Apply to be a Leader at GAYLA! GAYLA Overview GAYLA (GSA Advocacy & Youth Leadership Academy) is a three-day intensive training in policy advocacy & other important skills. GAYLA will take place in Sacramento from October 4th to October 6th , 2008. We will be starting in the afternoon on Saturday. GSA Network is now accepting applications from young people who are interested in impacting the education system and working to implement the legislation that we've already attained. Youth (age 18 and under) in California high school and middle school Gay-Straight Alliance clubs who are strongly interested in making policy change at their schools and across the state should apply. If you are an activist who is interested in learning more about policy advocacy, ensuring the education system implements gender identity non-discrimination laws in California schools, and developing community organizing skills - we strongly encourage you to apply. This training will lead to meetings with school administrators at the California Department of Education, California School Boards Association and other education agencies. After attending GAYLA, you will participate in a year-long campaign. You don't want to miss out on this opportunity! The application deadline has been extended to September 8th. GSA Network is proud to announce our key partner for GAYLA will again be the Transgender Law Center. GAYLA Over the last decade, thousands of young people from every corner of the state have rallied on the Capitol steps in Sacramento and educated lawmakers on what they needed to do to make California schools safer for LGBTQ and straight ally students.  In 1997-1999 we succeeded in advocating for the passage of the California Student Safety and Violence Prevention Act (AB 537). In 2003 we successfully lobbied for the California Comprehensive Sexual Health and HIV/AIDS Prevention Act (SB 71). In 2006 we successfully lobbied for the Bias-Free Curriculum Act (SB1437) and Safe Place to Learn Act (AB 606) which were passed by the legislature and unfortunately vetoed by the Govenor.  In 2007 we succeeded in advocating for the passage of two bills: The Safe Place to Learn Act (AB 394) and The Student Civil Rights Act (SB 777).  Again, in 2008 students successfully lobbied for the Foster Youth School Safety Education Bill (AB 3015) and the Harvey Milk Bill (AB 2567). So, what is next you ask? Now that we have legislation passed and laws in place to protect us - we need to work to advocate for the full implementation of these laws! This fall we will build on the legislative wins of the past and the groundbreaking advocacy work that happened this spring; we will continue to work for the full implementation of gender identity non-discrimination policies in the California school system.  Here's what we need –- committed GSA activists (that's you!) to fight for better implementation of existing state law to protect transgender and gender non-conforming students.  In order for this to happen we need to devise a strategy for the following year and we want you to be apart of the process! GSA Network is hosting GAYLA for an intense training session this fall that will make you a solid leader in advocacy within three days!  In order to be a part of GAYLA, you MUST apply and be accepted.  We are accepting up to 21 youth advocates for this training. While the focus is on intensive training with a small core group of youth, we guarantee it will still be a fun AND educational time! If you have experienced discrimination based on gender identity or expression and want to do something positive to make schools safer, you should apply for GAYLA!  If you are an ally to transgender and gender non-conforming youth and want to help make schools safer, you should apply for GAYLA! Goals As a GAYLA leader, you will: Understand what your legal rights are & how to educate others about them Learn what laws like AB 537 (California Student Safety and Violence Prevention Act) mean for you as a student Build relationships with key people in the California Department of Education (CDE), the State’s Superintendent’s office, and the Gender Equity Office Target specific groups who will be influential in following through on AB537’s gender identity protections Gain key media activism skills to help you spread your message everywhere Break down barriers & help to ensure more youth voices are part of the statewide fight for LGBTQ equality Transform yourself into a public speaker who changes the hearts & minds of everyone around you Be involved in a campaign process that will run through 2008 – 2009 school year Meet, make friends, & share resources with youth activists from across the state GAYLA Leaders Youth (age 18 and under) in California high school and middle school Gay-Straight Alliance clubs who are strongly interested in making change at their schools and across the state should apply. If you are an activist who is interested in learning more about policy advocacy and community organizing, we strongly encourage you to apply. We are especially looking for high school juniors and younger, since GAYLA youth will work on a campaign that will continue into next school year. Middle school students can also apply. We strongly encourage youth of color, low-income youth, and transgender and gender non-conforming youth to apply. All Leaders must participate fully in the training and be able to be in Sacramento from Saturday afternoon of Oct. 4th through the evening of Monday, Oct. 6th. Arrangements will be made for leaders who need assistance with housing and travel to Sacramento. This means, yes, we will pay for you to get to Sacramento if you can’t get there yourself! We will also pay for your meals and housing. After GAYLA After being a leader at GAYLA, you will be encouraged to continue working with GSA Network and advocating for LGBTQ youth in schools by: • Organizing & participating in a campaign to advocate for full implementation of the gender identity non-discrimination law in California schools, which may include visits with lawmakers and education officials, rallies, letter-writing campaigns, and speak-outs in your area • Training members of your GSA in advocacy skills • Joining the Statewide Advocacy Council and working on follow-up with the California Department of Education and the California School Boards Association. Apply to GAYLA Please complete the GAYLA leader application form below. Deadline for submission is September 8th. All applications will be reviewed and everyone will be notified of the final selection by mid-September.  Please note that priority will be given to students interested in working for better implementation of existing state law to protect transgender and gender non-conforming students in California and who are juniors and younger, through the 2008-2009 school year.  (Please note: only middle or high school students attending school in California can attend.) First Name Last Name Street Address City State Zip Home Phone Cell Phone Email Check here if we need to be discreet/confidential when contacting you. School you attend/school district: Your Age What year you will graduate?: Will you be staying in California through 2009?: What is your gender? What is your sexual orientation? What is your race/ethnicity? Anything else you'd like us to know about you? Emergency Contact NOTE: If you are under age 18, please provide guardian/parent information in this section. If you are over 18, please provide emergency contact information. Emergency Contact Name Relationship to You Phone Email Please answer the following questions. Only applications with answers to all of the questions will be considered. 1. Why are you interested in participating in GAYLA? Have you attended GAYLA or QYAD in the past? 2. Please describe your previous experience with advocacy, lobbying, and/or public speaking. 3. If you can, please describe how you have worked to change policy or otherwise worked for change on a large scale in your school or community. 4. Please describe the different ways your GSA has made a positive impact at your school. 5. Please describe what, if any, harassment or discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity you've experienced or witnessed at school. 6. What motivates you to be an activist? 7. Share some ways that racism, classism, sexism, and other oppressions have affected you and your activism. How do you see the intersections of oppression happening? 8. How do you hope to continue your advocacy work for LGBTQ and ally students with GSA Network (see list under “After GAYLA” for some possible ways)? Got questions? Call 415-552-4229 or send an email.