GSA Network News archives

GSA Network News Email Archive - May 2006

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Sign Up for GSA Network News! Email:

May 30, 2007

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

GSA Network Highlight
GSA Network Highlights 3 Exciting and Informative Activist Camps
Go directly to GSA Network highlight

GSA Network Announcements
1. WIN $100!! Fill out GSA Network's Year-End Evaluation and Be Entered to Win $100
2. SB 777 Passes the Senate!
3. Where Dreams Come True - GSA Network Activist Camps! APPLY ONLINE!
4. March with GSA Network at Pride (San Francisco)
5. GSA Network and Frameline 31 Present Young, Loud, and Proud Film Festival (San Francisco)
6. Join GSA Network at the SF AIDS WALK - July 15 (San Francisco)
7. GSA Power T-shirt & More - Buy today!
8. 10th Annual Queeriosity Event (San Francisco)
Go directly to GSA Network announcements

Central Valley
9. Stanislaus PRIDE Day 2007 - Saturday, June 30th (Modesto)
10. Youth Alliance Meetings Every Friday (Fresno)
Go directly to Central Valley listings

Northern California
11. The COUNTDOWN begins for UNCHAINED! (San Francisco)
12. The Other Side of the Closet (San Francisco)
Go directly to Northern California listings

National
13. 2007 PFLAG National Convention Presented by IBM
14. New DVD: "Follow My Voice: With The Music of Hedwig"
Go directly to National listings

Jobs
15. CHALK is Hiring Young People (San Francisco)
Go directly to Jobs listings

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

GSA Network Highlights 3 Exciting and Informative Activist Camps

With the end of the school year happening for so many, you may be asking yourself, "What can I do this summer?" The answer is simple. No matter where you live in California there will be an Activist Camp happening in your region. The GSA Activist Camp is a youth-planned and youth-led 3-day event that features intensive community building, skill-building, political education, and leadership training for GSA members and potential members. All LGBT and straight ally youth can apply. Youth who will be in a high school or middle school GSA next year will be given priority.

This camp allows you to gain useful information about how to be an activist in your school and your community. Some of the information you’ll be learning includes:

- Intro to Organizing
- How to Have a Kick Ass GSA
- The Role of Race, Class, Power and Privilege in our Society
- Class Inequality
- Understanding Gender and Sexuality
- How to Fight for your Rights
- How to create a Strategy Chart and build a Campaign
- The History of Queer People of Color
- Lots of Activities, Coalition Building and Roleplay

So, while you’re planning that trip to the beach, signing up for that class in summer school, or just veggin' on the couch, now is the time to sign up for GSA Network’s Activist Camp 2007!

Central Valley Camp: June 14-16, 2007 (Thurs-Sat) in Fresno at California State University, Fresno - Application deadline: Wednesday, May 30, 2007

Southern California Camp: July 27-29, 2007 (Fri-Sun) in West Hollywood - Application deadline: Friday, June 15, 2007

Northern California Camp: August 3-5, 2007 (Fri-Sun) in San Francisco - Application deadline: Friday, June 30, 2007
Check out the Northern California Myspace page! - http://www.myspace.com/activistcamp2007

Youth of color, trans youth, and low-income youth are especially encouraged to apply.

Cost: $20-$100 sliding scale - no one turned away for lack of funds; scholarships available.

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

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1. WIN $100!! Fill out GSA Network's Year-End Evaluation and Be Entered to Win $100

Calling all GSA advisors, presidents, and active members! We need your feedback.
Tell us what worked this year, where you had challenges, and how GSA Network can be of help for the 2007-2008 school year.

Go online and fill out the evaluation on http://www.gsanetwork.org/yearendeval/index.php and be entered to win $100 for your GSA!

Don't miss out! The last day to turn in evaluations is June 24th, 2007!

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2. SB 777 Passes the Senate!

GSA Network is pleased to announce that SB 777 (Student Civil Rights Act) passed the Senate last week by 23-13 vote. To see how your State Senator voted, please check the list below. We have also included legislators’ office telephone numbers in case your GSA members want to call in order to say “Thanks, please keep supporting safer schools!” or “We are disappointed that you decided not to vote in favor of protecting students.”

SB 777 will now move to be considered by the Assembly. Thank you to everyone who called their Senators in the past few weeks and spoke out about the need for safer schools. We will continue to update on its progress and different ways your club can get involved.

SB 777 would update California's Education Code and ensure the strengthening and uniformity of all non-discrimination policies governing all publicly funded schools and education programs, including regular public schools, charter schools, alternative schools, and post-high school educational institutions. For more information about the bill, please visit http://www.gsanetwork.org/qyad.

Equality California is sponsoring the bill. To read their press release about the Senate victory, please visit http://www.eqca.org.

HOW DID YOUR SENATOR VOTE?

To find your State Senator directly click this link and then enter your zip code: http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/yourleg.html

For State Senator’s Websites, to find local contact numbers, faxes and emails please go to http://www.sen.ca.gov/~newsen/senators/senators.htp

District/Senator — Region - Phone Number

1 Dave Cox (R) VOTED NO — Roseville/Placerville 916-651-4001
2 Patricia Wiggins (D) VOTED YES — Eureka/Santa Rosa 916-651-4002
3 Carole Migden (D) VOTED YES — San Francisco 916-651-4003
4 Sam Aanestad (R) VOTED NO — Grass Valley/Redding 916-651-4004
5 Michael Machado (D) VOTED YES — Stockton/Davis 916-651-4005
6 Darrell Steinberg (D) VOTED YES — Sacramento 916-651-4006
7 Tom Torlakson (D) VOTED YES — Antioch/Walnut Creek 916-651-4007
8 Leland Yee (D) VOTED YES — San Francisco/San Mateo 916-651-4008
9 Don Perata (D) VOTED YES — Oakland 916-651-4009
10 Ellen Corbett (D) VOTED YES — Fremont 916-651-4010
11 Joe Simitian (D) VOTED YES — Palo Alto/Santa Cruz 916-651-4011
12 Jeff Denham (R) VOTED NO — Merced/Salinas 916-651-4012
13 Elaine Alquist (D) VOTED YES — Santa Clara/San Jose 916-651-4013
14 Dave Cogdill (R) VOTED NO — Fresno/Modesto 916-651-4014
15 Abel Maldonado (R) VOTED NO — Santa Maria/Monterey 916-651-4015
16 Dean Florez (D) ABSTAINED — Fresno/Bakersfield 916-651-4016
17 George Runner (R) VOTED NO — Lancaster/Victorville 916-651-4017
18 Roy Ashburn (R) VOTED NO — Bakersfield/Visalia 916-651-4018
19 Tom McClintock (R) VOTED NO — Thousand Oaks/Santa Barbara 916-651-4019
20 Alex Padilla (D) VOTED YES — San Fernando Valley 916-651-4020
21 Jack Scott (D) VOTED YES — Pasadena/Burbank 916-651-4021
22 Gil Cedillo (D) VOTED YES — Los Angeles/Alhambra 916-651-4022
23 Sheila Kuehl (D) VOTED YES — Malibu/Santa Monica 916-651-4023
24 Gloria Romero (D) VOTED YES — Monterey Park/West Covina 916-651-4024
25 Edward Vincent (D) VOTED YES — Inglewood/Compton 916-651-4025
26 Mark Ridley-Thomas (D) VOTED YES — Los Angeles/Culver City 916-651-4026
27 Alan Lowenthal (D) ABSENT — Long Beach/Downey 916-651-4027
28 Jenny Oropeza (D) VOTED YES — Torrance/Redondo Beach 916-651-4028
29 Bob Margett (R) VOTED NO — Diamond Bar/Arcadia 916-651-4029
30 Ron Calderon (D) VOTED YES — E. Los Angeles/Whittier 916-651-4030
31 Bob Dutton (R) VOTED NO — Upland/Riverside 916-651-4031
32 Gloria Negrete McLeod (D) VOTED YES — Ontario/San Bernardino 916-651-4032
33 Dick Ackerman (R) VOTED NO — Fullerton/Laguna Nigel 916-651-4033
34 Lou Correa (D) VOTED YES — Garden Grove/Santa Ana 916-651-4034
35 Tom Harman(R) ABSENT —Irvine/Dana Point 916-651-4035
36 Dennis Hollingsworth (R) VOTED NO — Murrieta/El Cajon 916-651-4036
37 Jim Battin (R) ABSENT — Palm Desert/Lake Elsinore 916-651-4037
38 Mark Wyland (R) VOTED NO — Oceanside/San Clemente 916-651-4038
39 Christine Kehoe (D) VOTED YES — San Diego 916-651-4039
40 Denise Ducheny (D) VOTED YES — Chula Vista/El Centro 916-651-4040

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3. Where Dreams Come True-GSA Network Activist Camps! APPLY ONLINE!

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 - West Hollywood
July 27th - July 29th, 2007

Northern California Activist Camp - San Francisco
August 3rd - 5th, 2007
Join our Camp Myspace at http://www.myspace.com/activistcamp2007

Central Valley Activist Camp - Fresno
June 14th - 16th, 2007

APPLY ONLINE! Click here to get more info and apply online: http://www.gsanetwork.org/camp/camp2007.html!

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4. March with GSA Network at Pride (San Francisco)

Once again, the GSA Network will be marching in this year’s San Francisco Pride Parade, and we’re doing it up with whistles and beads. The first 50 youth to show up will get a FREE whistle and everyone will get colorful beaded necklaces to pass out to the crowd!

Details are still being determined, but on June 24th, from 9:30-10:30 we will be directing youth from the corner of Mission and Spear Streets to our lineup spot in the march.

Bring your boas, noisemakers, whistles, signs, and wear your GSA Network t-shirts!

The GSA Network will also have a booth during the festival, so if you’d like to volunteer and help out (or just look pretty) let us know! Or, if you’d like to help make posters and represent your own schools GSA, come to our June 10th poster making session. Free food will be provided.

To RSVP or for more information, contact Kiely at 415.552.4229, or mailto:pride@gsanetwork.org.

Come show your PRIDE with the GSA Network!

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5. GSA Network and Frameline 31 Present Young, Loud, and Proud Film Festival (San Francisco)

Frameline31
San Francisco International LGBT Film Festival
June 14-24, 2007
http://www.frameline.org
YOUNG, LOUD AND PROUD
Friday June 15 | 6:00 pm | Roxie
$9 members | $10 general | YOUN15R

Blazing a new media trail, the next generation gives us a firsthand look at what it means to be young and queer in this world in these short films by and about queer youth.

After her essay on same-sex marriage causes controversy in her middle school, a 14 year-old girl in a conservative Ohio town decides to record her views on gays and gay marriage in The Essay Assignment. Outlet tells the personal stories of the teenagers who participate in a support group offered by a Bay Area youth organization. Interviews with the group's facilitator, a young gay activist and a transgender teen address the evolution of contemporary queer issues as they're taken on by local middle and high school students. Love Is Shit explores love and life on the Christopher Street pier, and Inside Out is one lesbian teen's multimedia confessional of life on the streets and in shelters.

Queer Streets is a hip, gritty look at the reality of life on the street for kids with three strikes against them: They're young, they're gay, and they're homeless. It's like MTV's "The Real World"-without the house: the true story of seven gay, lesbian and transgender youth living on the streets in New York, who agreed to have their lives taped for one summer. Find out what happens when they stop being polite, stop hiding and tell the real story of teen homelessness.

The Essay Assignment dir Jennifer Lin 2006 USA 5 min
Outlet dir Leigh Iacobucci 2006 USA 19 min
Love Is Shit dir Ali Kennedie 2006 USA 10 min
Inside Out dir Jessica Scott 2006 USA 8 min
Queer Streets dir Alex Waterfield 2006 USA 41 min

Total Running Time: 83 min

Frameline31, the 31st San Francisco International LGBT Film Festival, screening June 14-24 at the Castro Theatre, Roxie Film Center the Victoria Theatre, and at the Parkway Theater in Oakland is the oldest and largest event of its kind in the world. Tickets go on sale to Frameline members Friday, May 25. General public ticket sales begin Friday, June 1. Tickets are available at Superstar Satellite video store located at 474 Castro Street (between Market and 18th Street in San Francisco), online at http://www.frameline.org/festival, and by fax at 415-522-5543.

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6. Join GSA Network at the SF AIDS WALK - July 15 (San Francisco)

Activism doesn't end with the school year! Join GSA Network at the San Francisco AIDS Walk and help raise dollars for AIDS service organizations in the Bay Area. The GSA Network team will be walking together with thousands of other participants in Golden Gate Park on Sunday, July 15.

Not only do you get enjoy to a fun day at the park, raise $$$ for a good cause, you can also work on your fundraising skills! Once you sign up, the AIDS Walk web site will give you tips on how to raise money from your teachers, friends, and family members who will sponsor you be part of the event.

To get involved, the first thing you need to register to participate. Here's how:
1. Go to http://www.aidswalk.net/sanfran/
2. Click on "Register Now!" in the far left-hand column.
3. Select "Join a Team" and then select "GSA Network-7460"
4. Fill out the info.

See you on July 15th!

Get Moving: AIDS Walk San Francisco - July 15, 2007
Get Info: Contact Lai-San at GSA Network (mailto:lai-san@gsanetwork.org) or 415.552.4229 if you have questions

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7. GSA Power T-shirt & More - Buy today!

Another GSA Network T-shirts hot off the press... Cafepress that is.

Do you just love our GSA Power postcard? Well, now it's a shirt. Buy it today and help support GSA Network!

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

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

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

So, help support GSAs and look cool doing it.

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

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8. 10th Annual Queeriosity Event (San Francisco)

Youth Speaks is celebrating our 10th year of programming our Queeriosity event, which highlights LGBTQ youth voice and the power of the word. This year we are especially excited because we won a Horizon's grant which will allow us to do our first full day of Queer Arts programming with our 1st Annual Q. Arts-in-Education Festival. On June 15th at the LGBTQ Center we will be hosting our Q. Arts-in-Education Festival from 9 am to 3 p.m., and our 10th Annual Queeriosity event from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

The Q. Arts-in-Education Festival brings communities together to create a unique educational experience positioned around queer issues and art making. The day consists of creative art making experiences fused with socio-political agenda items focused on the LGBTQ community. The Q. Arts-in-Education Festival brings people together working around youth and the significance of their voice, and the celebration of diversity and uniqueness in our world. This event provides a full day of workshops, a panel discussion and performance, inviting youth to explore and discuss issues around LGBTQ youth culture.

Queeriosity is a night of performance exploration, and a bonding of artists around issues concerning same sex relationships, questioning sexuality, queer culture, life style and conversations around society in general. This evening breaks down the barriers of differences and asks important questions about our common humanity and same-ness. Performances from the evening event will showcase youth from the Teen Poetry Slam, emerging spoken word artists such as Chinaka Hodge, Kirya Traber and Michelle 'Mush' Lee, as well as our featured performer, artistic director and LA based choreographer Christopher 'Eclipse' Brown. This evening will definitely continue the rich performance history that is Queeriosity!

Friday June 15, 2007
Q. Arts-in-Education Festival
Registration Opened to All youth ages 13-19
9-3pm
Free

To register email mailto:khalil@youthspeaks.org or call 415 255 9035 ext. 18
Friday June 15, 2007
Queeriosity: Celebrating 10 years!!!
7pm-10pm
Featuring Youth Speaks Teen Slam Poets, Susanna Myrseth, Chinaka Hodge, Michelle Lee, Kirya Traber, Terry Taplin, Khalil.Anthony, Artistic Director Eclipse and more.
Free

In collaboration with QCC, Horizons Foundation, GSA Network

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Central Valley
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9. Stanislaus PRIDE Day 2007 - Saturday, June 30th (Modesto)

Celebration to be held from 2:00 to 8:00 PM at Graceada Park in Modesto

The Stanislaus PRIDE Center (SPC) hosts the area's second pride celebration on Saturday, June 30th: Stanislaus PRIDE Day 2007, sponsored by Barefoot Wine. Guests of this family-friendly event can expect entertainment throughout the afternoon and evening on the Mancini Bowl stage, and approximately fifty (50) vendors throughout the park area.

Admission to Stanislaus PRIDE Day 2007 is FREE! However, a special $50 VIP ticket package includes access to an exclusive wine- hosted PRIDE kick off party at the Queen Bean Coffee House from 7:00 to 10:00 PM on Tuesday, June 26th; express line to the beer-and-wine garden at Graceada Park on Saturday, June 30th; early access to an after-party at the Queen Bean Coffee House when things wind down at Graceada Park (beginning at 7:00 PM); and a commemorative event t-shirt.

Josh Zuckerman headlines packed entertainment line-up

With the assistance of female impersonator "Breathless" (from Tracy CA), Modesto native and Mr. Gay USA 2007 - Grant Ermis, will preside as Master of Ceremonies for the on- stage entertainment line-up. National gay singing star Josh Zuckerman headlines the event.

The schedule of entertainers also includes the following...Female impersonator Imperial Grand Duchess XXXIII Ms. Kiki Peru of Modesto and other members of the Owl Empire of Stanislaus County Inc (OESCI); Chico-based female band Peech (which also includes a Modesto native, Megan Osborn); Ceres-based aggressive dance, indie/techno beats band Static Stereo; Merced singer Moon Trent; Stockton/Modesto all-lesbian band Addaline; and Red Bull's DJ Maurice and DJ Tony Sapp.

For more information, please visit: http://www.spcpride.org

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10. Youth Alliance Meetings Every Friday (Fresno)

What: Youth Alliance-A group for GLBTQI Youth
When: Every Friday evening.
Time: 7:30pm
Where: Fresno Center for Non-violence, 1584 N Van Ness, corner of Van Ness and McKinley.

This group has been serving youth for 19 years. There is an hour between 6:30-7:30pm that is the TEEN Hour. This hour is reserved for high school age youth only. The hour or so after the TEEN Hour is open to teens and young adults!!! So check it out and meet some new people!!!

For info go to http://www.communitylinkfresno.com.

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Northern California
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11. The COUNTDOWN begins for UNCHAINED! (San Francisco)

Only 18 days remain until two of the largest events for queer youth sashay into town! UNCHAINED and The Young Women's Health Fair continue a tradition of queer youth conferences that
LYRIC pioneered in 1995, with the first Young Women's Health Fair event!

HERstory: About the Young Women's Health Fair
This year marks the 12th anniversary of LYRIC‚s Young Women‚s Health Fair. As the only conference of its type in the Bay Area, it is important to recognize what has come to shape this
event today.

Over a decade ago, the fair began as "Out of the Closets and Into the Sheets." It was a progressive and sex positive conference that provided an opportunity for young women to come
together to talk and learn about sex and controversial topics that were not discussed anywhere else.

As the years moved on, the conference has remained true to its roots and has added more elements of health and communities to its workshop list. In 2002, the title of "Out of the Closet
and Into the Sheets" was dropped in favor of rotating the theme every year. The most recent themes have been "Where the girls Are," "girls.being.girls," and "Easy Access."

The mission of the fair is grounded in the belief that young queer women should have equal access to information about their sexuality and bodies as their heterosexual peers.
Not only do we intend to provide access to issues so rarely discussed in mainstream health education, but we also intend this year‚s conference to be a platform of comfort and
empowerment where we can all gain access to support from one another as well as from resources within our communities.

We hope that you will be able to join us this year!

127 Collingwood St.
San Francisco, CA 94114
415-703-6150 x.15
mailto:derrick@lyric.org

UNCHAINED & Young Women's Health Fair

Saturday
June 16th, 2007
10am-6pm

SF State
Cesar Chavez
Student Center
1650 Holloway Ave.
San Francisco, CA

MUNI Lines
M,17,28,29

Daly City BART
to MUNI line 28

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12. The Other Side of the Closet (San Francisco)

The Other Side of the Closet by Ed Roy

A hard-hitting play for teens about diversity, homophobia and safety in schools.

Touring Northern California Schools and Communities from October 23rd -December 14th 2007.

Verbal and physical harassment based on actual or perceived sexual orientation remains persistent in schools all over the country. The Other Side of the Closet by Ed Roy is a drama for teens that explores the sources of homophobia and harassment in schools and gets young people to think about ways to move past their intolerance. This play has been touring to Northern California middle and high schools every fall, since 2000, to educate teens about diversity, acceptance and about the California School Safety Act (AB-537), which prohibits harassment in school based on actual or perceived sexual orientation. The Other Side of the Closet supports a safe school curriculum where students, teachers and parents can learn about differences and respect in an innovative and engaging format. Each performance includes a discussion with the cast, and handouts are provided for teachers to continue discussion in the classroom. This is a great program for your school's GSA or other diversity club to sponsor on campus, and we are also available to present community performances of this program on Monday and Tuesday evenings during the run of the tour.

For more information on how to bring a YouthAware Educational Theatre tour to your school or community call (415) 694-6149 or mailto:sara@nctcsf.org. Or look at the wesbite: http://www.nctcsf.org/YouthAware

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National
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13. 2007 PFLAG National Convention Presented by IBM

October 11-14, 2007

***Register now for special student discount rates!***

Join us in Washington, D.C. this October for the launch of our new program “Straight for Equality.” Be there to network, gain leadership and advocacy skills, and see the sights of our nation’s capitol!

Register as a student (with valid student ID) and save up to $85 by with our early bird specials. Hurry! Special rates are limited!

Visit http://www.pflag.org for more information and to register.

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14. New DVD: "Follow My Voice: With The Music of Hedwig"

WATCH THE TRAILER or BUY THE DVD HERE: http://www.wolfevideo.com/products.asp?id=1326

"GLORIOUS . . . a film everyone should see!" - The Huffington Post

"Follow My Voice: With the Music of Hedwig" showcases the courageous stories of four students at New York City's Harvey Milk High School for LGBTQ youth, alongside the creation of the star-studded Hedwig tribute album, "Wig in a Box." The amazing roster of performances includes: Rufus Wainwright, Cyndi Lauper, Sleater-Kinney, Ben Folds, Yoko Ono, The Breeders, Yo La Tengo, John Cameron Mitchell, They Might Be Giants, Jonathan Richman and more!

Follow My Voice: With the Music of Hedwig combines inspiring portraits of queer youth and an all-star cast performing music from John Cameron Mitchell and Stephen Trask's legendary show, "Hedwig and The Angry Inch." The film is entertaining, intimate and addictive - a vibrant combination of behind-the-scenes expose', student video diaries, and rare in-studio scenes of musicians recording tracks.

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Jobs:
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15. CHALK is Hiring Young People (San Francisco)

**DEADLINE: FRI. JUNE 1, 2007 at 8PM**

Work 8-20 hours/week on a flexible schedule that includes some nights, weekends, and holidays.

No prior experience necessary. Youth Funding Youth Ideas will train you.

Trainings may continue through summer and the beginning of fall semester of school

Applicants must be 14-17 years old and live in San Francisco. Pay rate is $10.00/hr.

We are hiring 12 youth for two positions: 6 Program Officers and 6 Youth Evaluators

Position One: Youth Funding Youth Ideas Program Officer

Position Description: Program Officers are responsible for making funding decisions and providing support to young people who apply for a grant or who get funded. Participate in paid training on topics, such as, public speaking, diversity, philanthropy, communication, teamwork and safety.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Attend ongoing training and meetings
2. Public Speaking - Present information about YFYI
3. Facilitate meetings and workshops
4. Assist with the designing and scheduling of YFYI presentations and workshops
5. Assist young people in developing their project ideas
6. Read and review grant applications
7. Work with fellow Program Officers and Youth Evaluators to make funding decisions
8. Work one-on-one with young people who have been awarded funding for their ideas to ensure the success of their projects
9. Conduct site visits and collect data to monitor projects
10. Interview applicants
11. General office work
12. Other duties as assigned

Position Two: Youth Funding Youth Ideas Youth Evaluators

Position Description: Youth Funding Youth Ideas Evaluation and Data are responsible for maintaining information, evaluating outcomes, making funding decisions and providing support to young people who apply for a grant or who get funded. Participate in paid training on topics, such as, public speaking, diversity, philanthropy, communication, teamwork and safety.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Attend ongoing training and meetings
2. Document project activities and progress
3. Constant update of data in to the computer
4. Use data to document outcomes in effort to improve YFYI
5. Create forms and systems for collecting data and providing feedback
6. Create forms to help program office
7. Collect demographics from applicants/grantees
8. Conduct site visits and collect data to monitor projects
9. Use data gathered to document project activities and progress
10. Read and review grant applications
11. Interview applicants
12. General office work
13. Other duties as assignedCHALK is Hiring Young People 14-17!!! $10 per hour

For more info please contact: Marquez Gray at mailto:Gray@chalk.org or (415) 977-6949 ext.302

Website: http://www.chalk.org & http://www.youthline.org

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May 23, 2007

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

GSA Network Highlight
Come Celebrate PRIDE with the GSA Network!
Go directly to GSA Network highlight

GSA Network Announcements
1. WIN $100!! Fill out GSA Network's Year-End Evaluation and be entered to win $100
2. Update on SB 777-Please Call Your State Senator
3. GSA Network Activist Camps! APPLY ONLINE!
4. GSA Network and Frameline 31 Present Young, Loud, and Proud Film Festival (San Francisco)
5. Join GSA Network at the SF AIDS WALK - July 15 (San Francisco)
6. GSA Power T-shirt & More - Buy today!
7. 10th Annual Queeriosity Event (San Francisco)
8. Free Resources for New or Re-Registered GSAs!
9. GSA Network Youth Council Wants You! (Statewide)
Go directly to GSA Network announcements

Other Announcements
Southern California
10. LifeWorks Bowling (Glendale)
11. Prom in Wonderland (Rancho Mirage)
Go directly to Southern California listings

Central Valley
12. Youth Alliance Meetings Every Friday (Fresno)
Go directly to Central Valley listings

Northern California
13. GSA Summit Tomorrow! (San Jose)
14. Love and Justice Queer Youth Focus Groups (San Francisco)
15. Pirates and Pixies Pre-Pride Party (Palo Alto)
16. "Hella Gay" Prom (Santa Rosa)
17. The Other Side of the Closet (San Francisco)
Go directly to Northern California listings

National
18. LGBT Students! Speak Out about Your Schools!
19. Venturer Going Global to Generate GenV Buzz
Go directly to National listings

Scholarships
20. Gay Asian Pacific Alliance George Choy Scholarship
21. $10,000 to Lesbian Writers!
Go directly to Scholarships listings

Jobs
22. CHALK is Hiring Young People (San Francisco)
Go directly to Jobs listings

News
23. NEWS: 2 Black Students to Receive $40,000
24. NEWS: Gay Youths Find Place to Call Home in Specialty Shelters
25. NEWS: Student Who said 'That's So Gay' is Out of Luck
Go directly to News listings

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

Come Celebrate PRIDE with the GSA Network!
It’s that time of year again! Bust out the glitter, boas, whistles, and signs and get ready to participate in Queer Pride events in your area!

Central Valley-Doin’ it up Fresno style!
The month of June generally represents the kick-off to LGBTQI celebrations. In Fresno, the heart of the Central Valley, many will gather to begin this celebration on Saturday, June 2. If you would like to help the Central Valley GSA Network with this very exciting event here are some ways you can get involved:

- Pride Parade Organizing Event on Friday, June 1 from 3pm-6pm at the CV GSA Network office, 928 North Van Ness, Fresno, 93728

- GSA Network movie night at Reel Pride's Night Out Screening - Friday, June 1 from 8pm-10pm - all youth who attend the Parade organizing meeting will be given a free ticket to the Reel Pride film at the Tower Theater and a free Reel Pride t-shirt

- Pride Parade and Festival on Saturday, June 2 at 9:30am - meet at the SE corner of Palm and Olive to march with the CV GSA Network - we will be dressing up as Rainbow Fairies, so create your best Rainbow Fairy costume - if you would like to march with our group and want more information, please contact mailto:sara@gsanetwork.org or mailto:robin@gsanetwork.org - you may also call the office at 559-268-2780

To top off the action, we are proud to announce that two members of the CV GSA Network are being recognized by the 2007 Fresno Pride Parade and Festival planning committee - these individuals have been selected as Grand Marshals and will be given special recognition during the parade. Because we don't want to take the surprise announcement away from the committee we will give you a few hints. If you are curious who was selected you might want to read through previous Fresno Bee or GSA Network News articles: one person was nominated as Prom King, and the other is a group of dedicated youth who worked hard to get their GSA club recognized by their high school and school board.

Southern California- WeHo(pe) you’re Fabulous!
For those in the Southern California region, on the morning of June 10, 2007, GSA Network will be marching in the CSW Pride Parade in West Hollywood (WeHo). So make sure to bring out your most faaaaabulous outfits! Although we're still in the process of figuring out the details for the day, we're currently building a list of interested participants. Please spread the word in your GSAs and to anyone else that you think might want to march with us!

Also, please e-mail Carlos Cabrera, the Southern California Program Coordinator, at mailto:carlos@gsanetwork.org to make sure you're added to the e-mail list and that you don't miss out on any important details. We're excited to be participating again this year!

Northern California-San Francisco, ‘nuff said!
Once again, the GSA Network will be marching in this year’s San Francisco Pride Parade, and we’re doing it up with whistles and beads. The first 50 youth to show up will get a FREE whistle and everyone will get colorful beaded necklaces to pass out to the crowd!

Details are still being determined, but on June 24th, from 9:30-10:30 we will be directing youth from the corner of Mission and Spear Streets to our lineup spot in the march.

Bring your boas, noisemakers, whistles, signs, and wear your GSA Network t-shirts!

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1. WIN $100!! Fill out GSA Network's Year-End Evaluation and be entered to win $100

Calling all GSA advisors, presidents, and active members! We need your feedback.
Tell us what worked this year, where you had challenges and how GSA Network can be of help for the 2007-2008 school year.

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2. Update on SB 777-Please Call Your State Senator

A couple of weeks ago, GSA Network reported that the CA Senate was scheduled to vote on SB 777 (Safe Place to Learn Act). Many folks across the state called their Senators and voiced their support. Thank you for doing so.

Since then, the vote has been rescheduled several times as the Senate works its way through a lengthy list of bills. But, the latest reports indicate that a vote is likely to take place this week or early next week.

Therefore, there is still a little time left for your GSA to get calls into your Senators. Please organize with your club members, classmates, friends, and allies and call this week. Directions are below.

Calls are especially needed to go to Senator Alex Padilla's (district #20-San Fernando Valley) office. His office is getting a lot of opposition calls from anti-LGBTQ rights groups who have targeted SB 777 because they say it's all about promoting homosexuality in schools and discriminating against straight folks. What SB 777 is really about is helping to ensure that all students in state-funded schools and educational programs here in CA are equally protected from harassment and discrimination.

To reach Senator Padilla's office in Sacramento, just call 916-651-4020.

Directions & tips for calling are below:

It's very simple to find out how to call your Senator's office in Sacramento. Just go to http://www.legislature.ca.gov/port-zipsearch.html. Type in your zip code, and you will be taken right to your lawmaker's telephone number.

Suggestions for what to do when you call:

As always, it's best to be polite, friendly, and stick to the point.

1. Call the office and greet whoever answers the phone. Introduce yourself as a constituent (aka you live in the Senator's district) and a student at XXX school.
2. Tell them you want to talk about SB 777 because you know the Senator will be voting on it soon. You want him/her to vote YES on the bill.
3. If there is time, talk a little about why this bill is important to a student like you. Relate a brief story from your experiences.
4. If there are no follow-up questions from the staff member, just ask them to please pass along your request to the legislator.
5. Thank them for their time and say good-bye.

Please email Lai-San Seto, GSA Network's Advocacy Coordinator, at mailto:advocacy@gsanetwork.org if you have questions or you want to share how your call went. For more info about SB 777, please visit http://www.gsanetwork.org/qyad.

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3. GSA Network Activist Camps! APPLY ONLINE!

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 - West Hollywood
July 27th - July 29th, 2007

Northern California Activist Camp - San Francisco
August 3rd - 5th, 2007

Join our Camp Myspace at http://www.myspace.com/activistcamp2007

Central Valley Activist Camp - Fresno
June 14th - 16th, 2007

APPLY ONLINE! Click here to get more info and apply online: http://www.gsanetwork.org/camp/camp2007.html!

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4. GSA Network and Frameline 31 Present Young, Loud, and Proud Film Festival (San Francisco)

Frameline31
San Francisco International LGBT Film Festival
June 14-24, 2007
http://www.frameline.org
YOUNG, LOUD AND PROUD
Friday June 15 | 6:00 pm | Roxie
$9 members | $10 general | YOUN15R

Blazing a new media trail, the next generation gives us a firsthand look at what it means to be young and queer in this world in these short films by and about queer youth.

After her essay on same-sex marriage causes controversy in her middle school, a 14 year-old girl in a conservative Ohio town decides to record her views on gays and gay marriage in The Essay Assignment. Outlet tells the personal stories of the teenagers who participate in a support group offered by a Bay Area youth organization. Interviews with the group's facilitator, a young gay activist and a transgender teen address the evolution of contemporary queer issues as they're taken on by local middle and high school students. Love Is Shit explores love and life on the Christopher Street pier, and Inside Out is one lesbian teen's multimedia confessional of life on the streets and in shelters.

Queer Streets is a hip, gritty look at the reality of life on the street for kids with three strikes against them: They're young, they're gay, and they're homeless. It's like MTV's "The Real World"-without the house: the true story of seven gay, lesbian and transgender youth living on the streets in New York, who agreed to have their lives taped for one summer. Find out what happens when they stop being polite, stop hiding and tell the real story of teen homelessness.

The Essay Assignment dir Jennifer Lin 2006 USA 5 min
Outlet dir Leigh Iacobucci 2006 USA 19 min
Love Is Shit dir Ali Kennedie 2006 USA 10 min
Inside Out dir Jessica Scott 2006 USA 8 min
Queer Streets dir Alex Waterfield 2006 USA 41 min

Total Running Time: 83 min

Frameline31, the 31st San Francisco International LGBT Film Festival, screening June 14-24 at the Castro Theatre, Roxie Film Center the Victoria Theatre, and at the Parkway Theater in Oakland is the oldest and largest event of its kind in the world. Tickets go on sale to Frameline members Friday, May 25. General public ticket sales begin Friday, June 1. Tickets are available at Superstar Satellite video store located at 474 Castro Street (between Market and 18th Street in San Francisco), online at http://www.frameline.org/festival, and by fax at 415-522-5543.

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5. Join GSA Network at the SF AIDS WALK--July 15 (San Francisco)

Activism doesn't end with the school year! Join GSA Network at the San Francisco AIDS Walk and help raise dollars for AIDS service organizations in the Bay Area. The GSA Network team will be walking together with thousands of other participants in Golden Gate Park on Sunday, July 15.

Not only do you get enjoy to a fun day at the park, raise $$$ for a good cause, you can also work on your fundraising skills! Once you sign up, the AIDS Walk web site will give you tips on how to raise money from your teachers, friends, and family members who will sponsor you be part of the event.

To get involved, the first thing you need to register to participate. Here's how:
1. Go to http://www.aidswalk.net/sanfran/
2. Click on "Register Now!" in the far left-hand column.
3. Select "Join a Team" and then select "GSA Network-7460"
4. Fill out the info.

See you on July 15th!

Get Moving: AIDS Walk San Francisco - July 15, 2007
Get Info: Contact Lai-San at GSA Network (mailto:lai-san@gsanetwork.org) or 415.552.4229 if you have questions

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6. GSA Power T-shirt & More - Buy today!

Youth Speaks is celebrating our 10th year of programming our Queeriosity event, which highlights LGBTQ youth voice and the power of the word. This year we are especially excited because we won a Horizon's grant which will allow us to do our first full day of Queer Arts programming with our 1st Annual Q. Arts-in-Education Festival. On June 15th at the LGBTQ Center we will be hosting our Q. Arts-in-Education Festival from 9 am to 3 p.m., and our 10th Annual Queeriosity event from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

The Q. Arts-in-Education Festival brings communities together to create a unique educational experience positioned around queer issues and art making. The day consists of creative art making experiences fused with socio-political agenda items focused on the LGBTQ community. The Q. Arts-in-Education Festival brings people together working around youth and the significance of their voice, and the celebration of diversity and uniqueness in our world. This event provides a full day of workshops, a panel discussion and performance, inviting youth to explore and discuss issues around LGBTQ youth culture.

Queeriosity is a night of performance exploration, and a bonding of artists around issues concerning same sex relationships, questioning sexuality, queer culture, life style and conversations around society in general. This evening breaks down the barriers of differences and asks important questions about our common humanity and same-ness. Performances from the evening event will showcase youth from the Teen Poetry Slam, emerging spoken word artists such as Chinaka Hodge, Kirya Traber and Michelle 'Mush' Lee, as well as our featured performer, artistic director and LA based choreographer Christopher 'Eclipse' Brown. This evening will definitely continue the rich performance history that is Queeriosity!

Friday June 15, 2007
Q. Arts-in-Education Festival
Registration Opened to All youth ages 13-19
9-3pm
Free

To register email mailto:khalil@youthspeaks.org or call 415 255 9035 ext. 18
Friday June 15, 2007
Queeriosity: Celebrating 10 years!!!
7pm-10pm
Featuring Youth Speaks Teen Slam Poets, Susanna Myrseth, Chinaka Hodge, Michelle Lee, Kirya Traber, Terry Taplin, Khalil.Anthony, Artistic Director Eclipse and more.
Free

In collaboration with QCC, Horizons Foundation, GSA Network

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8. Free Resources for New or Re-Registered GSAs!

Before you plan any events for your GSA, remember to register or re-register your group with GSA Network. Do it NOW to make sure you receive our student resource sheets, FREE posters, other resources, and notifications of future GSA Network or LGBT-related events. Please note that mailings will go out only to California GSAs in middle and high schools.

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

For more info, email Tanya Mayo at mailto:tanya@gsanetwork.org or call 415-552-4229

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9. GSA Network Youth Council Wants You! (Statewide)

GSA Network is accepting applications for new Youth Council members.
Go to the website and apply: http://www.gsanetwork.org/about/ycapp.html

The GSA Network Youth Council is a diverse group of youth leaders from GSAs all over California. As a member of the Youth Council, you will learn skills to become a stronger activist and work toward creating a safer climate at your school for LGBTQ youth and straight allies. You will get support around mounting a campaign, planning events, and starting a GSA club on your campus. In addition, Youth Council members are responsible for giving input to GSA Network and helping to guide our programs. Youth Council members will represent the needs of GSAs and youth activists from their geographic region, as well as plan events and lead peer-to-peer workshops, leadership trainings, advocacy trainings, and activist camps.

As a member of the Youth Council, you will have monthly opportunities to
* Network with youth from throughout your region
* Get peer and staff support and feedback on your ongoing campaign, action, or event
* Give input on GSA Network's programs, policies, and curriculum development.

In addition, you may have an opportunity to
* Help plan and run a youth-led conference
* Present workshops at local conferences
* Plan and participate in GSA Network social activities, like Pride
* Apply to become a paid peer-to-peer youth trainer
* Discuss emerging trends in the LGBTQ and greater social justice movements
* Provide occasional technical assistance to other GSAs.

Requirements
* Willingness to commit to serving on Youth Council for one year
* Commitment to creating change for LGBTQ youth and fighting homophobia and transphobia in schools
* Interest in developing GSA Network and suggesting ideas to strengthen it
* Must be a student in a public or private middle or high school in California.

Southern California
For more info, email mailto:carlos@gsanetwork.org or call 213-534-7162.

Central Valley
For more info, email mailto:robin@gsanetwork.org or call 559-268-2780.

Northern California
For more info, email mailto:marco@gsanetwork.org or call 415-552-4229.

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This weekend is LifeWorks Bowling!!! It's this Saturday night in *Glendale* - so all you valley folks who have been waiting for a chance to meet some other lgbtq young people, the time is now!

It's 100% free so bring a friend or three for a super fun night out!

RSVP if you can by emailing mailto:ddumont@lifeworksmentoring.org or by calling 310-724-6300.

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11. Prom in Wonderland (Rancho Mirage)

Anti Prom (Prom in Wonderland) is being held Saturday May 26 in Rancho Mirage

Call Greg Wetmore for more information to 760 328-8700.

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Central Valley
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12. Youth Alliance Meetings Every Friday (Fresno)

What: Youth Alliance-A group for GLBTQI Youth
When: Every Friday evening.
Time: 7:30pm
Where: Fresno Center for Non-violence, 1584 N Van Ness, corner of Van Ness and McKinley.

This group has been serving youth for 19 years. There is an hour between 6:30-7:30pm that is the TEEN Hour. This hour is reserved for high school age youth only. The hour or so after the TEEN Hour is open to teens and young adults!!! So check it out and meet some new people!!!

For info go to http://www.communitylinkfresno.com.

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Northern California
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13. GSA Summit Tomorrow! (San Jose)

Unite the South Bay GSAs! GSA members and leaders are invited to an enlightening GSA Summit to discuss issues, share ides, and meet new people. This event is intended for GSA advisors, students, and allies.

- FREE FOOD
- Meet up with other GSA activists
- Celebrate our success this year
- This Summit features a special discussion on "Straight-laced" a documentary on gender and homophobia

WHEN: Thursday, May 24
TIME: 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
WHERE: Billy DeFrank Center
938 The Alameda, San Jose
COST: FREE

For more information, contact:
Cassie Blume
Youth Programs and Volunteer Coordinator, Billy DeFrank Center
408-293-3040 X 111
mailto:youthprog@defrank.org

Join South Bay GSA email list
To join visit: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/defrank_gsa

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14. Love and Justice Queer Youth Focus Groups (San Francisco)

Who: Community United Against Violence (CUAV) and Queer Youth

What: Two queer youth focus groups talking about youth outreach, and hate violence and relationship violence amongst LGBTQQ youth. Share your stories, experiences, and ideas. Refreshments provided.

When: The week of July 2-6, 2007

Where: CUAV, 170A Capp Street @ 16th St. San Francisco

How: If interested please contact Carolina at 415.777.5500 ext.319 or mailto:carolina@cauv.org include your name, contact info, which dates July 2-6 work best for you, and morning or afternoon

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15. Pirates and Pixies Pre-Pride Party (Palo Alto)

You are invited to Outlet's Pre-Pride Party/Dance on June 1!!!

Pirates and Pixies Pre-Pride Party
Come in costume or not - be comfortable!
Free admission
7:30-11:30pm
Mitchell Park Community Center
3800 Middlefield Rd, Palo Alto

Raffle prize
Life Size Stand-up Cut outs of
Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow!!
$1 per ticket

Belly Dance Performance by an Outlet youth!

Free Food and drinks!
Open to ALL lgbtqq youth AND ALLIES/Friendly people!!
14-20 years old - please bring an ID
This is an alcohol and drug free event.

For more information contact Outlet at mailto:outlet@chacmv.org/650-965-2020 x22
And check out Outlet's myspace - http://www.myspace.com/projectoutlet

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16. "Hella Gay" Prom (Santa Rosa)

Positive Images Presents…
The P.I and G.S.A “Hella Gay” Prom

You are cordially invited to our Queer evening
“Over the Rainbow”

May 25th 2007
Disc Jockey spinning’ House, Funk, Hip-Hop and More
~Light Food, and Music 7:00-8:00pm~

Crowning of King and Queen Royal Court & Drag Show!
Those who choose to do so, may perform to a short piece of music, this will allow them to enter the Drag Show starting at 8:00pm
The Crowning of King and Queen to follow performances

Location: The Prom will be held at Club 509 in Santa Rosa Calif., at the Chop’s Demeo Center: 509 Adams Street, Santa Rosa California, 95401.

This Prom is a community based event in an attempt to influence “us” as a people to celebrate our diversities and to become a more understanding, stronger and united society…

Please RSVP by Friday May 10th, 2007 to mailto:posimage@sonic.net

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17. The Other Side of the Closet (San Francisco)

The Other Side of the Closet by Ed Roy

A hard-hitting play for teens about diversity, homophobia and safety in schools.

Touring Northern California Schools and Communities from October 23rd -December 14th 2007.

Verbal and physical harassment based on actual or perceived sexual orientation remains persistent in schools all over the country. The Other Side of the Closet by Ed Roy is a drama for teens that explores the sources of homophobia and harassment in schools and gets young people to think about ways to move past their intolerance. This play has been touring to Northern California middle and high schools every fall, since 2000, to educate teens about diversity, acceptance and about the California School Safety Act
(AB-537), which prohibits harassment in school based on actual or perceived sexual orientation. The Other Side of the Closet supports a safe school curriculum where students, teachers and parents can learn about differences and respect in an innovative and engaging format. Each performance includes a discussion with the cast, and handouts are provided for teachers to continue discussion in the classroom. This is a great program for your school's GSA or other diversity club to sponsor on campus, and we are also
available to present community performances of this program on Monday and Tuesday evenings during the run of the tour.

For more information on how to bring a YouthAware Educational Theatre tour to your school or community call (415) 694-6149 or mailto:sara@nctcsf.org. Or look at the wesbite: http://www.nctcsf.org/YouthAware

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National
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18. LGBT Students! Speak Out about Your Schools!

Tell us about your experiences in school by completing GLSEN's 2007 National School Climate Survey on-line!

The National School Climate Survey is a crucial tool in documenting the problem of anti-LGBT bias and harassment in K-12 schools across the nation. It is also a chance for LGBT youth to speak out about their experiences and inform education policymakers and the public about what is really going on in our schools.

If you were in high school or middle school during the past school year (2006-2007) and are 13 or older, please go to:
http://www.glsen.org/2007survey

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19. Venturer Going Global to Generate GenV Buzz

Dream it. Do it. World Tour
Venturer Going Global to Generate GenV Buzz

Venturer Kyle Taylor is about to launch an exciting around-the-world tour to spread the word about our global movement for youth led social change - GenV - and to spotlight young changemakers launching ventures just like you!

Did you know that there are thousands of young people all over the world who are part of this movement? Join Kyle's awesome 11 country two-month journey on http://involve-ashoka.org/ct/fpLOzzE16REs/. Kyle will be posting daily blogs, videos and photos of his adventures as he captures the spirit of the GenV movement. Join the blog, make comments, and create your own profile.

"Better yet," says Kyle, "why don't you send me questions to ask the changemakers I'll be meeting around the world." A great idea!

Get connected, and stay connected, with other young people who are interested in changing their world! Go to http://involve-ashoka.org/ct/fpLOzzE16REs/

At last, young changemakers like YOU have an online community to call your own!

Youth Venture's NEW global online community and movement to connect ALL civic-minded young people who are looking to:

Dream it - Develop and share ideas for creating positive change - made super easy with http://involve-ashoka.org/ct/fpLOzzE16REs/ interactive online resource guides and tips.
Do it - Build, launch, manage and promote YOUR community-benefiting Ventures through your own profile-style web pages. You can blog, add video, photos, even music! This is your space!
Grow it - Learn creative and useful ways to maintain your Venture's success so it can go on improving lives in your community.

You have the power to change your world. You are generation venture. You are the GenV movement.

Tour Dates

May 7th-11th
New Hampshire, USA

May 12th-21st
Argentina

May 22nd-27th
Brazil

May 28th-June 11th
France

June 12th-16th
Germany

June 17th-July 21st
Belgium

June 22nd-July 8th
South Africa

July 9th-18th
India

July 19th-Aug 2nd
Thailand

Aug 3rd-Sept 1st
India

Sept 2nd-8th
Mexico

Visit http://involve-ashoka.org/ct/fpLOzzE16REs/ to follow Kyle's Trip.

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Scholarships
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20. Gay Asian Pacific Alliance George Choy Scholarship

This year's GAPA (Gay Asian Pacific Alliance) George Choy Scholarship application is due in 10 weeks, postmarked by July 31 2007, and available for downloading from the GAPA website: http://www.gapa.org/Scholarship/

Feel free to email at mailto:hao@gapa.org if you have any questions.

So if you are, or know of any students who:

* are self-identified as an Asian/Pacific Islander; (at least 25% API ancestry); priority will be given to those self-identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender, or involved in the l/g/b/t community);
* are in the process of applying to, or are currently attending, a post-secondary undergraduate institution (college, university, or vocational school) in one of the nine-Bay Area counties; (Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Napa, Sonoma, and Solano);
* have a grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 or better.

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21. $10,000 to Lesbian Writers!

Deadline: Friday, June 29, 2007 (for receipt in Astraea's office)

The Lesbian Writers Fund of the Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice

Warm greetings from the Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice! If you are a poetry or fiction writer, we hope you'll consider applying!

For emerging lesbian poets and fiction writers within the U.S. First place awardees and two runners-up in the poetry and fiction categories will receive cash awards ($10,000 for
awardee, $1,500 for runners-up).

Thanks to Skip's Sappho Fund, at least one grant will be awarded to a lesbian writer who is based west of the Mississippi River.

Guidelines and application forms are available online at: http://www.astraeafoundation.org/PHP/Grants/DeadlinesAllGrants.php4.

For more information, or a copy of guidelines and application for the above, please contact us at: 212-529-8021, ext. 22 or via email at: mailto:grants@astraeafoundation.org.

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Jobs:
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22. CHALK is Hiring Young People (San Francisco)

CHALK is Hiring Young People 14-17!!! $10 per hour

CHALK is hiring youth to run YFYI (Youth Funding Youth Ideas) which is a youth-led program that seeks to foster young San Franciscans with the opportunity to expand on their leadership goals by funding their project ideas.

Deadline is May 25th at 8pm.

For more info please contact: Marquez Gray at mailto:Gray@chalk.org or (415) 977-6949 ext.302

Website: http://www.chalk.org & http://www.youthline.org

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NEWS
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23. NEWS: 2 Black Students to Receive $40,000

2 Black Students to Receive $40,000
Settlement with Visalia Unified comes after allegations of harassment.

May 12, 2007
The Fresno Bee
By Tim Bragg

Two black students who filed a federal lawsuit over alleged racial harassment at Golden West High School have reached a settlement with the Visalia Unified School District.

While the settlement provides the students with $40,000, their attorney said the district also agreed to improve its policies against discrimination and to augment its staff and student diversity education programs.

A federal judge is expected to make a final approval of the settlement in the suit brought by brothers Keith and Kevin Pankey next week, said their attorney, Douglas Hurt.

The lawsuit contended the teenagers were called racially offensive names on a regular basis in public areas and classrooms at Golden West High School, and that administrators and teachers at the campus did nothing to stop it. The lawsuit also says the Pankeys were physically threatened and told they would be lynched by fellow Golden West High School students.

Hurt said he and the boys' family believe the school district is making a lot of progress in preventing incidents similar to what the Pankeys experienced.

"We don't want what happened to the Pankeys to happen to anyone else," Hurt said. He said winning a monetary judgment against the district wasn't the focus of the lawsuit, but deemed the money awarded through the settlement "satisfactory."

This is not the first time Golden West High School has been the target of a harassment lawsuit.

Former Golden West student George Loomis sued the district in 2001, alleging that a teacher and classmates harassed him in fall 1999 because he is gay. Loomis was awarded $130,000, and the settlement forced the district to conduct anti-harassment training.

To read the full story, visit:
http://www.fresnobee.com/270/story/47285.html

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24. NEWS: Gay Youths Find Place to Call Home in Specialty Shelters

May 17, 2007
The New York Times
By IAN URBINA

One girl said she started living on the streets after her mother beat her for dressing like a boy. Another said she ran away from home after her father pulled a gun on her for hanging around with so many “tomboys.” A third said she left home after a family acquaintance raped her because she was a lesbian and he wanted to “straighten her out.”

But gathered at Ruth’s House, a 10-bed emergency shelter for gay homeless youths here in east Detroit, they all said that for the first time they felt safe.

Ruth’s House is one of a small number of shelters for gay youths that have opened around the nation in the past four years, reflecting an increasing awareness among child welfare advocates of the disproportionately high number of gay youths in the homeless population and the special problems they face.

Five years ago, such shelters were rare, but now there are more than 25 nationwide.

Many experts estimate that while gay men and lesbians make up 3 percent to 5 percent of the general population, more than 20 percent of homeless youths under age 21 in many urban areas are gay, according to recent surveys of street youths and shelter workers published in peer-reviewed academic journals, and a study released in January by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force and the National Coalition for the Homeless.

Once on the streets, advocates and researchers said, gay youths may be avoiding group homes, shelters and the foster care system because they are afraid they will face violence and harassment.

To read the full story, visit:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/17/us/17homeless.html

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25. NEWS: Student Who said 'That's So Gay' is Out of Luck

Student Who said 'That's So Gay' is Out of Luck
Judge: Mormon teen who was disciplined, teased doesn't deserve damages

May 17, 2007
The Associated Press

SANTA ROSA, Calif. - A judge ruled Tuesday that a high school student who sued after being disciplined and then mercilessly teased for using the phrase "That's so gay" is not entitled to monetary damages.

Sonoma County Superior Court Judge Elaine Rushing said she sympathized with 18-year-old Rebekah Rice for the ridicule she experienced at Maria Carrillo High School. But, the judge said, Rice's lawyers failed to prove that school administrators had violated any state laws or singled the girl out for punishment.

To read the full story, visit:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18723965/

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May 16, 2007

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

GSA Network Highlight
Is Your School Providing You With the Right Info? What SB 71 Means When it Comes to Sex Ed and You
Go directly to GSA Network highlight

GSA Network Announcements
1. This Weekend! GSA Network Leadership Training (San Diego)
2. GSA Network Activist Camps! APPLY ONLINE!
3. "Dear Governor" Postcards are on the Way to the GSAs!
4. GSA Power T-shirt & More - Buy today!
5. 10th Annual Queeriosity Event (San Francisco)
6. Free Resources for New or Re-Registered GSAs!
7. GSA Network Youth Council Wants You! (Statewide)
Go directly to GSA Network announcements

Other Announcements
Southern California
8. Free Movie Screening (Santa Monica)
9. LGBTQ Youth Prom, Sponsored by Friends of Project 10 Inc. (Los Angeles)
Go directly to Southern California listings

Central Valley
10. Youth Alliance Meetings Every Friday (Fresno)
Go directly to Central Valley listings

Northern California
11. Movie Nite at the Pacific Center (Berkeley)
12. This weekend! Workshops Organized Against Homophobia (WOAH) 2007 (Antioch)
13. 10th Annual Queer Youth Leadership Awards (Santa Cruz)
14. SAVE THE DATE: UNCHAINED & Young Women's Health Fair: Together Again! (San Francisco)
15. "Hella Gay" Prom (Santa Rosa)
16. GSA Summit! Unite the South Bay GSAs! (San Jose)
17. The Other Side of the Closet (San Francisco)
18. Join the Stockton LGBT YahooGroup (San Joaquin)
19. Press Conference for Students Who March for Peace! (San Francisco)
20. DJ Project Summer Cycle (San Francisco)
Go directly to Northern California listings

Scholarships
21. Models of Excellence Scholarship
Go directly to Scholarships listings

News
22. NEWS: No Damages In 'That's So Gay' Case
23. NEWS: Crowning Moment
24. NEWS: Aptos Preschool Teaches Grown-up Subject of Gender Identity
25. NEWS: Few School Districts Have Rules on Transgender Students
Go directly to News listings

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

Is Your School Providing You With the Right Info? What SB 71 Means When it Comes to Sex Ed and You

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

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

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

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

The California Comprehensive Sexual Health and HIV/AIDS Prevention Act of 2004 (aka SB 71) became law a few years ago and clarified the state’s laws on sexual health education. It’s there to make sure that sex ed speaks to the needs of everyone. As a student in a California public school, you have the right to sexual education that is medically-accurate, comprehensive, age-appropriate, and unbiased. This means that if your school offers sex ed, you have the right to get your questions answered and to get the information you need to make healthy decisions for yourself. To learn more about the law itself, please read GSA Network’s resource sheet which can be found http://www.gsanetwork.org/resources/index.html

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

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

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

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

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

GSA Network is working to respond to GSAs’ concerns about sex ed and LGBTQ youth in schools. In fall 2007, we will be rolling out new materials focused on this issue with more suggestions about how you can campaign for change—just in time for the beginning of the school year!

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

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1. This Weekend! GSA Network Leadership Training (San Diego)

You are invited to a GSA NETWORK LEADERSHIP TRAINING!

This FREE event will be held on May 19, 2007 from 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. It includes breakfast and lunch!

So what is a GSA Network Leadership training?
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 schools. Led by other GSA leaders from California, the training will show students how to start and run a kick-ass GSA.

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

Young people become activists because they respect themselves and other people too much to let anyone be treated like a second-class citizen. They believe in the basic worth of all human beings, including themselves. That's why so many students, including straight allies, are coming together to fight sexual orientation and gender identity discrimination at their schools. The goals of a student activism group include winning concrete improvements in people's lives, making students aware of their own power, and altering the relations of power. GSAs in California are leading the fight for social and justice.

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, May 19, 2007, 11am-5pm
WHERE: The San Diego LGBT Center * The training will take place in Room 201*
3909 Centre Street
San Diego, CA 92103
619-692-2077
COST: Free!

GSA Network values the participation of adult allies in our fight against oppression and injustice in schools, and thus welcomes GSA Advisors and other adult allies to the leadership training. That being said, we ask that they help us to maintain the youth focus of this training.

For more information or to RSVP, please contact:
Carlos Cabrera, GSA Network Southern California Program Coordinator, at 213-534-7162 or mailto:carlos@gsanetwork.org

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2. GSA Network Activist Camps! APPLY ONLINE!

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 - West Hollywood
July 27th - July 29th, 2007

Northern California Activist Camp - San Francisco
August 3rd - 5th, 2007

Join our Camp Myspace at http://www.myspace.com/activistcamp2007

Central Valley Activist Camp - Fresno
June 14th - 16th, 2007

APPLY ONLINE! Click here to get more info and apply online: http://www.gsanetwork.org/camp/camp2007.html!

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3. "Dear Governor" Postcards are on the Way to the GSAs!

GSAs all over California have been calling their State Senators these past couple of weeks to voice their support for SB 777 (Student Civil Rights Act) which is expected to be voted on by the Senate any day now. We will update with the results of the vote as soon as we hear.

As GSAs continue to support SB 777 and AB 394 (Safe Place to Learn Act) by reaching out to legislators, we need also to remember the Governor's role in the process. Both bills will end up on his desk for his consideration if they make it through the Legislature. He needs to hear from us too!

In order to help make sure the message of SAFE SCHOOLS FOR ALL is loud and clear, GSA Network is sending "Dear Governor" postcards to all of the GSA clubs this week. They're super-easy to use, and we've even pre-addressed them for you. Fill them out during your next club meeting and send them right to the Governor's office at the Capitol!

Each club is being mailed a bunch of postcards this week to get started. If you need more postcards because your friends, classmates, teachers, and family members also want to send their thoughts to the Capitol, please send an email to mailto:advocacy@gsanetwork.org or call us 415-552-4229 and we'll send you more free postcards. For more info on the legislation, please visit http://www.gsanetwork.org/qyad.

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4. GSA Power T-shirt & More - Buy today!

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6. Free Resources for New or Re-Registered GSAs!

Before you plan any events for your GSA, remember to register or re-register your group with GSA Network. Do it NOW to make sure you receive our student resource sheets, FREE posters, other resources, and notifications of future GSA Network or LGBT-related events. Please note that mailings will go out only to California GSAs in middle and high schools.

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

For more info, email Tanya Mayo at mailto:tanya@gsanetwork.org or call 415-552-4229

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7. GSA Network Youth Council Wants You! (Statewide)

GSA Network is accepting applications for new Youth Council members.
Go to the website and apply: http://www.gsanetwork.org/about/ycapp.html

Southern California
For more info, email mailto:carlos@gsanetwork.org or call 213-534-7162.

Central Valley
For more info, email mailto:robin@gsanetwork.org or call 559-268-2780.

Northern California
For more info, email mailto:marco@gsanetwork.org or call 415-552-4229.

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As part of Crossroads School's queer film series, sponsored by FLAG (our gay/straight alliance), we will be having our next—and last of the year-- movie screening on Wednesday, May 23rd, from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. We invite you to join us for a great event!

We'll be screening the funny and sexy, award-winning movie, Get Real.
SPECIAL BONUS: We’ll also be starting the evening with a sweet and funny short film, called Little Black Boot.
EXTRA SPECIAL BONUS: If that wasn’t enough, we’ll also have the co-Director of Quinceañera with us, along with a surprise guest!

Students and advisors from Gay/Straight alliances are welcome. It's a great way to meet new friends, or see old ones. We expect students from many gsa's will be attending--come meet them!

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

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

Reply to mailto:flag2@xrds.org
Directions are below.

Get Real
DIR: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0794960/
Simon Shore, 1998
Steven is 16, gay, and ready for love. Life changes for the soft-spoken teen when he locks eyes on John, the school's handsome super-jock. The two are attracted to each other, but John's fears threaten to tear apart their tentative relationship. Get Real is a coming-of-age story infused with charm, humor, and honest emotion.

Little Black Boot
DIR: Colette Burson, 2004
Tomboy Cindy’s crush on the most popular girl in school receives a boost when her fairy godbrother transforms her into the beau of the prom. This queer take on the Cinderella story is sure to have you smiling.

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.

For more information, please contact mailto:flag2@xrds.org

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9. LGBTQ Youth Prom, Sponsored by Friends of Project 10 Inc. (Los Angeles)

This annual event is held in May of each year at the Friendship Auditorium in Los Angeles (near Griffith Park).

This year's prom will be held on Friday, May 18, 2007.

Prepaid tickets are $30 and tickets bought at the door at $40 (CASH ONLY), which includes free parking, dinner, beverages, DJ, and live entertainment.

Visit http://www.modelsofpride.org for prom details and ticket application. Contact us at mailto:project10@hotmail.com or 626-577-4553 for more information.

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Central Valley
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10. Youth Alliance Meetings Every Friday (Fresno)

What: Youth Alliance-A group for GLBTQI Youth
When: Every Friday evening.
Time: 7:30pm
Where: Fresno Center for Non-violence, 1584 N Van Ness, corner of Van Ness and McKinley.

This group has been serving youth for 19 years. There is an hour between 6:30-7:30pm that is the TEEN Hour. This hour is reserved for high school age youth only. The hour or so after the TEEN Hour is open to teens and young adults!!! So check it out and meet some new people!!!

For info go to http://www.communitylinkfresno.com.

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Northern California
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11. Movie Nite at the Pacific Center (Berkley)

This Friday, May 18th!

Nothing like cuddling up to a good movie and good food on a Friday nite right?

Pacific Center is Showing Boys Don't Cry. Come watch and eat pizza with youth 13-23 from 4-6pm.

We are located at 2712 Telegraph Ave in Berkeley @ Derby across the street from Willard MS.

The 40 and 40L stop right out front. For more info Contact Erica Newport at 510-548-8283 x514 or mailto:erica@pacificcenter.org.

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12. This weekend! Workshops Organized Against Homophobia (WOAH) 2007 (Antioch)

Workshops Organized Against Homophobia (WOAH) 2007

New location: Pittsburg High School

The premier conference for queer youth and straight allies in Contra Costa County.

REGISTRATION IS FROM 12:00-12:30 pm (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.)
When: May 19, 2007 12pm-7pm, Dance 7:30pm-9:30pm
Where: Pittsburg High School, 250 School Street, Pittsburg, CA
Why: Because homophobia, racism, transphobia, sexism and other forms of oppression are still an issue. (Lets make our communities safe.)

REMEMBER THIS CONFERENCE IS FREE TO PARTICIPANTS!
REGISTER AT THE CONFERENCE

For more info contact Liz at 925.687.8844 x 304 or mailto:liz@chd-prevention.org

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13. 10th Annual Queer Youth Leadership Awards (Santa Cruz)

Celebrate the leadership and accomplishments of Santa Cruz County’s queer youth leaders and their allies on Saturday, May 19th at Harbor High School in Santa Cruz for the 10th Annual Santa Cruz County Queer Youth Leadership Awards.

Middle school and high school students from the San Francisco Bay Area, Central Valley, and Monterey Bay are encouraged to attend.

The full and dynamic evening includes a catered buffet dinner beginning at 6 pm, a blend of youth entertainment as a variety show combined with an awards ceremony at 8 pm, and a community dance to follow.

There are three categories of awards honoring queer youth leaders and their allies:
The Queer Youth Leadership Award
Designed to honor queer youth who are 12 to 18 years of age to acknowledge their accomplishments and the contributions to their communities, whether this be in their homes, schools, religious institutions, athletic or academic teams, or other social groups.

The Ally to Queer Youth Award
Designed to honor an ally of any age who has made significant contributions to improving the lives of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, or Intersex, and Questioning youth and youth who have GLBTIQ family members.

The Organizational Ally to Queer Youth Award
Designed to honor an organization that has made significant contributions to improving the lives of GLBTIQ youth in Santa Cruz County.

Youth tickets are $10 and Adult tickets are $25 - $45 (sliding scale) and include dinner, awards ceremony and a dance. Special group rates can be made for queer youth programs and/or GSA’s and their advisors. No one turned away for lack of funds.

American Sign Language and Spanish translations provided.

For more information, visit us at http://www.QYLA2007.org or contact us at (831) 427-4004 or mailto:info@qyla2007.org

The mission of Queer Youth Leadership Awards is to improve the lives of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, and Questioning youth by increasing the positive awareness of Queer Youth leadership, and increasing safe and welcoming environments in home, school, and community.

A project of the Santa Cruz County Task Force for LGBTIQ Youth, an affiliate of the Diversity Center. Co-sponsored, in part, by Santa Cruz City Schools.

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14. SAVE THE DATE: UNCHAINED & Young Women's Health Fair: Together Again! (San Francisco)

Saturday, June 16th from 10am-6pm

UNCHAINED and the Young Women‚s Health Fair is BACK!! LYRIC celebrates 12 years of LGBTQQ youth conferences with the Unchained Conference and Young Women‚s Health Fair.

Through its conferences, LYRIC has brought thousands of LGBTQQ youth and allies together to gain tools, build stronger communities and network with other folks in the fight against homo/bi/trans-phobia.

On June 16th, 2007 hundreds more LGBTQQ youth and allies will keep the groove jumpin with new workshops, hot performances, and the latest resources!

WHO: LGBTQ youth 24 & under and their allies (teachers, that includes you!)
WHAT: Two bangin events under one roof!
WHEN: Saturday, June 16th 2007
WHERE: Cesar Chavez Student Center @ San Francisco State University;
1650 Holloway Ave. San Francisco, CA 94132; MUNI lines M, 17, 28 & 29;
Daly City BART to MUNI Line 28

For more information or to find out how to get involved with Unchained and the Young Women‚s Health Fair CONTACT DERRICK, your resident CONFERENCE DIVA!

AND ADD US ON MYSPACE:
http://www.myspace.com/unchained_ywhf_07

Derrick Miller-Handley
Conference Coordinator
LYRIC
127 Collingwood Street
San Francisco, CA 94114
415-703-6150 ext. 15
mailto:derrick@lyric.org

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15. "Hella Gay" Prom (Santa Rosa)

Positive Images Presents…
The P.I and G.S.A “Hella Gay” Prom

You are cordially invited to our Queer evening
“Over the Rainbow”

May 25th 2007
Disc Jockey spinning’ House, Funk, Hip-Hop and More
~Light Food, and Music 7:00-8:00pm~

Crowning of King and Queen Royal Court & Drag Show!
Those who choose to do so, may perform to a short piece of music, this will allow them to enter the Drag Show starting at 8:00pm
The Crowning of King and Queen to follow performances

Location: The Prom will be held at Club 509 in Santa Rosa Calif., at the Chop’s Demeo Center: 509 Adams Street, Santa Rosa California, 95401.

This Prom is a community based event in an attempt to influence “us” as a people to celebrate our diversities and to become a more understanding, stronger and united society…

Please RSVP by Friday May 10th, 2007 to mailto:posimage@sonic.net

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16. GSA Summit! Unite the South Bay GSAs! (San Jose)

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

- FREE FOOD
- Meet up with other GSA activists
- Celebrate our success this year

Participate in making a difference!

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

WHEN: Thursday, May 24
TIME: 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
WHERE: http://www.defrank.org/about/directions.html Billy DeFrank Center
938 The Alameda, San Jose COST FREE

For more information, contact:
Cassie Blume
Youth Programs and Volunteer Coordinator, Billy DeFrank Center
408-293-3040 X 111
mailto:youthprog@defrank.org

Join South Bay GSA email list
To join visit: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/defrank_gsa

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17. The Other Side of the Closet (San Francisco)

The Other Side of the Closet by Ed Roy

A hard-hitting play for teens about diversity, homophobia and safety in schools.

Touring Northern California Schools and Communities from October 23rd -December 14th 2007.

Verbal and physical harassment based on actual or perceived sexual orientation remains persistent in schools all over the country. The Other Side of the Closet by Ed Roy is a drama for teens that explores the sources of homophobia and harassment in schools and gets young people to think about ways to move past their intolerance. This play has been touring to Northern California middle and high schools every fall, since 2000, to educate teens about diversity, acceptance and about the California School Safety Act
(AB-537), which prohibits harassment in school based on actual or perceived sexual orientation. The Other Side of the Closet supports a safe school curriculum where students, teachers and parents can learn about differences and respect in an innovative and engaging format. Each performance includes a discussion with the cast, and handouts are provided for teachers to continue discussion in the classroom. This is a great program for your school's GSA or other diversity club to sponsor on campus, and we are also
available to present community performances of this program on Monday and Tuesday evenings during the run of the tour.

For more information on how to bring a YouthAware Educational Theatre tour to your school or community call (415) 694-6149 or mailto:sara@nctcsf.org. Or look at the wesbite: http://www.nctcsf.org/YouthAware

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18. Join the Stockton LGBT YahooGroup (San Joaquin)

Are you interested in LGBT issues in San Joaquin County?

Please join the StocktonLGBT yahoogroups and help spread the word with your members !

The StocktonLGBT Yahoogroups is open to the public to encourage input from any community member. I moderate this online open forum to minimize inappropriate (abusive) activity. So please feel confident that this is a safe environment for discussion and exchanging ideas.

To join the group visit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/StocktonLGBT/ and click the Join This Group button, then just follow the instructions - OR - you can just send me a message letting me know you want to join and I'll just add you to the group. If anyone needs assistance, feel free to give me a call (209)518-9102.

Martina Virrey
mailto:martina_virrey@yahoo.com

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19. Press Conference for Students Who March for Peace! (San Francisco)

While congress votes for war, students march for peace!

5 STUDENTS WITH NOTHING BUT THEIR BACKPACKS AND FEET HIT THE PAVEMENT TO MARCH FROM SF TO DC! COME OUT TO SUPPORT THEIR COURAGEOUS EFFORTS AND KICK THEM OFF IN BAY AREA STYLE!

What: press conference at City Hall
When: Monday, May 21st at 11:00am
Why: non-violent resistance to war efforts

- As anniversaries to an illegal war tick by year after year, one small group takes an incredible stand against continued war and occupation in the Middle East. Half dozen students plan an unprecedented and courageous march from SF to DC ˆ all on foot!
- Interview these young people to find out what is fueling their determined stance and action to walk across the country, with all their supplies on their back!
- Marchers will joint them along the way. Huge rally in Omaha, NE

We are organizing a march across the United States over the summer of 2007 to raise awareness about the need for peace and to unite people in a discussion of how we can take action and solve problems nonviolently.

To these young new activists, "Marching for Peace" means marching for:
- Nonviolent resistance to war efforts
- End of genocide in Darfur and all crimes against humanity
- Civil disobedience to social injustices and orders of war
- End of nuclear weapon holding and proliferation
- Principles of sustainability and global citizenship

Not In Our Name supports their efforts because:
- Building creative resistance across the country to an ugly war for empire is more critical than ever.
- We believe that as people living in the United States that it's our responsibility to resist the injustices done by our government in our name.

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20. DJ Project Summer Cycle (San Francisco)

It is that time of year again, and we are gearing up for our DJ Project Summer cycle. I wanted to get the word out soon as possible as many of our youth are beginning to figure out just what to do this summer. And, of course, the DJ Project would love to have them.
We offer free classes in audio production, break dancing and DJing.

Depending on the availability of the instructors and pending feedback from interested youth, we MAY be able to adjust times to fit their needs. This will be addressed during interviews and based on the response we receive from the youth.

We are currently in the process of updating our website, but please feel free to visit our site for more information....http://www.thedjproject.com!

Celina Lucero
Director of Employment, Entrepreneurship and the DJ Project
Horizons Unlimited of San Francisco, Inc.

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Scholarships
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21. Models of Excellence Scholarship

This is a reminder of the Models of Excellence Scholarship program that is offered by Friends of Project 10 http://www.project.org. We have extended
the application deadline to May 11, 2007, and we ask your help in finding appropriate candidates.

The program is open to any graduating senior high school student who plans to attend post secondary school, university, four-year college or community college. Students may apply regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. We look for involvement in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community. In the past, this has included, but not limited to, such activities as membership in the school‚s Gay-Straight Alliance, organizing the Day of Silence, participating in the AIDS walk, working at Project Angel Food, GLSEN or The Trevor Project.

Students can download an application from our Web site at http://www.modelsofpride.org. To speed the process, unofficial transcripts are acceptable. Questions can be directed to the Friends of Project 10 office at mailto:project10@hotmail.com or (626) 577-4553.

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News
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22. NEWS: No Damages In 'That's So Gay' Case

by The Associated Press
May 16, 2007

(Santa Rosa, California) A judge has ruled that a high school student who sued after being disciplined and then mercilessly teased for using the phrase "That's so gay" is not entitled to monetary damages.

Sonoma County Superior Court Judge Elaine Rushing said she sympathized with 18-year-old Rebekah Rice for the ridicule she experienced at Maria Carrillo High School. But, the judge said, Rice's lawyers failed to prove that school administrators had violated any state laws or singled the girl out for punishment.

"All of us have probably felt at some time that we were unfairly punished by a callous teacher, or picked on and teased by boorish and uncaring bullies," the judge wrote in a 20-page ruling. "Unfortunately, this is part of what teenagers endure in becoming adults."

The law "is simply too crude and imprecise an instrument to satisfactorily soothe deeply hurt feelings," Rushing said.

The case filed by Rice and her parents in 2003 brought widespread attention to a three-word phrase that some teenagers use to mean "stupid" or "uncool," but has come under attack as an insensitive insult to gay people.

To read the full article, visit:
http://www.365gay.com/Newscon07/05/051607sogay.htm

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23. NEWS: Crowning Moment

Crowning Moment
Roosevelt Prom Queen a Transgender Pioneer

5-13-07
The Fresno Bee
By Diana Marcum

The silver tiara matched his silver stilettos when Johnny Vera was named prom queen Saturday night at Roosevelt High School.

He's the first transgender prom queen in Fresno -- and possibly anywhere.

Vera's win probably didn't surprise anyone who had seen the prom queen candidates' speeches Friday in the quad during lunch. Vera, effeminate and towering in heels, had wrapped his manicured nails around the microphone.

"For me, it's about more than a crown. It's about saying to people, 'Come out and be who you want to be,' " Vera said. A crowded, urban high school scene paused to listen. "You have to say, 'I am who I am, and I'm proud of who I am. My spirit will never be down on the floor.' "

The students cheered and whistled. The girls on Vera's cheerleading squad got teary-eyed. A boy wearing a pin supporting another queen candidate started the chant: "Johnny! Johnny! Johnny!"

On Saturday night when his name was announced, Vera wept like a newly crowned Miss America to thunderous applause in a downtown Radisson Hotel ballroom. The same chant started: "Johnny! Johnny! Johnny!"

Vera's crowning comes less than a month after Cinthia Covarrubias made national news by running for prom king at Fresno High School.

Covarrubias didn't win but said at the time of her candidacy that she hoped to break the ice for other students who are transgender, a term for people whose gender identity or expression differs from the sex they born with.

Vera didn't know Covarrubias. But he was inspired.

"Things are the way things are until someone changes it," Vera said. "I started seeing that someone has to be first."

Take away the fact that Vera has his face regularly waxed to remove stubble, and he is in many ways a typical prom queen: good grades, a cheerleader and popular.

Vera prefers the pronoun "she," but most people at Roosevelt High refer to Vera as "he." Vera isn't too hung up on pronouns.

"You have to let the little stuff sweat right off," Vera said.

At football games when he's on the cheerleading squad, the crowd regularly chants, "Johnny, Johnny, Johnny."

"No other student is getting their name chanted," said Lupe Sosa, a career counselor at Roosevelt.

What happened to the age-old story of someone different not fitting in during high school? Sosa said Vera's strength of character compels people to accept him.

"This person is amazing. He lights up everybody around him," Sosa said. "He always has a genuine compliment for everyone. Especially the shy kids. But he never sugarcoats anything. Johnny carries himself with a lot of dignity. And Johnny is so darn assertive. No one messes with Johnny."

To read the full article, visit:
http://www.fresnobee.com/263/story/47430.html

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24. NEWS: Aptos Preschool Teaches Grown-up Subject of Gender Identity

5-13-07
Santa Cruz Sentinel
By Matt King

APTOS — When should children start learning about issues like gender identity and sexual orientation?

At least one group thinks they should start as early as preschool, and teachers at Temple Beth El in Aptos hope teaching children as young as 4 about gender stereotypes and non-traditional families will make life better for people who face discrimination and harassment.

"What we can do is disarm those fears and help children break stereotypes and work toward social justice regarding sexuality and gender identity," said Ali Spickler, the outgoing director of Simcha Preschool at Temple Beth El, which has about 50 students between 2 and 5.

"It's OK to be part of the two-mom family. If one of the girls wants to be Batman, that's OK, she can play that game. It's OK for boys who like to play dress-up and put on high heels and a beautiful silky blue dress"

The idea is that the 5-year-old who learns that it's all right for a boy to play dress-up becomes the adult who accepts her transgendered co-worker, or that the preschooler who has friends with two daddies or mommies won't mind that his first college roommate is gay.

To further the school's message, Temple Beth El is holding a series of workshops this spring to show parents, early childhood educators and teachers at religious schools how to teach anti-bias principles to children.

Educators say the training needs to start in preschool because that's when kids start noticing differences about their friends and other families.

"It may not be that your child is gay or will identify as transgender, but someone in their world very likely will be and here is how we can be allies to each other," Spickler said.

To read the full article, visit:
http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/archive/2007/May/13/local/stories/02local.htm

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25. NEWS: Few School Districts Have Rules on Transgender Students

5-11-07
T he Dallas Voice
By John Wright

From a 6-year-old kindergartner in Florida who wears dresses to school to a 17-year-old senior in California who ran for prom king to 15-year-old Rochelle Evans of Fort Worth, trangender kids are gaining acceptance in the nation’s public education system.

But discrimination and harassment are still widespread, some experts say, and very few U.S. school districts have written policies related to transgender students. Although the Fort Worth Independent School District reportedly agreed last week to allow the 15-year-old Rochelle, formerly known as Rodney, to identify as a girl at Eastern Hills High School, FWISD is not one of those few.

Neither is the Dallas Independent School District, which has a policy prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation but not gender identity. DISD spokeswoman Ivette Cruz Weis said administration officials are not aware of ever having had an openly transgender student in the district.

Meanwhile, some districts, like Los Angeles’, have gone a step further than merely prohibiting discrimination and harassment against transgender students — they’ve laid out extensive guidelines covering everything from restroom use to dress codes to names and pronouns. Transgender is used to describe those whose outward appearance and internal identity differs from their sex at birth, regardless of whether their biological characteristics have changed.

“For any district to prepare for their staff to deal with situations they’re going to face is going to be helpful,” said Sue Spears, director of the Los Angeles Unified School District’s Educational Equity Compliance Office.

“It’s always better to be proactive,” Spears said, adding that the district has a handful of transgender students. “How do you hold people accountable when you haven’t clearly articulated your expectations for behavior and response?”

The LAUSD, second-largest in the U.S. with more than 720,000 students, has a seven-page reference guide requiring district staff to identify students by the names and pronouns they prefer; allow students to dress in accordance with the gender they assert; and either allow students to use bathrooms and locker rooms based on the gender they assert or provide reasonable alternatives.

To read the full article, visit:
http://www.pegasusnews.com/news/2007/may/11/few-school-districts-have-rules-transgender-studen/

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May 9, 2007

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

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

GSA Network Announcements
1. GSA Network Activist Camps! APPLY ONLINE!
2. CA Senate votes on SB 777 this week! Speak Out & Advocate!
3. GSA Network Leadership Training (San Diego)
4. GSA Power T-shirt & More - Buy today!
5. 10th Annual Queeriosity event (San Francisco)
6. Free Resources for New or Re-Registered GSAs!
7. GSA Network Youth Council Wants You! (Statewide)
Go directly to GSA Network announcements

Other Announcements
Southern California
8. Tongue to Tongue Dialogue: Call for Participation (Los Angeles)
9. LGBTQ Youth Prom, Sponsored by Friends of Project 10 Inc. (Los Angeles)
Go directly to Southern California listings

Central Valley
10. Youth Alliance Meetings Every Friday (Fresno)
Go directly to Central Valley listings

Northern California
11. Youth and Agencies Wanted for SF Pride YOUTH SPACE! (Bay Area)
12. Queer Grrl Health Retreat: Let's Talk About Sex! (San Francisco)
13. GSA Summit! Unite the South Bay GSAs! (San Jose)
14. LYRIC: This Week in ASP (San Francisco)
15. 10th Annual Queer Youth Leadership Awards (Santa Cruz)
16. Workshops Organized Against Homophobia (WOAH) 2007 (Antioch)
17. "Hella Gay" Prom (Santa Rosa)
18. AC4A "Hargraves Fellowship" Opportunity (San Francisco)
19. Leading the Way: Using Documentary Film in the Quest for LGBT Equality (San Francisco)
Go directly to Northern California listings

National
20. Documentary Needs K-8 Teachers Focusing on LGBT Issues
Go directly to National listings

Scholarships
21. Models of Excellence Scholarship
Go directly to Scholarships listings

News
22. NEWS: Students Protest Outside Principal's Church, Home
23. NEWS: Religious Protest Follows Principal
Go directly to News listings

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

15 Middle School GSAs and Growing!

Middle schools are the place where the need to start GSAs may be the greatest, and in California their numbers are starting to grow. GSAs renew LGBTQ students’ lives by providing a safe place for youth to meet, support each other, talk about issues related to sexual orientation, and work to end homophobia and transphobia in their schools.

Joya Cazel, a student from Shoreline Middle School in Scotts Valley, CA wrote: “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. I’m not surprised by studies that have shown how middle school students experienced more homophobia and harassment than 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.”

Some studies are showing that the average age in coming out now is approximately 13. LGBTQ teenagers are "coming out" earlier than ever, and many feel better about themselves than earlier generations, youth leaders and researchers say. The change is happening in the wake of opinion polls that show growing acceptance of LGBTQ people, more supportive adults and positive role models in popular media.

Despite all that, for queer teens, school can be a battleground. Harassment, discrimination, name-calling, physical attacks, getting slammed into lockers, taunts in the hallways, and getting tormented in the bathrooms are common things for queer teens to experience at school. LGBTQ students, as well as students perceived by peers to be queer, are the most common targets of harassment at school. That harassment can reach its most fevered pitch in middle school.

With the support of the San Francisco Unified School District’s School Health Programs Department, last week, GSA Network hosted our first Leadership Training / Focus Group, targeted to middle school students. When asking a Presidio Middle School GSA advisor what was the most valuable or powerful part of the session, she answered: “The fact that it exists in the first place.”

Reaching out to middle school students is not easy and in the future, schools and school districts should implement a host of other practices to complement the efforts of a GSA like teachers and administrators as allies, curriculum that includes LGBTQ issues, anti-harassment policies that include anti-gay bullying, statewide anti-discrimination laws. In the meantime, here are some tips on how to start a GSA at your middle school:

1. Follow Guidelines:
Establish a GSA the same way you would establish any other group or club. Look in your Student Handbook for the rules at your school. This may include getting permission from an administrator, finding an advisor, and/or writing a constitution.

2. Find a Faculty Advisor:
Find a teacher or staff member whom you think would be supportive or who has already shown themselves to be an ally around sexual orientation issues. It could be a teacher, counselor, nurse, or librarian.

3. Inform Administration of Your Plans:
Tell administrators what you are doing right away. It can be very helpful to have an administrator on your side. They can work as liaisons on your behalf with other teachers, parent groups, community members, and the school board. If an administrator is resistant to the GSA, let them know that forming a GSA club is protected under the Federal Equal Access Act.

4. Inform Guidance Counselors and Social Workers About The Group:
These individuals may know students who would be interested in attending the group.

5. Pick a Meeting Place:
You may want to find a meeting place which is off the beaten track at school and offers some level of privacy or confidentiality.

6. Advertise:
Figure out the best way to advertise at your school. It may be a combination of school bulletin announcements, flyers, and word-of-mouth. If your flyers are defaced or torn down, do not be discouraged. Keep putting them back up. Eventually, whoever is tearing them down will give up.
Besides, advertising for your group and having words up such as "gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, or questioning" or "end homophobia" or "discuss sexual orientation" can be part of educating the school and can actually make other students feel safer -- even if they never attend a single meeting.

7. Get Food:
This one is kind of obvious. People always come to meetings when you provide food!

8. Hold Your Meeting!
You may want to start out with a discussion about why people feel having this group is important. You can also brainstorm things your club would like to do this year.

9. Establish Ground Rules:
Many groups have ground rules in order to insure that group discussions are safe, confidential, and respectful. Many groups have a ground rule that no assumptions or labels are used
about a group member's sexual orientation. This can help make straight allies feel comfortable about attending the club.

10. Plan For The Future:
Develop an action plan. Brainstorm activities. Set goals for what you want to work towards. Contact Gay-Straight Alliance Network in order to get connected to all of the other GSAs, get supported, and learn about what else is going on in the community.

Register with us -- Become an official addition to the growing directory of GSAs in California. After registering, your GSA will continually receive materials, ideas, and services from GSA Network.

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

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1. GSA Network Activist Camps! APPLY ONLINE!

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 - West Hollywood
July 27th - July 29th, 2007

Northern California Activist Camp - San Francisco
August 3rd - 5th, 2007

Join our Camp Myspace at http://www.myspace.com/activistcamp2007

Central Valley Activist Camp - Fresno
June 14th - 16th, 2007

APPLY ONLINE! Click here to get more info and apply online: http://www.gsanetwork.org/camp/camp2007.html!

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2. CA Senate votes on SB 777 this week! Speak Out & Advocate!

SB 777-the Student Civil Rights Act---authored by Senator Sheila Kuehl (D-Santa Monica) will be considered and voted on by the entire Senate this week. Please take a few minutes of time and call your Senator today to voice your support for the bill and advise him/her to vote YES on SB 777.

The Student Civil Rights Act will update and clarify non-discrimination laws protecting students and make them consistent with one another in order to make sure there is no confusion among teachers and school administrators when it comes to how students are legally protected. For more information about the bill, please visit http://www.gsanetwork.org/qyad.

It's very simple to find out how to call your Senator's office in Sacramento. Just go to http://www.legislature.ca.gov/port-zipsearch.html. Type in your zip code, and you will be taken right to your lawmaker's telephone number.

Suggestions for what to do when you call:

As always, it's best to be polite, friendly, and stick to the point.

1. Call the office and greet whoever answers the phone. Introduce yourself as a constituent (aka you live in the Senator's district) and a student at XXX school.
2. Tell them you want to talk about SB 777 because you know the Senator will be voting on it soon. You want him/her to vote YES on the bill.
3. If there is time, talk a little about why this bill is important to a student like you. Relate a brief story from your experiences.
4. If there are no follow-up questions from the staff member, just ask them to please pass along your request to the legislator.
5. Thank them for their time and say good-bye.

Please email Lai-San Seto, GSA Network's Advocacy Coordinator, at mailto:advocacy@gsanetwork.org if you have questions or you want to share how your call went. Good luck!

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3. GSA Network Leadership Training (San Diego)

You are invited to a GSA NETWORK LEADERSHIP TRAINING!

This FREE event will be held on May 19, 2007 from 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. It includes breakfast and lunch!

So what is a GSA Network Leadership training?
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 schools. Led by other GSA leaders from California, the training will show students how to start and run a kick-ass GSA.

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

Young people become activists because they respect themselves and other people too much to let anyone be treated like a second-class citizen. They believe in the basic worth of all human beings, including themselves. That's why so many students, including straight allies, are coming together to fight sexual orientation and gender identity discrimination at their schools. The goals of a student activism group include winning concrete improvements in people's lives, making students aware of their own power, and altering the relations of power. GSAs in California are leading the fight for social and justice.

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, May 19, 2007, 11am-5pm
WHERE: The San Diego LGBT Center * The training will take place in Room 201*
3909 Centre Street
San Diego, CA 92103
619-692-2077
COST: Free!

GSA Network values the participation of adult allies in our fight against oppression and injustice in schools, and thus welcomes GSA Advisors and other adult allies to the leadership training. That being said, we ask that they help us to maintain the youth focus of this training.

For more information or to RSVP, please contact:
Carlos Cabrera, GSA Network Southern California Program Coordinator, at 213-534-7162 or mailto:carlos@gsanetwork.org

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4. GSA Power T-shirt & More - Buy today!

For more info, email Tanya Mayo at mailto:tanya@gsanetwork.org or call 415-552-4229

Southern California
For more info, email mailto:carlos@gsanetwork.org or call 213-534-7162.

Central Valley
For more info, email mailto:robin@gsanetwork.org or call 559-268-2780.

Northern California
For more info, email mailto:marco@gsanetwork.org or call 415-552-4229.

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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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8. Tongue to Tongue Dialogue: Call for Participation (Los Angeles)

CALL FOR PARTICIPATION

Tongue to Tongue: Provoking Critical Dialogues Among Queer Women of Color is a community-organized three-day dialogue among queer women of color featuring workshops, lectures, visual art, film, performances and spaces where discussions evolve into action in and between our various communities through proposals for continued organizing and solidarity building. This social change event aims to deepen analysis of-, broaden dialogue on-, and instigate response to the on-going critical issues created out of the intersecting sites of race, class, gender, sexuality, citizenship, and nationalism.

This exchange will take place on the weekend of September 7-9, 2007 at the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center's Village at 1125 N. McCadden Place & Santa Monica Blvd. in Los Angeles, California.

We invite all queer women of color to submit proposals for:
- Workshops, panel discussions, guest speakers and forums
- Art and photography exhibitions
- Independent Films, Music and Performances by artists, filmmakers, bands, DJs
- As well as a market-style arts, publications & crafts vendors

Following are some possible topics/questions for consideration, but please do not feel limited:
- Gender: How do we all relate differently to the gender "being women"? What is our shared gender oppression as QWOC?
- Race: What are our varied experiences as QWOC? How do we work together in a way that acknowledges these differences? ¶ Poverty (work): How do QWOC fit in the economic ladder"? What are the strategies to deal with it?
- Nationality: What challenges do QWOC face because of borders, migration policies and international political relations? How do we address these challenges as well as the root causes?
- Health: What are particular health concerns that face QWOC? What are strategies to improve health of QWOC?
- Rights (legal, civil, human): How are "rights" constructed (in a way that excludes QWOC)? How is a "rights" framework useful for QWOC?
- Violence: What kinds of violence do QWOC face (internally, interpersonally, institutionally)? How do we address it?
- Family: What challenges do QWOC face in their families? How do we find support to deal with it?
- Sexuality: What are the varied ways in which we define our sexuality and how does it define us? Or why it matters? What are ways in which society imposes sexuality on us?
- Culture: Are our cultures exclusive of QWOC? How is culture constructed (construction versus "tradition") and propagated by men and women? What has historically been role of QWOC?

We welcome submissions from independent scholars, educators, artists, academic community and community activists. Proposals submitted for consideration should display significant content or thematic material regarding lesbian, bisexual or transgender women of color and/or issues based on our theme and mission statement. In addition, we welcome submissions that analyze themes as queer theory, sexuality, borders and boundaries, In/Migration and mobility, performing feminisms, religion and belief, race, health, embodiment, and transnationalism.

For years, queer women of color have been instrumental to social justice struggles but we have yet to find a collective voice. Tongue to Tongue believes that provoking honest and difficult dialogue is a critical first step toward building and strengthening community alliances. The goal of this event is to envision concrete plans of action to confront the injustices we face.

For questions or an application, please visit http://www.tonguetotongue.com or email us at mailto:tonguesmag@yahoo.com or call us at (323) 860-7322.

Submission deadline: MAY 18, 2007
Notification date: JULY 1, 2007
Event: SEPT 7 - 9, 2007

Early submissions are encouraged.

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9. LGBTQ Youth Prom, Sponsored by Friends of Project 10 Inc. (Los Angeles)

This annual event is held in May of each year at the Friendship Auditorium in Los Angeles (near Griffith Park).

This year's prom will be held on Friday, May 18, 2007.

Prepaid tickets are $30 and tickets bought at the door at $40, which includes free parking, dinner, beverages, DJ, and live entertainment.

Visit http://www.modelsofpride.org for prom details and ticket application. Contact us at mailto:project10@hotmail.com or 626-577-4553 for more information.

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Northern California
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11. Youth and Agencies Wanted for SF Pride YOUTH SPACE! (Bay Area)

Join forces with agencies and youth from across the bay to create an amazing youth space in 2007’s Gay Pride Festival! The organizers of San Francisco’s Pride Festival have given us an amazing location on the Civic Center Plaza and a tent to do whatever WE want on June 24th. Now we want you to join us in creating this AMAZING space.

We will be having out first meeting on Tuesday May 15th, 2007 in down town San Francisco. Adults and youth are all welcome. This is a brain storm meeting so bring your ideas for what you want the space to be!

For more information, please contact:

Emily Rodda or Benjamin Horgan at mailto:Emily@lsc-sf.org or mailto:ben@lsc-sf.org

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12. Queer Grrl Health Retreat: Let's Talk About Sex! (San Francisco)

The 4th Annual Queer Grrl Health Retreat will be a chance for queer young women to come together to talk and learn about sex, our bodies, violence and pleasure.

The 4th Annual Queer Grrl Health Retreat Presents: Let's Talk About Sex!

A 2-Day Retreat for Lesbian, Bi, Trans, Queer & Questioning Grrls!

Why this retreat kicks azz:

Come Hungry
(Breakfast, lunch & snacks provided)

Phat Giveaways & Gift Certificates!
(Off the Hook Free Stuff!)

Good folks & good vibes!
(A safe place to talk, ask and learn!)

Prizes & Goodies & Toys!
(Oh, my…)

Learn about...
your body (anatomy and physiology)
women's health issues
image and identity
safer sex
sexual communication
relationships
violence against women
community and empowerment
SEX
and more!

2 weekends to choose from:
Saturday & Sunday
May 12th & 13th OR May 19th & 20th

Boo-Yow: The retreat is free to all woman-identified folks 24 & under

Interested? Please RSVP ASAP: Mercedes Gibson 415.7036150 x21 or mailto:mercedes@lyric.org

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13. GSA Summit! Unite the South Bay GSAs! (San Jose)

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

- FREE FOOD
- Meet up with other GSA activists
- Celebrate our success this year

Participate in making a difference!

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

WHEN: Thursday, May 24
TIME: 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
WHERE: http://www.defrank.org/about/directions.html Billy DeFrank Center
938 The Alameda, San Jose COST FREE

For more information, contact:
Cassie Blume
Youth Programs and Volunteer Coordinator, Billy DeFrank Center
408-293-3040 X 111
mailto:youthprog@defrank.org

Join South Bay GSA email list
To join visit: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/defrank_gsa

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14. LYRIC: This Week in ASP (San Francisco)

Drop-In opens at 3 pm
Activities begin at 4 pm and end at 6 pm

Wednesday, May 9th
Pride Planning Group

LYRIC is gearing up for Pride. With a dance to plan and a T-shirt to produce, we need your input! Do you have something to say? Then join other youth of LYRIC and tell us how it should be done.

Thursday, May 10th
The U.S. Military: Myths & Realities for Youth

Learn how to fight back against the hype of military recruiters. Get facts and figures that you can share with anyone who’s thinking about joining—you just might save their life! Hear from Pablo Paredes-- a five year Navy veteran who refused to go to Iraq, a high school student who is organizing against recruiters on campus and a conscientious objector who refuses to pay taxes for war. Personal testimony, interactive games and short video clips will be used to expose the inside story of what it’s really like to be part of the US war machine and what you can do to resist.

Friday, May 11th
Movie Night: Dreamgirls
http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1809255882/info

Effie White, Deena Jones, and Lorrell Robinson - three friends from Chicago - are a promising singing trio called The Dreamettes. Accompanied by their songwriter C.C. White (Effie's brother), they travel to New York to compete in a talent show at the Apollo Theatre. Although the girls lose this first bid for fame, their talent attracts an ambitious manager by the name of Curtis Taylor, Jr., who uses unscrupulous tactics to move the girls from backup singers of superstar James "Thunder" Early to superstars of their own. Curtis reshapes the group to "crossover" from R & B to the lucrative pop music scene. Lead singer Effie gets replaced by the more attractive Deena and is eventually dropped from the trio. The group evolves into a more sophisticated group, The Dreams, with a lighter sound and chic look. They successfully attract a "whiter" audience and The Dreams rise to international stardom. The money, fame, and adulation, however, doesn't bring them happiness.

Safer Sex Kit Party

During the party we will also be putting together safer sex kits for this year’s Pride events. Come help us out and get some FREE PIZZA!!

For more information, contact Jaedon at mailto:jaedon@lyric.org

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15. 10th Annual Queer Youth Leadership Awards (Santa Cruz)

Celebrate the leadership and accomplishments of Santa Cruz County’s queer youth leaders and their allies on Saturday, May 19th at Harbor High School in Santa Cruz for the 10th Annual Santa Cruz County Queer Youth Leadership Awards.

Middle school and high school students from the San Francisco Bay Area, Central Valley, and Monterey Bay are encouraged to attend.

The full and dynamic evening includes a catered buffet dinner beginning at 6 pm, a blend of youth entertainment as a variety show combined with an awards ceremony at 8 pm, and a community dance to follow.

There are three categories of awards honoring queer youth leaders and their allies:
The Queer Youth Leadership Award
Designed to honor queer youth who are 12 to 18 years of age to acknowledge their accomplishments and the contributions to their communities, whether this be in their homes, schools, religious institutions, athletic or academic teams, or other social groups.

The Ally to Queer Youth Award
Designed to honor an ally of any age who has made significant contributions to improving the lives of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, or Intersex, and Questioning youth and youth who have GLBTIQ family members.

The Organizational Ally to Queer Youth Award
Designed to honor an organization that has made significant contributions to improving the lives of GLBTIQ youth in Santa Cruz County.

Youth tickets are $10 and Adult tickets are $25 - $45 (sliding scale) and include dinner, awards ceremony and a dance. Special group rates can be made for queer youth programs and/or GSA’s and their advisors. No one turned away for lack of funds.

American Sign Language and Spanish translations provided.

For more information, visit us at http://www.QYLA2007.org or contact us at (831) 427-4004 or mailto:info@qyla2007.org

The mission of Queer Youth Leadership Awards is to improve the lives of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, and Questioning youth by increasing the positive awareness of Queer Youth leadership, and increasing safe and welcoming environments in home, school, and community.

A project of the Santa Cruz County Task Force for LGBTIQ Youth, an affiliate of the Diversity Center. Co-sponsored, in part, by Santa Cruz City Schools.

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16. Workshops Organized Against Homophobia (WOAH) 2007 (Antioch)

The premier conference for queer youth and straight allies in Contra Costa County.

REGISTRATION IS FROM 9am-10am (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.)
When: May 19, 2007 12pm-7pm, Dance 7:30pm-9:30pm
Where: Antioch High School, 700 W 18th Street Antioch, CA
Why: Because homophobia, racism, transphobia, sexism and other forms of oppression are still an issue. (Lets make our communities safe.)

REMEMBER THIS CONFERENCE IS FREE TO PARTICPANTS!

REGISTER AT THE CONFERENCE

For more info contact Liz at 925.687.8844 x 304 or mailto:liz@chd-prevention.org

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17. "Hella Gay" Prom (Santa Rosa)

Positive Images Presents…
The P.I and G.S.A “Hella Gay” Prom

You are cordially invited to our Queer evening
“Over the Rainbow”

May 25th 2007
Disc Jockey spinning’ House, Funk, Hip-Hop and More
~Light Food, and Music 7:00-8:00pm~

Crowning of King and Queen Royal Court & Drag Show!
Those who choose to do so, may perform to a short piece of music, this will allow them to enter the Drag Show starting at 8:00pm
The Crowning of King and Queen to follow performances

Location: The Prom will be held at Club 509 in Santa Rosa Calif., at the Chop’s Demeo Center: 509 Adams Street, Santa Rosa California, 95401.

This Prom is a community based event in an attempt to influence “us” as a people to celebrate our diversities and to become a more understanding, stronger and united society…

Please RSVP by Friday May 10th, 2007 to mailto:posimage@sonic.net

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18. AC4A "Hargraves Fellowship" Opportunity (San Francisco)

Paid fellowship opportunity at SF LGBT civil rights organization!

Bay Area LGBT advocacy organization "…And Castro for All" (AC4A) seeks a bright, highly motivated college student for a new, paid fellowship, June-August 2007 (timing negotiable). AC4A "Hargraves Fellow(s)" will have the opportunity to participate in - and even lead - 1-2 exciting projects of her/his choice; work closely with AC4A board and volunteers; attend meetings with San Francisco elected officials, civil rights leaders, community leaders; and more.

Project opportunities include some of the below (pending Fellow interest and experience):
* Helping finalize a report on civil rights legislation and enforcement in SF and at the state level
* Organizing periodic events, e.g., guest lectures by prominent US civil rights leaders, social gatherings, film screening
* Coordinating a volunteer contingent for San Francisco Pride
* Redesigning/managing the redesign of the AC4A website to include a collection of the nation's "best" writing by LGBT people of color, women, transgender people, youth, and more

Fellowship terms:
Hargraves Fellows will be expected to work part-time (15-20 hours per week, flexible hours) for up to 10 weeks, from approximately June through August (negotiable). Fellows will have access to AC4A's office, computers, etc., and meet weekly with board members for work planning, updates, etc. Fellows will receive a $1500 stipend for their time and commitment, as well as benefit from the opportunity to work on important and cutting-edge issues, and work with some of the most influential people in the Bay Area and beyond.

Fellowship history:
The Hargraves Fellowship is named for Stanford alumni Hunter Hargraves, who joined the AC4A team during his junior year and eventually came to serve as the organization's first staff person, managing all of the organization's administration, co-writing the organization's first successful grants, organizing events, and much more. Hargraves now serves on the organization's board of directors, and works full-time on the staff of the SF-based Stop AIDS Project. This is the pilot year of the fellowship; if successful, the organization hopes to offer the fellowship annually.

Fellow qualifications:
* Strong public speaking ability
* Strong formal (e.g., reports, newsletter articles) and informal (emails) writing ability
* Independent, flexible, self-starter; mature and savvy
* Experience working in social justice and political organizations preferred
* Web design skills highly desirable, but not necessary

Application process:
Please submit the following to mailto:jlnewsome@gmail.com by May 11:
* 1-page cover letter
* 1-page resume
* Writing sample
* (Fellowship finalists will be asked to undergo a brief in-person interview in San Francisco, if possible)

AC4A is committed to affirmative action; women, transgender people, people of color, HIV+ people, disabled people, and members of other under-represented LGBT sub-communities strongly encouraged to apply.

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19. Leading the Way: Using Documentary Film in the Quest for LGBT Equality (San Francisco)

May 15, 2007
Commonwealth Club OF California
LGBT Forum
Leading the Way: Using Documentary Film in the Quest for LGBT Equality

Debra Chasnoff, Academy Award-Winning Filmmaker; Executive Director, Women's Educational Media
Pam Walton, Award-Winning Independent Documentary Filmmaker, Pam Walton Productions.

Moderator: Pam David, Executive Director, Walter and Elise Haas Fund

Documentary filmmakers Debra Chasnoff and Pam Walton will discuss their award winning work with moderator Pam David. and talk about using documentary films as a means of achieving lgbt equality.

When Chasnoff's documentary, It's Elementary-Talking About Gay Issues in School, first aired on public television, conservative activists inundated PBS with calls to stop the broadcast. The movie now serves as a catalyst for addressing anti-gay prejudice internationally. Chasnoff heads Women's Educational Media which produces documentary films and runs a national campaigns to support youth growing up in different kinds of family structures and to deal with prejudice and bullying.

For the last twenty years Walton's films have explored gay and lesbian lives in mainstream culture and are being broadcast and distributed nationally. Liberty: 3 Stories about Life & Death and Call to Witness helped launch LOGO, MTV Networks' historic gay cable channel. Walton's Family Values: An American Tragedy and Gay Youth have become part of the canon for women's studies and youth and family studies.

Commonwealth Club
595 Market Street 2nd Floor
San Francisco, CA 94105
Telephone: (415) 597-6700

Date: May 15, 2007
Time: 5:30 p.m. reception, 6 p.m.
Program Cost: $8 members, $15 non-members
Program Coordinator: Laurie Wagner

Tickets can be purchased online at http://www.commonwealthclub.org/mlf/#leadingtheway

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National
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20. Documentary Needs K-8 Teachers Focusing on LGBT Issues

We are looking for teachers who are doing lessons about LGBT issues with k-8 students for our follow-up documentary to It's Elementary (this new docuemtnary looks at the impact of the film over the last 10 years). We are looking for teachers to interview and perhaps film in their classes.

Women's Educational Media and the Respect For All Project are commemorating the 10th anniversary of their film It’s Elementary—Talking About Gay Issues in School by re-releasing the film on DVD this fall. A companion documentary is being produced for the DVD that looks at the impact of It’s Elementary over the last 10 years.

The producers are looking for educators to interview for the film who are doing lessons about LGBT issues with k-8 students. Lessons could be about family diversity, LGBT history or literature, Pride Day celebrations, etc.

We would like to interview teachers about how and why they are doing those lessons and also possibly film their classes. We are considering educators from all over the country, and are especially interested in those from rural areas or red states.

Interested educators should call or email producer Sue Chen at mailto:schen@respectforall.org or 1-800-405-3322. More information about Women's Educational Media and the Respect For All Project is available at http://www.womedia.org.

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Scholarships
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21. Models of Excellence Scholarship

This is a reminder of the Models of Excellence Scholarship program that is offered by Friends of Project 10 http://www.project.org. We have extended
the application deadline to May 11, 2007, and we ask your help in finding appropriate candidates.

The program is open to any graduating senior high school student who plans to attend post secondary school, university, four-year college or community college. Students may apply regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. We look for involvement in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community. In the past, this has included, but not limited to, such activities as membership in the school‚s Gay-Straight Alliance, organizing the Day of Silence, participating in the AIDS walk, working at Project Angel Food, GLSEN or The Trevor Project.

Students can download an application from our Web site at http://www.modelsofpride.org. To speed the process, unofficial transcripts are acceptable. Questions can be directed to the Friends of Project 10 office at mailto:project10@hotmail.com or (626) 577-4553.

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NEWS
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22. NEWS: Students Protest Outside Principal's Church, Home

May 6, 2007
CBS13
By Koula Gianulias, Reporting

(CBS13) SACRAMENTO A school protest turned personal when demonstrators targeted a church, and the home of a Citrus Heights principal.

Protestors were lashing out at the principal for banning t-shirts with a biblical message that some considered anti-gay.

One student at the protest was suspended for wearing the t-shirt, On Sunday he was demonstrating against his principal in front of his church.

Churchgoers were surprised and disappointed, but tried to turn the other cheek.

A few hours later, demonstrators planted themselves in front of the principal's house, raising their voices as neighbors came out to look.

Principal Terwilliger was visibly shaken by their visit and notified police, but he didn't want to talk on camera, fearing the situation would only get worse. All of this was sparked by National Day of Silence, an event at high schools to promote tolerance. Some students retaliated by wearing biblical t-shirts that the principal considers anti gay.

The principal already reversed the suspensions hoping to open a dialogue. He also says it is his duty to maintain a safe learning environment.

This issue isn't going away any time soon. Another protest is set to take place Monday at San Juan High School.

To read the full story, visit:
http://cbs13.com/local/local_story_126201828.html

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23. NEWS: Religious Protest Follows Principal

Religious Protest Follows Principal
Claiming persecution, a group rallies at his home and church after flap over anti-gay T-shirts.

May 8, 2007
Sacramento Bee
By Todd Milbourn

The Church of the Divide is well-practiced in the art of public protest.

Dick Otterstad and son Luke, leaders of the 20-member El Dorado County congregation, have staged dozens of demonstrations in recent years to expose what they view as Christian persecution.

They've taken to Wal-Mart parking lots dressed up as Santa Claus to warn shoppers about the company's use of "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas." They've donned red devil suits and picketed the "imposition" of gay tolerance at school workshops. And they've attracted media attention -- from outlets as big as CNN and USA Today -- at almost every turn.

The Otterstads and their church brought those tactics to Sacramento over the weekend, orchestrating rallies against Dave Terwilliger, the San Juan High School principal who has drawn the ire of religious conservatives for suspending 35 students for wearing anti-gay T-shirts.

Terwilliger suspended the first round of students nearly three weeks ago, saying the shirts disrupted the learning environment. Students said the shirts were an expression of their religious views and intended as a counterpoint to the April 18 Day of Silence, an annual student protest in support of gay rights.

Ever since, rallies in front of San Juan High have become a routine part of life, with supporters using bullhorns and cardboard signs to make their case. More than 100 rallied near the campus Monday, and five more students were suspended for wearing inappropriate shirts.

The Otterstads entered the fray on Sunday by taking the protests a step further -- to the principal's home and house of worship.

To read the full story, visit:
http://www.sacbee.com/101/story/171284.html

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May 2, 2007

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

GSA Network Highlight
Legal Suggestions for Prom Time
Go directly to GSA Network highlight

GSA Network Announcements
1. This Weekend! GSA Network Leadership Training for Middle School Students! (San Francisco)
2. GSA Network Activist Camps! APPLY ONLINE!
3. Photos from Queer Youth Advocacy Day 2007 Now Available! Web page Updated!
4. Date Changed! GSA Network Leadership Training (San Diego)
5. GSA Power T-shirt & More - Buy today!
6. 10th Annual Queeriosity event (San Francisco)
7. Free Resources for New or Re-Registered GSAs!
8. GSA Network Youth Council Wants You! (Statewide)
Go directly to GSA Network announcements

Other Announcements
Southern California
9. Tongue to Tongue Dialogue: Call for Participation (Los Angeles)
10. LGBTQ Youth Prom, Sponsored by Friends of Project 10 Inc. (Los Angeles)
Go directly to Southern California listings

Central Valley
11. Youth Alliance Meetings Every Friday (Fresno)
Go directly to Central Valley listings

Northern California
12. Queer Grrl Health Retreat: Let's Talk About Sex! (San Francisco)
13."Hella Gay" Prom (Santa Rosa)
14. YOUTH EVENTS at The San Francisco LGBT Community Center (San Francisco)
15. Save the Date: UNCHAINED and the Young Women’s Health Fair is BACK! (San Francisco)
16. Y Fest 2007 (San Francisco)
17. Gender Pirates with Fresh Meat! (San Francisco)
Go directly to Northern California listings

Scholarships
18. Scholarship Available for the U.S. Social Forum Fund
19. Models of Excellence Scholarship
Go directly to Scholarships listings

News
20. NEWS: Transgender Teen Accuses School of Discrimination
Go directly to News listings

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

Legal Suggestions for Prom Time

It takes courage to go against the grain at high school prom. By this, I mean wearing something that may attract a stare or two based on its unconventionality, bringing a date of the same sex, not going with a date, or running for prom king (when one is perceived as a female) or prom queen (when one is perceived as a male). Prom time poses interesting questions for students, administrators, parents, and community members.

Despite the fact that high school prom has usually been portrayed as a solely heterosexual and “conventional” event in mass media (think Pretty in Pink and many movies from the 80s), the right to bring a same-sex date to prom was established in federal court back in 1980. Incidentally, this was the year Michael Jackson’s single “Rock With You” was huge, Ronald Reagan was elected, and the US hockey team beat Russia during the Olympics.

So you see, there is a relatively long history of protected free speech under the First Amendment of the US Constitution for all students. And every year there are new issues at prom time that raise the question: is this protected as free expression under the California and/or federal Constitution?

Question
One question that has been raised recently is whether there are any laws that would prevent a girl from running for Prom King or a boy from running for Prom Queen.
Again, this is largely a question of students’ right to free expression, but could also be framed as a student’s right to receive an education free from discrimination on the basis of sex, gender, gender expression, and/or sexual orientation.

While there’s not a clearly settled legal answer, there was a situation in Fresno, California recently whereby a transgender student was allowed to run for prom king, despite the fact that the school district initially only allowed “male” students to run for king. This was a significant victory for students’ right to free expression, as the school district decided to allow the transgender student to run on the ballot with other male candidates instead of forcing the student to run for prom queen. This story can be found at http://www.mercurynews.com/news/ci_5714908.

Discrimination
In California, AB 537 disallows discrimination and harassment on the basis of gender identity, sexual orientation, and sex (among other categories). Arguably, expression of gender identity through the clothing of one’s choosing, etc., is protected in California for students.

Expression
In 1993, the California Legislature enacted section 48950 of the Education Code, securing public high school students’ rights to free expression. This measure was intended to make clear that students have the same rights to exercise free speech at school as they enjoy away from school.

One strong argument to make, if students feel their free expression rights are being suppressed, is to argue that their actions are not “materially disruptive,” and cannot therefore be suppressed at school. This means that the act and speech of expressing one’s gender identity or presentation and/or one’s sexual orientation is not creating a disruptive or dangerous situation.

Furthermore, if the school attempts to justify denying students the ability to dress in a gender non-conforming fashion by stating it will be disruptive or dangerous to these students, these are strong arguments to make:
• Under the California Education Code, a school may not silence LGBT students as a means of protecting them. As long as LGBT and ally students’ behavior does not urge violence or any harassing behavior, then school administrators cannot restrict their expression in reaction to other students who may strongly, and even violently, disagree with the LGBT students’ expression.
• Courts throughout the country have also repeatedly held that constitutional protections apply to expression by openly gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender high school students. In Fricke v. Lynch, for example, the court held that the expressive right of a gay student to bring a same-sex date to the prom outweighed the legitimate interest in school discipline. This is because the school should have addressed the discipline concern by providing the gay student with security escorts instead of disallowing him the ability to express himself in a non-disruptive manner.

No matter where a student is located throughout the country, he/she/ze can likely find allies at school who would support the decision to run for prom queen or king. Sometimes having this support and encouragement is enough to help persuade school administrators to change their policies to allow boys to run for queen or girls to run for king.

And if a public high school student identifies as a male, in California he should certainly be allowed to participate in a school activity in the way that corresponds with his gender identity, even if not stereotypically associated with his assigned sex at birth.

Have fun and be safe at this year’s prom… and remember that you have the right to be yourself! If you feel that you are being treated unfairly at prom or any of the surrounding activities, please contact GSA Network and see what we can do to assist you!

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

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1. This Weekend! GSA Network Leadership Training for Middle School Students! (San Francisco)

You are invited to a GSA NETWORK LEADERSHIP TRAINING!

This FREE event will be held on May 5 from 11:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. It includes lunch!

So what is a GSA Network Leadership training?
Youth from various middle schools in the Bay Area, come together for a FUN, interactive, training that provides students with the skills to fight homophobia and transphobia in schools. Led by other GSA high school leaders from around Northern California, the training will show students how to start and run a GSA Club.

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

Young people become activists because they respect themselves and other people too much to let anyone be treated like a second-class citizen. They believe in the basic worth of all human beings, including themselves. That's why so many students, including straight allies, are coming together to fight sexual orientation and gender identity discrimination at their schools. The goals of a student activism group include winning concrete improvements in people's lives, making students aware of their own power, and altering the relations of power. GSAs in California are leading the fight on social change and justice.

This is a great opportunity to network with other youth in your area while learning some new skills to strengthen your club.
WHO: Middle School Students, GSA Members and Advisors, Community Members
WHEN: Saturday, May 5 from 11:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
WHERE: GSA Network Offices
1550 Bryant Street, 11th Floor (Penthouse)
San Francisco, CA 94103
COST: Free!
CO-SPONSOR: SFUSD School Health Programs Department

GSA Network values the participation of adult allies in our fight against oppression and injustice in schools, and thus welcomes GSA Advisors and other adult allies to the leadership training. That being said, we ask that they 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 mailto:marco@gsanetwork.org

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4. Date Changed! GSA Network Leadership Training (San Diego)

You are invited to a GSA NETWORK LEADERSHIP TRAINING!

This FREE event will be held on May 19, 2007 from 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. It includes breakfast and lunch!

So what is a GSA Network Leadership training?
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 schools. Led by other GSA leaders from California, the training will show students how to start and run a kick-ass GSA.

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

Young people become activists because they respect themselves and other people too much to let anyone be treated like a second-class citizen. They believe in the basic worth of all human beings, including themselves. That's why so many students, including straight allies, are coming together to fight sexual orientation and gender identity discrimination at their schools. The goals of a student activism group include winning concrete improvements in people's lives, making students aware of their own power, and altering the relations of power. GSAs in California are leading the fight for social and justice.

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, May 19, 2007, 11am-5pm
WHERE: The San Diego LGBT Center * The training will take place in Room 201*
3909 Centre Street
San Diego, CA 92103
619-692-2077
COST: Free!

GSA Network values the participation of adult allies in our fight against oppression and injustice in schools, and thus welcomes GSA Advisors and other adult allies to the leadership training. That being said, we ask that they help us to maintain the youth focus of this training.

For more information or to RSVP, please contact:
Carlos Cabrera, GSA Network Southern California Program Coordinator, at 213-534-7162 or mailto:carlos@gsanetwork.org

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5. GSA Power T-shirt & More - Buy today!

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7. Free Resources for New or Re-Registered GSAs!

Before you plan any events for your GSA, remember to register or re-register your group with GSA Network. Do it NOW to make sure you receive our student resource sheets, FREE posters, other resources, and notifications of future GSA Network or LGBT-related events. Please note that mailings will go out only to California GSAs in middle and high schools.

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

For more info, email Tanya Mayo at mailto:tanya@gsanetwork.org or call 415-552-4229

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8. GSA Network Youth Council Wants You! (Statewide)

GSA Network is accepting applications for new Youth Council members.
Go to the website and apply: http://www.gsanetwork.org/about/ycapp.html

Southern California
For more info, email mailto:carlos@gsanetwork.org or call 213-534-7162.

Central Valley
For more info, email mailto:robin@gsanetwork.org or call 559-268-2780.

Northern California
For more info, email mailto:marco@gsanetwork.org or call 415-552-4229.

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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. Tongue to Tongue Dialogue: Call for Participation (Los Angeles)

CALL FOR PARTICIPATION

Tongue to Tongue: Provoking Critical Dialogues Among Queer Women of Color is a community-organized three-day dialogue among queer women of color featuring workshops, lectures, visual art, film, performances and spaces where discussions evolve into action in and between our various communities through proposals for continued organizing and solidarity building. This social change event aims to deepen analysis of-, broaden dialogue on-, and instigate response to the on-going critical issues created out of the intersecting sites of race, class, gender, sexuality, citizenship, and nationalism.

This exchange will take place on the weekend of September 7-9, 2007 at the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center's Village at 1125 N. McCadden Place & Santa Monica Blvd. in Los Angeles, California.

We invite all queer women of color to submit proposals for:
¶ Workshops, panel discussions, guest speakers and forums
¶ Art and photography exhibitions
¶ Independent Films, Music and Performances by artists, filmmakers, bands, DJs
¶ As well as a market-style arts, publications & crafts vendors

Following are some possible topics/questions for consideration, but please do not feel limited:
¶ Gender: How do we all relate differently to the gender "being women"? What is our shared gender oppression as QWOC?
¶ Race: What are our varied experiences as QWOC? How do we work together in a way that acknowledges these differences? ¶ Poverty (work): How do QWOC fit in the economic ladder"? What are the strategies to deal with it?
¶ Nationality: What challenges do QWOC face because of borders, migration policies and international political relations? How do we address these challenges as well as the root causes?
¶ Health: What are particular health concerns that face QWOC? What are strategies to improve health of QWOC?
¶ Rights (legal, civil, human): How are "rights" constructed (in a way that excludes QWOC)? How is a "rights" framework useful for QWOC?
¶ Violence: What kinds of violence do QWOC face (internally, interpersonally, institutionally)? How do we address it?
¶ Family: What challenges do QWOC face in their families? How do we find support to deal with it?
¶ Sexuality: What are the varied ways in which we define our sexuality and how does it define us? Or why it matters? What are ways in which society imposes sexuality on us?
¶ Culture: Are our cultures exclusive of QWOC? How is culture constructed (construction versus "tradition") and propagated by men and women? What has historically been role of QWOC?

We welcome submissions from independent scholars, educators, artists, academic community and community activists. Proposals submitted for consideration should display significant content or thematic material regarding lesbian, bisexual or transgender women of color and/or issues based on our theme and mission statement. In addition, we welcome submissions that analyze themes as queer theory, sexuality, borders and boundaries, In/Migration and mobility, performing feminisms, religion and belief, race, health, embodiment, and transnationalism.

For years, queer women of color have been instrumental to social justice struggles but we have yet to find a collective voice. Tongue to Tongue believes that provoking honest and difficult dialogue is a critical first step toward building and strengthening community alliances. The goal of this event is to envision concrete plans of action to confront the injustices we face.

For questions or an application, please visit http://www.tonguetotongue.com or email us at mailto:tonguesmag@yahoo.com or call us at (323) 860-7322.

Submission deadline: MAY 18, 2007
Notification date: JULY 1, 2007
Event: SEPT 7 - 9, 2007

Early submissions are encouraged.

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10. LGBTQ Youth Prom, Sponsored by Friends of Project 10 Inc. (Los Angeles)

This annual event is held in May of each year at the Friendship Auditorium in Los Angeles (near Griffith Park).

This year's prom will be held on Friday, May 18, 2007.

Prepaid tickets are $30 and tickets bought at the door at $40, which includes free parking, dinner, beverages, DJ, and live entertainment.

Visit http://www.modelsofpride.org for prom details and ticket application. Contact us at mailto:project10@hotmail.com or 626-577-4553 for more information.

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Central Valley
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11. Youth Alliance Meetings Every Friday (Fresno)

What: Youth Alliance-A group for GLBTQI Youth
When: Every Friday evening.
Time: 7:30pm
Where: Fresno Center for Non-violence, 1584 N Van Ness, corner of Van Ness and McKinley.

This group has been serving youth for 19 years. There is an hour between 6:30-7:30pm that is the TEEN Hour. This hour is reserved for high school age youth only. The hour or so after the TEEN Hour is open to teens and young adults!!! So check it out and meet some new people!!!

For info go to http://www.communitylinkfresno.com.

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Northern California
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12. Queer Grrl Health Retreat: Let's Talk About Sex! (San Francisco)

The 4th Annual Queer Grrl Health Retreat will be a chance for queer young women to come together to talk and learn about sex, our bodies, violence and pleasure.

The 4th Annual Queer Grrl Health Retreat Presents: Let's Talk About Sex!

A 2-Day Retreat for Lesbian, Bi, Trans, Queer & Questioning Grrls!

Why this retreat kicks azz:

Come Hungry
(Breakfast, lunch & snacks provided)

Phat Giveaways & Gift Certificates!
(Off the Hook Free Stuff!)

Good folks & good vibes!
(A safe place to talk, ask and learn!)

Prizes & Goodies & Toys!
(Oh, my…)

Learn about...
your body (anatomy and physiology)
women's health issues
image and identity
safer sex
sexual communication
relationships
violence against women
community and empowerment
SEX
and more!

2 weekends to choose from:
Saturday & Sunday
May 5th & 6th OR May 12th & 13th

Boo-Yow: The retreat is free to all woman-identified folks 24 & under

Interested? Please RSVP ASAP: Mercedes Gibson 415.7036150 x21 or mailto:mercedes@lyric.org

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13. "Hella Gay" Prom (Santa Rosa)

Positive Images Presents…
The P.I and G.S.A “Hella Gay” Prom

You are cordially invited to our Queer evening
“Over the Rainbow”

May 25th 2007
Disc Jockey spinning’ House, Funk, Hip-Hop and More
~Light Food, and Music 7:00-8:00pm~

Crowning of King and Queen Royal Court & Drag Show!
Those who choose to do so, may perform to a short piece of music, this will allow them to enter the Drag Show starting at 8:00pm
The Crowning of King and Queen to follow performances

Location: The Prom will be held at Club 509 in Santa Rosa Calif., at the Chop’s Demeo Center: 509 Adams Street, Santa Rosa California, 95401.

This Prom is a community based event in an attempt to influence “us” as a people to celebrate our diversities and to become a more understanding, stronger and united society…

Please RSVP by Friday May 10th, 2007 to mailto:posimage@sonic.net

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14. YOUTH EVENTS at The San Francisco LGBT Community Center (San Francisco)

Youth Zine-"Coming Of Age" Deadline May 21st
We are currently looking for submission from youth 18 and under who express who they are through spoken word, poetry, photography, drawing or any other form. Please contact Nicole Ramirez at 415.865.5530 or mailto:nicoler@sfcenter.org for further information.

Youth Movie Night MAY 24th from 6pm-9pm
Come have dinner and watch a movie with other GSA Members from local High Schools.

Queer Prom JUNE 16th from 8pm-Midnight
Save this Date! The first annual SF Queer Prom! Flyers to come!

Any additional information about Youth Events (18 & under), please contact Youth Program Coordinator Nicole Ramirez at 415.865.5530 or mailto:nicoler@sfcetner.org

The San Francisco LGBT Community Center
1800 Market Street
San Francisco, CA 94102

*all events at this space are FREE

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15. Save the Date: UNCHAINED and the Young Women’s Health Fair is BACK! (San Francisco)

Saturday, June 16th from 10am-6pm

UNCHAINED and the Young Women’s Health Fair is BACK!!

LYRIC celebrates 12 years of LGBTQQ youth conferences with the Unchained Conference and Young Women’s Health Fair. Through its conferences, LYRIC has brought thousands of LGBTQQ youth and allies together to gain tools, build stronger communities and network with other folks in the fight against homo/bi/trans-phobia. On June 16th, 2007 hundreds more LGBTQQ youth and allies will keep the groove jumpin with new workshops, hot performances, and the latest resources!

WHO: LGBTQ youth 24 & under and their allies (teachers, that includes you!)
WHAT: Two bangin events under one roof!
WHEN: Saturday, June 16th 2007
WHERE: TBA (soon!)

For more information or to find out how to get involved with Unchained and the Young Women’s Health Fair…
CONTACT DERRICK, your resident CONFERENCE DIVA!

Derrick Miller-Handley, 415-703-6150 ext. 15 or mailto:derrick@lyric.org

For more information about LYRIC please see http://www.lyric.org

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16. Y Fest 2007 (San Francisco)

Join New Global Citizens for an afternoon of music, dance, multimedia and inspiration, in celebration of Bay Area high school students who are changing the world.

When: Sunday May 20th 2007
Time: 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Where: La Victoria Theatre
2961 16th Street
San Francisco, CA 94103

Tickets are free but limited. Call or email to reserve yours. 415.550.6991 or mailto:yfest@newglobalcitizens.org

For more information, pleasee check out: http://www.newglobalcitizens.org

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17. Gender Pirates with Fresh Meat! (San Francisco)

Fresh Meat Productions and United Genders of the Universe present: Gender Pirates with Fresh Meat!

A BENEFIT FOR THE THE TRANS MARCH & THE FRESH MEAT FESTIVAL

Thursday May 10, 2007
Thursday May 10, 2007
Doors @ 7:30pm, Show @ 8:00pm SHARP!

TICKETS: $7-12 sliding scale at the door
LOCATION: El Rio (3158 Mission Street @ Precita, SF)
INFO: http://www.freshmeatproductions.org

Gender Pirates with Fresh Meat is a big ol’ Spring celebration of trans & queer performance, featuring live blues, rock & country; drag; dance; spoken word and dancing:
-KALI B - a.k.a. "Mr TuffNStuff: Drag King/Blues Man"
-MIGHTY SLIM PICKINS - queer urban country band your mama never told you about
-AFRODISIAC - Hip Hop/R&B Drag King
-SHAWNA VIRAGO - tranny rock glamourpuss singer/songwriter
-BLUE BUDDHA - live music Sista Love! Sexxy, Soulful and Sin-ta-Lating
-COLOMBIAN SOUL - bringing you traditional Colombian dance!
-KIRK READ - stories to warm your heart and your panties
-JULIA SERANO - spoken word that packs a punch … with a smile
-THEA HILLMAN - smart fiction with tongue AND cheek
-EMCEE FAE - our fearless leader and all round good guy
-DJ SAM DAVIS spinning hip hop, queer 80s and punk rock
for all you: freaks, punks, queers, trannies, genderqueers, men, women, genderfuckers, multiples, femmes, intersexies, rockstars, shyboys, skaterz, strippers, activists, workers, artists, felons, and everyone else.

--ALL GENDERS WELCOME!--
Fresh Meat 2007 (June 14-16, 2007) is Fresh Meat Productions’ 6th Annual Transgender and Queer Performance Festival at ODC Theater.

Fresh Meat has been called “fierce and fine tuned”, “history in the making” (Bay Area Reporter) and “outstanding, joyful, irreverent” (Critical Dance). This year’s Festival features hula, taiko, hip hop, traditional Colombian dance, modern dance, theater, rock & roll and spoken word. www.freshmeatproductions.org

The 4th Annual Trans March (June 22, 2007) is designed to bring together all the fabulous diversity of the transgender and gender-variant community along with our allies, in a celebration of our mutual support and our political struggles. Last year’s March brought together 10,000 transgender people and allies, featured a 3-hour performance stage with over 20 different gender-variant musicians, political speakers and lives bands, and a march to Civic Center. http://www.transmarch.org

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Scholarships
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18. Scholarship Available for the U.S. Social Forum Fund

Are you planning to go to the United States Social Forum? Would you like to go for free?

Third Wave will provide full scholarships (registration, travel, lodging and food) for young women and transgender activists ages 15 - 30 to attend the United States Social Forum this June. The United States Social Forum Fund (USSFF) reflects Third Wave's commitment to developing the leadership of youth activists, especially youth of color, within social justice movements, and we recognize this historic gathering as a key opportunity to build bridges, develop and share analyses, and learn and strategize.

The application form is brief and accessible. Download it here:

http://thirdwavefoundation.org/grant-making/ussff

Applications *must be received* by May 10!

Learn more about the United States Social forum here: http://www.ussf2007.org/

We look forward to your applications!

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19. Models of Excellence Scholarship

This is a reminder of the Models of Excellence Scholarship program that is offered by Friends of Project 10 http://www.project.org. We have extended
the application deadline to May 11, 2007, and we ask your help in finding appropriate candidates.

The program is open to any graduating senior high school student who plans to attend post secondary school, university, four-year college or community college. Students may apply regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. We look for involvement in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community. In the past, this has included, but not limited to, such activities as membership in the school‚s Gay-Straight Alliance, organizing the Day of Silence, participating in the AIDS walk, working at Project Angel Food, GLSEN or The Trevor Project.

Students can download an application from our Web site at http://www.modelsofpride.org. To speed the process, unofficial transcripts are acceptable. Questions can be directed to the Friends of Project 10 office at mailto:project10@hotmail.com or (626) 577-4553.

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NEWS
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20. NEWS: Transgender Teen Accuses School of Discrimination

4.28.07
Dallas Morning News
By Emily Tsao

A male Fort Worth high school student who has been dressing as a girl has been suspended from school.

Rodney Evans, a 15-year-old sophomore at Eastern Hills High School, said officials told him he was being suspended Thursday for disrupting school with foul language, but he contends the real reason was because he is a transgender male who cross-dresses.

"When I try and do the whole cross-dressing thing, everything just blows up in my face," he said Friday. "I can't be who I am. They basically stripped me of who I am."

A school district spokeswoman declined to comment on the specifics of the incident but said the suspension had nothing to do with clothing.

"This is a disciplinary matter involving a student, and rules concerning confidentiality prohibit us from talking about this," Barbara Griffith said.

On any given day, Rodney may wear women's jeans, women's flats, nail polish, eye shadow, mascara and blush. He carries a purse. Sometimes he wears a wig or breast pads. Rodney said he has been dressing like this since freshman year.

It hasn't been easy. In the past two years, he said, he has received numerous school infractions and has been suspended more times than he can remember.

Rodney said he was escorted Thursday to the office of the assistant principal, who told him to remove his wig and high heels because he was being disruptive. When Rodney refused, he was told to go into detention for the remainder of the day. A second refusal led to a threat of a three-day suspension.

Upset, Rodney said, he went into the hallway and began crying. A friend came by, and Rodney said he had an outburst. Rodney said police officers then ticketed him for using profane language.

"I got myself suspended in a way," he said.

Rodney said he's never gotten a ticket before but is expected to show up at municipal court by early May and possibly face a fine or community service.

He returns to school Wednesday.

To read the full story, visit:
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/education/stories/DN-suspended_28met.ART.West.Edition1.436da99.html#

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