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GSA Network News Email Archive - September 2006
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In this issue of GSA Network News, you'll find:
GSA Network Highlight
Flyer Distribution & Discussion Meetings to Mark National Coming Out Day!
Go directly to GSA Network
highlight
GSA Network Announcements
1. CONTEST: Enter the GSA Network T-shirt & pin design contest!
2. Re-register your GSA today - get new resources & keep informed!!
3. Apply for GSA Network Youth Council! It's Cool! (Statewide)
4. Apply for GSA Network Advocacy Committee! It's even Cooler! (Statewide)
5. Join the YES Conference Committee! It's Cooler Than Cool! (San Francisco)
6. GSA Network Leadership Training (Palm Springs)
7. Liberation Ink Posters - Free For GSAs (Statewide)
8. Sign-up for the High Contrast Photo Exhibit at your school (Bay
Area)
9. JOB: GSA Network - Central Valley Program Associate (Fresno)
10. JOB: GSA Network - Development Coordinator (San Francisco)
Go directly to GSA Network announcements
Other Announcements
Southern California
11. Gay Day (Anaheim)
Go directly to Southern California listings
Northern California
12. LGBTQ Speaker’s Training for Youth 23 & Under (Berkeley)
13. California Shakespeare Theatre Presents UndeR GrounD (San
Francisco)
14. "In God's House: Asian American Gay and Lesbian Families in the Church"
(Berkeley)
15. East Bay Elementary School Forum: Creating Inclusive Environments for LGBT
Families (Oakland)
16. Volunteer at Community United Against Violence (San Francisco)
17. Volunteer at the Lambda Youth Project (Hayward)
Go directly to Northern California listings
National
18. Join the National Transgender Education Project Youth Review Board!
19. GLSEN's Ally Week
Go directly to National listings
Jobs
20. After-School Site Coordinator
Go directly to Jobs listings
+++++++++++++++ GSA NETWORK HIGHLIGHT+++++++++++++++
FLYER DISTRIBUTION & DISCUSSION MEETINGS TO MARK NATIONAL COMING OUT DAY
El Segundo High School - National Coming Out Day is October 11, and
El Segundo High School's GSA plans on "coming out" to as many students
as possible by distributing flyers. "We'd like to raise awareness on our
campus about queer youth," says V.T., a member of El Segundo High School's
GSA. "This'll be a great event for our GSA to start off the school year…we
hope to have a lot of students participate."
The GSA will also follow up the flyer distribution with a discussion meeting
themed around the history and importance of National Coming Out Day. Tentative
plans are also in place for a special GSA discussion meeting to discuss the
next steps in effectuating long term change on their campus. Their goals are
best summed up in the words of Valerie, another GSA member: "More than
anything, we want to be more visible on campus and to bring our GSA closer together.
National Coming Out Day will be the first event that will help our club feel
more active."
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+++++++++++++ GSA NETWORK ANNOUNCEMENTS +++++++++++++
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1. CONTEST: Enter the GSA Network T-shirt & pin design contest!
MAKE YOUR MARK ALL OVER CALIFORNIA!
Enter the GSA Network T-shirt & pin design contest!
Can you draw, design, or paint? Can you capture a thousand words with just a
single image? Do you want to see your artwork worn by hundreds and hundreds
of students all over the state? If so, please submit your designs today for
our contest!!!
The GSA Network is currently looking for individual artists or GSAs who want
to impress everyone with their artistic skills and earn some cash! We need designs
for two things: One design is for a GSA Network T-shirt, and one design is for
a GSA Network button.
These designs should represent a strong, fierce message about youth activism
and the GSA Network mission statement: "Empowering youth to fight
homophobia and transphobia in schools." Show us what you see when
you think about the power of coming together and creating change! For more information
about GSA Network's mission statement and our work, please visit http://www.gsanetwork.org/about/index.html.
The T-shirts and buttons will be distributed state-wide. Yes, this is your chance
to get your artwork worn by many, many GSA members and other LGBTQ youth supporters
all over California.
The winner for the T-shirt design will receive $100 + 5 free t-shirts!!!
The winner for the button design will receive $50 + 25 free buttons!!!
Rules…rules…there are always rules…
1) No profanity
2) No more than 3 colors for the T-shirt (It helps keep costs so we can print
up more shirts for everyone!)
3) Email your designs as JPEG or Adobe Photoshop attachments to intern@gsanetwork.org,
or mail them to our office (1550 Bryant Street, Suite 800, San Francisco, CA
94103)
4) No design is returned to the artist
5) The original artwork becomes property of the GSA Network
6) Submission deadline: Friday, September 29, 2006
Remember, the button designs should be something smaller that shows up easily
on a small pin. T-shirt designs can be larger with more details. Words and phrases
can also be used by themselves or incorporated with the artwork!
Again, these designs are due NO LATER THAN Friday, September 29, 2006. If you
are sending them to us via snail mail, make sure to do so early enough so that
we receive them by Friday! GSA Network Youth Council members will then vote
on the most amazing images, and we will notify the winners!
Good luck!
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2. Re-Register your GSA today - get new resources
& keep informed!!
Before you plan any events for your GSA, remember to register or re-register
your group with the GSA Network. Do it NOW to make sure you receive our student
resource sheets, FREE posters, other resources, and notifications of future
GSA Network or LGBT-related events. (Mailings will go out only to California
GSAs in middle and high schools.)
Register online at http://www.gsanetwork.org/register/index.php
If you have any questions or concerns, contact:
Tanya Mayo, Program Director
tanya@gsanetwork.org
415-552-4229
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3. Apply for GSA Network Youth Council! It's Cool! (Statewide)
GSA Network is accepting applications for new Youth Council members.
Go to the website and apply: 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, event planning, and starting a GSA club on your campus. In addition,
Youth Council members are responsible for giving input and helping to guide
the programs of the GSA Network. 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 or 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 movement
* Provide occasional technical assistance to other GSAs.
Requirements
* Willingness to commit to serving on the Youth Council for one year
* Commitment to creating change for LGBTQ youth and fighting homophobia and
transphobia in schools
* Interest in developing and suggesting ideas to strengthen the GSA Network
* Must be a student in a public or private middle or high school in California.
Southern California
For more info, email carlos@gsanetwork.org
or call 213-534-7162.
Central Valley
For more info, email robin@gsanetwork.org
or call 559-268-2780.
Northern California
For more info, email marco@gsanetwork.org
or call 415-552-4229.
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4. Apply for GSA Network's Statewide Advocacy Committee!!!
As a member of the Advocacy Committee, you would learn skills to become
a stronger advocate to create statewide change and safer and more supportive
schools for all students. Members are also responsible for providing input towards
the planning of Queer Youth Advocacy Day (QYAD). QYAD is an annual, all-youth
lobbying day held at the Capitol in Sacramento that brings hundreds of youth
together to speak to lawmakers about the needs of LGBTQ students. In addition,
members are responsible for giving input that will guide GSA Network's advocacy
program and provide feedback and recommendations on legislation being considered
by GSA Network for future support, endorsement, or other kinds of action.
The Advocacy Committee generally meets once per month with GSA Network's Advocacy
Coordinator via a toll-free telephone conference line.
As a member of the Advocacy Committee, you will have monthly opportunities
to:
* Network with youth from throughout California
* Get peer and staff support and feedback on your GSA's advocacy efforts
* Give input on GSA Network's statewide advocacy program
* Learn about and discuss legislation and policies affecting LGBTQ youth in
schools
* Help plan Queer Youth Advocacy Day and recruit youth in your area to participate!
In addition, you may have an opportunity to:
* Become an Advocacy Day Leader and train youth in your assigned district in
advocacy skills
* Lead lobbying visits to lawmakers' offices
* Lobby lawmakers during visits to their district offices in your area
* Become a youth media spokesperson on advocacy issues for GSA Network.
Requirements:
* Willingness to commit to serving on the Advocacy Committee for one year
* Commitment to creating statewide and local change for LGBTQ youth and fighting
homophobia and transphobia in schools all over California, specifically with
a focus on legislative advocacy and policy change
* Interest in developing and suggesting ideas to strengthen the GSA Network's
advocacy program
* Must be a student in a public or private middle or high school in California.
For more info or to apply, email advocacy@gsanetwork.org
or call 415-552-4229.
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5. Join
the YES Conference Committee! It's Cooler Than Cool! (San Francisco)
GSA Network's YES conference is coming soon… and we need your
help!!
YES (The Youth Empowerment Summit) is a FREE Bay Area conference for lesbian,
gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer, questioning, and straight ally
youth dedicated to fostering safe schools and youth activism. YES is structured
to focus on giving youth organizers the tools to combat homophobia and transphobia
in schools.
The GSA Network is looking for kick-ass activist and organizers to be part of
the YES conference planning committee. We will be meeting every Saturday in
our San Francisco offices in order to do planning, outreach, and recruitiment
for conference participants.
The Steering Committee will meet EVERY SATURDAY until the conference starting
SEPTEMBER 30 at the GSA Network office (1550 Bryant street, Suite 800, San Francisco).
The first meeting will be held September 30 from 11AM-4PM.
For more information, call Marco at 415-552-4229 or email him at marco@gsanetwork.org.
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6. You are invited to: A GSA LEADERSHIP TRAINING (Palm Springs)
This FREE event will be held from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. It includes
breakfast and lunch!
So what is a GSA Leadership training?
Youth from various GSA's come together for a FUN, interactive peer-to-peer training
that provides students with the skills to fight homophobia and transphobia in
schools. Lead by other GSA leaders from around Northern California, the training
will show students how to start and run a kick-ass GSA.
Topics include:
* How to run a GSA meeting
* Outreach, building membership, and diversity
* Concepts of gender and understanding sexual orientation
* Understanding laws to protect LGBTQ youth in schools
* How to take action against slurs, harassment, and discrimination in your school.
This is a great opportunity to network with other GSA's in your area while learning
some new skills to strengthen your club.
WHO: GSA Members, potential members, and GSA advisors
WHEN: Saturday, October 28, 2006, 10am-4pm
WHERE: Desert Pride Center
1611 S. Palm Canyon Drive
Palm Springs, CA 92264
760-327-2313
COST: Free!
CO-SPONSORS: GSA Network and Desert Pride Center
GSA Network values the participation of adult allies in our fight against oppression
and injustice in schools, and thus welcomes GSA Advisors and adult allies to
the leadership training. That being said, we ask that you 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 carlos@gsanetwork.org
* Rick Smedstad, Desert Pride Center, at 760-327-2313 or rsmedstad@dc.rr.com
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7. Liberation Ink Posters - Free For GSAs (Statewide)
LIBERATION INK POSTERS AVAILABLE
FREE FOR GSAs IN CALIFORNIA!!
Five poster designs (and two new poster designs expected by December 06) are available for GSAs, organizations, and individuals who are building a presence of youth voices for justice, peace, and youth empowerment while fighting against hatred, harassment, and discrimination of all kinds. Every GSA in California can receive 30 FREE posters to use at their school. They can order more than 30 for $1 each. From community organizations and individuals, we request a donation of $5 each for 1-10 posters and$4 each for 11-30 posters. Large quantity discounts are available.
You can view the designs and order posters on the Liberation Ink website:
www.gsanetwork.org/freezone/liberation
HERE ARE SOME WAYS TO USE LIBERATION INK TO MAKE CHANGE AT YOUR SCHOOL!
* Attach information about your GSA to the posters to advertise and recruit
members
* Encourage teachers to hang the posters in their classrooms
* Have GSA members lead discussions and activities related to the posters
* Use the posters as part of an anti-slur campaign
* Put the posters up in the courtyard with easels and/or use them while you're
tabling
* Get the posters printed in your school or community newspaper with an article
or announcement about your GSA
* Create an agreement for teachers to sign and give them posters to symbolize
their support
* Display the whole Liberation Ink series in one place or fill a whole
wall with posters in a grid
* Use the posters in conjunction with Day of Silence (April), Transgender Day
of Remembrance (November), LGBT History Month (October), LGBT Pride Month (June),
National Coming Out Day (October 11), or Diversity Day or Week at your school.
Liberation Ink was a collaborative project of GSA Network, LYRIC, and
Mission Grafica at the Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts in San Francisco.
It was supported by Youth Initiatives Program of the Open Society Institute,
San Francisco Arts Commission, and Walter and Elise Haas Fund.
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8. Sign-up for the High Contrast Photo Exhibit at your school (Bay
Area)
GSA Network's High Contrast, a photo-narrative exhibit by youth for youth, is on the move again!
"I think it was powerful and provocative and sparked good conversations."
- GSA Advisor
"There were at least 400 students that interacted with the exhibit. The
whole week while High Contrast was there, the GSA and other groups
on campus did workshops on hate crimes and ways to deal with them, letting students
know that this is an issue that needs to be addressed." - GSA Student President
"Many students responded well to the universality of human issues and emotions.
The emotions weren't just linked to being gay, they were feelings we all have."
- GSA Advisor
In this exhibit we bring you our voices with hopes that you will hear us,
see us... and identify. We use art as a means for change -- to show people what
they might not choose to see, to incite dialogue, and to inspire transformation.
We want to make schools free from harassment, discrimination, and violence.
We don't want anyone to leave thinking, "This isn't my issue." Because
all kinds of people are lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender. Because there
are so many shades to our identities. Because we all deserve to be safe enough
to learn. - High Contrast
High Contrast is available for circulation as of October 1. If you
are a GSA in the Bay Area and interested in bringing the High Contrast photo
exhibit to your school, email highcontrast@gsanetwork.org.
For more information on and pictures of High Contrast, go to:
www.gsanetwork.org/highcontrast/index.html
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9 . JOB: GSA Network - Central Valley Program Associate (Fresno)
GSA Network is looking for a part-time (20 hours/week) Program Associate to work in our Fresno office. The Program Associate will assist the Central Valley Program Coordinator with program implementation throughout the region. A demonstrated passion for LGBTQ youth leadership and empowerment, experience in grassroots or campus organizing, and a commitment to social justice are required for this position. Visit http://www.gsanetwork.org for the complete job announcement.
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10. JOB: GSA Network - Development Coordinator (San Francisco)
GSA Network seeks a part-time (20 hours per week) Development Coordinator
to coordinate and support all aspects of the organization's growing individual
donor program and development department systems. The Development Coordinator
will be the first development staff member at GSA Network. This person will
work closely with the Executive Director and development and special events
consultants to implement the annual fundraising plan ($86,250 from individuals
in 2006, which is 9% of GSA Network's total budget). GSA Network now has 600
individual donors who contribute through personal solicitations from the Board
and Executive Director, direct mail, a monthly pledge program, one annual fundraising
event, and occasional house parties. The Development Coordinator will play an
important role in helping GSA Network expand all of these activities and build
stronger relationships with all individual donors. A demonstrated passion for
LGBTQ youth leadership and empowerment, an understanding of youth culture, and
a commitment to social change is required for all positions at GSA Network.
For more information on the job and how to apply, visit: www.gsanetwork.org/about/index.html#jobs
Equal Opportunity Employer:
GSA Network, a project of the Tides Center, is an equal opportunity employer
and encourages applications from youth, people of color, people of all sexual
orientations and gender identities, and people with disabilities.
++++++++++++++++ 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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11. Gay Day (Anaheim)
Calling all Gay Youth, 21 and under!!!
The Trevor Project invites all Gay Youth, 21 and under to spend Saturday, October
7th with us for a special day of events, food and fun.
A Youth Scavenger Hunt is planned at 11:30am in the park, with a complimentary
lunch to participating youths. The Evening finds us all heading to the Disneyland
hotel for a 7pm Queer Youth dinner and a movie. Enjoy a complimentary dinner
and viewing of the campy classic film, PSYCHO BEACH PARTY, courtesy of Strand
releasing. Meet the movie’s director Robert King afterwards for a special
Q & A.
For more details on the day’s activities, and to register in advance please
check us out at http://www.thetrevorproject.org/evites/gaydays
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Northern California
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12. LGBTQ Speaker’s Training for Youth 23 & Under (Berkeley)
Wanna Be a Leader…Fight Oppression…Get Paid? Then come
get LOUD!
LGBTQ Speaker’s Training for Youth 23 & Under
Saturday October 21st 11-6pm @ The Pacific Center: 2712 Telegraph Avenue in
Berkeley
You’ll be trained to give Workshops and Panels that address homophobia,
transphobia and LGBTQ violence in East Bay Schools and Organizations.
Training space is limited so contact us today
Bridgette (510) 548-8283 x514 or Youth@PacificCenter.Org
Brought to you by the LOUD Youth Program: Loving Ourselves and Uniting Diversity
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13. California Shakespeare Theatre Presents UndeR GrounD (San Francisco)
For queer youth 24 & under. Join LYRIC and Cal Shakes for a new workshop
series where you'll produce your very own ZINE a.k.a. an underground magazine.
You'll have the opportunity to work with a professional graphic designer and
may even have your artwork, writing or photography published and distributed
around San Francisco.
It's all going down September 19th - November 14th, 2006
Workshops will be held:
Every Tuesday @ LYRIC
127 Collingwood Street @ 18th Street (near Castro) 1st floor
4 pm to 6 pm
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14. "In God's House: Asian American Gay and Lesbian Families
in the Church" (Berkeley)
Filmmaker Lina Hoshino and the PANA Institute's project on Civil Liberties
and Faith present the premier showing of:
"In God's House: Asian American Lesbian & Gay Families in the
Church"
Wednesday, October 11, 7:00 pm
Chapel Building
Pacific School of Religion (PSR)
1798 Scenic Ave (at corner of LeConte Ave), Berkeley, CA 94709
Doors open at 6:30 pm.
Parking is available in the PSR lot, on Scenic Ave. near the corner of Virginia
St.
Reflection, conversation and refreshments to follow the showing.
For more information:
PANA Institute
510-849-8244, shcolligan@psr.edu
Asian, Christian, and Gay or Lesbian? Asian American lesbians and gays
and their parents and allies have been largely invisible and silent in Christian
churches. Some Asian American churches ignore and rarely discuss the issue for
fear of division and conflict. Other Asian American church leaders have condemned
homosexuality and publicly protested against same-sex marriage. Yet there are
many gay and lesbian Asian American Christians and their families, quiet and
invisible, in churches across the country. Where are their stories? What are
their experiences? This honest and thought-provoking film invites you to hear
personal stories which have long been unheard. It tells a story that those in
the church need to hear: that of Asian American Christian lesbian and gay people
and their parents.
Oneida Chi, a devout young adult Chinese American in an evangelical Christian
church, speaks of her struggle with the discovery of her own sexual orientation
and her search for self-acceptance and religious community. Husband and wife
Harold and Ellen Kameya, active leaders in their Japanese American church, tell
the story of their shock and confusion when their beloved daughter first came
out, of the isolation and alienation they felt in their church, and of the importance
of a church community in their Christian journey to grow in understanding, courage
and love for their daughter. The Rev. Nobuaki Hanaoka, an immigrant Asian
pastor, seeks to fulfill Jesus' message of justice and love for all people as
he speaks out and supports the full acceptance and affirmation of lesbian, gay,
bisexual and transgender people in the church.
All four are church-loving and God-loving Christians. And yet they struggle
to find kindred spirits and their recognized place in God's house.
This film invites you to listen to their stories of courage, inspiration, and
renewed faith, and to hear the importance of supporting LGBT people as important
members of our Asian American families and churches.
Length: 22 minutes.
In English, with subtitles in Chinese, English, Japanese, Korean, Tagalog, or
Vietnamese.
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15. East Bay Elementary School Forum: Creating Inclusive Environments
for LGBT Families (Oakland)
Our Family Coalition and the East Bay Community Foundation are pleased to
invite you to the East Bay Elementary School Forum: Creating Inclusive Environments
for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Families. We believe all children
deserve the very best in education, without regard to family composition. Research
consistently demonstrates the importance of diversity education and school experiences
in the formation of self-identity and self-esteem in young children. We, like
you, are committed to helping children of gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender
parents experience safe and healthy school environments, and helping all children
learn to accept difference.
This forum is designed to give school administrators, teachers, and parents
an introduction to some of the innovative and groundbreaking strategies to creating
inclusive and welcoming environments for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender
(LGBT) parents and their children. The number of LGBT families in the East Bay
is on the rise, and this forum offers a unique opportunity for schools and parents
to engage in a safe dialogue and create partnerships around this increasingly
important work. Participants will also be able to browse informational tables
that provide information about the seven East Bay school districts chosen to
participate in this forum, and other related resources .
The East Bay Elementary School Forum will take place at the James Irvine Conference
Center located at 353 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza in Oakland on Wednesday, October
25, 2006 from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm. A light dinner and networking will take place
at 5:30pm and the program will start promptly at 5:50pm. Free child care will
be available on site, with art programming provided by the Museum of Children's
Art (MOCHA).
Please RSVP by October 11 by calling Aimee at 415-981-1960. If you require
child care, please indicate when you RSVP. We encourage you to promote
this event to families and interested staff at your school/district. If you
would like additional copies of the attached flyer or electronic promotional
materials, or have questions about participation please contact Aimee at 415-981-1960.
Our Family Coalition and the East Bay Community Foundation look forward to your
participation in what promises to be an informative and valuable community event.
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16. Volunteer at Community United Against Violence (San Francisco)
Concerned about hate violence & domestic violence in queer communities?
Why not volunteer at Community United Against Violence (CUAV)!
CUAV is currently looking for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, &
questioning folks and their allies who are:
* Compassionate people willing to listen to others
* Folks who are committed to the struggle to end racism, sexism, classism, heterosexism,
and all other oppressions
FALL 2006 5 DAY TRAINING DATES:
Saturday November 4 & Sunday November 5;
Saturday November 11 & Sunday November 12;
Saturday November 18.
All sessions run from 9:30 AM-6:00 PM
Full attendance at ALL 5 training days is required.
For more information:
Contact Vanissar at CUAV
415-777-5500, ext 323
vanissar@cuav.org
Folks of color, transgender folks, women, and survivors of violence strongly
encouraged to volunteer. We offer stipends to bilingual counselors.
Community United Against Violence is a multicultural, multi-lingual anti-oppression
organization that prevents and responds to violence against and within our diverse
LGBTQQ communities.
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17. Volunteer at the Lambda Youth Project (Hayward)
Project Eden is looking for dedicated LBGTQ adults or allies of LGBTQ
youth to VOLUNTEER in our Lambda Youth Project.
Lambda activities included: support groups, education presentations, participationg in public events, and the Gay Prom.
VOLUNTEERS are needed for our support group. Lambda Support Group meets every Tuesday from 5:30pm to 7:00pm.
For more information, please call: (510) 247-8200
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National
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18. Join the National Transgender Education Project Youth Review Board!
Call to Action for Youth to Join National Transgender Education Project Youth
Review Board!
The National Youth Advocacy Coalition (NYAC), in collaboration with Project
Q of the Milwaukee Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center,
is forming a youth review board for the National Transgender Education Project.
Attached is an application packet for the Youth Review Board, which is highly
self-explanatory. Please forward the packet to your community youth leaders
or youth program directors.
This is a national search for youth leaders, who have demonstrated a strong
interest in transgender issues. The board will review materials and evaluate
program design in an attempt to create safer spaces within communities for trans-identified,
gender variant and questioning youth. Any costs associated with participating
in this review board will be covered by NYAC. The application deadline
is October 16, 2006.
NYAC, founded in 1993, is a social justice organization that advocates for and
with young people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or questioning
(LGBTQ) in an effort to end discrimination against these youth and to ensure
their physical and emotional well being.
To get a copy of the application, contact Isaiah Webster III:
Isaiah Webster III
Project Coordinator
Training Institute for Youth Health Leadership
National Youth Advocacy Coalition
1638 R Street NW, Suite 300
Washington, D.C. 20009
202.319.7596, ext. 16
202.319.7365 (fax)
http://www.nyacyouth.org
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19. GLSEN's Ally Week
Who can help us the most to end anti-gay bullying and harassment in
K-12 schools? ALLIES!
Ally Week is October 15 - 21, 2006. GLSEN is continuing to encourage students
to end anti-LGBT bullying and harassment in K-12 schools with our 2nd annual
Ally Week!
Why be an ally? Ally Week is about identifying and supporting allies and asking
them to sign the Ally Pledge to intervene in bullying and harassment throughout
the school year. Ally Week activities will be most successful if you help support
allies in learning how to intervene, and by making them feel proud to be allies!
For a list of possible Ally Week activities, check out the website at http://www.dayofsilence.org/ally.
Register your participation now at http://www.studentorganizing.org
and receive free Ally Week posters, postcards, and other organizing materials!
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Jobs
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20. After-School Site Coordinator
Part-Time Job Opening
After-School Site Coordinator (Elementary School)
Hours: 20 hours per week Monday through Thursday afternoons
Salary: $11,850 for 41 weeks
Dates: August 28, 2006 End Date: June 8, 2007
ORGANIZATION DESCRIPTION
For the past 35 years, the Jamestown Community Center has been providing learning
opportunities and safe space for low-income Mission District youth. Jamestown’s
mission is to mobilize the resources of families, neighborhood residents, and
other community members to help young people realize their full potential as
empowered and productive members of society. Jamestown fulfills this mission
by annually providing 500 8 to 18 year olds with a full range of educational
enrichment, academic tutoring, leadership training, employment, sports, and
teen guidance programs.
POSITION DESCRIPTION
Jamestown is seeking an experienced, enthusiastic individual be the site coordinator
for Brain Soup, an after-school program for 3rd to 5th graders that focuses
on art, theater, creative writing and cooking and incorporates literacy activities
into each class. The site coordinator is responsible for overseeing overall
program operations, supervising a staff of four teachers, and reporting to the
Education Director.
SITE COORDINATOR’S RESPONSIBILITIES
· Recruit youth for program, including:
- Creating and distributing flyers to recruit youth;
- Talking with parents and youth; and
- Collecting all paperwork required for registration.
· Recruit, hire, train, supervise, and
evaluate program staff.
· Provide on-going training and support
for program staff on an as needed basis, including:
- Holding regular staff meetings; planning and
implementing staff trainings; and
- Attending after-school classes to observe teachers
in order to be able to provide feedback.
· Organize presentations and celebrations
of youths’ work.
· Collect data for evaluation and funding
reports, including: conducting youth surveys; collecting attendance records
from staff; and developing and administering staff surveys.
· Research possible field trips and guests
for enrichment of program.
· Communicate with parents of participants
on as-needed basis.
· Meet with Social Services Coordinator
at school and attend pertinent meetings where services are provided.
· Be on site during program hours to provide
supervision of program.
QUALIFICATIONS
· Experience working with multi-ethnic,
multi-cultural, 8- to 11-year-old youth.
· Experience managing youth programs.
· Experience teaching.
· Experience supervising staff.
· Computer literate including Microsoft
Word, Excel, and Filemaker Pro.
· Ability to speak Spanish required.
If interested in applying, please mail, email, or fax a cover letter and resume
to:
Leigh Carter,
Education Director
Jamestown Community Center
brainsoup@jamestownsf.org
Telephone: (415) 647-4709 x113
Fax: (415) 647-4718
3382 – 26th Street
San Francisco, CA 94110
Position open until filled. We encourage women and people of color to apply.
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September
20, 2006
In this issue of GSA Network News, you'll find:
GSA Network Highlight
GSA Network welcomes new board members!!
Go directly to GSA Network
highlight
GSA Network Announcements
1. Volunteer at LoveFest and Help GSA Network Receive
a Donation!
2. CONTEST: Enter the GSA Network T-shirt & pin design contest!
3. Re-register your GSA today - get new resources & keep informed!!
4. Apply for GSA Network Youth Council! It's Cool! (Statewide)
5. Apply for GSA Network Advocacy Committee! It's even Cooler! (Statewide)
6. Join the YES Conference Committee! It's Cooler Than Cool! (San Francisco)
7. Liberation Ink Posters - Free For GSAs (Statewide)
8. Sign-up for the High Contrast Photo Exhibit at your school (Bay Area)
9. JOB: GSA Network - Central Valley Program Associate (Fresno)
10. JOB: GSA Network - Development Coordinator (San Francisco)
Go directly to GSA Network announcements
Other Announcements
Northern California
11. Learn How to Dress and Perform in Drag! (San Jose)
12. LGBTQ Speaker’s Training for Youth 23 & Under (Berkeley)
13. California Shakespeare Theatre Presents UndeR GrounD (San
Francisco)
14. The Other Side Of the Closet - Fall Tour
15. Girls’ Empowerment Day (Richmond)
16. Horizons Foundation Gala (San Francisco)
17. Help Elect An Openly Gay Candidate! (San Jose)
Go directly to Northern California listings
National
18. Fall Internships at COLAGE
19. GenderPac Happenings
Go directly to National listings
Jobs
20. JOB: LYRIC Case Manager (2 FTE) – Newly created positions
Go directly to Jobs listings
News
21. NEWS: Rainbow of Hope
22. NEWS: Central Coast News Brief
Go directly to News listings
+++++++++++++++ GSA NETWORK HIGHLIGHT+++++++++++++++
GSA Network Welcomes New Board Members!!
GSA Network recently voted on seven new youth board members as we said goodbye
to outgoing members Yve Cohen, Vanessa Coe, Caleb Ryen, and Liv Lee. We are
excited to welcome Thalia Arenas from the Central Valley; John Campbell, Lance
Chih, Whitney Kessell and Juliana Spector from Northern California; and Lisa
Hurwitz and Tony Meyer representing Southern California.
As part of GSA Network's mission of youth leadership and youth empowerment,
having youth voices on the Board has always been a key component of our program.
We see this not only as an opportunity for youth to contribute to organizational
decisions concerning issues such as strategy, budget, and overall vision, but
also as an opportunity for young leaders to learn about non-profit governance.
Frankie Martinez, a long time Board member said "I believe as an organization
that believes in youth leadership, it is crucial to have youth on GSA Network's
Board. We offer a perspective that no one else but youth can give because the
issues we are addressing affect youth. Having youth on the Board gives accountability
to the organization and ensures that they stay in line with their mission."
All Board members are expected to attend quarterly meetings and serve on at
least one Board committee. There are also opportunities to serve in various
officer positions.
Martinez welcomes the youth board members by exclaiming, "I am excited
about all the new youth Board members. They seem to be very passionate about
the organization and our mission of empowering youth activists to fight homophobia
and transphobia in the schools. Thalia, John, Lance, Lisa, Whitney, Tony, and
Juliana bring a tremendous amount of experience and will make a difference in
GSA Network this year. I look forward to working with them all."
But don't think it's just Martinez who's excited for the new Board members--
the GSA Network is tickled pink knowing that these youth will all make a positive
impact!!
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+++++++++++++ GSA NETWORK ANNOUNCEMENTS +++++++++++++
*********************************************
1. Volunteer at LoveFest and Help GSA Network Receive a Donation!
Calling all supporters and volunteers of GSA Network!!!!
If you sign up as a GSA Network volunteer at LoveFest 2006 in San Francisco,
you'll help GSA Network receive a donation from the event. Each volunteer =
$75 for GSA Network!
Please see info below about how to sign up by Friday, September 22.
Be sure to say you're from "GSA Network" when you sign up as a volunteer.
------------
Contact:
Sister Kitty Catalyst, OCP
SF LoveFest 2006 Community Partner Coordinator
Email: SFLoveFest@gotblow.org
SF LoveFest Volunteer Heroes Needed
SF Lovefest Benefits AIDS, Education, and Sex-Positive Groups & Supports
Musicians of New Orleans
San Francisco's LoveFest, formerly known as Love Parade, needs gate donation
volunteers on Saturday, September 23rd in SF's Civic Center to benefit the festival,
five local charities, and New Orlean musicians. Volunteers are asked to work
a three-hour shift and report an hour ahead of time for sign-in and instructions.
The two shifts are:
12:30-3:30 (check in by 11:30a)
3-6p (check-in by 2p)
In turn SF LoveFest will make a donation for every shift to charities fighting
AIDS and Hepatitis as well as doing visionary work educating about sexuality
and gender issues.
In addition, volunteers will also benefit the Musicians' Village, a Habitat
for Humanity project which is building homes and a music studio in the city
that saw over 1800 deaths and suffered the costliest and one of the deadliest
hurricanes in the history of the United States. The local beneficiaries include
The Center For Sex & Culture, NextAID, OUCH (Organizing Up Communities Against
Hepatitis), SF Sex Information, and the St. James Infirmary Clinic.
"(It's) A wonderful thing ya'll are doing for the musicians from New Orleans.
Most of them did not live in the Uptown area or sliver by the river (French
Quarter) and lost everything - even their instruments. Without music, New Orleans
is just another city. Your efforts are more than appreciated." - A former
New Orleans resident
The 3rd Annual SF event is part of the Love Parade tradition started in Berlin
after the wall separating East and West Berlin was torn down. It started with
one music-truck and over the next 15 years grew to the premiere music festival
with over a million folks. In 2004, San Francisco became the official North
American Love Parade.
All volunteers will get a LoveFest T-shirt and other perks including a pass
to the volunteer party in October. For more information please email SFLoveFest@GotBlow.org
San Francisco LoveFest is an all volunteer non-profit organization, whose goal
is to put on an event that creates and fosters love, community, respect, peace,
fun, and a platform for dance culture to shine in a world full of turmoil. You
can help! The Love is Coming.
*********************************************
2. CONTEST: Enter the GSA Network T-shirt & pin design contest!
MAKE YOUR MARK ALL OVER CALIFORNIA!
Enter the GSA Network T-shirt & pin design contest!
Can you draw, design, or paint? Can you capture a thousand words with just a
single image? Do you want to see your artwork worn by hundreds and hundreds
of students all over the state? If so, please submit your designs today for
our contest!!!
The GSA Network is currently looking for individual artists or GSAs who want
to impress everyone with their artistic skills and earn some cash! We need designs
for two things: One design is for a GSA Network T-shirt, and one design is for
a GSA Network button.
These designs should represent a strong, fierce message about youth activism
and the GSA Network mission statement: "Empowering youth to fight
homophobia and transphobia in schools." Show us what you see when
you think about the power of coming together and creating change! For more information
about GSA Network's mission statement and our work, please visit http://www.gsanetwork.org/about/index.html.
The T-shirts and buttons will be distributed state-wide. Yes, this is your chance
to get your artwork worn by many, many GSA members and other LGBTQ youth supporters
all over California.
The winner for the T-shirt design will receive $100 + 5 free t-shirts!!!
The winner for the button design will receive $50 + 25 free buttons!!!
Rules…rules…there are always rules…
1) No profanity
2) No more than 3 colors for the T-shirt (It helps keep costs so we can print
up more shirts for everyone!)
3) Email your designs as JPEG or Adobe Photoshop attachments to intern@gsanetwork.org,
or mail them to our office (1550 Bryant Street, Suite 800, San Francisco, CA
94103)
4) No design is returned to the artist
5) The original artwork becomes property of the GSA Network
6) Submission deadline: Friday, September 29, 2006
Remember, the button designs should be something smaller that shows up easily
on a small pin. T-shirt designs can be larger with more details. Words and phrases
can also be used by themselves or incorporated with the artwork!
Again, these designs are due NO LATER THAN Friday, September 29, 2006. If you
are sending them to us via snail mail, make sure to do so early enough so that
we receive them by that Friday! GSA Network Youth Council members will then
vote on the most amazing images, and we will notify the winners!
Good luck!
*********************************************
3. Re-Register your GSA today - get new resources
& keep informed!!
Before you plan any events for your GSA, remember to register or re-register
your group with the GSA Network. Do it NOW to make sure you receive our student
resource sheets, FREE posters, other resources, and notifications of future
GSA Network or LGBT-related events. (Mailings will go out only to California
GSAs in middle and high schools.)
Register online at http://www.gsanetwork.org/register/index.php
If you have any questions or concerns, contact:
Tanya Mayo, Program Director
tanya@gsanetwork.org
415-552-4229
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4. Apply for GSA Network Youth Council! It's Cool! (Statewide)
GSA Network is accepting applications for new Youth Council members.
Go to the website and apply: 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, event planning, and starting a GSA club on your campus. In addition,
Youth Council members are responsible for giving input and helping to guide
the programs of the GSA Network. 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
1) Network with youth from throughout your region
2) Get peer and staff support and feedback on your ongoing campaign, action,
or event
3) Give input on GSA Networks programs, policies, and curriculum development.
In addition, you may have an opportunity to
1) Help plan and run a youth-led conference or present workshops at local conferences
2) Plan and participate in GSA Network social activities, like Pride
3) Apply to become a paid peer-to-peer youth trainer
4) Discuss emerging trends in the LGBTQ and greater social justice movement
5) Provide occasional technical assistance to other GSAs.
Requirements
1) Willingness to commit to serving on the Youth Council for one year
2) Commitment to creating change for LGBTQ youth and fighting homophobia and
transphobia in schools
3) Interest in developing and suggesting ideas to strengthen the GSA Network
4) Must be a student in a public or private middle or high school in California
Southern California
For more info email carlos@gsanetwork.org
or call 213-534-7162.
Central Valley
For more info email robin@gsanetwork.org
or call 559-268-2780.
Northern California
For more info email marco@gsanetwork.org
or call 415-552-4229.
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*********************************************
5. Apply for GSA Network's Statewide Advocacy Committee!!!
As a member of the Advocacy Committee, you would learn skills to become
a stronger advocate to create statewide change and safer and more supportive
schools for all students. Members are also responsible for providing input towards
the planning of Queer Youth Advocacy Day (QYAD). QYAD is an annual, all-youth
lobbying day held at the Capitol in Sacramento that brings hundreds of youth
together to speak to lawmakers about the needs of LGBTQ students. In addition,
members are responsible for giving input that will guide GSA Network's advocacy
program and provide feedback and recommendations on legislation being considered
by GSA Network for future support, endorsement, or other kinds of action.
The Advocacy Committee generally meets once per month via a toll-free telephone
conference call with GSA Network's Advocacy Coordinator.
As a member of the Advocacy Committee, you will have monthly opportunities
to:
1. Network with youth from throughout California
2. Get peer and staff support and feedback on your GSA's advocacy efforts
3. Give input on GSA Network's statewide advocacy program and learn about and
discuss legislation and policies affecting LGBTQ youth in schools
4. Help plan Queer Youth Advocacy Day and recruit youth in your area to participate!
In addition, you may have an opportunity to:
1. Become an Advocacy Day Leader and train youth in your assigned district in
advocacy skills and lead lobbying visits to lawmakers' offices
2. Lobby lawmakers during visits to their district offices in your area
3. Become a youth media spokesperson on advocacy issues for GSA Network.
Requirements:
1. Willingness to commit to serving on the Advocacy Committee for one year
2. Commitment to creating statewide and local change for LGBTQ youth and fighting
homophobia and transphobia in schools all over California, specifically with
a focus on legislative advocacy and policy change
3. Interest in developing and suggesting ideas to strengthen the GSA Network's
advocacy program
4. Must be a student in a public or private middle or high school in California.
For more info or to apply, email advocacy@gsanetwork.org
or call 415-552-4229.
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*********************************************
6. Join the YES Conference Committee! It's Cooler Than Cool!
(San Francisco)
GSA Network's YES conference is coming soon… and we need your
help!!
YES (The Youth Empowerment Summit) is a FREE Bay Area conference for lesbian,
gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer, questioning, and straight ally
youth dedicated to fostering safe schools and youth activism. YES is structured
to focus on giving youth organizers the tools to combat homophobia and transphobia
in schools.
The GSA Network is looking for kick-ass activist and organizers to be part of
the YES conference planning committee. We will be meeting every Saturday in
our San Francisco offices in order to do planning, outreach, and recruitiment
for conference participants.
For more information call Marco at 415-552-4229 or marco@gsanetwork.org.
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*********************************************
7. Liberation Ink Posters - Free For GSAs (Statewide)
LIBERATION INK POSTERS AVAILABLE
FREE FOR GSAs IN CALIFORNIA!!
Five poster designs (and two new ones expected by December 06) are available for GSAs, organizations, and individuals who are building a presence of youth voices for justice, peace, and youth empowerment and fighting against hatred, harassment, and discrimination of all kinds. Every GSA in California can receive 30 FREE posters to use at their school. GSAs can order more than 30 for $1 each. From community organizations and individuals, we request a donation of $5 each for 1-10 posters and $4 each for 11-30 posters. Large quantity discounts are available.
You can view the designs and order posters on the Liberation Ink website:
www.gsanetwork.org/freezone/liberation
HERE ARE SOME WAYS TO USE LIBERATION INK TO MAKE CHANGE AT YOUR SCHOOL!
* Attach information about your GSA to the posters to advertise and recruit
members
* Encourage teachers to hang the posters in their classrooms
* Have GSA members lead discussions and activities related to the posters
* Use the posters as part of an anti-slur campaign
* Put the posters up in the courtyard with easels and/or use them while you're
tabling
* Get the posters printed in your school or community newspaper with an article
or announcement about your GSA
* Create an agreement for teachers to sign and give them posters to symbolize
their support
* Display the whole Liberation Ink series in one place or fill a whole
wall with posters in a grid
* Use the posters in conjunction with Day of Silence (April), Transgender Day
of Remembrance (November), LGBT History Month (October), LGBT Pride Month (June),
Coming Out Day (October 11), or Diversity Day or Week at your school.
Liberation Ink was a collaborative project of GSA Network, LYRIC, and
Mission Grafica at the Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts in San Francisco.
It was supported by Youth Initiatives Program of the Open Society Institute,
San Francisco Arts Commission, and Walter and Elise Haas Fund.
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*********************************************
8. Sign-up for the High Contrast Photo Exhibit
at your school (Bay Area)
GSA Network's High Contrast, a photo-narrative exhibit by youth for youth, is on the move again!
"I think it was powerful and provocative and sparked good conversations."
- GSA Advisor
"There were at least 400 students that interacted with the exhibit. The
whole week while High Contrast was there, the GSA and other groups
on campus did workshops on hate crimes and ways to deal with them-letting students
know that this is an issue that needs to be addressed." - GSA Student President
"Many students responded well to the universality of human issues and emotions.
The emotions weren't just linked to being gay, they were feelings we all have."
- GSA Advisor
In this exhibit we bring you our voices with hopes that you will hear us, see
us... and identify. We use art as a means for change -- to show people what
they might not choose to see, to incite dialogue, and to inspire transformation.
We want to make schools free from harassment, discrimination, and violence.
We don't want anyone to leave thinking, "This isn't my issue." Because
all kinds of people are lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender. Because there
are so many shades to our identities. Because we all deserve to be safe enough
to learn.
High Contrast is available for circulation as of October 1. If you
are a GSA in the Bay Area and interested in bringing the High Contrast photo
exhibit to your school, email highcontrast@gsanetwork.org.
For more information on and pictures of High Contrast go to:
www.gsanetwork.org/highcontrast/index.html
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*********************************************
9. JOB: GSA Network - Central Valley Program
Associate (Fresno)
GSA Network is looking for a part-time (20 hours/week) Program Associate to work in our Fresno office. The Program Associate will assist the Central Valley Program Coordinator with program implementation throughout the region. A demonstrated passion for LGBTQ youth leadership and empowerment, experience in grassroots or campus organizing, and a commitment to social justice are required for this position. Visit http://www.gsanetwork.org for the complete job announcement.
*********************************************
10. JOB: GSA Network - Development Coordinator (San Francisco)
GSA Network seeks a part-time (20 hours per week) Development Coordinator
to coordinate and support all aspects of the organization's growing individual
donor program and development department systems. The Development Coordinator
will be the first development staff member at GSA Network. This person will
work closely with the Executive Director and development and special events
consultants to implement the annual fundraising plan ($86,250 from individuals
in 2006, which is 9% of GSA Network's total budget). GSA Network now has 600
individual donors who contribute through personal solicitations from the Board
and Executive Director, direct mail, a monthly pledge program, one annual fundraising
event, and occasional house parties. The Development Coordinator will play an
important role in helping GSA Network expand all of these activities and build
stronger relationships with all individual donors. A demonstrated passion for
LGBTQ youth leadership and empowerment, an understanding of youth culture, and
a commitment to social change is required for all positions at GSA Network.
To get more information about the job and how to apply, visit: www.gsanetwork.org/about/index.html#jobs
Equal Opportunity Employer:
GSA Network, a project of the Tides Center, is an equal opportunity employer
and encourages applications from youth, people of color, people of all sexual
orientations and gender identities, and people with disabilities.
++++++++++++++++ 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.
Northern California
*********************************************
11. Learn to Dress and Perform in Drag! (San Jose)
Attention all DeFrank Youth!
For Youth Activity Night on Thursday September 28th, from 6:30 - 8:30, we'll
be hosting special guests from the IRLM to give lessons on dressing and performing
in Drag!
The IRLM members will give hair and makeup tips, performing tips, and lessons
on how to experiment with gender and performance.
Join us! Food, drink, music and good times will be provided.
For more information email youthprog@defrank.org,
or call 408.293.3040 x111.
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12. LGBTQ Speaker’s Training for Youth 23 & Under (Berkeley)
Wanna Be a Leader…Fight Oppression…Get Paid? Then come get LOUD!
LGBTQ Speaker’s Training for Youth 23 & Under
Saturday October 21st 11-6pm @ The Pacific Center: 2712 Telegraph Avenue in
Berkeley
You’ll be trained to give Workshops and Panels that address homophobia,
transphobia and LGBTQ violence in East Bay Schools and Organizations.
Training space is limited so contact us today
Bridgette (510) 548-8283 x514 or Youth@PacificCenter.Org
Brought to you by the LOUD Youth Program: Loving Ourselves and Uniting Diversity
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13. California Shakespeare Theatre Presents UndeR GrounD (San Francisco)
For queer youth 24 & under. Join LYRIC and Cal Shakes for a new workshop
series where you'll produce your very own ZINE a.k.a. an underground magazine.
You'll have the opportunity to work with a professional graphic designer and
may even have your artwork, writing or photography published and distributed
around San Francisco.
It's all going down September 19th - November 14th, 2006
Workshops will be held:
Every Tuesday @ LYRIC
127 Collingwood Street @ 18th Street (near Castro) 1st floor
4 pm to 6 pm
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14. The Other Side Of the Closet - Fall Tour
YouthAware Educational Theatre at the New Conservatory Theatre Center
Announces the Fall Tour of …
The Other Side Of the Closet
By Ed Roy Directed by Sara Staley
A Safe Schools Program for Teens
Touring Northern California October 17th - December 14th 2006
The Other Side of the Closet by Ed Roy is an educational theater program for
teens that supports a safe school curriculum where students, teachers and parents
can learn about the CA Student Safety Act, AB-537, in an innovative and engaging
format. The play is set in and around a high school, where five friends are
dealing with issues of peer pressure, youth violence, sexual orientation, homophobia,
behavior norms and discrimination. The aim of this program is to educate young
people about diversity and respect, and to help schools create a safe learning
environment for every student. Each performance is followed by a facilitated
discussion with the actor-educators, and a handout is provided for teachers
with activities, resources and questions to continue discussion in the classroom.
The Other Side of the Closet has been touring to Northern California communities,
middle and high schools annually since it's US premiere in the fall of 2000,
as part of the award winning New Conservatory Theatre Center's YouthAware Educational
Theatre program based in San Francisco.
Tour Dates still available!
Call (415) 694-6149 or email sara@nctcsf.org with
questions or to book a performance.
What audiences are saying about The Other Side of the Closet by Ed Roy…
This is the first live action performance on the subject of tolerance that
I have seen where multiple topics were brought into focus so well. I am glad
a program like this exists and that finally the safe schools message, and the
reality of the issue that a lot of us, maybe even all of us deal with every
day, are so effectively being communicated to my generation.
- Student from Fremont High School in Sunnyvale
It got students to think about words such as "gay" and "fag"
that are sometimes used negatively in casual conversation. The discussion helped
many students realize that this can be offensive to individuals and entire group
…. I think this is a great program that can really help open the minds
of many teenagers.
- Student from Oceana High School in Pacifica
I really enjoyed your play. It really inspired me not to use disrespectful
language or to treat others differently no matter if they are gay or not. You
guys should continue to share your message with other high school students because
many don't know about the respect you teach.
- Student from El Cerrito High School in El Cerrito
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15. Girls’ Empowerment Day (Richmond)
Join Community Violence Solutions for Girls’ Empowerment Day!
A Free Event about Prevention and Safety Strategies for Teen Girls (Ages 13
and up) and their Parents/Guardians.
Location:
Kaiser Medical Center 901 Nevin Street in Richmond
Saturday, October 21, 2006
9am to 3pm
Lunch provided to all participants. Parking is free!
(Includes a special lunchtime program with Contra Costa County Supervisor John
Gioia)
What Will You Learn About?
- Awareness and assertiveness skills for sexual violence prevention.
- Women’s physical self-defense skills.
- Planning for your safety.
- Parent/child communication about sensitive issues.
- Extensive community resources available to you.
For more information or to register please contact:
Kendra: 510-307-4118 (English & Español)
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16. Horizons Foundation Gala! (San Francisco)
JOIN YOUR LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, AND TRANSGENDER FOUNDATION FOR
A CELEBRATION OF YOUR COMMUNITY!
Saturday, September 30
Regency Center, San Francisco
LIVE MUSIC
Paula West Quintet and Spencer Day
GOURMET DELIGHTS
Citizen Cake, Destino, First Crush, Hayes Street Grill, Jersey Tomatoes, Melons
Catering, Otis Spunkmeyer, Tangerine, and more
LIBATIONS
Smirnoff, Clos Du Val Winery, FIJI Water, Graham's Six Grapes Port, Hafner Vineyard,
IZZE, Miller Brewing, Pilsner Urquell, and Stephen Vincent Winery
SILENT AUCTION
High-value items and theme packages, including cruises, romantic getaways, and
more www.horizonsfoundation.org/page/annualgala/2006_silentauction
SOCIALIZING
Hundreds of friends, donors, community leaders, grantees, board members, volunteers,
visionaries, and you!
This gala is well on its way to selling out, so order your tickets now to ensure
your place at the festivities! http://www.horizonsfoundation.org/page/events/annualgala
or call 415.398.2333 x300
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17. Help Elect An Openly Gay Candidate (San Jose)
Help elect an openly gay candidate to San Jose City Council!
Since 2000, Ken Yeager has served as San Jose's first openly gay councilmember.
In June, Ken won election to the County Board of Supervisors. Now another gay
community leader, Clark Williams, is running for the city council seat that
Ken will vacate in 2007. If you would like to help Clark Williams get elected
in November, contact me at 408-856-6063 or at marty@electclarkwilliams.com.
You can make a big difference by walking a precinct for a couple of hours this
weekend, or by volunteering to help with mailings or phone calls in the campaign
office.
You may have heard of Clark when he served as the interim executive director
at the Billy DeFrank LGBT Community Center and donated his salary of $20,000
back to the organization. He also worked at the Santa Clara County Public Health
Department managing HIV prevention and testing programs. He's a leader in his
neighborhood and serves on several boards and commissions. He and his partner,
Jim, live in North Willow Glen with their three-year-old daughter. Learn more
at http://www.electclarkwilliams.com.
This is an important election. LGBT representation on the city council helps
make the city a safer place for all of us. If you're ready to get involved,
we're ready for you!
Marty Grimes
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National
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18. Fall Internships at COLAGE
Come work in the national headquarters of COLAGE this fall!
Internship
COLAGE (Children of Lesbians and Gays Everywhere) engages, connects and empowers
people to make the world a better place for children of lesbian, gay, bisexual,
and/or transgender (LGBT) parents and families. COLAGE is the only national
organization serving people with LGBT parents, therefore presenting a unique
perspective on LGBT issues, and providing a once in a lifetime opportunity for
interns. This is a hands-on job: you won't just be filing, you'll get to use
your creativity and initiative. We are looking for team players who are motivated
to learn, share, play, and work hard in support of COLAGE's mission. Interns
will assist the staff on current or new projects, with both local and national
events, and with office management. Fall internships can range from a full-time
10 week internship to a 20 week half-time internship. We also offer internships
for college credit.
Preferred qualifications
* Computer literate (especially on PC's), knowledge of Office 2000, FileMaker
Pro, HTML, and desktop publishing programs a plus.
* Experience and comfort with email and phone-based organizing and networking.
* Experience and comfort working with youth and families
* Self-motivated, flexible, and full of initiative
* People with LGBT parent/s
Requirements
Fall interns receive a modest stipend for their internship including some evenings
and weekends.
* Must be 18 or over if not from the Bay Area, 15 or over from the Bay Area.
* Must be LGBT-friendly
COLAGE is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer
* People of color, people with disabilities, and people with LGBT parents especially
encouraged to apply.
How to Apply
Please mail or email us the following information to meredith@colage.org
or COLAGE/ 1550 Bryant Street, Suite 830, San Francisco, CA 94103:
1. Your resume
2. A cover letter sharing your interest in working for COLAGE and qualifications;
3. Contact information for two people who will serve as references and can attest
to your experience and skills.
Select applicants will be invited to participate in an interview. Internships
will begin in September or October in accordance with the COLAGE's needs and
intern's availability.
COLAGE also has spring and summer work-study internships; if you are interested
contact us for more information.
Need more info? Want to apply?
COLAGE, http://www.colage.org/
1550 Bryant St. Ste. 830
SF CA 94103
phone: 415-861-5437 fax (415) 255-8345
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19. GenderPac Happenings
GenderYOUTH
Now that you’ve graduated high school, or are approaching graduation,
are you looking for ways apply the activist skills you learned as a member of
the GSA and continue to organize around issues gender? If the answer is a resounding
“Yes” then check out GenderYOUTH, a program of the Gender Public
Advocacy Coalition! Dozens of teens have been violently murdered, hundreds have
experienced job discrimination, and thousands have suffered harassment
and bullying, because they didn't meet someone's ideal for masculinity or femininity.
Now is the time to act! Join the GenderYOUTH Network to exercise our right to
express ourselves freely regardless of gender and mobilize against gender-based
violence and discrimination. You will be a part of network of youth leaders
working on their college campuses and local communities. For more information,
please go to <http://www.genderyouth.org%C2%A0>www.genderyouth.org to
find how to get in the Network!
GENIUS Index and Action Tool-Kit
The GENIUS Index and Action Tool-Kit is a tremendous resource for student
activists that are currently working or planning to work with their peers to
educate school administrators about making their campuses safe and welcoming
for all students – regardless of whether they fit stereotypes for masculinity
or femininity. It paints an accurate overview of the educational landscape on
gender identity and expression by providing up-to-date statistics as well as
a step-by-step guide for working toward making school’s policies and practices
more inclusive.
Just 10 years ago, no college or university had publicly banned discrimination
because of an individual’s gender identity and expression. Today –
due to increasing student demands for fairness and administrators’ desire
to create safe and inclusive environments – more than 70 colleges and
universities have added these protections to their non-discrimination policies.
To learn more about the GENIUS Index, please visit its preliminary website at
http://www.gpac.org/genius.
If you are interested in receiving hard copies of the GENIUS Index and/or Tool-Kit
upon publication, please contact me at Brittney.Hoffman@gpac.org
or 202.462.6610 and let us know how many you need.
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Jobs:
*********************************************
20. JOB: LYRIC Case Manager (2 FTE) – Newly created positions
Organization Description
Founded in 1988, the Lavender Youth Recreation & Information Center
(LYRIC) provides supports and services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender,
queer, and questioning (LGBTQQ) youth, 24 years of age and under. LYRIC's mission
is to build community and inspire positive social change with LGBTQQ youth,
their families, and allies of all races, classes, genders, and abilities. LYRIC
facilitates community building, education and economic development, health and
wellness, and leadership development programming reaching over 1200 youth and
outreaching to another 5000 annually. The organization has a current budget
of approximately $1 million and 10 full-time and 2 part-time employees.
Position Summary
Two case managers are being hired to join a program team which currently
includes a Program Director, 3 Program Coordinators and a part-time licensed
therapist. To help ensure access to and success in LYRIC’s youth development
and leadership programming, youth participants need a range of supports. When
accessing LYRIC services for the first time, each youth meets with a LYRIC program
staff one-on-one for a program orientation and to assess interest and need.
Case managers will be the primary staff members responsible for this initial
meeting. Ongoing case management responsibilities will range from simple referrals
on an as needed basis to intensive case management including development of
an individualized service plan and ongoing individual sessions. Case managers
will be part of a neighborhood engagement team that is currently being developed
as part of the Community Partnership for LGBTQQ Youth. Critical to the success
of this position, is mastery of case management provision both on a one-to-one
basis as well as within a community context. The Case Manager reports to LYRIC’s
Program Director and is accountable to working in collaboration with all members
of LYRIC’s program staff, as well as working as part of the whole LYRIC
staff team.
Salary Range: $33,000 - $35,000 per annum and commensurate with experience.
Position includes full benefits package.
LYRIC is an equal opportunity employer. Applications are strongly encouraged
from women, people of color, immigrants, young people, lesbian, gay, bisexual,
queer, transgender and genderqueer people, people living with HIV/AIDS, people
who are differently-abled, and bilingual and bicultural people.
To see full job Descriotion go to: http://www.lyric.org/AboutUsJobs.html
To apply: please email your resume with full contact information and
a cover letter to CMjob@lyric.org. Please
put CM and your name in the subject line. Applicants may also submit resume
and cover letter by mail to: LYRIC – Attn: Case Manager Search, 127 Collingwood
Street, San Francisco, CA 94114. No phone calls or faxes, please. We will contact
you directly if we wish to talk with you about the position. This position will
remain open until filled, but please note that interviews are scheduled to begin
as early as 9/18. Thank you in advance for your interest in the position.
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21. NEWS: Rainbow of Hope
Folsom teen focusing his energy on helping gays
El Dorado Hills Telegraph
By: Jamie Trump
September 12, 2006
Sticks and stones never broke his bones, but words have scarred Lance Chih forever.
The openly gay teenager is still trying to overcome harassment he said he experienced
at Folsom High School three years ago.
Instead of spending his time trying to get even, the 19-year-old has focused
his energy on helping others. He's now a leading advocate in the gay community
both on and off campus and is educating teachers, school staff and students
about laws regarding gay students.
"I was the second known harassment of a gay student at Folsom High School,"
Chih said. "I wanted it to stop with me. I am victim No. 2 and I don't
want there to be a No. 3. "If I can help one person it will be worth it."
To read the full story, visit:
http://www.edhtelegraph.com/articles/2006/09/13/news/lifestyle/01style.txt
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22. NEWS: California Central Coast News Brief
News briefs from California's Central Coast
by: The Associated Press
San Jose Mercury News
September 18, 2006ATASCADERO, Calif. (AP) - The school district has taken steps
to resolve problems detailed in a San Luis Obispo County grand jury report alleging
a culture of racism exists at Atascadero High School.
The Atascadero district released a report highlighting its policies allegedly
promoting tolerance and encouraging reporting of incidents. The grand jury report
in May said the district did not deal appropriately with racism and sexual harassment
at Atascadero High
School.
Superintendent John Rogers disputed there was a culture of racism at the school.
"I think there is a culture of inclusion. I'm sure as a school we reflect
society as all other
schools do," Rogers said, adding the district planned changes to address
the "perceptions of
the grand jury."
The grand jury's report cited 10 to 20 incidents of racial or sexual harassment
during the
2004-05 school year. Only two resulted in suspension or expulsion, the report
said.
At Atascadero High School, the student body is 83 percent white, 13 percent
Hispanic, 2
percent black and 2 percent Asian, Filipino or American Indian. The staff is
91 percent white
and 4 percent Hispanic, with the rest divided among other races.
The grand jury cited incidents in which high school staff reprimanded students
over the
public address speaker for anti-gay graffiti but didn't take action when racial
epithets were
scrawled on a lunch table.
To read the full story, visit:
http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/local/states/california/northern_california/15548590.htm%22%3E
In this issue of GSA Network News, you'll find:
GSA Network Highlight
GSA Network Welcomes New Legal Fellow
Go directly to GSA Network
highlight
GSA Network Announcements
1. CONTEST: Enter the GSA Network T-shirt & pin design contest!
2. Re-register your GSA today - get new resources & keep informed!!
3. Apply for GSA Network Youth Council! It's Cool! (Statewide)
4. Liberation Ink Posters - Free For GSAs (Statewide)
5. Sign-up for the High Contrast Photo Exhibit at your school (Bay Area)
6. JOB: GSA Network - Central Valley Program Associate (Fresno)
7. JOB: GSA Network - Development Coordinator (San Francisco)
Go directly to GSA Network announcements
Other Announcements
Southern California
8. Models of Pride conference (MOP XIV) - November 4 (Southern California)
Go directly to Southern California listings
Central Valley
9. Reel Pride Film Festival opens this Wednesday! (Fresno)
Go directly to Central Valley listings
Jobs
10. JOB: Director, California Safe Schools Coalition
11. JOB: LYRIC Case Manager (2 FTE) – Newly created positions
12. JOB: Mission Van Collaborative Manager
Go directly to Jobs listings
News
13. NEWS: Schwarzenegger vetoes bill on gay protections in textbooks
14. NEWS: Gay Curriculum Under Siege
15. NEWS: Schwarzenegger Vetoes Bias-Free School Bill
16. NEWS: University Backtracks On Gay Club Ban
Go directly to News listings
+++++++++++++++ GSA NETWORK HIGHLIGHT+++++++++++++++
GSA Network Welcomes New Legal Fellow
GSA Network is very pleased to announce the addition of Natalie Nardecchia
to our staff. Natalie has received a fellowship from the Pride Law Fund to work
with GSA Network and the ACLU of Southern CA for the next year. She will focus
her energy on defending and advocating for the rights of California LGBTQ youth
living in rural communities.
Natalie recently graduated from the University of California at Berkeley
School of Law (Boalt Hall). She plans to work in civil rights litigation
and advocacy, primarily on behalf of under-represented members
of the LGBTQI community. Natalie has interned at the National Center for
Lesbian Rights, the East Bay Community Law Center, California Indian Legal
Services, and the ACLU of Northern California. She has also participated in
the Law Student Outreach clinic and the Native American Law Student Association,
and has served as co-chair for the Boalt Hall Queer Caucus.
In 2003, she earned a B.A. in English from Rice University, where she also captained
the school's Division I varsity soccer team. Natalie is very
excited to have the opportunity to work as the Pride Law Fund fellow with the
GSA Network and the ACLU on this important youth rights project!
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+++++++++++++ GSA NETWORK ANNOUNCEMENTS +++++++++++++
*********************************************
1. CONTEST: Enter the GSA Network T-shirt & pin design contest!
MAKE YOUR MARK ALL OVER CALIFORNIA!
Enter the GSA Network T-shirt & pin design contest!
Can you draw, design, or paint? Can you capture a thousand words with just a
single image? Do you want to see your artwork worn by hundreds and hundreds
of students all over the state? If so, please submit your designs today for
our contest!!!
The GSA Network is currently looking for individual artists or GSAs who want
to impress everyone with their artistic skills and earn some cash! We need designs
for two things: One design is for a GSA Network T-shirt, and one design is for
a GSA Network button.
These designs should represent a strong, fierce message about youth activism
and the GSA Network mission statement: "Empowering youth to fight
Homophobia and Transphobia in the schools." Show us what you see
when you think about the power of coming together and creating change! For more
information about GSA Network's mission statement and our work, please visit
http://www.gsanetwork.org/about/index.html.
The T-shirts and buttons will be distributed state-wide. Yes, this is your chance
to get your artwork worn by many, many GSA members and other LGBTQ youth supporters
all over California.
The winner for the t-shirt design will receive $100 + 5 free t-shirts!!!
The winner for the button design will receive $50 + 25 free buttons!!!
Rules…rules…there are always rules…
1) No profanity
2) No more than 3 colors for the t-shirt (It helps keep costs so we can print
up more shirts for everyone!)
3) Email your designs with JPEG or Adobe Photoshop attachments to intern@gsanetwork.org,
or mail them to our office (1550 Bryant Street, Suite 800, San Francisco, CA
94103)
4) No design is returned to the artist
5) The original artwork becomes property of the GSA Network
6) Submission deadline: Friday, September 29, 2006
Remember, the button designs should be something smaller that shows up easily
on a small pin. T-shirt designs can be larger with more details. Words and phrases
can also be used by themselves or incorporated with the artwork!
Again, these designs are due NO LATER THAN Friday, September 29, 2006. If you
are sending them to us via snail mail, make sure to do so early enough so that
we receive them by that Friday! GSA Network Youth Council members will then
vote on the most amazing images. We will notify the winners!
Good luck!
*********************************************
2. Re-Register your GSA today - get new resources
& keep informed!!
Before you plan any events for your GSA, remember to register or re-register
your group with the GSA Network. Do it NOW to make sure you receive our student
resource sheets, FREE posters, other resources, and notifications of future
GSA Network or LGBT-related events. (Mailings will go out only to California
GSAs in middle and high schools.)
Register online at http://www.gsanetwork.org/register/index.php
If you have any questions or concerns, contact:
Tanya Mayo, Program Director
tanya@gsanetwork.org
415-552-4229
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*********************************************
3. Apply for GSA Network Youth Council! It's Cool! (Statewide)
GSA Network is accepting applications for new Youth Council members.
Go to the website and apply: 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, event planning, and starting a GSA club on your campus. In addition,
Youth Council members are responsible for giving input and helping to guide
the programs of the GSA Network. 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
1) Network with youth from throughout your region
2) Get peer and staff support and feedback on your ongoing campaign, action,
or event
3) Give input on GSA Networks programs, policies, and curriculum development.
In addition you may have an opportunity to
1) Help plan and run a youth led conference or present workshops at local conferences
2) Plan and participate in GSA Network social activities, like Pride
3) Apply to become a paid peer-to-peer youth trainer
4) Discuss emerging trends in the LGBTQ and greater social justice movement
5) Provide occasional technical assistance to other GSAs
Requirements
1) Willingness to commit to serving on the Youth Council for one year
2) Commitment to creating change for LGBTQ youth and fighting homophobia and
transphobia in schools
3) Interest in developing and suggesting ideas to strengthen the GSA Network
4) Must be a student in a public or private middle or high school in California
Southern California
For more info email carlos@gsanetwork.org
or call 213-534-7162
Central Valley
For more info email robin@gsanetwork.org
or call 559-268-2780
Northern California
For more info email marco@gsanetwork.org
or call 415-552-4229
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*********************************************
4. Liberation Ink Posters - Free For GSAs (Statewide)
LIBERATION INK POSTERS AVAILABLE
FREE FOR GSAs IN CALIFORNIA!!
Five poster designs (and two new poster designs expected by December 06) are available for GSAs, organizations, and individuals who are building a presence of youth voices for justice, peace, and youth empowerment and fighting against hatred, harassment, and discrimination of all kinds. Every GSA in California can receive 30 FREE posters to use at your school. You can order more than 30 for $1 each. From community organizations and individuals, we request a donation of $5 each for 1-10 posters and$4 each for 11-30 posters. Large quantity discounts are available.
You can view the designs and order posters on the Liberation Ink website:
www.gsanetwork.org/freezone/liberation
HERE ARE SOME WAYS TO USE LIBERATION INK TO MAKE CHANGE AT YOUR SCHOOL!
* Attach information about your GSA to the posters to advertise and recruit
members
* Encourage teachers to hang the posters in their classrooms
* Have GSA members lead discussions and activities related to the posters
* Use the posters as part of an anti-slur campaign
* Put the posters up in the courtyard with easels and/or use them while you're
tabling
* Get the posters printed in your school or community newspaper with an article
or announcement about your GSA
* Create an agreement for teachers to sign and give them posters to symbolize
their support
* Display the whole Liberation Ink series in one place or fill a whole wall
with posters in a grid
* Use the posters in conjunction with Day of Silence (April), Transgender Day
of Remembrance (November), LGBT History Month (October), LGBT Pride Month (June),
Coming Out Day (October 11), or Diversity Day or Week at your school
Liberation Ink was a collaborative project of GSA Network, LYRIC, and
Mission Grafica at the Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts in San Francisco.
It was supported by Youth Initiatives Program of the Open Society Institute,
San Francisco Arts Commission, and Walter and Elise Haas Fund.
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*********************************************
5. Sign-up for the High Contrast Photo Exhibit
at your school (Bay Area)
GSA Network's High Contrast, a photo-narrative exhibit by youth for youth, is on the move again!
"I think it was powerful and provocative and sparked good conversations."
- GSA Advisor
"There were at least 400 students that interacted with the exhibit. The
whole week while High Contrast was there, the GSA and other groups on campus
did workshops on hate crimes and ways to deal with it-letting students know
that it is an issue that needs to be addressed." - GSA student president
"Many students responded well to the universality of human issues and emotions.
The emotions weren't just linked to being gay, they were feelings we all have."
- GSA Advisor
In this exhibit we bring you our voices with hopes that you will hear us, see
us... and identify. We use art as a means for change -- to show people what
they might not choose to see, to incite dialogue, and to inspire transformation.
We want to make schools free from harassment, discrimination, and violence.
We don't want anyone to leave thinking, "This isn't my issue." Because
all kinds of people are lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender. Because there
are so many shades to our identities. Because we all deserve to be safe enough
to learn.
High Contrast is available for circulation as of October 1. If you
are a GSA in the Bay Area and interested in bringing the High Contrast photo
exhibit to your school, email highcontrast@gsanetwork.org.
For more information on and pictures ofHigh Contrast go to:
www.gsanetwork.org/highcontrast/index.html
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*********************************************
6. JOB: GSA Network - Central Valley
Program Associate (Fresno)
Central Valley Program Associate: GSA Network is looking for a part-time (20
hours/week) Program Associate to work in our Fresno office. The Program Associate
will assist the Central Valley Program Coordinator with program implementation
throughout the region. A demonstrated passion for LGBTQ youth leadership and
empowerment, experience in grassroots or campus organizing, and a commitment
to social justice are required for this position. Visit http://www.gsanetwork.org
for the complete job announcement.
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*********************************************
7. JOB: GSA Network - Development Coordinator (San
Francisco)
GSA Network seeks a part-time (20 hours per week) Development Coordinator
to coordinate and support all aspects of the organization's growing individual
donor program and development department systems. The Development Coordinator
will be the first development staff member at GSA Network. This person will
work closely with the Executive Director and development and special events
consultants to implement the annual fundraising plan ($86,250 from individuals
in 2006, which is 9% of GSA Network's total budget). GSA Network now has 600
individual donors who contribute through personal solicitations from the Board
and Executive Director, direct mail, a monthly pledge program, one annual fundraising
event, and occasional house parties. The Development Coordinator will play an
important role in helping GSA Network expand all of these activities and build
stronger relationships with all individual donors. A demonstrated passion for
LGBTQ youth leadership and empowerment, an understanding of youth culture, and
commitment to social change is required for all positions at GSA Network.
To get more information about the job and how to apply, visit: www.gsanetwork.org/about/index.html#jobs
Equal Opportunity Employer:
GSA Network, a project of the Tides Center, is an equal opportunity employer
and encourages applications from youth, people of color, people of all sexual
orientations and gender identities, and people with disabilities.
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++++++++++++++++ OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS ++++++++++++++++
GSA Network News is a publication of Gay-Straight Alliance Network. Events,
resources, and news items listed under "Other Announcements" are not
sponsored or written by GSA Network, and do not necessarily reflect the views
and opinions of GSA Network.
Southern California
*********************************************
8. Models of Pride conference (MOP XIV) - November 4 (Southern
California)
This is a reminder that the annual Models of Pride conference (MOP XIV), sponsored
by Friends of Project 10 Inc., is scheduled for Saturday, November 4, 2006,
at Occidental College in Eagle Rock. This one-day free conference focuses on
lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans youth, and their allies, ages 14 to 23.
We are currently soliciting workshop applications (due no later than September
8, 2006), volunteers, and agencies/organizations for the resource faire. Please
visit http://www.modelsofpride.org
for conference information (we are continually updating the Web site) and applications
for the workshops, volunteers, and resource faire
Online registration for the conference is up and running on the Web site.
Onsite registration is also available on the day of the conference.
All youth are welcome--we expect this to be the largest conference ever! Over
500 youth are expected to attend!
Contact Friends of Project 10 Inc. for questions and information at mailto:project10@hotmail.com
or 626.577.4553.
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Central Valley
*********************************************
9. Reel Pride Film Festival opens this Wednesday! (Fresno)
Don't miss your chance to see film premieres and 40 films from five different
continents, along with filmmaker and star appearances and gala events.
This year's festival opens Wednesday at 7:30 pm with the smart and funny romantic
comedy Puccini for Beginners. This non-stop laugh fest was a favorite at the
2006 Sundance Film Festival and stars Justin Kirk (Angels in America, Weeds)
Elizabeth Reaser (Saved, Law and Order) and the delightful Gretchen Mol (The
Notorious Bettie Page).
Passes and gala tickets include film admission and entrance to the gala party
after the film, with catering by Tower restaurant sponsors, beverages and an
open bar featuring Three Olives Vodka, Heineken and wines by Engelmann Cellars.
Thursday night the fun continues with the visually stunning Looking for Cheyenne
and the fantastic musical 20 Centimeters followed by an after party at the Red
Lantern.
Friday night sizzles with the "Girls Short film" program and the sexy
Eating Out 2: Sloppy Seconds followed by the boy's after party at Deja vu.Saturday
presents programs all day long beginning at noon. The highlights include the
hilarious Camp Out the world premier of Outlaugh the haunting Gypo followed
by the sexy Boys Short film program, season two premier of Dante's Cove, the
passionate The Gymnast and the extraordinary Broken Sky and the girl's after
party at Deja vu starting at 9:30pm.
Sunday's program begins at noon with powerful Saint of 9/11, the startling meth
and award-winning Lover Other with Rape for Who I Am. As the film festival winds
down the last features include Loving Annabelle, the world premiere of Bob and
Jack's 52 Year Adventure and the Reel Pride Awards Night closer Boy Culture
with scheduled appearances by the cast, and followed by the closing night Gala.
The only way to participate in the all fun is to get your passes and tickets
now!
Tickets are available at the Reel Pride Box Office at 844 E. Olive (next to
the Million Elephant restaurant), online at http://www.reelpride.com
or at the AAA Fresno office located a 5040 N. Forkner Avenue.
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Jobs
*********************************************
10. JOB: Director, California Safe Schools Coalition
Full time position, based in San Francisco
The California Safe Schools Coalition, a project of the Tides Center, is seeking
an experienced leader to manage fundraising, public policy advocacy, coalition
building, media relations, financial management, and personnel management. The
California Safe Schools Coalition is a statewide partnership of organizations
and individuals dedicated to eliminating discrimination and harassment on the
basis of actual or perceived sexual orientation and gender identity in California
schools. The Director will report to the Executive Committee of the Coalition’s
Steering Committee.
About the California Safe Schools Coalition
The California Safe Schools Coalition, a project of the Tides Center,
is a statewide partnership of organizations and individuals dedicated to eliminating
discrimination and harassment on the basis of actual or perceived sexual orientation
and gender identity in California schools. Our goals are as follows:
- Gain a comprehensive understanding of discrimination and harassment in California
schools (for LGBT students, associated students and allies, and for other statuses
of students who may experience discrimination and harassment) and evaluate efforts
to prevent and remedy this discrimination and harassment
- Identify, create, and spread quality resources to state and local advocates,
parents, teachers, elected officials, educational support professionals, classified
staff, students and local school districts and empowering advocates to work
more effectively for change.
- Hold the State of California accountable for providing a safe school environment
for all students.
Members of the California Safe Schools Coalition include Ally Action, the American
Civil Liberties Union of Northern California, the American Civil Liberties Union
of Southern California, the Anti-Defamation League, the California Teachers
Association, Children of Lesbians and Gays Everywhere, Equality California,
the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, Gay-Straight Alliance Network,
the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center, the National Center for Lesbian Rights, Parents,
Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG), the Respect for All Project,
the San Diego Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Community Center, the Transgender
Law Center, and many more.
For more information, see http://www.casafeschools.org
Other information:
- Some travel within CA will be required
- This is a full-time exempt position, based in San Francisco
- Salary range: $48,000-$50,000 per year plus excellent benefits
To apply, email resume and cover letter mailto:search@casafeschools.org
no later than Friday, September 15. No calls, please.
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11. JOB: LYRIC Case Manager (2 FTE) – Newly created positions
Organization Description
Founded in 1988, the Lavender Youth Recreation & Information
Center (LYRIC) provides supports and services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender,
queer, and questioning (LGBTQQ) youth, 24 years of age and under. LYRIC's mission
is to build community and inspire positive social change with LGBTQQ youth,
their families, and allies of all races, classes, genders, and abilities. LYRIC
facilitates community building, education and economic development, health and
wellness, and leadership development programming reaching over 1200 youth and
outreaching to another 5000 annually. The organization has a current budget
of approximately $1 million and 10 full-time and 2 part-time employees.
Position Summary
Two case managers are being hired to join a program team which
currently includes a Program Director, 3 Program Coordinators and a part-time
licensed therapist. To help ensure access to and success in LYRIC’s youth
development and leadership programming, youth participants need a range of supports.
When accessing LYRIC services for the first time, each youth meets with a LYRIC
program staff one-on-one for a program orientation and to assess interest and
need. Case managers will be the primary staff members responsible for this initial
meeting. Ongoing case management responsibilities will range from simple referrals
on an as needed basis to intensive case management including development of
an individualized service plan and ongoing individual sessions. Case managers
will be part of a neighborhood engagement team that is currently being developed
as part of the Community Partnership for LGBTQQ Youth. Critical to the success
of this position, is mastery of case management provision both on a one-to-one
basis as well as within a community context. The Case Manager reports to LYRIC’s
Program Director and is accountable to working in collaboration with all members
of LYRIC’s program staff, as well as working as part of the whole LYRIC
staff team.
Salary Range: $33,000 - $35,000 per annum and commensurate
with experience. Position includes full benefits package.
LYRIC is an equal opportunity employer. Applications are strongly encouraged
from women, people of color, immigrants, young people, lesbian, gay, bisexual,
queer, transgender and genderqueer people, people living with HIV/AIDS, people
who are differently-abled, and bilingual and bicultural people.
To see full job Descriotion go to: http://www.lyric.org/AboutUsJobs.html
To apply: please email your resume with full contact information
and a cover letter mailto:CMjob@lyric.org.
Please put CM and your name in the subject line. Applicants may also submit
resume and cover letter by mail to: LYRIC – Attn: Case Manager Search,
127 Collingwood Street, San Francisco, CA 94114. No phone calls or faxes, please.
We will contact you directly if we wish to talk with you about the position.
This position will remain open until filled, but please note that interviews
are scheduled to begin as early as 9/18. Thank you in advance for your interest
in the position.
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12. JOB: Mission Van Collaborative Manager
Hours / FTE: 20 hours/week (0.5 FTE)
Salary: $15 - 19/hour DOE
Start Date: ASAP
General Description: Responsible for the management of the
Mission Van Collaborative.
Qualifications: Must have excellent driving record.
Must be proficient in English.
Must be familiar with Microsoft Outlook and Yahoo! Email, Yahoo! Groups and
Yahoo! Calendar programs.
Experience creating and managing complex schedules.
Must demonstrate excellent verbal and written skills.
Ability to multi-task and manage the flow of information.
Excellent attention to details.
Must learn quickly and be able to work independently with little supervision.
Responsibilities: Schedule and assign vans to Collaborative
members on a day-to-day, week –to-week and monthly basis.
Create and managing shuttle schedule for MVC member agencies.
Manage online reservation system via Yahoo! Groups and Yahoo! Calendar programs.
Communicate with Collaborative members on a regular basis via email and Yahoo!
Groups website.
Schedule regular maintenance and cleaning of fleet vehicles.
Train and approve new Collaborative drivers.
Schedule and facilitate Collaborative meetings.
Supervise staff Van Driver.
Report to Jamestown Executive Director.
Other duties as assigned.
The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for
the performance of this job.
Please send resume, cover letter, DMV driving record to:
Stephen Moss, MVC Manager Mailto:stephen@jamestownsf.org
c/o Jamestown Community Center Fax: 647-4718
3382 – 26th Street No phone calls please.
San Francisco, CA 94110
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News
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13. NEWS: Schwarzenegger vetoes bill on gay protections in textbooks
Associated Press
Sep. 06, 2006
SACRAMENTO - Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed a bill Wednesday
that would have barred textbooks from using language that would be discriminatory
to gays, saying the state's education laws already prevent discrimination.
The bill's author, state Sen. Sheila Kuehl, called the veto "inexplicable."
Kuehl's bill initially would have required California's social science textbooks
to include the historical contributions of homosexuals, but the state Assembly
amended it at her request in an effort to avoid a veto from the Republican governor.
The final version of SB 1437 would have prohibited any negative portrayal of
homosexuals in textbooks and other instructional material, expanding current
anti-discrimination laws that apply to minorities.
But in a veto message, Schwarzenegger said California's education code already
prohibits discrimination in schools and says everyone is entitled to "equal
rights and opportunities in our state educational institutions, regardless of
their sex, ethnic group, race, national origin, religion, disability and sexual
orientation."
"I and this administration are firmly committed to the vigorous enforcement
of these protections," he said.
Kuehl, D-Santa Monica, expressed frustration over the veto and said she had
explicitly changed the legislation to address the governor's opposition.
"I an extremely disappointed that the governor chose to respond to a small,
shrill group of right-wing extremists rather than a fair-minded majority of
Californians who support this reasonable measure," she said in a statement.
To read the full story, visit:
http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/local/states/california/northern_california/15453400.htm
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14. NEWS: Gay Curriculum Under Siege
by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff
September 7, 2006 - 9:00 pm ET
(Vancouver, British Columbia) Conservative political action groups and the Roman
Catholic Church are demanding the British Columbia government abandon plans
to introduce a course next year that would include LGBT civics and material
on gay marriage.
The course, called Social Justice, is still being developed by the Department
of Education. It will examine a range of topics, including race, ethnicity,
gender, and sexual orientation. The course, aimed at grade 12 students, would
not be a requirement for students, but could be taken as one of the optional
courses leading to graduation.
The leader of the province's Roman Catholics has assailed the course. Vancouver
Archbishop Raymond Roussin says it could lead to "inappropriate and morally
objectionable material'' in the public school system.
In an editorial this week in province's Catholic newspaper Roussin says the
course threatens the right of parents to control their children's education
and calls on parents to pressure the government to abandon the project.
A political action group called Concerned Parents of British Columbia has begun
lobbying school boards to pressure the government to drop the planned course.
"We've got an advocacy group that has opened the door of a precedent and
we don't know who's going to walk through the door next," said spokesperson
Brian Roodnick following a presentation this week at the Richmond School Board.
To read the full story, visit:
http://www.365gay.com/Newscon06/09/090706bcschool.htm
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15. NEWS: Schwarzenegger Vetoes Bias-Free School Bill
by 365Gay.com Newscenter
Staff
September 6, 2006 - 4:00 pm ET, Updated 5:00 pm ET
(Sacramento, California) California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed legislation
on Wednesday that would prohibit any negative portrayal of gays in textbooks
and other instructional material.
The bill was an amended version of an earlier one that would have mandated the
teaching of LGBT history in state schools that Schwarzenegger warned he would
veto. The weakened version passed the Senate last week.
Conservative Republicans and anti-gay political action groups have been pressuring
the governor to reject even the new version.
In a statement from his office Schwarzenegger said the bill was vague and potentially
confusing and was redundant because California's education code already prohibits
discrimination in schools.
The statement also said that everyone is entitled to ''equal rights and opportunities
in our state educational institutions, regardless of their sex, ethnic group,
race, national origin, religion, disability and sexual orientation.''
To read the full story, visit:
http://www.365gay.com/Newscon06/09/090606calif.htm
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16. NEWS: University Backtracks
On Gay Club Ban
by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff
September 12, 2006 - 11:00 am ET
(Vallejo, California) As students at the Touro University College Of Osteopathic
Medicine gathered to protest a ban on the school's Gay-Straight Alliance the
institution announced it was all a big mistake.
The controversy began late last week when Vice President and Dean of Students
Nathan Church told the group that the Jewish college had revoked funding for
the GSA and that it was barred from using the university's name in promoting
itself.
The organization was told by Church that homosexuality goes against the university's
religious values.
The students said they were stunned by the announcement and threatened to walk
out of classes Monday. A rally was quickly organized for Monday and at least
two members of the Vallejo city council threatened to tie up building projects
the college has planned.
But as about 50 students gathered for the rally university Provost and Chief
Executive Harvey Kaye issued a statement saying there had been a misunderstanding.
"In my capacity as provost, I apologize on behalf of the university that
this controversy has arisen, and trust that my letter will lay this matter to
rest," Kaye said.
To read the full story,
visit:
http://www.365gay.com/Newscon06/09/091206touro.htm
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In this issue of GSA Network News, you'll find:
GSA Network Highlight
Welcome back to school students and advisors!!
Go directly to GSA Network
highlight
GSA Network Announcements
1. Re-register your GSA today - get new resources & keep informed!!
2. Apply for GSA Network Youth Council! It's Cool! (Statewide)
3. Liberation Ink Posters - Free For GSAs (Statewide)
4. Sign-up for the High Contrast Photo Exhibit at your school (Bay Area)
5. GSA Network is Hiring! - Central Valley Program Associate
6. GSA Network - Development Coordinator (San Francisco)
7. Governor Schwarzenegger Shortchanges Students & Vetoes SB 1437
Go directly to GSA Network announcements
Other Announcements
Southern California
8. Celebrating & Building Our Community with Pride (San Gabriel)
9. Right To Serve Campaign (Los Angeles)
10. Building Peace in Our Communities and Campuses (Los Angeles)
Go directly to Southern California listings
Central Valley
11. Coming Out Day Concert with special guests, the Fresno Gay Men's Chorus
(Visalia)
Go directly to Central Valley listings
Northern California
12. Outlet Program, serves LGBTQ youth and allies 13-18 (Mountain View)
13. YouthAware Educational Theatre at the New Conservatory Theatre Center Announces
the Fall Tour (Northern California)
14. October 2006 Community Programs at JFCS (Marin)
Go directly to Northern California listings
Statewide
15. YouthNoise Seeks Youth-Initiated Projects to Profile
16. 5-Minute Film About Your Project - Free
Go directly to Statewide listings
National
17. National Center for Lesbian Rights New Resources
Go directly to National listings
News
18. NEWS: When is it OK for boys to be girls, and girls to be boys?
Go directly to News listings
+++++++++++++++ GSA NETWORK HIGHLIGHT+++++++++++++++
Welcome back to school students and advisors!!
The GSA Network staff is ready to start another great year of activism in
schools! The start of the school year is a great time to get educated, get organized,
and get all the necessary tools you need. Check out the exciting opportunities
below to help you get started!
Be part of our Youth Council!
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, event planning or starting a GSA club on your campus. 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. To apply go to: http://www.gsanetwork.org/about/ycapp.html
Leadership Trainings!
So what is a GSA 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
the schools. Lead by other GSA leaders from around Northern California, the
training will show students how to start and run a Kick-Ass GSA.
Topics include:
* How to run a GSA meeting
* Outreach, building membership, and diversity
* Concepts of gender and understanding sexual orientation
* Understanding laws to protect LGBTQ youth in schools
* How to take action against slurs, harassment and discrimination in your school
This is a great opportunity to network with other GSAs in your area, while learning
some new skills to strengthen your club.
Look for upcoming dates on the GSA Network News.
Conferences!
GSA Network organizes two different conferences every year. In Northern
California we have the Youth Empowerment Summit (Y.E.S) and in the Central Valley,
Expression Not Suppression Conference (E.N.S.). Y.E.S and E.N.S. are FREE conferences
for LGBTQ youth activists and their allies who are dedicated to defeating homophobia
and transphobia and creating safe and supportive schools for everyone. The target
audience is high school & middle school students, and teachers & GSA
advisors are welcome. Be on the lookout for upcoming dates on the GSA Network
News.
Have a great year and keep up the amazing activism you do!
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+++++++++++++ GSA NETWORK ANNOUNCEMENTS +++++++++++++
*********************************************
1. Re-Register your GSA today - get new resources & keep informed!!
Before you plan any events for your GSA, remember to register or re-register
your group with the GSA Network. Do it NOW to make sure you receive our student
resource sheets, FREE posters, other resources, and notifications of future
GSA Network or LGBT-related events. (Mailings will go out only to California
GSAs in middle and high schools.)
Register online at http://www.gsanetwork.org/register/index.php
If you have any questions or concerns contact:
Tanya Mayo, Program Director
mailto:tanya@gsanetwork.org
415-552-4229
*********************************************
2. Apply for GSA Network Youth Council! It's Cool!
(Statewide)
GSA Network is accepting applications for new Youth Council members.
Go to the website and apply 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, event planning or starting a GSA club on your campus. In addition
Youth Council members are responsible for giving input and helping guide the
programs of the GSA Network. 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
1. Network with youth from throughout your region;
2. Get peer and staff support and feedback on your ongoing campaign, action
or event ;
3. Give input on GSA Networks programs, policies and curriculum development.
In addition you may have an opportunity to
1. Help plan and run a youth led conference or present workshops at local conferences;
2. Plan and participate in GSA Network social activities like Pride;
3. Apply to become a paid peer-to-peer youth trainer;
4. Discuss emerging trends in the LGBTQ and greater social justice movement;
5. Provide occasional technical assistance to other GSAs.
Requirements
1. Willing to commit to serve on the Youth Council for one year;
2. Committed to creating change for LGBTQ youth and fighting homophobia and
transphobia in schools;
3. Interested in developing and suggesting ideas to strengthen the GSA Network;
4. A student in a public or private middle or high school in California.
Southern California
For more info contact mailto:carlos@gsanetwork.org
or call 213-534-7162
Central Valley
For more info contact mailto:Robin@gsanetwork.org
or call 559-268-2780
Northern California
For more info contact mailto:Marco@gsanetwork.org
or call 415-552-4229
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3. Liberation Ink Posters - Free For GSAs (Statewide)
LIBERATION INK POSTERS AVAILABLE
FREE FOR GSAs IN CALIFORNIA!!
Five poster designs (and 2 new poster designs expected by December 06) are available for GSAs, organizations, and individuals by building a presence of youth voices for justice, peace, and youth empowerment and against hatred, harassment, and discrimination of all kinds. Every GSA in California can receive 30 FREE posters to use at your school. You can order more than 30 for $1 each. From community organizations and individuals, we request a donation of $5 each for 1-10 posters, $4 each for 11-30 posters, and large quantity discounts are available.
You can view the designs and order posters on the Liberation Ink website:
www.gsanetwork.org/freezone/liberation.
HERE ARE SOME WAYS TO USE LIBERATION INK TO MAKE CHANGE AT YOUR SCHOOL!
* Attach information about your GSA to the posters to advertise and recruit
members;
* Encourage teachers to hang the posters in their classrooms;
* Have GSA members lead discussions and activities related to the posters;
* Use the posters as part of an anti-slur campaign;
* Put the posters up in the courtyard with easels and/or use while you're tabling;
* Get the posters printed in your school or community newspaper with an article
or announcement about your GSA;
* Create an agreement for teachers to sign and give them posters to symbolize
their support;
* Display the whole Liberation Ink series in one place or fill a whole wall
with posters in a grid;
* Use the posters in conjunction with Day of Silence (April), Transgender Day
of Remembrance (November), LGBT History Month (October), LGBT Pride Month (June),
Coming Out Day (October 11), or Diversity Day or Week at your school.
Liberation Ink was a collaborative project of GSA Network, LYRIC, and
Mission Grafica at the Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts in San Francisco.
It was supported by the Youth Initiatives Program of the Open Society Institute,
the San Francisco Arts Commission, and the Walter and Elise Haas Fund.
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4. Sign-up for the High Contrast Photo Exhibit at your school (Bay
Area)
GSA Network's High Contrast photo exhibit is on the move again!
A photo-narrative exhibit by youth and for youth.
"I think it was powerful and provocative and sparked good conversations."
- GSA Advisor
"There were at least 400 students that interacted with the exhibit. The
whole week while High Contrast was there, the GSA and other groups on campus
did workshops on hate crimes and ways to deal with it-letting students know
that it is an issue that needs to be addressed." - GSA student president
"Many students responded well to the universality of human issues and emotions.
The emotions weren't just linked to being gay, they were feelings we all have."
- GSA Advisor
In this exhibit we bring you our voices with hopes that you will hear us, see
us... and identify. We use art as a means for change -- to show people what
they might not choose to see, to incite dialogue, and to inspire transformation.
We want to make schools free from harassment, discrimination, and violence.
We don't want anyone to leave thinking, "this isn't my issue." Because
all kinds of people are lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender. Because there
are so many shades to our identities. Because we all deserve to be safe enough
to learn.
High Contrast is available for circulation as of October 1. If you
are a GSA in the Bay Area and are interested in bringing the High Contrast
photo exhibit to your school, email mailto:highcontrast@gsanetwork.org.
For more information on, and pictures of, High Contrast go to:
www.gsanetwork.org/highcontrast/index.html
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*********************************************
5. JOB: GSA Network - Central Valley Program Associate
Central Valley Program Associate: GSA Network is looking for a part-time (20
hours/week) Program Associate to work in our Fresno office. The Program Associate
will assist the Central Valley Program Coordinator with program implementation
throughout the region. A demonstrated passion for LGBTQ youth leadership and
empowerment, experience in grassroots or campus organizing, and a commitment
to social justice are required for this position. Visit http://www.gsanetwork.org
for the complete job announcement.
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*********************************************
6. JOB: GSA Network - Development Coordinator (San Francisco)
GSA Network seeks a part-time (20 hours per week) Development Coordinator
to coordinate and support all aspects of the organization's growing individual
donor program and development department systems. The Development Coordinator
will be the first development staff member at GSA Network, and will work closely
with the Executive Director, and development and special events consultants,
to implement the annual fundraising plan ($86,250 from individuals in 2006,
which is 9% of GSA Network's total budget). GSA Network now has 600 individual
donors who contribute through personal solicitations from the Board and Executive
Director, direct mail, a monthly pledge program, one annual fundraising event,
and occasional house parties. The Development Coordinator will play an important
role in helping GSA Network expand all of these activities and build stronger
relationships with all individual donors. A demonstrated passion for LGBTQ youth
leadership and empowerment, an understanding of youth culture, and commitment
to social change is required for all positions at GSA Network.
To get more information about the job and how to apply, visit: www.gsanetwork.org/about/index.html#jobs
Equal Opportunity Employer:
GSA Network, a project of the Tides Center, is an equal opportunity employer
and encourages applications from youth, people of color, people of all sexual
orientations and gender identities, and people with disabilities.
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*********************************************
7. Governor Schwarzenegger Shortchanges Students & Vetoes SB 1437
GSA Network is very disappointed to announce that Governor Schwarzenegger
vetoed SB 1437 (The Bias-Free Curriculum Act) earlier today. This bill, authored
by State Senator Sheila Kuehl (D-Santa Monica), would have outlawed discrimination
based on sexual orientation and gender identity in school textbooks, classroom
instruction, and school-sponsored events.
"LGBT youth deserve protections from discrimination at school
and all California youth deserve fair and unbiased curriculum," said Carolyn
Laub, Founder and Executive Director of GSA Network. "The Governor's veto
of SB 1437 sends a clear message that he cares more about his own political
record than a fair and accurate historical record in our textbooks."
GSA members and youth activists have rallied together in
their schools and communities over the past several months to educate their
classmates, family members, and lawmakers about the personal impact that SB
1437 could have on the daily lives of LGBTQ students. Five hundred students
rallied and lobbied for it at Queer Youth Advocacy Day in March. Just two weeks
ago, youth across the state picked up their pens and phones to directly contact
the Governor's office during the Week of Action (Aug 21-25). In short, thousands
of youth have spoken up loud and clear in favor of keeping discrimination out
of the classroom.
On May 24, Governor Schwarzenegger announced his intention to veto an earlier
version of the legislation that called for the inclusion of the historical achievements
and contributions of LGBTQ Americans into the social science curriculum. Later
this summer, Senator Kuehl took the compromise step of amending the legislation
in hopes of persuading the Governor to change his mind. With his decision today,
Governor Schwarzenegger states very clearly that he is not yet unwilling to
be responsible for doing all that he can to make sure schools are safe and supportive
for all students.
In fact, Schwarzenegger has decided that politics are more important than educational
access and school safety and bowed to last-minute pressures from fiercely anti-LGBT
right-wing political groups. "The Governor should be more concerned about
the well-being of students instead of his own re-election or pleasing the conservative
minority," said Juliana Spector, a recent 2006 Piedmont High School graduate
who testified this spring in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee about SB
1437.
Speak Out About Governor's Decision
The Governor needs to hear that Californians are disappointed in him for dodging
his responsibility to students. Please call the Governor's office so he knows
how your disappointed you are and remind that he can still sign another safer
schools waiting for him on his desk. AB 606 (Safe Place to Learn Act), a key
bill that spells out specific guidelines for school districts to follow to protect
students from anti-LGBTQ harassment and discrimination is still waiting for
his response.
Choose the Governor's office you believe is closest to where you live. Make
sure your voice is heard. The fight is not over!
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
State Capitol Building
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 916-445-2841
Fax: 916-445-4633
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger 2550 Mariposa Mall #3013
Fresno, CA 93721
Phone: 559-445-5295
Fax: 559-445-5328
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger 300 South Spring Street, Suite 16701
Los Angeles, CA 90013
Phone: 213-897-0322
Fax: 213-897-0319
Governor Schwarzenegger
3737 Main Street #201
Riverside, CA 92501
Phone: 951-680-6860
Fax: 951-680-6863
Governor Schwarzenegger
1350 Front Street, Suite 6054
San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: 619-525-4641
Fax: 619-525-4640
Governor Schwarzenegger
455 Golden Gate Avenue, Suite 14000
San Francisco, CA 94102
Phone: 415-703-2218
Fax: 415-703-2803
Finally, the fight for SB 1437 has created a lot of momentum around curriculum
issues around the state. In response to GSA requests, GSA Network is creating
specific resources that youth activists can use to do more grassroots organizing
around this issue in schools. Be on the lookout!!! These resources will be arriving
at your schools in the fall!!!
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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
*********************************************
8. Celebrating & Building Our Community with Pride (San Gabriel)
San Gabriel Valley Pride Inc. Proudly Presents "CHILI, CHARIOTS, AND CHA...CHA...CHA!"
Mark Your Calendar
San Gabriel Valley Pride 2006
Sunday, September 17th 2006
12 Noon to 6:00 P.M.
Pasadena Senior Center
85 E. Holly St.
Pasadena, CA
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*********************************************
9. Right To Serve Campaign (Los Angeles)
We will be having a Non-violence training/Sit-in briefing on September 16,
2006 if anyone can make it. it will be in Los Angeles
and hosted by a GLBT mentoring organization Lifeworks. everyone is invited,
it is essential students involved with our action be
prepared.
Right To Serve Campaign coming to Los Angeles
Tuesday, September 26, 2006 college and high school students, church members,
LGBT organization members, previously discharged
service-members, and activists alike are going to a military recruitment center
in Los Angeles to protest the Don't Ask Don't Tell
policy of the military. A youth-led action, gay, lesbian, and bi-sexual young
adults will attempt to enlist while being open about
their sexual orientation. When they are rejected we, their supporters, will
sit-in to protest the government-sanctioned discrimination.
W e are still looking for people interested in enlisting, and everyone is encouraged
to come be a part of the sit in. For one day you may
miss class, work, or some other opportunity; however, you will never get another
chance to be a part of the Right To Serve Campaign!
To find out more visit the website, www.righttoserve.org. Everyone is welcome,
to be a part of the action contact righttoservela@gmail.com.
Amy Scott
Right to Serve Campaign Organizer, Los Angeles
909.319.0687
http://www.righttoserve.org
http://www.soulforce.org
*********************************************
10. Building Peace in Our Communities and Campuses (Los Angeles)
J. O. S. E. P. H. I. L. E. T. O.
JOIN OUR STRUGGLE, EDUCATE to PREVENT HATE INSTILL LOVE, EQUALITY, and TOLERANCE
for OTHERS
The focus of the Joseph Ileto Hate Crimes Prevention Fellowship is to support
community education, victim advocacy, and strengthen inter-community networks
as a means of preventing future hate-motivated crimes.
The Joseph Ileto Hate Crimes Prevention Fellowship, Asian Pacific American Legal
Center, Japanese American National Museum, and the LA County Human Relations
Commission present:
BUILDING PEACE in OUR COMMUNITIES and CAMPUSES
WHEN: Thursday, September 21st, 2006
WHAT: 5-5:30PM Reception
5:30-6PM Welcome
6-7:30PM Youth Panel Discussion
7:30-8:30PM Performances (Kristina Wong-LA & Yellow Rage-Philly)
8:30-9PM Open Mic
WHERE: JAPANESE AMERICAN NATIONAL MUSEUM
369 East First Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
COST: This is a FREE EVENT
Public Parking Available around the Museum
Creative Capital Award in Theather and a Creation Fund from the National Performance
Network
LA's Kristina Wong
http://www.kristinawong.com
HBO's Russell Simmon's Def Poetry Jam Poet & National Poetry Slam Individual
Finalists
Philly's Yellow Rage
http://www.yellowrage.com
CO-SPONSORS (PARTIAL LIST): Asian Pacific American Dispute Resolution Center
· South Asian Network · Coaltion for Humane Immigrant Rights of
Los Angeles · LA 18 · Blacklava Clothing · Filipino American
Library
Please contact Jay Arambulo at the Asian Pacific American Legal Center for questions
at 213-977-7500 ext. 253 or http://www.jarambulo@apalc.org
*********************************************
11. Coming Out Day Concert with special guests, the Fresno Gay Men's
Chorus (Visalia)
CCA Friends,
CCA has teamed with Visalia Community Pride to bring the popular gay singing
duo (and life partners), Jason and DeMarco, to the Visalia Main Street Theatre,
for a Coming Out Day Concert with special guests, the Fresno Gay Men's Chorus.
Jason and DeMarco are currently #1 on the Logo TV Network "Click List",
so we are extremely fortunate to have booked them for this important date. With
the help of several generous sponsors, we have been able to keep the cost low--Only
$5.00 and STUDENTS ARE FREE! The theatre holds 400, so free tickets are limited
to a first-come-first-served basis until they are gone.
Jim Daggs
Central California Alliance
http://www.ThatCCAGuy@comcast.net
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12. Outlet Program, serves lgbtqq youth and allies 13-18 (Mountain View)
Is your GSA on the Peninsula and too far from San Francisco and San Jose? Get
in touch with the Outlet Program for extra resources and support in your area!
The Outlet Program, in Mountain View, serves lgbtqq youth and allies 13-18.
We are available to come to your GSA to present our services to the group, as
well as run workshops, trainings, presentations on specific topics, and provide
any other support necessary. We work with any school in Santa Clara and San
Mateo County, so give us a call, or send an email to schedule a presentation
or training with Outlet!! All of our services are free for students!!! We also
provide trainings for teachers, administrators, and any professionals working
with youth at a very low cost.
Contact Eileen at 650-965-2020 x22 or email mailto:outlet@chacmv.org
for more information.
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*********************************************
13. YouthAware Educational Theatre at the New Conservatory Theatre Center
Announces the Fall Tour (Northern California)
The Other Side
Of the Closet
By Ed Roy Directed by Sara Staley
A Safe Schools Program for Teens
Touring Northern California October 17th – December 14th 2006
The Other Side of the Closet by Ed Roy is an educational theater program for
teens that supports a safe school curriculum where students, teachers and parents
can learn about the CA Student Safety Act, AB-537, in an innovative and engaging
format. The play is set in and around a high school, where five friends are
dealing with issues of peer pressure, youth violence, sexual orientation, homophobia,
behavior norms and discrimination. The aim of this program is to educate young
people about diversity and respect, and to help schools create a safe learning
environment for every student. Each performance is followed by a facilitated
discussion with the actor-educators, and a handout is provided for teachers
with activities, resources and questions to continue discussion in the classroom.
The Other Side of the Closet has been touring to Northern California communities,
middle and high schools annually since it’s US premiere in the fall of
2000, as part of the award winning New Conservatory Theatre Center’s YouthAware
Educational Theatre program based in San Francisco.
Tour Dates still available! Call (415) 694-6149 or email mailto:sara@nctcsf.org with
questions or to book a performance.
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14. October 2006 Community Programs at JFCS (Marin)
Unless otherwise noted, these programs will be held at Jewish Family and Children’s
Services at 600 Fifth Avenue in San Rafael. Support for Caregivers
You and Your Aging Parent
If you are helping to care for a parent, partner or other loved one, you may
be interested in this informative six-week group. Caregivers coping with issues
related to the aging process will learn about juggling conflicting responsibilities
and needs, finding and coordinating services, long-distance care giving, and
much more. Wednesdays, October 18 through November 22, 7:00 to 8:30 pm. $100
per person or $150 per couple. Sliding fee scale available. Pre-registration
required. For further information or to pre-register, contact Nikki Andrews
at 415/419-3601 or http://www.NikkiA@jfcs.org.
Free Program for Holocaust Survivors
Café By The Bay
Café By The Bay is a monthly event for Holocaust Survivors in Marin.
On Wednesday, October 18, the Marin Café group will meet with Brian Brown,
JFCS’s San Francisco holocaust claims specialist. For more information,
contact Lorraine Harris at 415/419-3635 or http://www.LorraineH@jfcs.org.
FREESliding-Fee, Nonsectarian Programs Open to All
Young Minds Require Creative Discipline
Parent Educator Bonnie Romanow will help you discover simple, fun strategies
using participants’ real life situations. Playful and creative ways to
engage your child (6 and under) go a long way during challenging times. Don’t
feel creative? Come be inspired. Thursdays, 10/12 and 19, 7:00 to 8:30 pm. $50
per person for 2 sessions. Sliding fee scale available; discounts available
for spouses and partners.. Pre-registration required. Contact Bonni Schiff at
415/419-3632 or http://www.BonniS@jfcs.org
or register online at http://www.ParentsPlaceOnline.org.
Feeding Toddlers
Are you feeding a picky eater? Come learn about feeding your toddler from Sanna
Delmonico, child nutritionist and editor of Tiny Tummies. Learn why a “good
eater” may not be what you think. Wednesday, 10/25, 6:30 to 8:00 pm. $25
per person. Sliding fee scale available; discounts available for spouses and
partners. Pre-registration required. Contact Bonni Schiff at 415/419-3632 or
http://www.BonniS@jfcs.org or register
online at www.ParentsPlaceOnline.org. Volunteers Needed!
A Great Volunteer Opportunity!
Volunteers are needed to help host Friday Shabbat services at the Redwoods and
some of Marin’s other care facilities. Services are led by our various
Marin rabbis, and the volunteer hosts provide greetings, challah and cake, and
Shabbat spirit. This is an easy way to do a great mitzvah! For more information,
contact Lorraine Harris at 415/419-3634 or http://www.LorraineH@jfcs.org.
The JFCS Food Pantry
Got groceries? JFCS provides non-perishable groceries for many Marin low-income
families, individuals, and homebound seniors through a Food Pantry that is supported
entirely by the generosity of Marin residents. Help us to help others by bringing
non-perishable groceries to our food barrel at 600 Fifth Avenue in San Rafael.
For more information, contact Bonni Schiff at 415/419-3632 or http://www.BonniS@jfcs.org.
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Statewide
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15. YouthNoise Seeks Youth-Initiated Projects to Profile
Across the globe, young people are making a difference. http://r.vresp.com/?TidesCenter/1a1ef12098/620462/90bd0bb874/45084a3
YouthNoise, a project of Tides Center, invites youth people to write, to learn,
to think, and to act through its website.
Its mission is to inspire and empower young people everywhere to catapult their
passion and idealism into movements to sustain the planet. In their goal to
inspire millions of young people around the globe to work together in their
communities they are looking for youth-initiated projects to profile.
If you or your organization works with young people who have created and implemented
amazing projects, please contact YouthNoise so that they may include them on
their website and inspire other young people to action, while also getting international
recognition and potential support.
If interested, contact mailto:mail@youthnoise.com
and request the Project Profile form.
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16. 5-Minute Film About Your Project - Free
Channel G is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that produces five-minute "Project Presentation"
http://r.vresp.com/?TidesCenter/23b594ee88/632877/e3886d1a5d/45084a3
films and distributes them to TV stations and film festivals to educate and
inspire people about the work of nonprofit organizations in the United States
and around the world. Channel G focuses its cameras on environmental, social,
and health-related projects designed to implement solutions to some of the world's
most challenging problems -- and because they are grant funded, you get the
video for free! Just imagine how a video edited pro bono by experienced film
editors can support your website and fundraising.
To watch their videos, view the qualifications and sign up, go to http://r.vresp.com/?TidesCenter/aa18e7b674/632877/e3886d1a5d/45084a3
http://www.channelg.tv/pages/suggest_a_project/35.php.
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National
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17. National Center for Lesbian Rights New Resources
Child Welfare League of America Best Practice Guidelines
The
National Center for Lesbian Rights and http://www.lsc-sf.org/ Legal Services
for Children are excited to announce the release of the
CWLA Best Practice Guidelines: Serving LGBT Youth in Out-of-Home Care
The Best Practice Guidelines for Serving LGBT Youth in Out-of-Home Care, recently
published by the Child Welfare League of America (CWLA), is the first comprehensive
policy and practice guide for serving lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender
(LGBT) youth in child welfare and juvenile justice settings. Written by experts
in the field and based on professional standards, the law, and current social
science research, this 75 page book is designed to help administrators develop
policies and practices to ensure appropriate, equitable, and quality care for
LGBT youth, to guide the development of provider training materials, and to
serve as an outline for a strategic plan for improving services to LGBT youth
system-wide.
The best practice guidelines in this book will improve outcomes for youth through
accurate, up-to-date information that will help you provide competent services
to youth who are LGBT. This book is the culmination of the work of the
Model Standards Project, a collaboration of Legal Services for Children and
the National Center for Lesbian Rights, and incorporates the research conducted
by the <http://familyproject.sfsu.edu/>Family Acceptance Project at the
Cesar Chavez Institute, San Francisco State University.
You can download a .PDF version of this important new resource from http://nclrights.org/publications/pubs/bestpracticeslgbtyouth.pdf
NCLR's website or http://www.lsc-sf.org/publications/bestpracticeslgbtyouth.pdf
LSC's website.
Or you can purchase hardcopies from CWLA http://www.cwla.org/pubs
online or by calling 800-407-6273. ISBN # 1-58760-095-1 Stock # 10951,
Price $14.95
Breaking the Silence: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer
Foster Youth Tell Their Stories
The http://www.nclrights.org/ National
Center for Lesbian Rights is excited to announce the release of
A DVD and Resource CD for Training Care Providers on Working Effectively with
LGBTQ Youth
The ten short digital stories included on http://www.nclrights.org/publications/breakingthesilence.htm
Breaking the Silence are powerful tales of both the successes and failures of
the foster care system. Over the course of a four-day workshop organized by
the http://www.youthtrainingproject.org/
Y.O.U.T.H Training Project of San Francisco State's Bay Area Academy and which
took place at the http://www.storycenter.org/
Center for Digital Storytelling in Berkeley, California, ten former foster
youth who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer (LGBTQ)
shared their stores and learned to edit them into moving, heartfelt (and sometimes
heartbreaking) personal videos. Through these youths’ thoughtful, honest,
and insightful words and images, we hear directly about their experiences in
state care, as well as their recommendations for better supporting LGBTQ youth
in the future. In addition, each DVD comes with a CD containing more than 25
useful and informative training tools and resources developed by the National
Center for Lesbian Rights and other organizations that are nationally respected
for their expertise in supporting LGBTQ out-of-home youth.
http://www.nclrights.org/publications/breakingthesilence.htm
Breaking the Silence is a must-have tool for social workers, probation officers,
group home workers, foster parents, system administrators, lawyers, youth advocates,
and other service providers who work with LGBTQ youth.
NEWS
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18. NEWS: When is it OK for boys to be girls, and girls
to be boys?
Many kids want to look and act like the other sex. For some, it's
a phase; for others, it's not. Parents and schools are adjusting.
Ilene Lelchuk, Chronicle Staff Writer
Sunday, August 27, 2006
Park Day School is throwing out gender boundaries.
Teachers at the private Oakland elementary school have stopped asking the children
to line up according to sex when walking to and from class. They now let boys
play girls and girls play boys in skits. And there's a unisex bathroom.
Admissions director Flo Hodes is even a little apologetic that she still balances
classes by gender.
Park Day's gender-neutral metamorphosis happened over the past few years, as
applications trickled in for kindergartners who didn't fit on either side of
the gender line. One girl enrolled as a boy, and there were other children who
didn't dress or act in gender-typical ways. Last year the school hired a consultant
to help the staff accommodate these new students.
"We had to ask ourselves, what is gender for young children?" Hodes
said. "It's coming up more and more."
Park Day's staff members are among a growing number of educators and parents
who are acknowledging gender variance in very young children. Aurora School,
another private elementary school in Oakland, also is seeing children who are
"gender fluid" and hired a clinical psychologist to conduct staff
training.
Children with gender variant behaviors feel intensely that they want to look
and act like the other sex. They prefer toys and activities typical of the opposite
gender. Signs usually start appearing between the ages of 2 and 4.
For some children, it's a passing phase. Some grow up to be heterosexual, some
gay. Some children insist they are the opposite sex although they might have
a hard time explaining it. One nurse therapist said a boy once told her, "I
think I swallowed a girl."
"The point is we don't know the outcome and don't need to know," said
Catherine Tuerk, who runs the gender variance outreach program at Children's
National Medical Center in Washington, D.C., considered a leader in the field.
"What we need is a place where children can express what they want to,"
said Tuerk, who has been working on gender variance for three decades.
Kids have always explored gender roles, but precisely how many exhibit gender
variance has not been estimated, said Dr. Edgardo Menvielle, associate professor
of psychiatry with the Children's National Medical Center in Washington, D.C.
"What is new is how parents and educators are addressing it and being open
to it at earlier ages," said Taneika Taylor of the Gender Public Advocacy
Coalition, an organization in Washington, D.C., that is trying to end discrimination
and violence caused by gender stereotypes.
This increased awareness, Taylor said, is fueled partly by the availability
of information on the Internet and television. As the school year begins, new
Web sites, e-mail support groups, educational materials and conferences offer
support and education for parents and teachers of kids who defy gender stereotypes.
Their common message is not to try to change who these kids are, though mainstream
mental health professionals are not unified. Some believe such feelings can
and should be extinguished through therapy; others believe that can destroy
children's self-esteem.
"If you are forced to be something you don't want to be as a kid, you are
miserable," said Carla Odiaga of Boston, the consultant hired at Park Day.
Odiaga speaks from a decade of experience counseling lesbian, gay, bisexual
and transgender teens who she says are scarred by early memories -- a daughter
forced to dress like a girl or a son whose dad hit him when he refused to play
sports.
In the worst cases, children pushed by parents and picked on by peers grow depressed,
suicidal or physically ill, said Caitlin Ryan, a clinical social worker at San
Francisco State University who is conducting a long-term survey of gay youths
and their families. She said many adolescents she talked to were picked on from
kindergarten age -- long before they knew their sexual identity -- for looking
or acting "too feminine" or "too butch."
Gender variance is an especially touchy topic when young children are the subjects.
The Traditional Values Coalition calls efforts to accommodate these kids "normalizing
the abnormal."
The group's executive director, Andrea Lafferty, said gender variance is a Bay
Area phenomenon.
"If you talk to your typical person across America, they would be appalled,"
she said. "God made us male and female, and God makes no mistakes. To teach
a child at an early age self-hatred, and that's what this gender variance is,
is very sad."
Warren Throckmorton, an associate professor of psychology at Grove City College
in Pennsylvania known for his work in the so-called ex-gay movement, agrees
that some gender-variant children could be redirected to their birth sex.
"I've treated kids who were quite sure they were the opposite gender and
are now are quite consistent in their behavior and their feelings with their
biological sex," said Throckmorton.
But he warned against dogma on either side of the debate. "It's so individual.
I don't want to say there's one answer."
Dr. Herb Schreier, a psychiatrist with Children's Hospital & Research Center
Oakland who leads a gender variance support group, said studies show children's
feelings about their gender are "hardwired" at birth.
"It's really important that the public be aware this is not something parents
can turn their kids into. The data is very clear on this," Schreier said.
San Francisco mom Marci Riseman, whose 4-year-old son likes ballet, princess
dresses and pink dragons, attributes the acceptance he has met to living in
a liberal region. His preschool is open to his atypical play, and others in
his ballet class don't care if he wears a tutu, Riseman said.
However, Riseman also gets support from the Children's National Medical Center
in Washington, D.C., which has a gender variance program considered a leader
in the field. She joined the program's 5-year-old online community, which has
nearly 200 subscribers nationwide.
Petaluma mom Leslie Hansen knew something was different when her daughter was
2.
"She refused to wear pink, barrettes or anything fancy in her hair. She
wanted her hair short. She didn't want to wear lace, dresses, patent leather
shoes. She didn't want to play with dolls. Well, she had a dollhouse, but she
put animals in it," Hansen said.
Her daughter, now 15, has short blond hair, braces, earrings in both ears. She
binds her breasts in a too-small sports bra and could pass either as either
a boy or a girl. She rides a skateboard and horses. Her room is filled with
her collection of horses and J.R.R. Tolkien books.
Her birth name is Marisa, but she decided to enter 10th grade this month at
Petaluma High School as Sasha, a name as androgynous to her as her cargo pants
and T-shirts. She told her parents last year that she feels more like a boy
than a girl.
Her mom, a family therapist, wasn't surprised. But she said not everyone understands
Marisa or her family's response to her feelings. Even close friends have asked,
"Haven't you tried to talk Marisa out of it?"
"People just don't get it. She's just who she is," Leslie Hansen said.
Sasha's school has been accommodating, offering her a private bathroom and place
to change for gym class if she decides to enroll as a boy. The teen credits
her parents for her relatively easy transition and self-confidence.
"Most other kids have had rough experiences. I'm one of the luckiest,"
she said, explaining that she recently met other teens in a Santa Rosa support
group whose parents kicked them out of the house or who suffered harassment
at school.
Other new efforts connecting kids and parents include Gender Public Advocacy
Coalition's program Children As They Are, which supports and guides parents
and teachers working with gender-variant children in preschool through sixth
grade. It is launching a Web site this school year with brochures, meeting announcements
and online networking.
Another advocacy group, the California Safe Schools Coalition, based in San
Francisco, has been conducting workshops and surveys to determine which schools
are best at eliminating discrimination and harassment based on sexual orientation
and gender identity.
To read the full story, visit:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2006/08/27/MNGL2KQ8H41.DTL