GAYLA/QYAD 2009 Invitations Have Been SENT! So, check your email inbox, or spam box! We are still looking for a few more youth from Sacramento Metro area, who are able to stay at home and commute in to the event. GAYLA Overview GAYLA  (GSA Advocacy & Youth Leadership Academy) is a three-day intensive training in the legislative process, policy and administrative advocacy, media activism & other important related skills.  GAYLA will take place in Sacramento from April 17th to April 19th, culminating in QYAD (Queer Youth Advocacy Day) on April 20th. GSA Network is proud to announce our key partners for GAYLA/QYAD will be Equality California, BIENESTAR, Transgender Law Center, The Trevor Project, and National Association of Social Workers - California Chapter. GAYLA & QYAD 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.  So, what is next? 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! At the same time we will be talking to legislators to educate them on the importance of passing the Harvey Milk Day Bill again, as well as some other legislation that impacts youth. Here's what we need - committed GSA activists (thats you!) to share stories with legislators and to fight for better implementation of existing state law to protect transgender and gender non-conforming students.  In order to be a part of GAYLA, you MUST apply and be accepted.  We are accepting up to 75 youth advocates for this training. While the focus is on intensive training with a core group of youth, we guarantee it will be a fun AND educational time! If you have experienced discrimination based on gender identity or expression, accessing mental health care or care deeply about impacting education, and want to do something positive to make schools safer, you should apply for GAYLA!  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. 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. Youth of color, low-income youth, and transgender and gender non-conforming youth are strongly encouraged to apply. All Leaders must participate fully in the training and be able to be in Sacramento from the evening of Friday, April 17th through the evening of Monday, April 20th. 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 advocating for LGBTQ youth in schools by: Organizing & participating in a campaign throughout 2009-2010 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 Serving as a media spokesperson in your region on GSA, safer schools, and LGBTQ youth issues Joining the GSA Network Statewide Advocacy Council Apply to GAYLA - we will continue to accept applications from Sacramento Area youth till, March 22th! Click Here to APPLY Online! Or you can DOWNLOAD the application and fill it out, then fax or mail it to GSA Network. Got questions? Call 415-552-4229 or send an email. Not in High School still want to get involved? You can, as a college mentor or as an adult volunteer! College Mentors: we are looking for about 10 college juniors and seniors, who are willing to attend, be role models, oversee the evening activities, and provide supervision at night. This opportunity will include 16 hours of training in early March, in San Francisco, as well as the event weekend which will be April 17-20th in Sacramento. Please apply here. Deadline extended APPLICATIONS are now DUE March 1st. Adult Volunteers: we are looking for a some volunteers to support and help out during the weekend and on Monday, Applications will be available March 1.