GSA Network News archives

GSA Network News Email Archive - April 2006

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April 25, 2007

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

GSA Network Highlight
GSA Network Youth makes National and International Headlines as Prom King Candidate
Go directly to GSA Network highlight

GSA Network Announcements
1. GSA Network Activist Camps! APPLY ONLINE!
2. AB 394 Passes Assembly Education Committee!
3. Save the Date! GSA Network Leadership Training for Middle School Students! (San Francisco)
4. Date Changed! GSA Network Leadership Training (San Diego)
5. GSA Power T-shirt & More - Buy today!
6. 10th Annual Queeriosity event (San Francisco)
7. Free Resources for New or Re-Registered GSAs!
8. GSA Network Youth Council Wants You! (Statewide)
Go directly to GSA Network announcements

Other Announcements
Southern California
9. This Weekend-Inland Empire Pride! (San Bernardino)
10. LGBT Prom (San Bernardino)
11. The 2nd Annual Joteria Conference: "Somos Joteria:: Ayer, Hoy, y Mañana"! (Los Angeles)
Go directly to Southern California listings

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

Northern California
14. GSA Youth Leadership Workshop (Sacramento)
15. Apply for the Movement Activist Apprenticeship Program (Oakland)
Go directly to Northern California listings

Statewide
16. Straightlaced Seeks High School Students for Interviews!
Go directly to Statewide listings

National
17. Join The Jump-Start 2007-2008 National Student Leadership Team
18. Women Who Love Women Needed for Survey
Go directly to National listings

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

News
21. NEWS: Area Students Join in Silent Protest
22. NEWS: Anti-gay shirts bring suspensions
23. NEWS: T-shirt message Suspension List Grows
24. NEWS: Class Act At Buckingham
25. NEWS: Duct Tape Amends T-shirts
Go directly to News listings

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

GSA Network Youth makes National and International Headlines as Prom King Candidate

This past year Cinthia Covarrubias has been involved with much of her* high school’s GSA club activities. Her regular attendance at meetings led to attendance at the Expression Not Suppression conference as well as a trip to Sacramento for Queer Youth Advocacy Day. So, when the call came that she was nominated for Prom Queen – there was no question that Cinthia had to be honest with the school about what made her feel most comfortable – she wanted to run for Prom King, instead.

This story was covered by the Associated Press and broadcast by over 240 news agencies such as CNN.com, ABCnews.com, Yahoo.com and many other local newspapers and TV stations.

"I hope this opens up something new," Cinthia told the AP before Saturday's crowning. "I've been really excited about it and feeling a lot of hope.”

For the past two years, GSA Network has worked to help coordinate a proactive approach to help create a safer climate for all Fresno Unified School District (FUSD) students. During this work we have had the pleasure of meeting GSA club members and advisors through our FUSD site visits. Fresno High’s GSA club advisor, Tiffani Sanchez, worked hard to advocate for Cinthia to be able to run for the Prom Royalty title that felt most comfortable to her. In the same AP article, Ms. Sanchez stated, "Cinthia is still really learning who she is and we want her to know that there's a safe space for her here and we support her."

In a personal interview with the GSA Network, Ms. Sanchez gave some insight into how the nomination and run for Prom King became reality. She stated, “Cinthia finished her recent transition to dress and look how she felt most comfortable. She was so happy and comfortable with herself. She came out of her shell and just blossomed. I had never seen her so happy and outgoing before. I can think of no other word to describe it besides true liberation.” But, when Cinthia was nominated as Prom Royalty the school wanted to place her in the Queen category. Cinthia explained to her advisor that she did not want to run for anything if she had to wear a dress. Then, the advocacy to change the district’s policy began.

Ms. Sanchez continued, “We got the call on the morning of Day of Silence that Cinthia was going to be allowed to run for Prom King, when I got off the phone I told Cinthia what was said and we both let out screams as we jumped up and down. Yes, I admit that we did break our vow of silence, but under the circumstances we couldn’t help ourselves. We were walking on clouds the rest of the week. I’m not sure we really accepted or realized the gravity of what had really happened like we do now. I am very proud of Cinthia who decided to take a stand, not only for her, but also for the generations of students who will come after her. She made a very brave decision after only coming out to her parents less than a month earlier. It has not been an easy decision for her to follow through with. There have been positive and negative results for Cinthia as a result, however I know that she does not regret her decision. I know that within the Fresno Unified School District the change has been made, which is no small feat. Fresno Unified is one of the largest districts in the state. For all of the students in the Fresno Unified District, Cinthia has made an immediate change. The district will not stop any student from running for the position they feel comfortable. For other students in other districts she has set the precedent. Hopefully other districts will see that it is the right thing to do.”

Although Cinthia did not win the Prom King title, one Fresno High School student, Leanne Reyes, 16, told the AP that Covarrubias had her vote. "It's not like the stereotype where the king has to be a jock and he's there with the cheerleaders anymore," said Reyes, a senior. "We live in a generation now where dudes are chicks and chicks are dudes." Because of her work with the GSA Network and her groundbreaking actions to challenge the Prom Royalty system, no matter what the election results, Cinthia Covarrubias is definitely GSA Network’s PROM KING!!!

Here are just a few of the articles that ran about what we believe to be the country’s first-ever openly transgender student running for prom king:

Transgender candidate on prom king ballot
http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/04/20/transgender.prom.king.ap/

Transgender candidate for prom king makes her mark
http://www.fresnobee.com/263/story/43091.html

Transgender student in running for Fresno prom king
http://www.advocate.com/news_detail_ektid44768.asp

Student Loses Prom King Contest, But Wins for Transgender Rights
http://www.247gay.com/article.cfm?section=66&id=14291

* Cinthia currently prefers to use female pronouns, so GSA Network is using female pronouns out of respect for Cinthia.

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

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1. GSA Network Activist Camps! APPLY ONLINE!

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

Southern California Activist Camp - Date/location to be decided

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

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

APPLY ONLINE! Click here to get more info and apply online!

http://www.gsanetwork.org/camp/camp2007.html

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2. AB 394 Passes Assembly Education Committee!

GSA Network is pleased to announce that AB 394 (Safe Place to Learn Act) passed the Assembly Education Committee on April 18, 2007. Hundreds of GSA members lobbied for AB 394 at Queer Youth Advocacy Day on March 26. During last week's hearing, Education Committee members listened to testimony from Lance Chih, a QYAD 2007 leader and 2006 graduate of Folsom High School.

AB 394 will now move to be considered by the Assembly Appropriations Committee where it must be voted on and passed before it can then be voted on by the entire Assembly. A list of the Assembly Appropriations Committee members can be found at http://www.assembly.ca.gov/acs/newcomframeset.asp?committee=43, If your Assemblymember is a member of this committee, we urge to please call his or her office during the next couple of weeks and voice your support for AB 394.

Safe Schools Measure Approved in Assembly Education Committee
Levine Bill, Co-Sponsored by EQCA and AACRE, Strengthens State's Anti-Bias Laws, Protects LGBT Students

The Assembly Education Committee on Wednesday passed a measure that would better enforce California's safe school laws to keep harassment and bullying out of the classroom. Lawmakers passed the Safe Place to Learn Act by a 7-3 vote.

AB 394, authored by Assemblymember Lloyd Levine, D-Van Nuys, clarifies the minimum steps school districts must take to protect students, including those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT). Co-sponsored by Equality California and Asian Americans for Civil Rights and Equality, the bill also requires the state to monitor school compliance with an existing anti-bias law, the California Student Safety and Violence Protection Act of 2000, which banned all forms of unlawful discrimination in schools.

"Despite state laws designed to protect them, LGBT youth continue to feel unsafe at school," said EQCA Executive Director Geoff Kors. "We want all students to thrive at school and achieve academic success, which is difficult, if not impossible, under the threat of harassment and violence. AB 394 will make sure every school in California is working toward the goal of keeping every student healthy and safe."

Existing state law protects students from bias based on their gender or gender identity, sexual orientation, race or ethnicity, nationality, religion and disability. However, recent research indicates that students continue to face discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, race and ethnicity.

"Students, teachers, parents and researchers across California acknowledge that harassment continues to be a problem in our schools," said Assemblymember Levine. "By strengthening and clarifying current law, we will create an improved statewide response to incidents of bias and discrimination against youth, providing students the respect and protection we promised them years ago."

Bias-related harassment continues to be a pervasive problem in California schools. About 30 percent of all 7th, 9th and 11th graders have experienced harassment due to their race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or disability, according to the 2004-05 California Student Survey. More than 90 percent of California youth also hear negative comments based on sexual orientation and gender identity, according to a 2004 report issued by the California Safe Schools Coalition and the 4-H Center for Youth Development at UC-Davis.

"AB 394 promotes an atmosphere of respect for students of all backgrounds by monitoring schools to ensure they adopt and publicize antidiscrimination and harassment policies," said Angela Chan, an attorney for the Juvenile Justice Project in the Asian Law Caucus.

Each year, the Asian Law Caucus of San Francisco receives numerous complaints of hate-based violence and harassment in schools, particularly targeted at Asian Pacific American youth. The Caucus surveyed 75 school districts across the state last month and found that one-third of them did not have antidiscrimination policies, which existing law requires. (http://www.eqca.org)

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3. Save the Date! GSA Network Leadership Training for Middle School Students! (San Francisco)

You are invited to a GSA NETWORK LEADERSHIP TRAINING!

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

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

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

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

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

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

For more information or to RSVP, please contact
* Marco Castro-Bojorquez, GSA Network Northern California Program Coordinator, at 415-552-4229 or mailto:marco@gsanetwork.org

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

You are invited to a GSA NETWORK LEADERSHIP TRAINING!

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

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

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

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

This is a great opportunity to network with other GSAs in your area while learning some new skills to strengthen your club.
WHO: GSA members, potential members, and GSA advisors
WHEN: Saturday, May 19, 2007, 11am-5pm
WHERE: The San Diego LGBT Center * The training will take place in Room 201*
3909 Centre Street
San Diego, CA 92103
619-692-2077
COST: Free!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

So, help support GSAs and look cool doing it.

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

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6. 10th Annual Queeriosity event (San Francisco)

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

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

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

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

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

In collaboration with QCC, Horizons Foundation, GSA Network

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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2007 Path to Pride

Saturday April 28th, 2007

at the Lark's (on the Back Lot....)

917 Inland Center Drive
San Bernardino
10 am to 10 PM
$5 admission

proceeds to benefit:
The Arrowhead Pride Alliance
The Rainbow Pride Youth Alliance..

For more information:
http://www.inlandpride.com/
http://www.myspace.com/InlandPride

For more info call (909) 446-7312

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10. LGBT Prom (San Bernardino)

CSUSB Second Chance LGBT Prom:

You are cordially invited to the "Second Chance" LGBT Prom hosted by the Santos Manuel Student Union Pride Center.

Date: May 12, 2007
Time: 7pm
Where: California State University San Bernardino
Location: Upper Commons

Please note that this is a semi-formal event "dress to impress" (NO flip-flops, shorts, a-shirts, t-shirts, jeans, or sports wear).

To RSVP and for more info contact:
L. Thibodeaux at 909.537.5963 or mailto:pridectr@csusb.edu

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11. The 2nd Annual Joteria Conference: "Somos Joteria:: Ayer, Hoy, y Mañana"! (Los Angeles)

La Joteria de UCLA

Presents...
The 2nd Annual Joteria Conference: "Somos Joteria: Ayer, Hoy, y Mañana"

When: Saturday, May 12th, 2007
Where: The UCLA Downtown Labor Center
675 S. Park View
West 1st Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90057
Time: 9:0 AM- 5:00 PM

Contact us at: mailto:lajoteriadeucla@yahoo.com
Pre-Register at the following websites: http://www.geocities.com/lajoteriadeucla & http://www.myspace.com/uclajoteria

This year's conference centers around queer activism and will feature a panel of past and present queer activists.
Come and be part of a safe space where you can be Latina/o, Chicana/o, and LGBT!

Free Food!
Ay los vemos

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Central Valley
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12. Online Christian Gay Youth Alliance (Central Valley)

A new youth organization/group is in the preliminary stages in the central valley called the Christian Gay Youth Alliance or the CGYA; its based out of the central valley and currently is online only. We intend to turn it in to a face to face group as time goes on.

Please take a look at the websites;

http://www.myspace.com/gaychristianyouth

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/christianyouthalliance/

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13. Youth Alliance Meetings Every Friday (Fresno)

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

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

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

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Northern California
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14. GSA Youth Leadership Workshop (Sacramento)

Saturday, April 21
10 am - 3 pm
Burbank High School Library, Sacramento

Register Now!
Who: Current or potential Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) members, advisors, and their allies at school
When: Saturday, April 21, 2007 from 10 am to 3 pm
Where: Burbank High School Library, 3500 Florin Road, Sacramento 95823 (parking lot on west side of school)
Cost: FREE! Breakfast and lunch provided!

Please RSVP at http://www.respectsacramento.org or call 733-2135 and tell us the names of those coming and what school you're affiliated with.

-Meet others fighting homophobia & LGBT bias in schools!
-Learn about your rights and improve your GSA!
-Have fun with other student leaders!

RSVP Respect Sacramento at: http://www.respectsacramento.org/RSVP.html or call (916) 733-2135 or 505-3494 or send an email to mailto:admin@respectsacramento.org

Please provide your name, school, and the names of the people who are attending.

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15. Apply for the Movement Activist Apprenticeship Program (Oakland)

MAAP APPLICATION DEADLINE APPROACHING: APPLY TODAY!

The application deadline for the Movement Activist Apprenticeship Program is soon approaching. If you are interested in applying for the program, please submit applications to the CTWO training department by April 26, 2007 via email: mailto:trainings@ctwo.org, fax: (510) 533-0923 or snail mail: CTWO Training Department, Attention: Reem Assil, 1218 E. 21st St., Oakland, CA 94606.

The Movement Activist Apprenticeship Program (MAAP) is a paid 8-week intensive national organizer training program for people of color, who are committed to learning the theory and practice of building social justice movements through direct-action organizing. Participants learn the art and science of organizing through in-the-field training and skills development with a community or labor organization. Graduates of the program receive help finding employment as organizers with community and labor organizations fighting for social justice. Over the years, MAAP has produced hundreds of emerging organizers of color, who have continued to work for social justice and gone on to play key roles in the Movement.

Qualified applicants must be people of color, at least 18 years of age, and display a commitment to building a movement for racial and social justice. In order to be considered, individuals must be fill out an application and attend a Community Action Training during the spring in one of the following cities: Oakland, CA; Los Angeles, CA; Brooklyn, NY; or New Orleans, LA.

To learn more about the application process, please go to http://www.ctwo.org/index.php?s=27.

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Statewide
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16. Straightlaced Seeks High School Students for Interviews!

The Respect For All Project (producers of Its Elementary—Talking About Gay Issues in School, the family diversity film That’s a Family! and the anti-bullying film Let’s Get Real) is producing a documentary about gender roles and homophobia. Featuring high school students talking about their experiences, Straightlaced will be used with teenagers in educational settings around the country to open up dialogue about gender-based bias and homophobia.

We have filmed interviews with over 50 diverse youth—both LGBT and straight. We are still looking for a few more HIGH SCHOOL students to interview, including:

1. Transgender (Male to Female) students who can speak about their experiences and why they identify as transgender
2. Straight males who participate in activities that don’t fit the male gender stereotype (ie dance, yoga, chorus)
3. Native American students who identify as two spirited or LGBT
5. Lesbians who don’t look at all like the stereotype of how lesbians look.
6. Any stories of physical violence related to homophobia or gender non-conformity (ie students who were attacked because they were gay or someone thought they were gay). We are looking for students who have either witnessed or experienced the violence themselves. We are also looking for students who know someone who committed suicide or attempted suicide because they were gay or perceived to be gay and experienced harassment because of that.
7. Girls who participate in activities that don’t fit the female gender stereotype (ie wrestling, weight lifting, car repair, football etc.)

To suggest a student you know (or yourself) for Straightlaced, please call producer Sue Chen, at 415-641-4616 ext 304 or email mailto:schen@respectforall.org. For more information about Straightlaced and the Respect For All Project, visit http://www.respectforall.org.

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National
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17. Join The Jump-Start 2007-2008 National Student Leadership Team

GLSEN (Gay Straight Student Education Network) is searching for it next team of student leaders!

The application process for the Jump-Start 2007-2008 National Student Leadership team will be closing a week from today, on May 1, 2007.

The Jump-Start 2007-2008 National Student Leadership Team will be a group of middle and high school students who will support student-organizing efforts across the country - whether its starting gay straight alliances/student clubs, developing campaigns or training teachers- these students are dedicated to safe schools for all regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

Jump Start students represent various regions across the country, and receive training on strategic action planning, coalition building, leadership skills, and up to date information on safe school policy and legislation.

We are currently accepting applications from students who have prior leadership experience or seek to develop these skills.

Students must fill out a brief application form and provide a recommendation form.

Students can access the application and more information at http://www.glsen.org/cgi-bin/iowa/all/news/record/2040.html and http://www.GLSEN.org/JSapplication.

Applications are due May 1st.

For further information please contact the Director of Student Organizing, Benny Vasquez at mailto:bvasquez@glsen.org

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18. Women Who Love Women Needed for Survey

I am a doctoral candidate at Texas Tech University, currently completing my dissertation in the Psychology Department. I am interested in studying relationship aspects in female couples. Through this study, I hope to expand understanding of the role of family in our lives and our relationships. I am asking for some of your time to complete my anonymous on-line survey. The questionnaire is easy to complete and should only take approximately 15 minutes.

Any female who is eighteen-years-old or older and has been in a romantic relationship with another woman for at least 3 months is eligible to participate.

The survey can be found at the following web address: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=216072120579

In order to gain a better understanding of the many factors that influence romantic relationships of women who love women, I also need your help in locating others who reflect the diversity of our community and are willing to participate. Examples: individuals in the various stages of the coming-out process (from completely out to completely closeted), with disabilities, from different social or financial class levels (such as individuals who do not have Internet access due to financial difficulties), etc.

If you are able to help, please forward this message and web-link to anyone you believe may be eligible to participate or who may know someone who is eligible to participate. We do ask that you consider sexual orientation as a sensitive and private matter by placing your recipients' email addresses in the "bcc" line to shield them from public view.

If you know of someone who would like to participate but who does not have Internet access, please have them contact my advisor or me using our contact information below. I would be glad to mail surveys (including postage-paid return envelopes) to anyone wanting to participate. The Institutional Review Board (IRB) at the Texas Tech University has determined that this research meets the criteria for human subjects according to Federal Guidelines (IRB Approval #500561).

Thank you for your time and help.
Krista L. Leubner, M.A. Supervising faculty: Doctoral Candidate Erin E. Hardin, Ph.D.
Psychology Department Assistant Professor
Texas Tech University Psychology Department
Box 42051 Texas Tech University
Lubbock, TX 79409-2051 Box 42051
mailto:krista.l.leubner@ttu.edu Lubbock, TX 79409-2051
mailto:erin.hardin@ttu.edu
Phone: (806) 742-3711 ext. 250

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

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

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

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

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

Applications *must be received* by May 10!

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

We look forward to your applications!

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20. Models of Excellence Scholarship

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

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

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

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NEWS
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21. NEWS: Area Students Join in Silent Protest

Area Students Join in Silent Protest
Event decries intolerance, hate

4.18.07
Pasadena Star News
By Cortney Fielding

SOUTH PASADENA - A typically chatty Alex Possner and 99 of his South Pasadena High School classmates kept their mouths clamped shut on Wednesday.

Throughout seven periods of class and during the minutes in between, the teens communicated only with pen and paper - admittingly slipping up with an occasional mumble or squeal along the way.

"There were a couple of mmmphhs here and there. And in the hall someone scared me and I screamed a little ," said a once-again chatty Possner after the talking ban had ended. "But that's it."

The South Pasadena students were among those participating in the "National Day of Silence," an annual student-led event protesting harassment of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans gender, and asexual students.

Organized by the campus chapter of the Gay Straight Alliance club, the protest at South Pasadena High School drew both gay teens and their straight peers.

"You don't have to be gay to be a gay activist," said Hannah Ames, 17, a day of silence participant and member of the GSA. "I just have an intolerance for hate words of any kind."

Possner, a 17-year-old junior who said he's been "out" since he was a freshman, heads up the GSA club. A vocal gay youth Advertisement rights activist, he said the club gives gay youth as well as those who might be gay but are not ready not ready to come out, a safe place to be themselves.

"We don't ask anyone to declare their sexual orientation. If they want to tell us, we listen," he said.

But more members of the club are actually straight than gay.

"I have so many different friends and I love them all," said Ames, who said she was compelled to join because of gay friends.

After a day of silence, the GSA students met in an adviser's classroom to break the talking fast with pizza and soda.

Members talked about the many gay slurs made in and out of school every day by people who don't realize they are being offensive. Statements such as "that's so gay" have become synonymous with stupid, they said. And kids routinely make fun of other friends by using other slang words for gay men and women.

While the discussion was lively, a handful of students scheduled to participate were absent. The present members said others decided not to attend after learning a photographer would be on hand and they could be publicly identified as gay.

To read the full article, visit:
http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/news/ci_5700310

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22. NEWS: Anti-gay shirts bring suspensions

April 19, 2007
Sacramento Bee
By Laurel Rosenhall

A handful of students were suspended from Rio Linda High School on Wednesday for refusing to take off anti-gay T-shirts that administrators said were inappropriate.

The shirts, which the students wore in protest of the Day of Silence said "Sodomy is sin" and quoted a Bible passage about homosexuality.

Phil Spears, interim principal of Rio Linda, said the shirts violated the school's dress code. Students were asked to take them off, he said, and were suspended if they disobeyed the request.

"They're offensive to some people and disruptive to school," he said. "Kids are going to react to these."

And that they did.

Protests were not nearly as large or inflammatory Wednesday as at other schools last year. Some of the suspended students and their supporters staged an after-school protest outside Rio Linda High. They held signs saying, "School censors Bible," "School bans free speech" and "Don't silence Christians."

They were met by another group of students wearing shirts that said "Day of Silence." Some of them described themselves as lesbians, others said they wore the shirts in support of gay friends or family members.

"The Day of Silence is about stopping gay bashing," said Brittinnie McHenry, a Rio Linda freshman. "Imagine all those people who are silenced because they got bashed or killed."

To read the full article, visit:
http://www.sacbee.com/293/story/157513.html

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23. NEWS: T-shirt message Suspension List Grows

April 20, 2007
Sacramento Bee
by Lauren Rosenhall

CITRUS HEIGHTS -- More high school students were suspended Thursday after refusing to take off T-shirts with biblical and anti-gay messages.

About 15 students were suspended from San Juan High School, according to Sarah Grondin, director of high schools for the San Juan Unified School District. She said they were wearing shirts that are inappropriate for school because their message "targets a group of students."

"We don't allow anything to be done where you're addressing a particular student, whether it's (on the basis of) homosexuality, race or gender," Grondin said.

Students at Rio Linda High School also were suspended for wearing similar shirts, said interim Principal Phil Spears. He said he didn't know exactly how many students were suspended.

To read the full story, visit:
http://www.sacbee.com/101/story/158404.html

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24. NEWS: Class Act At Buckingham

Class Act At Buckingham
She advocates against discrimination

4/24/2007
The Reporter
By Julie Kay

Brooke Cartolano, a senior at Buckingham Charter Magnet High School, remembers vividly how her middle school friend got hassled because he didn't have a girlfriend.

"We told people that we were dating so that people would leave him alone," Cartolano said.

She remembers other classmates who got beat up, or switched to other schools.

And she still seethes every time she hears a classmate grumble, "That is so gay."

"I've always been noticing things like that," said the Vacaville 16-year-old this week. "I'm really big on people that get made fun of, or who don't feel safe at school."

That's why Cartolano helped start a Gay Straight Alliance at her school this year. Along with alliances at high schools and universities across the country, Buckingham's GSA works to provide a safe and supportive environment for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered youth and their straight allies.

Cartolano's concern is also why she took her views all the way to the state Senate Judiciary Committee last week.

"One of my best friends is a lesbian," said Cartolano, who is straight. "She has to deal with this stuff all the time."

When Cartolano first started Buckingham's GSA with a few friends, including co-president Lexi Bove, reaction was mixed.

"Since it's called the Gay Straight Alliance a lot of kids would say, 'Oh, the gay club,' " Cartolano recalled. Average attendance at those first meetings was about five students, Cartolano said.

But over time, things changed.

To read the full story, visit:
http://www.thereporter.com/search/ci_5738887

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25. NEWS: Duct Tape Amends T-shirts

Duct Tape Amends T-shirts
Students who wore attire with an offensive word in gay rights debate allowed to tone it down.

April 24, 2007
Sacramento Bee
By Laurel Rosenhall

Turns out there's yet another use for duct tape.

Rio Linda High School students who were suspended last week for wearing offensive T-shirts to school can put them back on -- as long as they cover the word "sodomy" with duct tape.

Several students were suspended last week for wearing T-shirts that said "Sodomy is sin." The shirts were a response to the national Day of Silence, a day of activism when some students take a daylong vow of silence in support of gay friends and family members.

According to an agreement reached Monday morning between conservative religious leaders and school district administrators, students are now allowed to wear the shirts at school -- if they're altered.

"We're looking at what can sanitize the shirts," said Jacques Whitfield, an attorney for the Grant Joint Union High School District.

As school districts wrestle with the growth of both participation in and opposition to Day of Silence, districts are taking a variety of responses. San Juan Unified, for instance, suspended about 15 students for wearing the same "sodomy" T-shirts last week. Natomas Unified, on the other hand, said students could wear them without repercussion.

Grant's board policy prohibits students from wearing anything with messages that are "crude, vulgar, profane or sexually suggestive."

The word sodomy fit that bill, Whitfield said.

But the rest of the shirt was OK.

It said: "Hate is sin" and quoted two passages from the Bible.

"The district fully supports the right of students to express their religious views," Whitfield said.

To read the full story, visit:
http://www.sacbee.com/101/story/159964.html#more_images

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April 18, 2007

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

GSA Network Highlight
GSA Network Core Trainers Program a Success!
Go directly to GSA Network highlight

GSA Network Announcements
1. SB 777 passes Senate Judiciary Committee!
2. Save the Date! GSA Network Leadership Training for Middle School Students! (San Francisco)
3. Save the Date! GSA Network Leadership Training (San Diego)
4. GSA Power T-shirt & More - Buy today!
5. 10th Annual Queeriosity event (San Francisco)
6. Free Resources for New or Re-Registered GSAs!
7. GSA Network Seeking Spring Intern! (San Francisco)
8. GSA Network Youth Council Wants You! (Statewide)
Go directly to GSA Network announcements

Other Announcements
Southern California
9. Free Movie at Crossroads! (Santa Monica)
10. Community Convening on Crystal Meth (Los Angeles)
11. “Noche De Colores y Culturas” (Highland Park)
Go directly to Southern California listings

Central Valley
12. Today! "Break the Silence" Rally (Modesto)
13. Youth Alliance Meetings Every Friday (Fresno)
14. Hollywood Masquerade Ball for GLBTQI Youth! (Turlock)
Go directly to Central Valley listings

Northern California
15. This Week at LYRIC (San Francisco)
16. Seeking Trans Youth for a Study (Bay Area)
Go directly to Northern California listings

National
17. Bridge the Gap: Gender Rights / Human Rights Leadership Summit
Go directly to National listings

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

News
19. NEWS: Court Orders Florida School District to Allow Gay-Straight Club
20. NEWS: Bullying Persists at the South Shore
21. NEWS: South San Francisco High School Blanketed With Graffiti
Go directly to News listings

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

GSA Network Core Trainers Program a Success!

During the fall of 2006, GSA Network implemented a new Core Trainers program, a division of the regional youth councils. We asked youth interested in training other youth on how to reduce homophobia and transphobia in their schools to step up and create change in their communities. Twenty-two youth from all over the state make up this group. They are responsible for leading peer-to-peer trainings throughout the year, such as 2-hour workshops, one-day leadership trainings and our three-day activist camp. They were given ongoing training to improve their own training skills and received a stipend for their time and commitment. Their passion for initiating social change is contagious--and they are ready to work!

The Core Trainers is a diverse group of young activists from California high schools that work toward ending apathy among their peers. Their trainings are youth-led and consist of encouraging networking, education, organizing, and having fun! So far, they are responsible for approximately 12 Leadership Trainings statewide, reaching about 170 youth and 30 adults in places like Santa Rosa, Fresno and Palm Springs. This translates into 100+ hours of hard work, presenting their workshops and countless hours of training, developing their skills and their political education. They also presented workshops at conferences like MOP (Models of Pride) in Los Angeles, ENS (Expression not Suppression) Conference in Central Valley and the YES (Youth Empowerment Summit) Conference in San Francisco.

The group is committed to fight for social justice in our school system and society at large by organizing and mobilizing GSAs, developing curriculum, and working with the school community. If you want to witness their greatness, keep an eye out for the GSA Network Activist Camps this summer!

Here is what the trainers have to say about the program:

“Working with other youth is something I feel very strongly about. Too many people feel that my generation is apathetic and I fear that belief to a great extent. Working with other youth proves that there's a chance we can make positive change now and in the future.” Phillip K. Knight, Southern California

“Educating LGBTQA youth has had a huge effect on me, it gives me the satisfaction of knowing that someone is learning from what I say and what I do at the GSA Network. Leading youth in events like QYAD (Queer Youth Advocacy Day) made me feel empowered, knowing that people are out there to make a difference and with the right leadership, they can succeed!” Chris Martinez, Central Valley

“I enjoy being a Core Trainer because I have the opportunity to participate in different workshops or visit different schools. I also like to better educate a society who is ill educated or has the wrong facts about the LGBT community and it's past and history. Thanks to this experience, I have learned how to present workshops and my speaking skills have improved greatly in school. Now, I also read a lot more. I am more interested on getting educated and often check my own biases and prejudices towards people.” Demond “D” Sladen, Northern California

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

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1. SB 777 passes Senate Judiciary Committee!

GSA Network is pleased to announce that SB 777 (Student Civil Rights Act) passed the CA Senate's Judiciary Committee on April 17, 2007. Over 500 LGBTQQ and straight ally youth lobbied lawmakers in support of SB 777 at Queer Youth Advocacy Day on March 26 at the Capitol in Sacramento. In addition, many GSA members have also called the offices of their State Senators about this important legislation. During yesterday's hearing, Judiciary Committee members listened to testimony from Brooke Cartolano, a GSA Leader and student at Buckingham Charter Magnet High School in Vacaville.

SB 777 will need to be voted on and passed by the entire Senate before it moves to the Assembly for consideration. To email or call your Senator's office about SB 777, visit the CA Legislature website at http://www.legislature.ca.gov and go to the section that says "Find My District." Enter your home address and you will then be told who your Senator is. Click on his/her name and you will be taken directly to his/her website where you can contact him/her to voice your support for SB 777.

Senate Judiciary Committee Votes to Keep Discrimination Out of Publicly-Funded Schools
Student Civil Rights Act, Authored by Sen. Sheila Kuehl and Sponsored by EQCA, Protects Students Regardless of Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity

Sacramento - Senate lawmakers on Tuesday approved a bill that would protect California students from discrimination in publicly-funded schools and programs regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. The Senate Judiciary Committee passed SB 777, authored by Sen. Sheila Kuehl, D-Santa Monica, and sponsored by Equality California, which creates uniform nondiscrimination standards within the state's education code so students, teachers and school administrators clearly understand the protections that are provided under state law. The bill passed the committee by a 3-1 vote.

"California's youth deserve safe schools where they will not be harassed or ridiculed based on their sexual orientation or gender identity," said EQCA Executive Director Geoff Kors. "One of the best ways to give all students a fair opportunity to learn is by ensuring that all schools follow consistent anti-bias standards. This bill brings the state's education code up to date with California's evolving nondiscrimination policies so that schools have clear guidance regarding their obligations to provide a safe educational environment."

Named the Student Civil Rights Act, the measure strengthens existing nondiscrimination laws and clearly defines the protections a student has within publicly-funded schools and activities, including alternative and charter schools, postsecondary institutions, instructional materials and financial aid programs. It specifically prohibits discrimination based on a person's actual or perceived disability, gender, nationality, race or ethnicity, religion or sexual orientation - or association with a person who has any of these characteristics.

"I am very pleased that my colleagues in the Senate understand and support the state's responsibility to protect the safety of our youth and ensure fairness for all Californians," said Sen. Kuehl. "SB 777 is a comprehensive bill that will update California's education code so that all students in our publicly-funded schools and education programs know they are protected by uniform nondiscrimination policies that will be honored by school administrators and teachers across the state."

Brooke Cartolano, a student at Buckingham Charter Magnet High School in Vacaville, testified before the committee detailing bias she and other students faced after forming a Gay-Straight Alliance on their campus. A straight ally, Cartolano also expressed concerns about the safety of her peers who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT).

"Discrimination is a safety issue, and it affects everyone," Cartolano said. "Safety in schools should not only be for a select few students, but for all students. I urge your support on SB 777." (http://www.eqca.org)

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2. GSA Network Leadership Training for Middle School Students! (San Francisco)

You are invited to a GSA NETWORK LEADERSHIP TRAINING!

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

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

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

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

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

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

For more information or to RSVP, please contact
* Marco Castro-Bojorquez, GSA Network Northern California Program Coordinator, at 415-552-4229 or mailto:marco@gsanetwork.org

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3. Save the Date! GSA Network Leadership Training (San Diego)

You are invited to a GSA NETWORK LEADERSHIP TRAINING!

This FREE event will be held on May 12, 2007 from 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. It includes breakfast and lunch!

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

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

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

This is a great opportunity to network with other GSAs in your area while learning some new skills to strengthen your club.
WHO: GSA members, potential members, and GSA advisors
WHEN: Saturday, May 12, 2007, 11am-5pm
WHERE: The San Diego LGBT Center * The training will take place in Room 201*
3909 Centre Street
San Diego, CA 92103
619-692-2077
COST: Free!

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

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

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

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5. 10th Annual Queeriosity event (San Francisco)

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

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

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

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

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

In collaboration with QCC, Horizons Foundation, GSA Network

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

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

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

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

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7. GSA Network Seeking Spring Intern! (San Francisco)

Intern call outs!

What's in it for you?
As an intern, you will gain hands-on experience working for California's most dynamic LGBTQ youth-led organization. You will gain invaluable insight about a mid-sized non-profit and GSA Network's particular organizational and organizing models. You will also learn a broad range of skills while providing program and/or administrative support.

Duties May Include
*Outreach and technical assistance to high school and middle school GSAs
*Curriculum, resource sheet, and program material development
*Media or press work
*Lobbying and policy
*Event planning
*Individual donor fundraising
*Organizational spin-off
*Database systems.

Interns also have the option of participating in staff meetings, thus ensuring that their voices will be heard and that their opinions are valued. Each intern will have a supervisor who will be responsible for providing support, an evaluation, and a letter of recommendation upon the conclusion of the internship.

Please note that this is a non-paid position and that the internship is for our San Francisco office.

Your Responsibilities
*If you are student, your school must take responsibility for setting the number of credits for the internship
*If you are coming from a considerable distance, you are responsible for your own housing, living expenses, and any other costs.

How to Apply
Please contact Kiely for an application. Thank you for applying!

Kiely Hosmon
Program Assistant
Phone - 415-552-4229
Fax - 415-552-4729
mailto:kiely@gsanetwork.org

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

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

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

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

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

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

Southern California
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9. Free Movie at Crossroads! (Santa Monica)

As part of Crossroads School's queer film series, sponsored by FLAG (our gay/straight alliance), we will be having our next movie screening on Wednesday, Apr. 25th, from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. We invite you to join us for a great event!

We'll be screening the wonderful, Sundance and GLAAD award-winning movie, Quinceñera, (See description below).

SPECIAL BONUS: We’ll also be starting the evening with a sweet and funny short film, called Blow.

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

The movie is FREE and free pizza and drinks will be provided! But please reply and let us know if you might come, so we have an idea of how much pizza to get.
**When you reply, make sure to include your name and the school (if any) you are from, as well as how many people you are bringing—this helps a great deal.

Please email us to RSVP or if you have any questions! mailto:flag2@xrds.org

Quinceñera
DIR: Richard Glatzer Wash Westmoreland, 2006

As Magdalena's 15th birthday approaches, her simple life is complicated by the discovery that she's pregnant. Kicked out of her house, she finds a new family with her great-granduncle and gay cousin Carlos.
This film, made by the husband-and-husband(!) team of Glatzer and Westmoreland, won the prestigious Grand Jury and Audience Award prizes at the Sundance Film Festival. It has been a hit at queer festivals around the world, and recently won a Best Film award from the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation.

Blow
DIR: Marie Craven, 2002.
This glossy Aussie short has been called “the sweetest schoolgirl crush movie you’ve ever seen”.

Directions:
Crossroads is at 1714 21st St. in Santa Monica, at the corner of 21st St. and Olympic Blvd.
-The screening room we're meeting in is on the 2nd floor of the Arts Building.
-Here's what you do--when you turn onto 21st from Olympic, take an immediate right onto a driveway-looking street and find a place to park. You'll see our "quad" which looks like a parking lot or an alley, and which we call (of course) the alley.
-Walk to the end of the alley to the tall building on the left, enter and climb the stairs to the 2nd floor. You should see people.

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10. Community Convening on Crystal Meth (Los Angeles)

A community dialogue to review and discuss the County of Los Angeles, Department of Health Services' response to fighting the crystal meth epidemic. Moderated by Val Zavala, host of "Life and Times" and Vice President of KCET.

Tuesday April 17th, 2007
6:30 - 9:30pm

SEIU Local 721
500 South Virgil Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90020
(213) 368-8660

For more information and to RSVP, please contact Alejandro Menchaca at mailto:amenchaca@thewalllasmemorias.org or 323-257-1056 ext. 26

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11. “Noche De Colores y Culturas” (Highland Park)

The Wall - Las Memorias Project invites you to:

“Noche De Colores y Culturas”

An evening for celebrating the Queer/LGBT community through art and entertainment. Join us for a fun night of live music, theatre skits, spoken word, poetry reading, an art exhibition.

Friday, April 20th, 2007
7:00 pm – 11:00 pm
111 N. Avenue 56
Highland Park, CA 90042

For more information contact Alejandro Menchaca at:
323-257-1056 ext. 26 or mailto:amenchaca@thewalllasmemorias.org

Light refreshments and appetizers.

This is a free event open to all the community and all ages.

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Central Valley
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12. Today! "Break the Silence" Rally (Modesto)

Wednesday, April 18th

Student clubs at local high schools and Stanislaus PRIDE Center collaborate on post-National Day of Silence event

(Modesto, California) April 11, 2007: A "Break the Silence Rally" will be held in the McHenry Room (auditorium) at the downtown Modesto branch of the Stanislaus County Library (1500 I Street) on Wednesday, April 18, 2007 from 6:00 to 8:30 PM. Participating students will present a docu-drama, original poetry readings and music to promote respect and equality for all.

Refreshments will be served and admission is free.

The "Break the Silence Rally" formally closes the participation of many area high school students in the National Day of Silence (details of which are included below). The event is a collaboration of the Grace M. Davis High School Gay Straight Alliance (GSA), the Modesto High School Human Relations Club and the Stanislaus PRIDE Center, Inc (SPC).

For more information on the "Break the Silence Rally", please email Davis High School GSA advisor Debbie Adair at mailto:adair.d@monet.k12.ca.us or SPC volunteer Rob Boddy at mailto:volunteer@stanpride.org.

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13. Youth Alliance Meetings Every Friday (Fresno)

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

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

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

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14. Hollywood Masquerade Ball for GLBTQI Youth! (Turlock)

Hollywood Masquerade Ball presented by the CSU Stanislaus Rainbow Alliance!!!

This is a prom for GLBTQI Youth!!!

When: Saturday, April 28
Where: CSU Stanislaus Event Center, Turlock, Ca
Time: 8pm-Midnight
Cost: Pre-sale Tix $4 students/$6 general
At the door $6 students/ $8 general

Rainbow Alliance is the GSA type club at CSU Stanislaus and would like to invite all GSA Members to attend!!!

Attire is semi-dress, you don’t need a tux-but you can’t wear jeans either!!!!

To purchase advanced tickets, please contact mailto:csus_rainbowalliance@hotmail.com.

For more info go to: http://www.myspace.com/stansislausrainbowalliance or contact Sara at mailto:sara@gsanetwork.org.

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Northern California
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15. This Week at LYRIC (San Francisco)

Wednesday, April 18th

Mural Project
The LYRIC ASP community is creating a mural on the first floor. Whether you draw, paint or just have ideas, come and help us create a fabulous work of art! Become a muralist and make your mark at LYRIC.

Thursday, April 19th

Masturbation & G-Spot Stimulation
Whether you are a regular wanker or a once-in-a-blue-moon self-lover, join The Center for Sex and Culture and discover the power of masturbation in this fun and interactive workshop.

Friday, April 20th

Movie Night: http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1800021436/info
Earth
A fictionalized tale, based on the autobiographical novel "Cracking India" by Sidhwa Bapsi, which looks at the division of India in 1947 as told through the eyes of an innocent young girl. Lenny comes from an affluent Parsee family that includes all religions among its circle. However, when talk of partition begins, and a train full of Muslims are brutally murdered, the city of Lahore is set aflame, and friends are pitted against each other.

For more information, please contact Jaedon at 415.703.6150 x13

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16. Seeking Trans Youth for a Study (Bay Area)

Looking for trans youth to participate in a study about going through puberty!

Are you transgender, gender queer, gender variant, FTM? Share your experiences and earn $20!

Growing Up Outside the Lines is a research project through the UC Berkeley School of Public Health to understand what it's like to grow up trans. We want to hear your story.

If you are:
** 12-25 years old
** Live, go to school, hang out in San Francisco or the Bay Area
** Identify as trans… including gender queer, drag artist, FTM, transman, gender bender, androgynous…
**We're looking for biological females who do not identify as "female"

LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD!
** Participate in a one-time 60 minute interview.
** We will arrange a safe and convenient time and location.
** All information will be completely confidential and private.
** All participants will be paid a $20 cash stipend for your time.

If you are interested contact: Lealah at 415.609.1654

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National
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17. Bridge the Gap: Gender Rights / Human Rights Leadership Summit

Please join us for Bridge the Gap: Gender Rights / Human Rights, the 2007 GenderYOUTH Leadership Summit. The Summit is an action-oriented, three-day educational gathering of youth and students working to get gender recognized as a fundamental human right.

The Summit will feature workshops and events such as the Gender Theory Institute, the 12th Annual National Gender Lobby Day, and screenings of exciting new documentaries. Join other academics and activists in discussions about gender stereotypes, gender and race in hip-hop, the emerging US human rights movements, and the love-hate relationship between feminism and queer theory.

Also, this Summit is an opportunity for youth to receive advanced training to start a GenderYOUTH chapter or affiliate an existing campus or community organization with the GenderYOUTH Network to end gender-based violence and discrimination.

The Summit scholarship application can be found at http://www.gpac.org/youth/summit/index.html. Scholarship deadlines are March 15st and April 2nd .

You can also apply for group rates at http://www.gpac.org/youth/summit/grouprates.html. The bigger the group, the bigger the discount!

Register here http://www.gpac.org/youth/summit/summitregister.html 2007 for the GenderYOUTH Leadership Summit and connect with other youth to share ideas, pool resources, and take action!

ALL are welcome!

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Scholarships
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18. Models of Excellence Scholarship

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

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

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

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NEWS
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19. NEWS: Court Orders Florida School District to Allow Gay-Straight Club

Court Orders Florida School District to Allow Gay-Straight Club
In issuing preliminary injunction,judge rules GSA is not a 'sex-based' club

Friday, April 13, 2007
Express Gay News
By Canute Knott-Malcolm

U.S. District Judge K. Michael Moore issued a preliminary injunction on April 6 ordering the School Board of Okeechobee County, Fla., to allow the Okeechobee High School Gay-Straight Alliance to meet on campus and to grant it all the rights and privileges that other student groups have.

The injunction is the result of a lawsuit filed by Yasmin Gonzalez, an Okeechobee High School student and president of the school's gay-straight alliance, against the School Board of Okeechobee County. The injunction allows the student group to meet on campus while legal proceedings in the case continue.

It is now up to the school board to decide whether to drop the case and allow the GSA at the school or continue to try to block it, said Rob Ronsenwald, an attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Florida, which is representing Gonzalez and the other students involved with the GSA. Rosenwald said the ruling indicates that the case is likely to be decided in the students' favor.

Gonzalez and several other students formed the gay-straight alliance at Okeechobee High School in October 2006.

"We just wanted to meet like other groups," Gonzalez said.

The principal of Okeechobee High School and the school board refused to recognize the gay-straight alliance and denied the group access to school facilities. The school district argued that the gay-straight alliance is a "sex-based club," which violates the school's abstinence-only curricula and should, therefore, not be recognized or granted access to school facilities.

Ken Kenworthy, assistant superintendent of administration for the Okeechobee School District, declined to comment and referred questions about the case to Barbara J. Weller, an attorney with the Gibbs Law Firm, which is representing the school board in the case. Weller and her colleagues declined to comment.

The Gibbs Law Firm is affiliated with the Christian Law Association, which garnered national and international attention in 2005 when one of its attorneys represented the parents of Terry Schiavo, the woman on a feeding tube who was at the center of a "right-to-die" case. Rosenwald said the Gibbs Law Firm "represents interests that are opposed to gay rights."

In court documents obtained by the Express, Weller argue that the gay-straight alliance is a sex-based club and that allowing the school to recognize the club "would disrupt order and discipline on the school premise."

To read the full article, visit:
http://www.expressgaynews.com/2007/4-13/news/localnews/3612.cfm

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20. NEWS: Bullying Persists at the South Shore

April 16, 2007
Nevada Appeal
by William Ferchland

Dennis Peña is in seventh grade and a male cheerleader. Outside of his group of friends he's picked on, called names and pushed around.

"People call me gay. They call me a queer," he said one day during lunch break at South Tahoe Middle School.

Slender and a bit passive, Peña described how he has cried because of the torment. He didn't think he would like cheerleading at the midget level for Pop Warner football, but took to it after his grandmother suggested he try it.

"It's a very energetic activity," he said.

Peña says he plays other sports but is defined by being a male cheerleader. He often considers the words from his coach of not to give up and don't let anybody put you down.

Bullying at schools in the early 21st century ranges from the traditional physical and psychological harassment to rumor mongering among classmates and through social networking Web sites such as MySpace.

School districts in both Nevada and California are on the offensive to dissolve such tensions at school since, if unchecked, bullying can lead to depression, self-abuse, dropping out of school, or worse, violent behavior and suicide.

To read the full story, visit:
http://www.nevadaappeal.com/article/TD/20070416/NEWS/104160029/-1/REGION

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21. NEWS: South San Francisco High School Blanketed With Graffiti

4-26-07
KCBS
by Holly Quan

SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) -- South San Francisco High School students came back from spring break today to find racist and homophobic messages scrawled over nearly every wing of the school.

"There was Nazi symbols on some teachers' doors, there was the Star of David circled and then crossed out. There were a couple Bible versus which I found personally offensive. On the side of the gym there was a big hand spray painted with the middle finger sticking up saying 'Day of Silence This," one Junior told KCBS’ Holly Quan.

The school was set to celebrate Gay Straight Alliance Week this week, including a National Day of Silence on Wednesday. On the Day of Silence some students refrain from talking to illustrate how gay and lesbian students often have to keep their lives secret.

To read the full story, visit:
http://kcbs.com/pages/358004.php?contentType=4&contentId=414907

April 11, 2007

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

GSA Network Highlight
Southern California GSAs Take DAY OF SILENCE to the Streets!
Go directly to GSA Network highlight

GSA Network Announcements
1. This Weekend! GSA Network Leadership Training! (Northern Central Valley)
2. Save the Date! GSA Network Leadership Training for Middle School Students! (San Francisco)
3. GSA Power T-shirt & More - Buy today!
4. 10th Annual Queeriosity event (San Francisco)
5. Free Resources for New or Re-Registered GSAs!
6. GSA Network Seeking Spring Intern! (San Francisco)
7. GSA Network Youth Council Wants You! (Statewide)
Go directly to GSA Network announcements

Other Announcements
Southern California
8. Silent Rally for Day of Silence 2007 (Los Angeles)
9. Community Convening on Crystal Meth (Los Angeles)
10. See Coming Out Monologues with Gay Associated Youth (Riverside)
11. UCLA Queer College Day for LGBT High School Students! (Los Angeles)
12. “Noche De Colores y Culturas” (Highland Park)
13. LGBTQ Youth Prom, Sponsored by Friends of Project 10 Inc. (Los Angeles)
14. The 2nd Annual Joteria Conference: "Somos Joteria:: Ayer, Hoy, y Mañana"! (Los Angeles)
Go directly to Southern California listings

Central Valley
15. Youth Alliance Meetings Every Friday (Fresno)
16. Second Annual Pride Day (Fresno)
17. Hollywood Masquerade Ball for GLBTQI Youth! (Stockton)
18. “A Villain’s Ball”-Fresno’s Lavender Prom! (Fresno)
Go directly to Central Valley listings

Northern California
19. Breaking the Silence March and Rally (San Jose)
20. Day of Silence Event (Sacramento)
21. LYRIC After School Programs (San Francisco)
22. Queer Grrl Health Retreat: Let's Talk About Sex! (San Francisco)
23. Community Action Trainings (Oakland)
24. "Hella Gay" Prom (Santa Rosa)
25. "An Evening Of Hollywood Glamour" Prom (Hayward)
26. Hip Hop Circus & Dance Battle: Above The Clouds a Hip Hop Circus Family Event! (Oakland)
Go directly to Northern California listings

National
27. LGBTQ Essays Wanted for The Nation!
Go directly to National listings

Scholarships
28. Models of Excellence Scholarship, Sponsored by Friends of Project 10 Inc.
29. PFLAG San Diego Scholarships Available!
30. COLAGE and Horizons Foundation Scholarships
Go directly to Scholarships listings

Jobs
31. (LGBTTQQHI) Youth Health Scan Researchers Needed! (Oakland)
Go directly to Jobs listings

News
32. NEWS: Federal Judge Rules Okeechobee, FL Students Can Form Gay-Straight Alliance Club
Go directly to News listings

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

Southern California GSAs Take DAY OF SILENCE to the Streets!

Led under the aegis of the Southern California Youth Council (SCYC), the City of Angels will be overrun with the passion of young, dedicated activists on the Day of Silence. The SCYC, recognizing the need for a city-wide collaboration of GSAs on a day so important to the queer rights movement, organized two events to take place during the week of the Day of Silence, dubbed as the “Week of Tolerance.”*

The Week of Tolerance begins on the Day of Silence (April 18) itself. After meeting at the corner of Figueroa and Olympic Boulevards in the bustling heart of Downtown Los Angeles at 4:30 p.m., the youth – representing a cross-section of students from all across Los Angeles – will march across Downtown all the way to City Hall. Once they’ve arrived, a silent rally will be held on the steps of City Hall to commemorate those that have been silenced as a result of anti-LGBTQ sentiment. In the words of Luis, SCYC member and one of the key organizers, “We are tired of being hollow echoes! We will finally be united to make a statement, one that will be heard in full force! There is no longer any reason to live in fear or live in silence!”

After what will no doubt be a fantastic silent rally, the SCYC has also organized a celebratory event on the night of Friday, April 20, at Dockweiler State Beach, entitled the “Night of Noise.” This will be a chance for all of the GSAs in the greater Los Angeles area to get together for a fun night of “noise” celebrating what it means to be young, queer, and active in creating a better future for themselves and for generations to come.

Thousands of students across the country will be participating in the Day of Silence with singular ideas. But what if you’re school won’t let you or your GSA participate in Day of Silence? Does that mean that you have to miss out on such an historic event?

Absolutely not. If your school’s administration, for whatever reason, won’t allow you or your GSA to participate in the Day of Silence, consider holding some sort of event before or after school, or perhaps on the weekend. Plus, you can also join a larger celebration with a local community organization (such as PFLAG, GLSEN, your local LGBT center, etc.) and make the cause to honor this special day. Or, you can have some sort of remembrance ceremony or special meeting just after the official Day of Silence with your GSA. Remember, while the Day of Silence is the one official time set aside to remember those who have been silenced, it does not need to be the only day. We should struggle everyday to fight for those who cannot stand up for themselves.

Let’s make Day of Silence 2007 the beginning (or renewal) of our vow to fight for social justice!

[* The details for the Week of Tolerance are still being finalized. If you are interested in attending one of these events, please contact Carlos Cabrera, the Southern California Program Coordinator, at mailto:carlos@gsanetwork.org]

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

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

You are invited to a GSA NETWORK LEADERSHIP TRAINING!

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

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

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

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

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

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

For more information or to RSVP, please contact
* Marco Castro-Bojorquez, GSA Network Northern California Program Coordinator, at 415-552-4229 or mailto:marco@gsanetwork.org

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2. Save the Date! GSA Network Leadership Training! (Northern Central Valley)

You are invited to a GSA NETWORK LEADERSHIP TRAINING!

This FREE event will be held on Saturday, April 14, 2007 and will only be open to about 15 participants so you must sign up in advance. It includes breakfast
and lunch! We will also have GSA Network t-shirts and buttons available for purchase!!

So what is a GSA Network Leadership training?
Youth from various GSAs come together for a FUN, interactive, peer-to-peer training that provides students with the skills to fight homophobia and transphobia in schools. Led by other GSA leaders from 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, membership building, and diversity
* Understanding gender and sexual orientation
* Understanding laws that protect LGBTQ youth in schools
* How to take action against slurs, harassment, and discrimination in your school.

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

This is a great opportunity to network with other GSAs in your area while learning some new skills to strengthen your club.
WHO: GSA members, potential members, and GSA advisors
WHEN: Saturday, April 14th.
WHERE: Location and time will be given when you inquire or register!!
COST: Free!

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

For more information or to RSVP, please contact:
Sara Martinez, GSA Network Central Valley Program Associate, at 559-268-2780 or mailto:sara@gsanetwork.org.

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

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4. 10th Annual Queeriosity event (San Francisco)

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

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

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

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

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6. GSA Network Seeking Spring Intern! (San Francisco)

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