Prevention Act of 2000)
• SB 71 (The Comprehensive Sexual Health & HIV/AIDS Prevention Education Act of 2003)
• What is currently happening in MDUSD around these issues,

For more information please contact:
Julie Lienert, CCSSC Coordinator (925) 685-5480 or julie@glsen-sfeb.org
Paul Brown, PFLAG (925) 443-3603 or paulshermanbrown@yahoo.com
Leslie Stewart, Rainbow Community Center at (510) 839-1608 or leslie@lwvba-ca.org

GSA Network is a member of the Contra Costa Safe Schools Coalition

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

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

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

LIBERATION INK POSTERS AVAILABLE
FREE FOR GSAs IN CALIFORNIA!!

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

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

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

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10. Lifeworks Mentoring Events (Los Angeles)

Exercise Boot Camp
Sunday March 19, 2006 @ 2:30pm
1106 N. La Cienega Blvd
West Hollywood, Ca 90069
It's time to trim up for the summer. Join us for a fun day of exercise. Bob Kasunic will be leading us in a work out Boot Camp Style. Wear your workout clothes and bring a towel.

Come to this free event and don't forget to RSVP at RSVP@lifeworksmentoring.org , or call 310-724-6300 and ask for Bobby.

Green Room Workshop - "Religion and Me"
Thursday March 30, 2006 @ 6pm
LifeWorks Mentoring Office
9021 Melrose Ave, Suite 309
West Hollywood, Ca 90069
Special Guest Speaker Rev. Dr. Goss will be discussing what the Bible, Koran, and Torah really say about Homosexuality. Please join us for this insightful discussion. This is a free fun and confidential event. Stop by.
For more information contact Bobby at 310-724-6300 or email at BRidenour@lifeworksmentoring.org

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Central Valley
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11. The Mpowerment Project of Bakersfield will be hosting an alternative prom. (Bakersfield)

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12. Lesbian,Gay,Bi-sexual,Trans-gender & STRAIGHT PROM (Central Valley and beyond!)

Where? 430 W Grant Line Rd, Tracy, 95376
When? April 13, 2006 7-11p.m.
Why? To celebrate all that the L.G.B.T.Q community has won through the battle ofequality
Cost? $8.00 SINGLE / $15.00 COUPLES
Please join us for a festive night of fun, dancing, and laughter while we burn up the dance floor with the best beats of Central California and beyond
Theme: Hawaiian Tropics
Tickets are on sale NOW PURCHASE AT : www.eqca.org/prom
For more information regarding upcoming event or interested in purchasing tickets email: justin@justindaley.com

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Northern California
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13. Volunteers are needed to support Queer survivors of Hate Violence & Domestic Violence (Bay Area)

Community United Against Violence is a multicultural anti-oppression organization serving our diverse Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning communities through our 24 crisis line: (415) 333-HELP.

Our next Crisis Line Volunteer Training begins Saturday April 22, 2006.

To volunteer, please contact Vanissar at (415) 777-5500 ext. 323, or email vanissar@cuav.org
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14. Transgender 101 - A Workshop for Service Providers (Marin)

Spectrum Center of Marin presents Transgender 101 - A Workshop for Service Providers
Wednesday, April 5, 2006
12:00 - 2:00 PM

Transgender people frequently experience difficulty when attempting to locate health and social service providers who are knowledgeable and understanding of their specific needs. This workshop will provide an introduction to the unique experiences of transgender people, and discuss the common barriers they encounter when seeking health and social services.

This will be an interactive workshop with a panel of speakers that will include transgender people who will share their personal experiences and offer practical suggestions on how to create a transgender-friendly service environment. Content overview:

The real definition of "transgender" and other relevant terminology
The most common barriers faced by transgender people when attempting to access services from health and social service agencies

Practical suggestions for improving your services for transgender people
An overview of current and emerging best practices in serving transgender clients
How to demystify the transgender experience for staff and associates you work with
Other resources in the Bay Area: who the experts are

Instructor: Cristin Brew, MFT Trainee, Spectrum's Speakers Bureau and Youth Program Coordinator
CEU Info: Two CEU credit hours available. CEU provider: Jeanne Courtney, MFT (See below for details)
Fee: $16 for CEU attendees; $10 for all others. Cash, checks and credit cards accepted. Make checks payable to Spectrum
To Register: Call Cristin Brew at 415-457-1115 ext. 203
Email: cbrew@spectrummarin.org

Transgender 101 meets the qualifications for two hours of continuing education for MFTs and LCSWs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. CEUs available thanks to Jeanne Courtney, a California Board of Behavioral Sciences approved provider of continuing education, PCE 3107. You must be present for the entire workshop to receive continuing education credit.

Jeanne Courtney, MFT, offers psychotherapy, consultation, and CEU trainings in San Francisco and El Cerrito. She can be reached at 510-527-5662 or through www.FeministTherapyAssociates.com/

Spectrum Center for LGBT Concerns · 1000 Sir Francis Drake Blvd. #10, San Anselmo, CA 94960
Founded in 1982, the mission of Spectrum is to promote acceptance, understanding and full inclusion for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in Marin County and the North Bay. For more information visit our website at www.spectrummarin.org/

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15. Save the Date - WOAH (Workshops Organized Against Homophobia) 2006 (Bay Area)

WOAH 2006 (Workshops Organized Against Homophobia)
The premier conference for queer youth and straight allies in Contra Costa County.
This conference is FREE!

Who? Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Two Spirit, Transgender, Queer and Questioning Youth. 23 and Under
(Straight and Adult Allies more than welcome to attend)

What? Bringing together sexually diverse communities to network, gather resources and hook up!
(Youth from all over the Bay Area should see what Contra Costa County has to offer.)

Registration and Workshop information to come.

When? May 6, 2006 9am – 5pm

Where? Pittsburg High School, 250 School Street Pittsburg, CA
(There will be Transportation to and from Pittsburg BART.)

Why? Because homophobia, racism, transphobia, sexism and other forms of oppression are still an issue.
(Let’s make our communities safe.)

REMEMBER THIS IS CONFERENCE IS FREE TO PARTICPANTS!!

For more info contact Mario at 925.687.8844 x 304 or mario@chd-prevention.org
A project of the Center for Human Development’s Empowerment Program in collaboration with the Contra Costa Safe Schools Coalition.

With support from the Keller Canyon Mitigation Fund, the California Endowment, Contra Costa Health Services (AIDS Program), Horizons Foundation, and Wells Fargo.

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16. Youth Speaks has FREE Youth Workshops at the LGBT Center! (San Francisco)

All youth welcome to attend the creative writing workshops centered around sexuality, movement and spoken word.

Presented by Youth Speaks, this workshop session entitled "Fluidity" are ongoing and meet Wednesdays at the LGBT center (1800 Market St @ Gough) from 4-6pm.

With only a handful left, they are engaging, fun, FREE, and faciliated by Youth Speaks mentor, Jocelyn de Leon of 8th wonder, and Susanna Myrseth of Spokes.

Please spread the word to anyone you think would be interested.
Please also visit our website, www.youthspeaks.org, for further information on this workshop and others.
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Statewide
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17. California Safe Schools Coalition (CSSC) Minigrant

The California Safe Schools Coalition Minigrant Committee is requesting proposals for minigrants to do safe schools work for the 2006-2007 academic year!

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

The California Safe Schools Coalition is offering monetary grants up to $4,000 for districts, local organizations and individuals working to eliminate discrimination and harassment on the basis of actual or perceived sexual orientation and gender identity in K-12 schools.

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. Applications must be emailed by April 10, 2006.

For an application contact Meghan Elliott, Outreach & Communications Coordinator @ ph: 415-626-1680 or meghan@casafeschools.org or for more information about the California Safe Schools Coalition go to www.casafeschools.org

GSA Network is a co-founder and member of the California Safe Schools Coalition.

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National
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18. HRC Youth College for Campaign Training

August 14-20, 2006 - Washington, DC

Activate your future with the Human Rights Campaign's Youth College!
Or, encourage a friend or young person to apply!

What is the Human Rights Campaign's Youth College?
A diverse group of 30 participants, ages 18-24, will take part in a unique program that trains young people in political skills and places them with political and ballot campaigns across the country. The Human Rights Campaign Youth College includes: Intensive, week-long training in campaign skills led by political professionals;
Fulltime, paid position on a congressional, ballot or statewide campaign; and Follow-up retreat for guidance focusing on future jobs possibilities Campaign Training

The Human Rights Campaign will hold its intensive, week-long Youth College training academy in August 2006 in Washington, D.C. HRC pays all expenses. Nationally recognized political professionals will lead workshops on: planning a winning political campaign; developing a strong message; handling the media: creating a field plan; and fundraising for the campaign

Campaign Experience
August 21-November 7, 2006
After the week-long training, participants will be placed in full-time, paid positions on political campaigns for approximately three months, from August to November. Each political campaign provides housing; HRC pays for travel and gives a stipend to each participant.

Political campaigns view the Human Rights Campaign Youth College participants as valuable members of their staffs. Graduates of the program have worked in every aspect of campaigns, including media relations, fund raising and field operations.

Follow-up Retreat:
Novembr 10-12, 2006
When the campaigns end, Youth College graduates gather again in Washington, D.C. for a follow-up retreat. They review their experiences and focus on future goals, learning how to put their new skills to work on the job or in further education.

Qualifications:
Youth College applicants should have: an interest in electoral politics and a commitment to GLBT civil rights; experience in community organizing or involvement in campus or local politics; and the ability to work full-time for approximately three months on a political campaign.

Application requirements:
complete the application form; obtain two, one-page letters of recommendation; write a personal statement; and submit a resume.

Please apply for Youth College 2006. To apply, go to www.hrcactioncenter.org/ct/r1AAB791fXgn/

All application materials must be postmarked by May 1, 2006. HRC will interview finalists via telephone by June 1, 2006. Participants and alternates will be notified by June 15, 2006. Participants must be available to work full time on a campaign August 21-November 7, 2006 and attend the follow-up retreat November 10-12, 2006.

For more information, contact youthcollege@hrc.org or call 202/628-4160 or contact: The Human Rights Campaign, Attn: Youth College, 1640 Rhode Island Ave., N.W., Fax: 202/347-5323.

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Scholarships
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19. SCHOLARSHIP: Women's Foundation & WNEA of PG&E (Northern California & Central Valley)

Ranging from $2,500 to $1,500 each

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20. SCHOLARSHIP: San Jose-Peninsula PFLAG will be awarding five $2,000 scholarships (Santa Clara or San Mateo counties)

PFLAG scholarship award ceremony NEW DATE!
Tuesday May 9, 2006
All of the other details remain the same...

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21. SCHOLARSHIP: Models of Excellence scholarship competition (Statewide)

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News
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22. NEWS: Gay Teens Are Using the System
Students fight personal cases of discrimination through the courts and political activism.

By Seema Mehta
LA Times
March 12, 2006

Gay high school students across California are increasingly using the courts and political activism to fight individual cases of discrimination and to promote tolerance.
The moves, educators and legal observers say, come at a time of exponential growth in the number of gay student clubs and an acceptance of homosexuality on high school campuses that would have been unheard of a decade ago.

"It's a reflection of the students' desire to not just not be beat up, but to actually have full equality," said Carolyn Laub, executive director of the Gay Straight Alliance Network in San Francisco. "They want to be treated just the same" as their straight classmates.

Recent examples abound: A lesbian teen sued Garden Grove educators to defend her right to kiss her girlfriend on campus. Bakersfield students sued their district after a principal barred the school newspaper from printing articles about homosexuality that identified gay students by name - even with their parents' permission. Los Angeles Unified settled a harassment suit brought by students by pledging to provide antibias training to students and staff at Washington Prep High School.

To read the full story, visit:
http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/california/la-me-gayteens12mar12,1,4905224.story?coll=la-headlines-pe-california

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23. NEWS: City's stifling of Los Altos High gay group seems unconstitutional

By Christopher Arriola
San Jose Mercury News
March 8, 2006

The Santa Clara County Bar Association is dismayed at the Los Altos City Council's exclusionary actions against gay students at Los Altos High School. One of the great hallmarks of America's government and justice system is the right to public redress for wrongs, perceived or actual, to our government.

The city recently denied the Los Altos High School Gay/Straight Alliance's request for a declaration of a Gay Pride Day in the city. The council went one step further and added language to an existing rule that prohibited hate speech based on race, religion, gender and sexual orientation. The new language they added to this section did not exclude a different kind of hate speech but instead specifically precluded discussion about issues involving sexual orientation, and in particular, bringing to the council issues involving Gay Pride Day.

While the city's policy not to recognize Gay Pride day may or may not be debated, the indisputable fact is that these young people have an inalienable right to petition their city council and hold their leaders accountable for their actions. If the city council is concerned that it would look intolerant by voting down a Gay Pride Day at every meeting, perhaps they should think about changing their policy -- not excluding members of their community from the right to challenge the council's inaction.

The Santa Clara County Bar Association supports the right of all individuals to be treated equally and fairly under the law. Regardless of an individual's personal or religious beliefs, the community and the law simply cannot take sides and must endeavor to treat everyone the same. As elected officials, surely you know that you are elected to serve the entire community, not just those with whom you agree.

CHRISTOPHER ARRIOLA is president of the Santa Clara County Bar Association. He wrote this article for the Mercury News.

To read the full article, visit:
http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/14045851.htm

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March 8, 2006

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

GSA Network Highlight
Youth Make History at Queer Youth Advocacy Day 2006!
Go directly to GSA Network highlight

GSA Network Announcements
1. GSA LEADERSHIP TRAINING (Contra Costa)
2. Re-Register your GSA today - get new resources & keep informed!! (Statewide)
3. Liberation Ink Posters - Free For GSAs (Statewide)
4. Sylvia Guerrero is Back!- Apply for Winter/Spring Speaking Engagement (Bay Area)
5. Sign-up for the High Contrast Photo Exhibit at your school (Bay Area)
Go directly to GSA Network announcements

Other Announcements
Southern California
6. Lifeworks Mentoring Events (Los Angeles)
7. LGBT Summer Youth Institute UCSB (Santa Barbara)
Go directly to Southern California listings

Central Valley
8. The Mpowerment Project of Bakersfield will be hosting an alternative prom. (Bakersfield)
9. Lesbian,Gay,Bi-sexual,Trans-gender & STRAIGHT PROM (Central Valley and beyond)
Go directly to Central Valley listings

Northern California
10. Transgender 101 - A Workshop for Service Providers
11. ACLU Youth Rights Conference (Berkeley)
12. "RAW" Three evenings of performance, music, & art celebrating International Women's Day (San Francisco)
13. Save the Date - WOAH (Workshops Organized Against Homophobia) 2006 (Bay Area)
14. Youth Speaks has FREE Youth Workshops at the LGBT Center! (San Francisco)
Go directly to Northern California listings

National
15. The Nation Student Writing Contest
Go directly to National listings

Scholarships
16. SCHOLARSHIP: Women's Foundation & WNEA of PG&E (Northern California & Central Valley)
17. SCHOLARSHIP: San Jose-Peninsula PFLAG will be awarding five $2,000 scholarships
18. SCHOLARSHIP: Models of Excellence scholarship competition
Go directly to Scholorships listings

News
19. Queer Youth Advocacy Day in the News
20. 'Truth' Day Counters Silence
Go directly to News listings

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

Youth Make History at Queer Youth Advocacy Day 2006!

“I got to make history and push us forward in the fight for equality…This was the most empowering experience I’ve been a part of in my entire life.” -- Dawn, Queer Youth Advocacy Day participant

More than 500 GSA members, LGBTQ and straight ally youth activists, volunteers, and adult allies united in Sacramento this past Monday to advocate for safer schools as part of Queer Youth Advocacy Day 2006! Youth (including an 11-year old middle school student!) learned about the California legislative system, practiced basic lobbying strategies, and lobbied for AB 606 (The Safe Place to Learn Act) and SB 1437 (The Bias-Free Curriculum Act). Both bills are important stepping stones in the ongoing fight to defeat discrimination and harassment in all CA schools.

There were many great moments from Monday that will linger in many people’s minds for a long time. Here are some of them:

-- Rallying on the Capitol steps and drowning out the jeers and hateful messages of the 100+ anti-gay protestors assembled on the sidewalk with the awesome power of youth voices and our individual stories, along with the support of many straight and LGBT elected officials.

-- Educating lawmakers from across California about what it’s like in our schools and getting their commitments to vote yes on AB 606 and SB 1437

-- Getting to know youth from every corner of California and experiencing our collective power and strength!

For news coverage of Queer Youth Advocacy Day, click here or see item #19 below.

Don’t stop now! Queer Youth Advocacy Day was an inspiring, educational, and empowering event and it doesn't have to end. Hundreds of young people now have more tools to fight for equal education for all because of Queer Youth Advocacy Day, and the fight must continue!
GSA Network will continue to work with youth activists to support AB 606 and SB 1437 throughout the legislative session and as long as it takes to make all schools safer.

If you and your GSA want to continue what got started on Monday, please contact Advocacy Coordinator Lai-San Seto at advocacy@gsanetwork.org or 415-552-4229 for more information on how to reach out to lawmakers from your area. Please also look for legislative updates and suggestions for how to keep up the activism on GSA Network News.

Finally, if you have photos, stories, reflections, or feedback that you would like to share with GSA Network as a Queer Youth Advocacy Day participant, please email them to advocacy@gsanetwork.org.

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

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1. GSA LEADERSHIP TRAINING (Contra Costa)

This FREE event will be held from 9:30 am - 4 pm on Saturday, March 18 and includes breakfast and lunch.|

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

LIBERATION INK POSTERS AVAILABLE
FREE FOR GSAs IN CALIFORNIA!!

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

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

This program brings Sylvia Guerrero to speak with students, teachers, and staff at schools throughout the Bay Area about the experiences she and her family have endured over the last three years after the death of her transgender daughter, Gwen Araujo and is a great opportunity for schools to do education on campus for Transgender Student Safety.

In the fall of 2002, Sylvia Guerrero was forced into the Bay Area's media spotlight by the murder of her transgender daughter, Gwen Araujo. Even though it had only been a short time since Ms. Guerrero began accepting Gwen as her daughter, instead of the son she had thought she was raising, she suddenly found herself labeled a spokeswoman for respect and dignity for transgender people.

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

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

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

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

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

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7. LGBT Summer Youth Institute UCSB (Santa Barbara)

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

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

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

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

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

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Central Valley
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8. The Mpowerment Project of Bakersfield will be hosting an alternative prom. (Bakersfield)

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9. Lesbian,Gay,Bi-sexual,Trans-gender & STRAIGHT PROM (Central Valley and beyond!)

Where? 430 W Grant Line Rd, Tracy, 95376
When? April 13, 2006 7-11p.m.
Why? To celebrate all that the L.G.B.T.Q community has won through the battle ofequality
Cost? $8.00 SINGLE / $15.00 COUPLES
Please join us for a festive night of fun, dancing, and laughter while we burn up the dance floor with the best beats of Central California and beyond
Theme: Hawaiian Tropics
Tickets are on sale NOW PURCHASE AT : www.eqca.org/prom
For more information regarding upcoming event or interested in purchasing tickets email: justin@justindaley.com

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Northern California
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10. Transgender 101 - A Workshop for Service Providers

Spectrum Center of Marin presents Transgender 101 - A Workshop for Service Providers
Wednesday, April 5, 2006
12:00 - 2:00 PM

Transgender people frequently experience difficulty when attempting to locate health and social service providers who are knowledgeable and understanding of their specific needs. This workshop will provide an introduction to the unique experiences of transgender people, and discuss the common barriers they encounter when seeking health and social services.

This will be an interactive workshop with a panel of speakers that will include transgender people who will share their personal experiences and offer practical suggestions on how to create a transgender-friendly service environment. Content overview:

The real definition of "transgender" and other relevant terminology
The most common barriers faced by transgender people when attempting to access services from health and social service agencies
Practical suggestions for improving your services for transgender people
An overview of current and emerging best practices in serving transgender clients
How to demystify the transgender experience for staff and associates you work with
Other resources in the Bay Area: who the experts are

Instructor: Cristin Brew, MFT Trainee, Spectrum's Speakers Bureau and Youth Program Coordinator
CEU Info: Two CEU credit hours available. CEU provider: Jeanne Courtney, MFT (See below for details)
Fee: $16 for CEU attendees; $10 for all others. Cash, checks and credit cards accepted. Make checks payable to Spectrum
To Register: Call Cristin Brew at 415-457-1115 ext. 203
Email: cbrew@spectrummarin.org

Transgender 101 meets the qualifications for two hours of continuing education for MFTs and LCSWs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. CEUs available thanks to Jeanne Courtney, a California Board of Behavioral Sciences approved provider of continuing education, PCE 3107. You must be present for the entire workshop to receive continuing education credit.

Jeanne Courtney, MFT, offers psychotherapy, consultation, and CEU trainings in San Francisco and El Cerrito. She can be reached at 510-527-5662 or through www.FeministTherapyAssociates.com/

Spectrum Center for LGBT Concerns · 1000 Sir Francis Drake Blvd. #10, San Anselmo, CA 94960
Founded in 1982, the mission of Spectrum is to promote acceptance, understanding and full inclusion for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in Marin County and the North Bay. For more information visit our website at www.spectrummarin.org/

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11. ACLU Youth Rights Conference (Berkeley)

Thursday, March 9th
8:30 am - 2:30 pm

Martin Luther King, Jr. Student Union Building at UC Berkeley (Telegraph and Bancroft - Berkeley, CA)

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is sponsoring the 15th annual youth rights conference for high school students on march 9th, at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Student union building at UC Berkeley. The conference runs from 8:30 am to 2:30 pm. The event is free, although registration is required. For information, or to register, call 415.621.2493, ext. 337

Event is free, although registration is required.
415.621.2493, ext. 337

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12. " RAW" Three evenings of performance, music, & art celebrating International Women's Day (San Francisco)

The Wome's Building, Loco Bloco, & Mission Girls present "RAW"
March 10, 11, & 12, 2006

Where:   The Wome's Building, 3543 18th Street, San Francisco
When:   March 10th, 11th, & 12th, exhibit opens at 7pm, show starts at 8pm
Cost:  Sliding Scale $5-10 (under 18) & $10-30 (18 and over)
Event information / Youth Group Discounts / Childcare requests: 415.431.1180 x17
Limited childcare available, reservations required: 415.431.1180 x17

RAW will challenge and inspire you to discover your authentic self as powerful female performers and artists peel back the layers of their identities. Multi-generational artists will explore the complex contradictions of self-image, cultural definitions of femininity and the media's depiction of women. The production includes an outrageous talk show host, Barbie vs. Bratt dolls, news from the streets, dancing, music videos with a new spin, visual art installations, and more! Far from your typical sit-down performance, this intergenerational community production is a creative grassroots masterpiece to uplift the soul.

Contributors include: Artistic Director and Choreographer: Heather Watkins, Visual Art Curator: Tina Bartolome, Featured Visual Artist: Favianna Rodriguez, Loco Bloco's young women's ensemble Las Locas and more!

Downloadable flyer:
Front: <http://womensbuilding.org/public/events/IWD06_Flyer_Front_LG.jpg>
Back: <http://womensbuilding.org/public/events/IWD06_Flyer_Back.jpg>

About the sponsors:
The Wome's Building is a vibrant four-story community center dedicated to providing women and girls with the tools to participate equally in society.

Loco Bloco provides underserved multi-ethnic youth with hands-on experience in the live public performance of music, dance and theater.

Mission Girls, a program of Mission Neighborhood Centers strives to provide high-quality, culturally appropriate human services to young Latinas in the Mission district.

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13. Save the Date - WOAH (Workshops Organized Against Homophobia) 2006 (Bay Area)

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14. Youth Speaks has FREE Youth Workshops at the LGBT Center! (San Francisco)

All youth welcome to attend the creative writing workshops centered around sexuality, movement and spoken word.

Presented by Youth Speaks, this workshop session entitled "Fluidity" are ongoing and meet Wednesdays at the LGBT center (1800 Market St @ Gough) from 4-6pm.

With only a handful left, they are engaging, fun, FREE, and faciliated by Youth Speaks mentor, Jocelyn de Leon of 8th wonder, and Susanna Myrseth of Spokes.

Please spread the word to anyone you think would be interested.
Please also visit our website, www.youthspeaks.org, for further information on this workshop and others.
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National
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15. The Nation Student Writing Contest

We're looking for original, thoughtful, provocative student voices to tell us what issue is of most concern to their generation. Essays should not exceed 800 words and should be original, unpublished work that demonstrates fresh, clear thinking and superior quality of expression and craftsmanship. We'll select five finalists and one winner. The contest is open to students at American high schools and to undergraduates at American colleges and universities. Entries (only one per student) will be accepted through March 31. A winner will be announced by May 31. Please send entries to studentprize@thenation.com.

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Scholorships
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16. SCHOLARSHIP: Women's Foundation & WNEA of PG&E (Northern California & Central Valley)

Ranging from $2,500 to $1,500 each

The Women's Foundation of California is proud to partner with the Women's Employee Association Network (WNEA) of PG&E for their 2006 Scholarship Program. Through this partnership, PG&E will be awarding eight or more scholarships in varying amounts (ranging from $2,500 to $1,500 each) to young women throughout Central and Northern California (PG&E's service region) for higher education related expenses. If you know of young women that could benefit from receiving a scholarship, please encourage them to visit the Women's Foundation website (http://www.womensfoundca.org/) to view the eligibility requirements and download the scholarship application. They should complete and return the application form with a copy of their transcript to Women's Foundation by Thursday, April 27, 2006. Scholarships will be awarded in August 2006 in San Francisco.

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17. SCHOLARSHIP: San Jose-Peninsula PFLAG will be awarding five $2,000 scholarships (Santa Clara or San Mateo counties)

PFLAG scholarship award ceremony NEW DATE!
Tuesday May 9, 2006
All of the other details remain the same...

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18. SCHOLARSHIP: Models of Excellence scholarship competition (Statewide)

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News
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19. Queer Youth Advocacy Day in the News

Teens rally against gay harassment
An advocacy day at the state Capitol supports two bills designed to combat campus discrimination.

By Kim Minugh -- Bee Staff Writer
March 7, 2006

For Garrett Rubin, the harsh reality of being an openly gay teenager comes as taunts in the high school locker room. But what could be destructive is instead motivating.

The 16-year-old Granite Bay student says the verbal harassment compels him to make sure school locker rooms - and campuses in general - are safer for other gay students.

On Monday, he picked up a microphone and a picket sign to celebrate Queer Youth Advocacy Day at the Capitol with about 500 lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students and their allies from all over the state.

"I refuse to settle for anything less than respect and equality in education," said Rubin, who was a master of ceremonies at the event. "I shouldn't have to be working so hard to get an education like everybody else."

Stories of harassment on campuses abounded at the Advocacy Day, sponsored by the Gay-Straight Alliance Network and Equality California. But students said they participated in hopes that such anecdotes will become rare among future generations of LGBT youth.

Progress toward that end, they say, would come in the passage of two bills in the Legislature: Assembly Bill 606 and Senate Bill 1437.

AB 606, authored by Assemblyman Lloyd Levine, D-Van Nuys, specifies steps that school districts should take to ensure compliance with the California Student Safety and Violence Act of 2000, which seeks to keep harassment and discrimination out of schools.

The bill also reaffirms the state superintendent of education's ability to withhold funding from schools not complying with the law.

SB 1437, written by Sen. Sheila Kuehl, D-Santa Monica, attempts to create bias-free curriculum and school activities by adding sexual orientation to the state Education Code's list of protected categories, such as race and religion.

Participants also opposed AB 2311, authored by Assemblyman Dennis Mountjoy, R-Monrovia. The bill would prohibit the "promotion of homosexuality in public education."

Those bills, but especially AB 606, were the focus of a noon rally and afternoon appointments made by students with their area legislators.

"LGBT people are part of California's diverse society - that is a reality," said Carolyn Laub, founder and executive director of the GSA Network. "Anecdotes and evidence (from surveys) shows that LGBT people and those perceived to be LGBT are not safe at school. ... They're getting harassed. They're getting called names. Teachers don't know how to intervene."

Participants cited the 2001-02 California Healthy Kids Survey, which found that students harassed based on actual or perceived sexual orientation are twice as likely as students not harassed to report depression and suicidal thoughts.

Those students who are harassed also are more than three times as likely to report missing at least one day of school in the last 30 days because they felt unsafe, the study found.

To ensure school safety, AB 606 would require school districts and the state Department of Education to, among other things, establish and publicize a nondiscrimination policy that includes sexual orientation, to make sure teachers and other school staff members know how to identify and take action against discrimination, and to maintain documentation of all complaints concerning discrimination and harassment.

Proponents say the measures in the bill would not cost school districts any additional money.

At the rally on the Capitol steps, students held signs supporting AB 606 and advocating "Safe schools for all." Some students shared personal stories of beatings and humiliation at their schools, while some legislators, including State Senate Majority Leader Gloria Romero and Assemblywoman Jackie Goldberg, both Democrats from Los Angeles, pledged their support for AB 606 and SB 1437.

Speakers competed against the clamoring of a couple of hundred counterprotesters lining N and L streets on the north and south sides of the Capitol, displaying signs that linked homosexuality with sin, the AIDS epidemic and pedophilia. Signs read: "Do not brainwash our innocent youth" and "Stop gay marriage."

Students responded with peace signs and a chant of "Hey hey, ho ho, homophobia's got to go."

"I'm so excited. This is what life is all about," said 17-year-old Hännah Pfahl of Granite Bay High School as she carried a sign reading "To discriminate only generates hate."

Joshua Rossman, 18, of Rocklin, said he saw the day as an opportunity to promote equality.

"There is no reason for bigotry," he said. "We should all take action. These kinds of events are a catalyst for the change we need."

About the writer:
• The Bee's Kim Minugh can be reached at (916) 773-7359 or kminugh@sacbee.com.

To read the full story, visit:
http://www.sacbee.com/

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Students Rally For Gay Rights Outside State Capitol
NBC11.com
POSTED: 7:54 am PST March 6, 2006
UPDATED: 3:51 pm PST March 6, 2006

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif -- Dozens of Bay Area students Monday morning boarded a bus to the state capitol to push for gay rights.
The students, who left from Mountain View, joined hundreds of others in Sacramento to call for equality for lesbian, gay, transgender and bisexual rights in California schools.

The first bill they support would require schools to enforce anti-discrimination laws. The second would prohibit discrimination in textbooks and school activities.

The students took part in a noon-time rally at the state capitol and met with their respective legislators.

To view the story, visit:
http://www.nbc11.com/news/7743561/detail.html?subid=10101681

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Pro, Anti-Gay Protestors Collide At State Capitol
March 6, 2006
by Rafer Weigel
CBS

(Editor's note: The text posted on this site is inaccurate but please check out the link with the great video footage.)
http://cbs13.com/local/local_story_065182309.html

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High school's Gay Straight Alliance to rally at capital

by Amanda Fehd
March 6, 2006
Tahoe Daily Tribune

Ten students from South Tahoe High School will be in Sacramento today meeting with legislators and rallying for a state Assembly bill aimed to prevent discrimination toward students based on gender or sexual orientation.
Hundreds of students from throughout the state will be in the capital doing the same for Youth Advocacy Day.
What they all have in common is membership in their school's Gay Straight Alliance club.
South Tahoe High School's club, called ALLY GSA, and has 65 regular members, according to adviser Bridey Heidel. Their trip to the capital, which is part of Heidel's political activism workshop, was paid for through fundraisers.

To read the full article, visit:
http://www.tahoedailytribune.com/article/20060306/NEWS/103060018

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Gay Students Lobby Lawmakers For Safe Schools

by Mark Worrall
365Gay.com San Francisco Bureau
March 6, 2006

(Sacramento, California) Hundreds of gay and lesbian students from across the state converged on the California capitol Monday to lobby for a bill that would force schools to provide a safe environment.

Two bills to improve conditions for California gay students have been introduced in the Assembly: The Safe Place to Learn Act and the Bias-Free Curriculum Act.

The lobby effort was organized by Equality California (EQCA) and the Gay-Straight Alliance Network.

The Safe Place to Learn Act, introduced by Lloyd Levine (D-Van Nuys) requires school districts and the Department of Education to enforce California's anti-discrimination and anti-harassment laws.

It provides clarification and guidance to school districts and the Department regarding what steps should be taken to ensure compliance with current law that protects students against discrimination and harassment on the basis of actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity.

The bill passed on a 45-32 vote on the floor of the Assembly and is now awaiting passage in the Senate.

“AB 606 will not only ensure that our schools are safe for LGBT students but it will also promote a better learning environment for all students because they know that their schools stand for equality,” said Geoffrey Kors, Executive Director of EQCA.

“The Senate should pass AB 606 and protect our young people so they can receive the education they deserve without fear of either discrimination or violence.”

The Bias-Free Curriculum Act authored by Senator Sheila Kuehl (D-Santa Monica) would amend the Education Code to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in text books, classroom instruction, and school-sponsored activities.

"The hundreds of LGBT and straight ally youth from every region of California who are mobilizing in Sacramento are sending a clear message that all students deserve to be safe and accepted at school," said Carolyn Laub, Executive Director of the GSA Network.

"The opportunity to speak to lawmakers and take action to create political change is an empowering experience for youth who too often face harassment and discrimination that silences their voices at school."

The students attending today's rally and lobbying represent diverse school and legislative districts across the state. Many said they had a personal reason for becoming involved.

"As someone who grew up poor as well as being a Pacific Islander and Puerto Rican and bisexual, I know what it's like to be held down and therefore I am more committed to helping others," said Stevie Merino, a 17 year-old senior at Lakewood High School in Long Beach.

To read the full article, visit:
http://www.365gay.com/Newscon06/03/030606schools.htm

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Students Fight For Gay Tolerance On Campus
Opposing Bills

By Nannette Miranda
Mar. 6 - KGO

Hundreds of California high school students went to Sacramento Monday to fight for gay tolerance on campus, but it wasn't a one-sided demonstration.

Protestors, Sacramento State Capitol: "Hey, hey. Ho, ho. Homophobia's got to go."

Hundreds of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender high school students rallied at the State Capitol for the first ever Queer Advocacy Day for Teens.

Many shared stories of receiving threats and harassment because of their orientation at their own schools. One student from San Francisco says he was afraid to go to class.

Raul Hernandez, high school senior: "Yeah, I missed a whole year because I didn't know what to do. I felt unsafe."

Protestors, Sacramento State Capitol: "Shame, shame, shame."

To read the full story, visit:
http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=politics&id=3967917

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20. 'Truth' Day Counters Silence

March 08, 2006
By Heather Bremner
Gilroy Dispatch

Last April some Gilroy High School students and teachers zipped their lips.

The 16 students and four teachers were participating in the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network's Day of Silence, a speechless protest intended to symbolize the oppression or "silencing" of gays.

The educator's participation drew a bevy of criticism from the community. Board meetings were filled with angry locals. For months, the Dispatch's editorial pages were packed with letters. And the recent news that those teachers are planning to participate again has ignited the flame once again. But despite all the indignation, the anti-Day of Silence crowd didn't stage a counter protest.

That may change this year.

To read the full article, visit:
http://www.gilroydispatch.com/news/contentview.asp?c=180691

March 1, 2006

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

GSA Network Highlight
A Dozen Middle School GSAs and Growing!
Go directly to GSA Network highlight

GSA Network Announcements
1. Queer Youth Advocacy Day: Schedule (Statewide)
2. Protecting the Queerest Generation Symposium (East Bay)
3. Re-Register your GSA today - get new resources & keep informed!! (Statewide)
4. Liberation Ink Posters - Free For GSAs (Statewide)
5. Sylvia Guerrero is Back!- Apply for Winter/Spring Speaking Engagement (Bay Area)
6. Sign-up for the High Contrast Photo Exhibit at your school (Bay Area)
Go directly to GSA Network announcements

Other Announcements
Southern California
7. Queer Movie Night! - "Aimée & Jaguar" (Los Angeles)
8. Lifeworks Mentoring Events (Los Angeles)
9. LGBT Summer Youth Institute UCSB (Santa Barbara)
Go directly to Southern California listings

Central Valley
10. The Mpowerment Project of Bakersfield will be hosting an alternative prom. (Bakersfield)
11. Lesbian,Gay,Bi-sexual,Trans-gender & STRAIGHT PROM (Central Valley and beyond)
Go directly to Central Valley listings

Northern California
12. ACLU Youth Rights Conference (Berkeley)
13. " RAW" Three evenings of performance, music, & art celebrating International Women's Day (San Francisco)
14. Girl Power - The Politics of Youth Empowerment in the Bay Area African American Communities
Go directly to Northern California listings

Scholarships:
15. SCHOLARSHIP: Women's Foundation & WNEA of PG&E (Northern California & Central Valley)
16. SCHOLARSHIP: San Jose-Peninsula PFLAG will be awarding five $2,000 scholarships
17. SCHOLARSHIP: Models of Excellence scholarship competition
Go directly to Scholorships listings

News:
18. NEWS: Gay student club gains acceptance at Paso High
Go directly to News listings

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

A Dozen Middle School GSAs and Growing!

“I have had a parent who told me (and her kid) that she could not attend GSA meetings. She felt that middle schoolers were too young to know if they were gay…they sure aren’t too young to know they’re straight.” -- Susan Wehrle, GSA Advisor, Portola Middle School, El Cerrito, CA

MIDDLE SCHOOL GSAs
Awareness in reaching the needs of LGBTQ youth in middle schools is growing, largely as a result of three general trends: The acknowledgment by educators that all identifiable groups of students need support unique to their situation, the increasing number of students coming out at younger ages, and the ongoing harassment of LGBTQ youth. In California, we have about a dozen of registered GSA clubs in middle schools and here are some of their stories:

Joya Cazel, a student form Shoreline Middle School in Scotts Valley, CA writes: “I am glad to see that middle schools are being addressed in the GSA community. I decided to start my GSA because of the harassment I and other students have experienced, and the sheer insensitivity that I witness in the halls and classrooms everyday. We are still in the process of starting up a GSA. While doing this, we have noticed that the culture of our school with regard to homophobia is reactive rather than proactive, whereas we want to stop the harassment before it happens. I’m not surprised by studies that have shown how middle school students experienced more homophobia and harassment then they would in high school, what shocks me most is that not many people have done anything to stop it until recently. After all, if a student does not feel safe at school, then no student can ever be safe.”

Jan Elise Sells, an advisor from King Middle School in Berkeley, CA recalls: “About eight years ago, a sixth grader (with whom I am still in touch--I'll call him Ron) came to me requesting a conflict resolution with a classmate who had called him "gay." As the school's counselor I see students and their families around personal issues, crises, and conflicts.

"Because both students were African-American, I was able to compare homophobia to racism, an analogy they both understood well. After the conflict was resolved, Ron lingered behind and whispered, "Ms. Sells, what if I AM gay?" I told him this would not be problematic to ME. I told him I had a lot of gay and lesbian friends, there were gay and lesbian staff members at our school, and in fact, I considered myself bisexual. I also pointed out that not everyone in our society is open-minded and coming out is not always easy.

"Ron started meeting with me weekly to talk about his sexual orientation and the homophobia around him, most notably in his family. I arranged for him to talk to other staff members who were "out." I asked one of them if she would be willing to join me in starting a Gay-Straight Alliance at our school.

"At our first meetings, we had only four or five students attending--mostly Ron and his friends. Ron was very eager to come out, but he struggled with the disrespect it brought down on him by some of the bullies at school.

"Little by little, as we publicized GSA through our school's Daily Bulletin and asked teachers to encourage students to participate, we filled a classroom once a week at lunchtime with students eager to be involved. Most of the kids who showed up (and this is still the case) considered themselves "straight allies." We know that at least 10 percent of our 900+ students are LGBTQI, but most of them are unwilling to risk bringing attention to themselves, though they may self-refer and come out in counseling sessions with me.

"Each year I have written grant proposals to a local foundation, Berkeley Schools Excellence Program, to obtain funds for speakers, field trips and parties. I have been able to bring anti-homophobia plays to our campus to raise consciousness among all the students. And each spring our GSA members go into sixth grade classes to do peer education playing a game developed by one of King's former teachers, which we call "LGBT Myth-Busters Bingo."

"A couple of years ago, one of the other Berkeley Middle Schools, Willard, started a GSA, as well. This year I obtained a grant to bring the GSAs from the two schools together. Pacific Center's Youth Program leaders joined us. Students saw films, played games, did an activity called Gender Gumby, and ate pizza. A great time was had by all! We plan to get together again before the school year ends.

"Meanwhile, the staff notices that with such a pro-active program in place, weekly GSA bulletins read aloud by homeroom teachers, a GSA bulletin board in the main hall, and peer education with sixth graders, homophobia has decreased immensely at King Middle School over the past eight years. It has been an exciting and satisfying project!”

Despite many arguments from opponents to the GSA movement in middle schools, GSAs renew LGBTQ students’ lives by providing a safe place for students to meet, support each other, talk about issues related to sexual orientation, and work to end homophobia and transphobia.

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

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1. Queer Youth Advocacy Day: Schedule

Queer Youth Advocacy Day 2006

The Crest Theater is located at 1013 K Street.
The Capitol Building is located at 10th & L Street.
GSA Network is providing free breakfast and lunch to participants. Please bring money to buy dinner during your trip home.

8:00-9:00
Registration & Breakfast - Crest Theater lobby & auditorium

9:00-10:00
Introductions & Opening Ceremony - Crest Theater auditorium

10:00-11:30
Lobbying Training & Practice - Crest Theater auditorium

11:30-12:00
Lunch & Sign-making Party - Crest Theater auditorium

12:00-1:00
Rally! - Capitol Building, South Steps

1:00-3:30
Lobbying visits - Capitol Building, various offices

1:00-3:30
Workshops - Capitol Building (rooms 125 & 127), Crest Theater auditorium

3:30-4:30
Closing ceremony- Crest Theater auditorium

5:00
Buses depart Sacramento.

For more information contact Lai-san at advocacy@gsanetwork.org or call at 415-552-4229

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2. Protecting the Queerest Generation Symposium (East Bay)

GSA Network's Executive Director, Carolyn Laub, and youth board member, Vanessa Coe, will be speaking at the first symposium put on by the UC Berkeley Law School Queer Caucus on Wednesday, March 1st. See below for more details on the entire symposium series.

The Boalt Hall Queer Caucus invites you to attend our spring symposium.

Protecting the Queerest Generation: Expanding the Legal Rights of LGBT Youth
March 1st: Gay-Straight Alliance Network
6pm - MoFo Lounge

March 8th: Foster Care & Homelessness
12:45pm - Room 140

March 15th: Queer Athletes in Collegiate Sports
12:45pm - Room 14

March 22nd: Queer Youth in the Juvenile Justice System
12:45pm - Room 105

Sponsored by: Boalt Hall Queer Caucus; Legal Services for Children; & Center for Social Justice

All events will be held at the Boalt Hall School of Law at UC Berkeley. The law school is located on Bancroft Way, between Piedmont and College Avenues, in Berkeley. Please contact Annisah Um'rani at mailto:aumrani@berkeley.edu with any questions or concerns.

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

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

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

LIBERATION INK POSTERS AVAILABLE
FREE FOR GSAs IN CALIFORNIA!!

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

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

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

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

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

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++++++++++++++++ OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS ++++++++++++++++
GSA Network News is a publication of Gay-Straight Alliance Network. Events, resources, and news items listed under "Other Announcements" are not sponsored or written by GSA Network, and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of GSA Network.

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7. Queer Movie Night! - "Aimée & Jaguar" (Los Angeles)

As part of the queer film series at Crossroads School, sponsored by FLAG (our gay/straight alliance), we will be having our next movie screening on Wednesday, Mar. 8th, from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. We've been getting great audience response at our films this year and we invite you to join us!

We'll be screening the wonderful film Aimée & Jaguar. This movie is an incredibly bold and sensual retelling of the true story of two young women -- one a German Jew and the other a Nazi sympathizer-- who dared to fall deeply in love with each other at the height of the Holocaust.

All students and faculty from gay/straight alliances and their friends are welcome. It's a great way to meet new friends, or see old ones.

The event is FREE and free pizza and drinks will be provided (though donations always gladly accepted). But please e-mail us and let us know if you might come, so we have an idea of how much pizza to get. You can reach us at flag2@xrds.org

Directions are below. If you have any more questions, please feel free to e-mail and ask. Hope to see you there!

Directions:
Crossroads is at 1714 21st St. in Santa Monica, at the corner of 21st St. and Olympic Blvd.
The screening room we're meeting in is on the 2nd floor of the Arts Building.
Here's what you do--when you turn onto 21st from Olympic, take an immediate right onto a driveway-looking street and find a place to park. You'll see our "quad" which looks like a parking lot or an alley, and which we call (of course) the alley. Walk to the end of the alley to the tall building on the left, enter and climb the stairs to the 2nd floor. You should see people. Hope the directions aren't too confusing. It's not really that hard once you see it, and you can always ask people.

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8. Lifeworks Mentoring Events (Los Angeles)

Exercise Boot Camp
Sunday March 19, 2006 @ 2:30pm
1106 N. La Cienega Blvd
West Hollywood, Ca 90069
It's time to trim up for the summer. Join us for a fun day of exercise. Bob Kasunic will be leading us in a work out Boot Camp Style. Wear your workout clothes and bring a towel.
Come to this free event and don't forget to RSVP at RSVP@lifeworksmentoring.org , or call 310-724-6300 and ask for Bobby.

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9. LGBT Summer Youth Institute UCSB (Santa Barbara)

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

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

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

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

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

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10. The Mpowerment Project of Bakersfield will be hosting an alternative prom. (Bakersfield)

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11. Lesbian,Gay,Bi-sexual,Trans-gender & STRAIGHT PROM (Central Valley and beyond!)

Where? 430 W Grant Line Rd, Tracy, 95376
When? April 13, 2006 7-11p.m.
Why? To celebrate all that the L.G.B.T.Q community has won through the battle ofequality
Cost? $8.00 SINGLE / $15.00 COUPLES
Please join us for a festive night of fun, dancing, and laughter while we burn up the dance floor with the best beats of Central California and beyond
Theme: Hawaiian Tropics
Tickets are on sale NOW PURCHASE AT : www.eqca.org/prom
For more information regarding upcoming event or interested in purchasing tickets email: justin@justindaley.com

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12. ACLU Youth Rights Conference (Berkeley)

Thursday, March 9th
8:30 am - 2:30 pm

Martin Luther King, Jr. Student Union Building at UC Berkeley (Telegraph and Bancroft - Berkeley, CA)

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is sponsoring the 15th annual youth rights conference for high school students on march 9th, at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Student union building at UC Berkeley. The conference runs from 8:30 am to 2:30 pm. The event is free, although registration is required. For information, or to register, call 415.621.2493, ext. 337

Event is free, although registration is required.
415.621.2493, ext. 337

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13. " RAW" Three evenings of performance, music, & art celebrating International Women's Day (San Francisco)

The Wome's Building, Loco Bloco, & Mission Girls present "RAW"
March 10, 11, & 12, 2006

Where:   The Wome's Building, 3543 18th Street, San Francisco
When:   March 10th, 11th, & 12th, exhibit opens at 7pm, show starts at 8pm
Cost:  Sliding Scale $5-10 (under 18) & $10-30 (18 and over)
Event information / Youth Group Discounts / Childcare requests: 415.431.1180 x17
Limited childcare available, reservations required: 415.431.1180 x17

RAW will challenge and inspire you to discover your authentic self as powerful female performers and artists peel back the layers of their identities. Multi-generational artists will explore the complex contradictions of self-image, cultural definitions of femininity and the media's depiction of women. The production includes an outrageous talk show host, Barbie vs. Bratt dolls, news from the streets, dancing, music videos with a new spin, visual art installations, and more! Far from your typical sit-down performance, this intergenerational community production is a creative grassroots masterpiece to uplift the soul.

Contributors include: Artistic Director and Choreographer: Heather Watkins, Visual Art Curator: Tina Bartolome, Featured Visual Artist: Favianna Rodriguez, Loco Bloco's young women's ensemble Las Locas and more!

Downloadable flyer:
Front: <http://womensbuilding.org/public/events/IWD06_Flyer_Front_LG.jpg>
Back: <http://womensbuilding.org/public/events/IWD06_Flyer_Back.jpg>
About the sponsors:
The Wome's Building is a vibrant four-story community center dedicated to providing women and girls with the tools to participate equally in society.
Loco Bloco provides underserved multi-ethnic youth with hands-on experience in the live public performance of music, dance and theater.
Mission Girls, a program of Mission Neighborhood Centers strives to provide high-quality, culturally appropriate human services to young Latinas in the Mission district.

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14. Girl Power - The Politics of Youth Empowerment in the Bay Area African American Communities

The Global Woman's Rights Forum presents Girl's Power: The Politics of Youth Empowerment in the Bay Area African American Communities

Tuesday, March 7th
6 to 8 pm

University of San Francisco, Xavier Hall, Maraschi Room
2130 Fulton Street
San Francisco

The event is free.
More info at 415.422.5983.

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15. SCHOLARSHIP: Women's Foundation & WNEA of PG&E (Northern California & Central Valley)

Ranging from $2,500 to $1,500 each

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16. SCHOLARSHIP: San Jose-Peninsula PFLAG will be awarding five $2,000 scholarships (Santa Clara or San Mateo counties)

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

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

Scholarship deadline is March 31, 2006.

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

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

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

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

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17. SCHOLARSHIP: Models of Excellence scholarship competition (Statewide)

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18. NEWS: Gay student club gains acceptance at Paso High
Gay Straight Alliance club had trouble being viable until Michael Landrum stepped in

By Nick Wilson
San Luis Obispo Tribune
February 22, 2006

Michael Landrum became open about his homosexuality last year as a freshman at Paso Robles High School.

But it wasn't until the end of that year that he discovered a club on campus that unites gay and straight students.

Landrum lacked the type of support such a club offered. He describes the North County campus as "pretty conservative" and not supportive of his sexual orientation.

As it grows, the school is becoming more diverse in regards to ethnicity, religion and sexual preference, Landrum and faculty members said.

But teachers said the school's Gay Straight Alliance club has had trouble keeping itself going in past years, and Landrum described last year's group as more of a gathering of friends than an active campus club.

That's changed this year, though. Thanks to Landrum's leadership as president and the dedication of other students involved, the Gay Straight Alliance is thriving.

To read the full story, visit:
http://www.sanluisobispo.com/mld/sanluisobispo/13932141.htm

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