GSA Network News archives

GSA Network News Email Archive - May 2006

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May 31, 2006

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

GSA Network Highlight
GSA Student Activists - What Are They Doing After Graduation?
Go directly to GSA Network highlight

GSA Network Announcements
1. WIN $100!! Fill out GSA Network's Year-End Evaluation and be entered to win $100
2. GSA Network Activist Camps! APPLY ONLINE!
3. March with GSA Network for PRIDE 2006
4. Support Youth Films at the SF LGBT Film Festival (San Francisco)
5. GSA Network is Hiring! - Development Coordinator and Operations Director
Go directly to GSA Network announcements

Other Announcements
Southern California
6. Pride in Our Schools 2006! - June 11th
Go directly to Southern California listings

Central Valley
7. Fresno Pride - This Saturday
Go directly to Central Valley listings

Northern California
8. San Francisco Pride - June 25th
Go directly to Northern California listings

Statewide
9. Receive a complimentary copy of the Trevor Survival Kit
10. "In The Life" highlights GSA Clubs
Go directly to Statewide listings

Scholarships
11. Erika J. Glazer Family Scholarship Fund - 2006 Scholarship Program
Go directly to Scholarships listings

News
12. NEWS: Schwarzenegger To Veto Gay Textbook Bill
13. NEWS: Gay school bill in trouble
14. NEWS: U.S. judge is pressed for ruling on T-shirt - Poway student and district at odds over anti-gay slogan
15. NEWS: Sexual orientation important
16. NEWS: 'Ex-Gays' Seek a Say in Schools
17. NEWS: Calif. bill targets military recruiters in schools
Go directly to News listings

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

GSA Student Activists - What Are They Doing After Graduation?

As June approaches and seniors are leaving their high schools and their GSAs for what will be the next chapter in their lives, we were curious what they were going to be doing next and what impact, if any, their experience with their GSA made on the direction that they chose. Martha, a senior at Diamond Bar High School and President of her GSA, will be travelling to Chicago in the fall to attend Northwestern University. "I'm a little nervous", she said, "because Illinois is more conservative than California so I'm not sure what kind of activities they'll be doing there, but I really liked the school and even though it's more conservative I still plan to be involved in the same kind of activism that I was involved in here." Martha plans to join the Rainbow Alliance at Northwestern and is considering studying Biology to be a doctor, or screenwriting to be a science fiction writer, or maybe both. "Because of being involved with my GSA, I definitely have better judgement in the kind of activities that mean something to me, I've learned that I can have fun and accomplish something at the same time."

Colin, a senior at Mira Costa High School and President of his GSA, says that working with his GSA and with GSA Network "has inspired, trained, and connected me, helping me realize and pursue my dream as an activist." Colin will be going to Africa this summer to work in a refugee camp, then he will be attending the University of California, Santa Cruz, where he will be studying International Relations and Sociology, "to continue my activist work."

Hugo, a senior at Garfield High School and co-founder of his GSA, will also be attending the University of California, Santa Cruz and is considering a career in Human Rights Law. Hugo has already used what he learned from Queer Youth Advocacy Day and from working with his GSA to teach others in his community in East Los Angeles about making political and legislative change around Immigration Laws. "I want them to know that there are other things that they can do besides just walking out, that they can talk to their legislators and change laws."

Stevie, a senior at Lakewood High School and President of her GSA, says that working with her GSA taught her how to "deal with diversity and adversity, what to do when you encounter people not wanting you to do things, and learning how to overcome those barriers." She will be taking a break after her graduation to work and then will be going to school to study Foreign Affairs.

Seniors can consider these things to stay involved:
* Attend a college or university that offers classes or a curriculum in Human Rights or Social Justice Programs
* Look for a LGTBQ Center or organization on your college campus
* Get connected with LGTBQ, anti-discrimination, or human rights organizations in your community as a intern, volunteer or by getting a job working for them
*Register to vote, stay informed about political issues, and get involved with political and legislative campaigns
*Participate in a mentoring program for LGTBQ youth

Whatever direction seniors choose to take after graduation, whether continuing their education in college, working, or getting involved in community organizations, there are lots of opportunities to use the lessons learned and skills gained through involvement with GSAs to continue the fight against homophobia, transphobia and discrimination to make this a safer place for all people to live.

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

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

Calling all GSA advisors, presidents, and active members! We need your feedback.
Tell us what worked this year, where you had challenges and how GSA Network can be of help for the 2006-2007 school year.

Go online and fill out the evaluation on www.gsanetwork.org/yearendeval/index.php and be entered to win $100 for your GSA!
Drawing June 2nd, 2006 - TWO MORE DAYS, DON'T DELAY

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2. GSA Network Activist Camps! APPLY ONLINE!

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

Southern California Activist Camp - Los Angeles
July 14th - 16th, 2006

Northern California Activist Camp - Oakland
July 28th - 30th, 2006

Central Valley Activist Camp - Fresno
August 11th - 13th, 2006

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

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3. March with GSA Network for PRIDE 2006

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Calling all SoCal GSAs interested in participating in the 2006 Los Angeles Pride Parade on Sunday, June 11th. GSA Network and GLSEN Los Angeles have begun the planning process for participation in this year's pride parade. We want youth to take over the streets this year with a HUGE turnout. We had 500 LGTBQ Youth and straight allies in Sacramento, can we beat that here in Los Angeles???

If your GSA is interested in participating or being involved in the planning process for L.A. Pride, contact Sandy with GSA Network at sandy@gsanetwork.org or 213-534-7162 or David with GLSEN, Los Angeles at glsenla@glsenla.org or 323-369-2024.

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NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
San Francisco Pride Parade - Commemorate-Educate-Liberate-Celebrate!
Sunday, June 25th. 10:30 AM
Marco Castro-Bojorquez
415-552-4229
marco@gsanetwork.org

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CENTRAL VALLEY
Fresno Rainbow Pride - 16th Annual GLBT Pride Parade & Festival
Saturday, June 3rd.
Contact: Ty Ryan
559-268-2780
ty@gsanetwork.org

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4. Support Youth Films at the SF LGBT Film Festival (San Francisco)

Frameline30
San Francisco International LGBT Film Festival
June 15-25, 2006
www.frameline.org/festival

Do It Yourself -- New Youth Films
Wednesday June 21 | 6:00 pm | Roxie
$9 members | $10 general | DOIT21R
Free for ages 18 and under (present ID at door)!

CO-PRESENTED BY Dimensions Clinic, Gay-Straight Alliance Network, and Teaching Intermedia Literacy Tools
Adolescence and young adulthood is a time of golden beauty, vivid dreams, disappointments and hope. Here's an incredible chance to see new work made by youth in collaboration with media arts organizations including Frameline, TILT, BAVC and the Media Arts Center of San Diego.

Jennifer Gilomen's "Queer Youth Speak: In and Out at the Library "follows two young people as they experience the queer past though an archive and add their own poetic voices to the history they witness. Johanna Malaret and Ethan van Thillo's documentary "Altared Lives" follows ten LGBTQ young adults as they explore religion, family, culture and sexuality.

The following films were made by the Wells Fargo/ Frameline Youth Filmmaker Workshop in collaboration with TILT. The lives of passengers briefly intersect on a BART train in erica sokolowershain's "Where have we been all this time?" When a queer teenager stains her clothes, she must find a way to come out to her parents without her lucky shirt in Juliana Spector's "Stainless."

QUEER YOUTH SPEAK: IN AND OUT AT THE LIBRARY dir Jennifer Gilomen 2005 USA 14 min video ALTARED LIVES dir Ethan van Thillo & Johanna Malaret 2006 USA 27 min video WHERE HAVE WE BEEN ALL THIS TIME ? dir ericka sokolowershain 2006 USA 7 min video STAINLESS dir Juliana Spector 2006 USA 10 min video
TOTAL RUNNING TIME: 58 Min

Frameline30, the 30th San Francisco International LGBT Film Festival, screening June 15-25 at the Castro Theatre, Roxie Film Center, Victoria Theatre, Cinearts@Empire, and the Parkway Theatre is the oldest and largest event of its kind in the world. Tickets go on sale to Frameline members Friday, May 26. General public ticket sales begin Friday, June 2. Tickets are available at Superstar Satellite video store located at 474 Castro Street (between Market and 18th Street in San Francisco), online at www.frameline.org/festival, by phone at 925 866 9559 and by fax at 925 866 9597.

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5. GSA Network is Hiring! - Development Coordinator and Operations Director

Development Coordinator: The GSA Network seeks a part-time (20 hours per week) Development Coordinator to coordinate and support all aspects of the organization's growing individual donor program and development department systems. The Development Coordinator will be the first development staff member at GSA Network, and will work closely with the Executive Director, and development and special events consultants, to implement the annual fundraising plan ($86,250 from individuals in 2006, which is 9% of GSA Network's total budget). GSA Network now has 600 individual donors who contribute through personal solicitations of the Board and Executive Director, direct mail, a monthly pledge program, one annual fundraising event, and occasional house parties. The Development Coordinator will play an important role in helping GSA Network expand all of these activities and build stronger relationships with all individual donors. A demonstrated passion for LGBTQ youth leadership and empowerment, an understanding of youth culture, and commitment to social change is required for all positions at GSA Network.

Operations Director: GSA Network is looking for a full-time Operations Director to work in our San Francisco office. The Operations Director is responsible for fiscal and administrative management, technology and information systems, operations, and some fund development projects for GSA Network. In 2006, GSA Network will be leaving its fiscal sponsor, The Tides Center, and establishing its own 501c3 status. The Operations Director will lead GSA Network through this transition and will help set up new financial, human resources, and administrative systems for our organization as an independent 501c3. A demonstrated passion for LGBTQ youth leadership and empowerment, an understanding of youth culture, and commitment to social change is required for all positions at GSA Network.

To get more information on the job descriptions and how to apply, visit: http://www.gsanetwork.org/about/index.html#jobs

Equal Opportunity Employer:
GSA Network, a project of the Tides Center, is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from youth, people of color, people of all sexual orientations and gender identities, and people with disabilities.

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

Southern California
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6. Pride in Our Schools 2006! - June 11th

Join GSA Network as we March Proudly With Other SAFE SCHOOL LEADERS in the Christopher Street West Pride Parade
June 11, 2006 (A.M.), West Hollywood

STUDENTS | TEACHERS | GSA CLUBS | SCHOOL STAFF | ALLIES Unite!!
It's an exciting time to be showing off your support for SAFE SCHOOLS in California – free of harassment, name-calling and discrimination. Band together – show your support! JOIN dozens of Gay-Straight Alliance clubs (GSAs), students, school staff, teachers and their allies from all over southern California to march in this year's
annual school pride entry, PRIDE IN OUR SCHOOLS!

WANT TO JOIN US and receive updates and details of HOW TO MARCH with the PRIDE IN OUR SCHOOLS entry? Here's how: send an email message to prideinourschools@glsenla.org

Include:
YOUR NAME
YOUR PHONE NUMBER & E-MAIL ADDRESS
NAME OF SCHOOL | NAME OF GSA or OTHER CLUB
FACULTY ADVISOR'S NAME
FACULTY ADVISOR'S E-MAIL & PHONE NUMBER"Pride In Our Schools" - REGISTER TODAY to be a part of something BIG in the 2006 L.A. PRIDE Parade.

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Central Valley
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7. Fresno Pride - This Saturday

March with GSA Network
Fresno Rainbow Pride - 16th Annual GLBT Pride Parade & Festival
Saturday, June 3rd.
Contact: Ty Ryan
559-268-2780
ty@gsanetwork.org

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Northern California
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8. San Francisco Pride - June 25th

March with GSA Network
San Francisco Pride Parade - Commemorate-Educate-Liberate-Celebrate!
Sunday, June 25th. 10:30 AM
Marco Castro-Bojorquez
415-552-4229
marco@gsanetwork.org

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Statewide
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9. Receive a complimentary copy of the Trevor Survival Kit

LGBTQ youth face many social factors that put them at higher risk for self-destructive behaviors, including suicide. In 2001, the Massachusetts Youth Risk Behavior Survey (MAYRBS) concluded that LGB youth are “almost four (4) times as likely to have attempted suicide (31% vs. 8%)” and “more than five times as likely to have received medical treatment for a suicide attempt (16% vs. 3%)” than their heterosexual peers. The Trevor Project, a non-profit endeavor established to promote acceptance of gay and questioning teenagers and aid in suicide prevention among that group, believes that there is a cure for these grim findings.

To this end, the organization created The Trevor Survival Kit. This classroom tool for middle and high school teachers, is to be used in conjunction with the Academy Award-winning short film, Trevor—about a 13 year-old boy that attempts suicide after realizing he might be gay—to generate constructive discussion about the myriad of issues surrounding suicide, personal identity and sexual orientation. “Through education and frank, open discussions with all youth about the issues that cause them to feel isolated, alone, misunderstood and ‘different’ from their peers, we can make a difference,” stated Andy Scheer, the organization’s Program & Outreach Director. “By empowering our youth, we make them gatekeepers of one another’s lives.”

To receive a complimentary copy of The Trevor Survival Kit—which contains The Trevor Teaching Guide, short film Trevor, posters and other outreach materials—please send an email to Andy Scheer at Andy.Scheer@TheTrevorProject.org or call their administrative offices at 310.271.8845. To ensure proper delivery, please include your name, position, institution name, street address, and telephone number when emailing requests.

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10. In The Life highlights GSA Clubs

IN THE LIFE #1509
6/01 11pm (57:12*) (CC)

There are roughly 3000 gay-straight alliances (GSAs) in high schools across the country. These student-run groups promote dialogue and tolerance. Some have been openly welcomed, others bitterly opposed. In "I'm Still Emily," ItL travels to the heartland of the nation to meet 17-year-old Emily Frerichs, the only person to publicly come out in her rural community. Her efforts to start a GSA offer a window into what it means to be young, gay, and a devout Christian in middle America.

For more information: http://www.inthelifetv.org/inthelife/pressroom/index.php?id=28

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Scholarships
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11. Erika J. Glazer Family Scholarship Fund - 2006 Scholarship Program

Below are the guidelines for the Erika J. Glazer Family Scholarship Fund - 2006 Scholarship Program. Please note that the 2006 program is limited to students accepted to, or currently attending, California State University, Los Angeles.

Complete application packets must be received in our office no later than 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 15, 2006. Please refer to the guidelines and application for full details.

PLEASE DISTRIBUTE TO YOUR STUDENTS & OTHER APPROPRIATE CONTACTS.

Established by the Erika J. Glazer Trust of 1985, the Erika J. Glazer Family Scholarship Fund will award several multi-year scholarships of up to $7,000 per year (the total amount of scholarship funds available per year is $30,000-$40,000) to academically qualified students in need of financial assistance. However, the amount and number of recipients will be at the sole discretion of the scholarship committee appointed by the scholarship donors and the Liberty Hill Foundation.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

To be considered for the Erika J. Glazer Family Scholarship, applicants must meet all of the following criteria:

1. Meet the requirements of California Assembly Bill 540 (Nonresident Tuition Exemption).

2. Be a graduating high school senior or an undergraduate college student who has attended a public or private high school in Los Angeles County for at least three years.

3. Be accepted to, or currently attend, California State University, Los Angeles during the 2006-2007 school year and for all subsequent years of the scholarship, while pursuing a full course load for a Bachelor's degree in any discipline. Recipients must maintain good academic standing.

4. Be the child of immigrant parents.

5. Be ineligible for federal and state financial aid and demonstrate financial need. Please note that there is no particular threshold of financial need we are considering. It is up to the applicant to decide if she/he would be a competitive applicant given her/his particular circumstances.

6. Demonstrate leadership, merit, a commitment to community service and/or potential for academic achievement.

7. Provide clear and detailed information about any disciplinary or criminal record (e.g. school suspensions, arrests, convictions, etc.) and a full and detailed explanation of the circumstances leading to such actions.

8. Make every effort to be available for a personal interview should one be required.

9. Be willing to attend an awards ceremony on a date to be determined in Los Angeles should one be awarded a scholarship.

For Application email Carol Lee
Program Associate, Donor Advised Funds
Liberty Hill Foundation
2121 Cloverfield Boulevard, Suite 113
Santa Monica, CA 90404

Phone: (310) 453-3611, ext. 130
Fax: (310) 453-7806
Email: clee@libertyhill.org
Web: http://www.libertyhill.org/

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News
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12. NEWS: Schwarzenegger To Veto Gay Textbook Bill

by Mark Worrall
365Gay.com
May 25, 2006

(Sacramento, California) Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger will veto legislation that requires schools to teach LGBT history if it passes the Assembly his spokesperson says.
The measure already has been approved by the Senate.

California already requires that African Americans, native peoples, Mexicans, Asians and Pacific Islanders be included in textbook descriptions of "the economic, political and social development of California and the United States of America, with particular emphasis on portraying the role of these groups in contemporary society."

The bill, by Sen. Sheila Kuehl ( D-Los Angeles) adds gays, lesbians and the transgendered to that list.

The Senate voted 22 - 15 on May 11 to pass the measure.

"The governor believes that school curriculum should include all important historical figures, regardless of orientation. However, he does not support the Legislature micromanaging curriculum," Schwarzenegger's spokesperson, Adam Mendelsohn, told the Sacramento Bee.

The bill is currently in the Assembly but it is doubtful the measure would have enough support to override the threatened veto.

Kuehl said she is not prepared to accept Medelsohn's word that the governor intends to veto the legislation.

To read the full story, visit:
http://www.365gay.com/Newscon06/05/052506calschools.htm

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13. NEWS: Gay school bill in trouble
Spokesman says the governor plans to veto curriculum measure, but Kuehl insists it can still pass.

by Andy Furillo and Judy Lin
Sacramento Bee
May 25, 2006

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger will veto a bill passed by the Senate and pending in the Assembly to revise California's school curriculum to include the contributions of gays and lesbians to the state and nation, a gubernatorial spokesman said Wednesday.

"The governor believes that school curriculum should include all important historical figures, regardless of orientation," said Schwarzenegger's director of communications, Adam Mendelsohn. "However, he does not support the Legislature micromanaging curriculum."

Wednesday's announcement signaled a death blow to the efforts of state Sen. Sheila Kuehl, D-Santa Monica, the openly lesbian author of the measure, to obtain recognition for the contributions of gays, lesbians, transgender and bisexual people to the social and historical landscape.

Kuehl's bill had passed the Senate on a 22-15 vote on May 11 and was awaiting hearings in the Assembly. She expressed disbelief that Schwarzenegger, who traditionally has withheld comment on legislation until it passes the Legislature and reaches his desk, has broken with his own precedent and made up his mind on a bill that still hadn't been vetted by one house of the Legislature.

"He hasn't made up his mind, I don't care what some underling might have said," Kuehl said.

To read the full story, visit:
http://www.sacbee.com/content/politics/story/14260132p-15074105c.html

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14. NEWS: U.S. judge is pressed for ruling on T-shirt - Poway student and district at odds over anti-gay slogan

by Onell R. Soto
San Diego UNION-TRIBUNE
May 27, 2006

A San Diego federal judge was asked yesterday to decide whether Poway High School administrators acted properly when they pulled a student from class for wearing an anti-gay slogan on his T-shirt two years ago.

Lawyers for the Poway Unified School District and religious legal groups backing the student both asked Judge John A. Houston to find there is no need for a trial in the case, but for different reasons.

Lawyers for Tyler Chase Harper are asking Houston to find the school's ban on negative or offensive speech toward homosexuals unconstitutional.

The school district's lawyers are asking him to rule that school officials did nothing wrong when Harper wore a T-shirt with the words "Homosexuality is shameful," his paraphrase of a Bible verse.

Harper, now a senior, said his Christian beliefs compel him to warn others that homosexuality is dangerous. He wrote the slogans on his shirt in response to a "Day of Silence" promoting tolerance for homosexuals.

After hearing the arguments, Houston didn't say when he would issue a decision, but neither side expected his ruling to be the final word.

To read the full story, visit:
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/northcounty/20060527-9999-1mi27shirt.html

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15. NEWS: Sexual orientation important

by Shaun Rosenstein, Temecula
Letter to the Editor
5/28/2006

Dear Mr. Haynes,
I admire your ability to come forward and admit your faults so freely. Specifically, I am referring to your unashamed admission in your May 19, 2006 letter to this paper that "honestly, I don't know what transsexuals have done in history…" Highlighting our school's shortcomings with such a close, personal example is commendable. Therefore, it is a shame that you will be unable to reap the benefits of SB 1437, which requires that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (not transsexual, as you repeatedly incorrectly stated) persons' contributions be taught in our schools.

I do not believe that attacking legislation that requires students to learn more is the most conducive way to fixing the education system. You try to somehow draw an analogy that our schools do not require that students learn about George Washington, Thomas Jefferson or any other details about the civil war. To this I have a two-fold response: first, there is no school in California which fails to teach these basic lessons; there is no problem with students lacking in their history of the Civil War or knowledge of the first president of this nation. Secondly, if such a time ever did arise when this was a problem, let me assure you, Mr. Haynes, that I will be the first person writing a letter to you demanding that these lessons be required to be taught in our schools as well.

Furthermore, you state, "a great person in history is great regardless of their sexual orientation." Mr. Haynes, history is all about context. When Justice Sandra Day O'Connor was the first woman elected to the US Supreme Court, it was significant not merely because of her brilliant legal mind and contributions to the field but because as a woman she was a trailblazer and had to overcome unique adversity as the result of her gender. The same holds true for LGBT people throughout history; their context needs to be understood and not overlooked like it has been historically.

To read the full letter, visit:
http://www.temeculavalleynews.com/story.asp?story_ID=15279

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16. NEWS: 'Ex-Gays' Seek a Say in Schools
In response to campus programs supporting homosexuality, critics call for offering an alternative view: that people can go straight.

By Stephanie Simon
LA Times
May 28, 2006

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - Over the last decade, gay-rights activists have pushed programs to support gay and lesbian students in public schools. Their success is striking:

More than 3,000 Gay-Straight Alliance clubs meet across the country. Nearly half a million students take a vow of silence one day each spring in an annual event to support gay rights. California may soon require textbooks to feature the contributions of gays and lesbians throughout history.

Critics, mostly on the religious right, view all this as promoting the "homosexual lifestyle." Unable to stop it, they have turned to a new strategy: demanding equal time for their view in public schools and on college campuses.

Conservative Christians and Jews have teamed up with men and women who call themselves "ex-gay" to lobby - and even sue - for the right to tell teenagers that they can "heal" themselves of unwanted same-sex attractions.

To read the full story, visit:
http://www.latimes.com/news/education/la-na-exgay28may28,1,2810142.story?coll=la-news-learning&ctrack=1&cset=true

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17. NEWS: Calif. bill targets military recruiters in schools

Thu May 25, 2006
Reuters.com

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - California's Assembly approved on Thursday a bill that could make it more difficult for military recruiters to contact high school students.

The Democrat-led chamber passed the bill on a 43-30 vote. It now goes to the state's Democrat-controlled Senate.

The bill would require school districts to provide parents with the opportunity to the tell the districts if they do not want contact information given to third parties.

"Many parents have been shocked with the aggressiveness of military recruiters. In many cases, parents were not aware that their children's personal information would be released to recruiters, nor that they had the right to opt out of the release of information to the military," said Democratic Assemblywoman Sally Lieber, the bill's author.

The Assembly vote came as officials in San Francisco, host to some of the largest anti-war rallies in the nation in recent years, mull whether to evict Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps programs from city high schools to protest the Pentagon's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy toward gay troops.

To view the article, visit:
http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=domesticNews&storyID=2006-05-25T233127Z_01_N25273308_RTRUKOC_0_US-LIFE-RECRUITING.xml&archived=False

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May 24, 2006

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

GSA Network Highlight
GSA Activist Camp is Back!!
Go directly to GSA Network highlight

GSA Network Announcements
1. WIN $100!! Fill out GSA Network's Year-End Evaluation and be entered to win $100
2. 3 HOT! GSA Network Activist Camps! APPLY ONLINE!
3. March with GSA Network for PRIDE 2006
4. Santa Clara County GSA SUMMIT! (San Jose)
5. Support Youth Films at the SF LGBT Film Festival (San Francisco)
6. GSA Network is Hiring! - Southern California Program Coordinator and Operations Director
7. Become a Summer or Fall Intern with GSA Network
Go directly to GSA Network announcements

Other Announcements
Southern California
8. The Campbell Hall GSA - Movie Night (North Hollywood)
9. LGBT Summer Youth Institute at UCSB - Deadline Extended to May 31st (Santa Barbara)
Go directly to Southern California listings

Central Valley
10. Celebrate Fresno Gay Pride with Reel Pride (Fresno)
Go directly to Central Valley listings

Northern California
11. ACTION ALERT: "Historic First: Los Altos High School Gay Straight Alliance Wins Permit for Youth Pride Parade" (Los Altos)
12. Reserve now to bring The Other Side of the Closet tour to your school in 2006!
Go directly to Northern California listings

Scholarships
13. Erika J. Glazer Family Scholarship Fund - 2006 Scholarship Program
Go directly to Scholarships listings

Jobs
14. Interracial Family Pride- Junior Camp Counselors Needed (Oakland)
Go directly to Jobs listings

News
15. NEWS: Gays' place in textbooks: Debate is on
16. NEWS: California Senate Bill Set to Improve Equality of Education for LGBT Youth
Go directly to News listings

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

GSA Activist Camp is Back!!

The GSA Activist Camp is a youth-led event that features in-depth leadership training, community building, and political education for GSA members. The Camp provides a positive experience for LGBTQ youth and straight allies who, in addition to the usual challenges of just being young, often face discrimination and homophobia/transphobia in their day-to-day lives. The event provides a supportive, safe, and creative environment by bringing diverse young people together to strengthen their community and share knowledge to counter the forms of violence and discrimination they experience.

“The GSA Activist Camp was the first ever LGBTQ event that I attended and it changed my life. I learned about the issues and consequences of harassment. The Camp taught me how to become a youth leader and I took everything I learned and implemented it in my school.”
Raul from Ida B. Wells High School in San Francisco, CA

The three day GSA Activist Camp is led by youth to support each other and learn about homophobia, transphobia and other oppressions. The Camp provides a variety of workshops and energetic activities to develop youth leaders who can successfully effect positive change in their schools and communities. Areas of focus include methods to counter violence, harassment, and discrimination in their schools and educate the school community about homophobia, gender identity, and sexual orientation.

“I loved learning leadership skills and activist techniques. It was great to unwind, chill out and dance at night with people who weren't shady toward me for my gender or sexual identity.”
Bit from Berkeley High School in Berkeley

Be active. Join us to have some fun and learn how you can become a powerful, positive force for change in your community.

"Networking. Networking. Networking. The gem of my GSA Camp experience was the group of friends that I met, connected with, and am still in touch with. Now I know people all over Southern California."
Junior from Mission Viejo High School in Mission Viejo, CA

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

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

Go online and fill out the evaluation on www.gsanetwork.org/yearendeval/index.php and be entered to win $100 for your GSA!
Drawing June 2nd, 2006

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2. 3 HOT! 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 - Los Angeles
July 14th - 16th, 2006

Northern California Activist Camp - Oakland
July 28th - 30th, 2006

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Calling all SoCal GSAs interested in participating in the 2006 Los Angeles Pride Parade on Saturday, June 10th. GSA Network and GLSEN Los Angeles have begun the planning process for participation in this year's pride parade. We want youth to take over the streets this year with a HUGE turnout. We had 500 LGTBQ Youth and straight allies in Sacramento, can we beat that here in Los Angeles???

If your GSA is interested in participating or being involved in the planning process for L.A. Pride, contact Sandy with GSA Network at sandy@gsanetwork.org or 213-534-7162 or David with GLSEN, Los Angeles at glsenla@glsenla.org or 323-369-2024.

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NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
San Francisco Pride Parade - Commemorate-Educate-Liberate-Celebrate!
Sunday, June 25th. 10:30 AM
Marco Castro-Bojorquez
415-552-4229
marco@gsanetwork.org

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CENTRAL VALLEY
Fresno Rainbow Pride - 16th Annual GLBT Pride Parade & Festival
Saturday, June 3rd.
Contact: Ty Ryan
559-268-2780
ty@gsanetwork.org

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4. Santa Clara County GSA SUMMIT! (San Jose)

The DeFrank Center and GSA Network present the Santa Clara County GSA SUMMIT!

Unite the South Bay GSAs! For students, advisors, and allies.

Thursday May 25th 6:30 - 9:30 pm
The Billy DeFrank LGBT Community Center
938 the Alameda
San Jose CA 95126
408-293-2429

Meet and greet other GSA members, socialize, network, share ideas, and learn how to better collaborate with each other.
Great food and fun activities!

For more info, contact Marco Castro-Bojorquez at marco@gsanetwork.org or Julianne Carroll at youthprog@defrank.org

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5. Support Youth Films at the SF LGBT Film Festival (San Francisco)

Frameline30
San Francisco International LGBT Film Festival
June 15-25, 2006
www.frameline.org/festival

Do It Yourself -- New Youth Films
Wednesday June 21 | 6:00 pm | Roxie
$9 members | $10 general | DOIT21R
Free for ages 18 and under (present ID at door)!

CO-PRESENTED BY Dimensions Clinic, Gay-Straight Alliance Network, and Teaching Intermedia Literacy Tools
Adolescence and young adulthood is a time of golden beauty, vivid dreams, disappointments and hope. Here's an incredible chance to see new work made by youth in collaboration with media arts organizations including Frameline, TILT, BAVC and the Media Arts Center of San Diego.

Jennifer Gilomen's "Queer Youth Speak: In and Out at the Library "follows two young people as they experience the queer past though an archive and add their own poetic voices to the history they witness. Johanna Malaret and Ethan van Thillo's documentary "Altared Lives" follows ten LGBTQ young adults as they explore religion, family, culture and sexuality.

The following films were made by the Wells Fargo/ Frameline Youth Filmmaker Workshop in collaboration with TILT. The lives of passengers briefly intersect on a BART train in erica sokolowershain's "Where have we been all this time?" When a queer teenager stains her clothes, she must find a way to come out to her parents without her lucky shirt in Juliana Spector's "Stainless."

QUEER YOUTH SPEAK: IN AND OUT AT THE LIBRARY dir Jennifer Gilomen 2005 USA 14 min video ALTARED LIVES dir Ethan van Thillo & Johanna Malaret 2006 USA 27 min video WHERE HAVE WE BEEN ALL THIS TIME ? dir ericka sokolowershain 2006 USA 7 min video STAINLESS dir Juliana Spector 2006 USA 10 min video
TOTAL RUNNING TIME: 58 Min

Frameline30, the 30th San Francisco International LGBT Film Festival, screening June 15-25 at the Castro Theatre, Roxie Film Center, Victoria Theatre, Cinearts@Empire, and the Parkway Theatre is the oldest and largest event of its kind in the world. Tickets go on sale to Frameline members Friday, May 26. General public ticket sales begin Friday, June 2. Tickets are available at Superstar Satellite video store located at 474 Castro Street (between Market and 18th Street in San Francisco), online at www.frameline.org/festival, by phone at 925 866 9559 and by fax at 925 866 9597.

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6. GSA Network is Hiring! - Southern California Program Coordinator and Operations Director

Southern California Program Coordinator: The Southern California Program Coordinator position is a full-time position located in Los Angeles. The Program Coordinator is responsible for supporting student leaders in grassroots school-based organizing and program implementation throughout their region. The Program Coordinator works directly with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) and straight ally youth and adult advisors involved with nearly 250 Gay-Straight Alliance clubs throughout Southern California. The Program Coordinator is responsible for providing the support and planning “behind the scenes” to enable youth to be the leaders of our work. A demonstrated passion for LGBTQ youth leadership and empowerment, an understanding of youth culture, and commitment to social change is required for all positions at GSA Network.

Operations Director: GSA Network is looking for a full-time Operations Director to work in our San Francisco office. The Operations Director is responsible for fiscal and administrative management, technology and information systems, operations, and some fund development projects for GSA Network. In 2006, GSA Network will be leaving its fiscal sponsor, The Tides Center, and establishing its own 501c3 status. The Operations Director will lead GSA Network through this transition and will help set up new financial, human resources, and administrative systems for our organization as an independent 501c3. A demonstrated passion for LGBTQ youth leadership and empowerment, an understanding of youth culture, and commitment to social change is required for all positions at GSA Network.

To get more information on the job descriptions and how to apply, visit: http://www.gsanetwork.org/about/index.html#jobs

Equal Opportunity Employer:
GSA Network, a project of the Tides Center, is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from youth, people of color, people of all sexual orientations and gender identities, and people with disabilities.

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7. Become a Summer or Fall Intern with GSA Network

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

A great way to gain hands-on experience, build up your resume, and possibly get college credits.

These skills may include:
program
- outreach and technical assistance to high school and middle school GSAs
- curriculum development
- resource sheets and program material development
- working on media or press work
- lobbying and policy
- event planning
admin
- individual donor fundraising
- database systems

and many other exciting activities.

* Interns also have the option to participate in staff meetings thus ensuring their voices are heard and 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.

-GSA Network Internships are non-paid positions.
-This internship is located in our San Francisco Office and you must be available to work a minimum of 10 hours per week. Hours vary.

For more information or an application please contact tanya@gsanetwork.org or call Tanya @ 415-552-4229

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The Campbell Hall Gay-Straight Alliance will be holding its end of the year movie night on May 25th at 6:30 P.M. We will be showing "Imagine Me & You" (2005). (http://www2.foxsearchlight.com/imaginemeandyou/)

This event is open to all students and faculty from GSAs and their friends. This is a FREE event and snacks and drinks will be provided.

What: End-of-the-year movie night with snacks and drinks
When: May 25th @ 6:30 P.M.
Where: Third floor of the Ahmanson Academic Center, Campbell Hall
4533 Laurel Canyon Blvd.
North Hollywood, CA 91607

Any questions, contact Keri Borzello (borzelk@campbellhall.org).

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9. LGBT Summer Youth Institute at UCSB - Deadline Extended to May 31st (Santa Barbara)

The University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) is very excited to announce a one-of-a-kind opportunity for high school students to spend
one week at the university in July learning about lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) issues. The Youth Leadership & Advocacy Institute is designed for entering high school juniors and seniors and will be held July 16-22, 2006. This program is open to high school students of any sexual orientation or gender identity. Allies are welcome. We strongly encourage students of color and those of limited financial means to apply.

During this one-week institute, up to forty-two high school students will have the opportunity to come to UCSB and develop a greater understanding of LGBT issues. Daily workshops will introduce a variety of topics, such as LGBT history, high school Gay-Straight Alliances, LGBT and the media, homosexuality and religion, "coming out", dealing with homophobia/ heterosexism, community resources, and more. Students will also have the opportunity to meet and interact with current UCSB
college students, who will lead several of the workshops and provide supervision. Additional time will be spent exploring the sites and attractions of Santa Barbara - its beaches, cultural landmarks, and scenic beauty.

The institute is completely free to participants. A refundable deposit of $100 is required at the time of application to reserve a space. (The deposit will be refunded upon the completion of the one-week program.) The program includes housing, all meals, transportation within the program, tours, activities and any other necessary supplies (linens are not provided). The value of this program is over $1,000 per participant, but we are able to offer this program free of charge thanks to the generous support of several organizations that value the goals of the program and support equal opportunity: the UCSB Office of Academic Preparation and Equal Opportunity, Gill Foundation, and the Fund for Santa Barbara.

The application deadline has been extended to Wednesday, May 31.
Additional information and application materials are available on our website: www.sa.ucsb.edu/sgd/summer.asp. For more information, please feel free to contact me at kyle.richards@sa.ucsb.edu or (805) 893-5847.

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Central Valley

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10. Celebrate Fresno Gay Pride with Reel Pride (Fresno)

SAVE THE DATE: Saturday, June 3 2006
Buy Tickets Online - http://www.reelpride.com/2005/q_queens.php

Queens (Reinas)
Saturday, June 3 2006
3pm box office opens
2 Screenings!
4pm AND 8pm
Doors open 1/2 hour before film starts
DAY OF FILM - Cash only sales
$10 general admission
$5 VIP Members

'I'm getting married in the morning, ding-dong my bells are going to shine...' If you have any notion of getting hitched, then come see Queens: a big, glossy Spanish take on the country's first mass gay wedding. Your guides for the hour are five mothers coping not only with their sons' romantic problems but with some of their own as well. One is a nymphomaniac, another a needy nightmare and a third a well-to-do actress contemplating the social horror of her son marrying the gardener's lad. The boys are all hysterical (and cute). But as the special day comes round, the fates conspire to drown their looks in floods of tears and disappointment. Queens delivers highly on the laugh front with some great performances. Warning, however: whatever stage of commitment your relationship is at (and yes for all you singles, an imagined one is okay too) Queens may put you off white suits for life.
- Jonathan Keane - London Lesbian & Gay Film Festival

The cast digs in and finds the real people amid the wackiness. All of the mothers are delicious drama queens; Maura and Paredes are the bright sparks, as usual. And of the men, Salmeron registers strongest with the most complex role -- and the most illicit liaison. The interaction is goofy and faux-shocking, with complicated interrelationships, secrets and surprises, and even a rampaging shaggy dog.
- Rich Cline - SHADOWS ON THE WALL

Need to know more? www.reelpride.com/2005/q_queens.php

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Northern California
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11. ACTION ALERT: "Historic First: Los Altos High School Gay Straight Alliance Wins Permit for Youth Pride Parade" (Los Altos)

"Historic First: Los Altos High School Gay Straight Alliance Wins Permit for Youth Pride Parade After Two Year Struggle With City Council"

Where: Los Altos, CA
When: Sunday, June 4, 2006
Noon to 1:30 PM

"Celebrating Pride, Diversity, and Equality" is the theme announced for the historic first Pride Parade hosted by the Los Altos High School GSA. After a two year battle with City Council officials, the local GSA failed to overturn an anti-gay ordinance prohibiting an official "Gay Pride Proclamation" but won a permit for the city's first-ever gay pride event which celebrates and supports queer and questioning youth.

The Parade and Rally are scheduled for Sunday, June 4, starting at noon. Event organizers hope for a strong turn out from local area supporters to bolster the ongoing GSA campaign to get the City of Los Altos to issue an official proclamation of Gay Pride in 2007.

*Local Area GSAs, PFLAG, and other queer and questioning youth supportive groups are welcome to join the parade and enter floats.
*Marching Bands and Chorale Groups also welcome to join parade and rally which follows in City Square.
*Deadline for submitting entries is Saturday, May 20.
*Youth and adult volunteers also welcome to help with parade set-up 10 AM to Noon and Parade clean-up 2:30-3:30 PM.
*All donations to underwrite parade expenses and support the ongoing work of Los Altos GSA gladly received.

To submit a parade entry or make a donation please email GSAParade@los-altos.org. For More Information and Media Inquiries Please Contact: Ruth Gibbs, GSA Advisor Email: Ruth.Gibbs@mvla.net Telephone: 650-948-8086

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12. Reserve now to bring The Other Side of the Closet tour to your school in 2006!

YouthAware Educational Theatre Presents…
The Other Side of the Closet by Ed Roy Directed by Sara Staley
A Safe Schools Program for Teens

On Tour in Northern California October 24th - December 14th 2006
Thousands of students each year are targets of harassment based on their actual or perceived sexual orientation. The Other Side of the Closet by Ed Roy is a play for teens that supports a safer school curriculum wherein students, teachers and parents can learn about diversity and acceptance in an innovative and engaging format. This program has been touring Northern California middle and high schools each fall since 2000 as part of the YouthAware Educational Theatre program at the New Conservatory Theatre Center located in San Francisco. Set in and around a high school, this hard-hitting play tells the story of five teens who are grappling with issues of peer pressure, youth violence, homophobia, behavior norms, stereotypes, discrimination and identity. Each performance is followed by a facilitated discussion session with the actor/educators and student audience. Post-show lesson plans will also be provided for teachers. Appropriate for 7th - 12th graders, The Other Side of the Closet is available to tour to your school or community on Mondays through Thursdays from October 24th - December 14th 2006. The program is about 70 minutes in length and can be performed up to two times a day in any theatre, gymnasium, cafeteria or other multi-purpose room. We can also present the play in the evening for community events, and we are willing to stay overnight for multiple performances in areas that are too far to travel back and forth from San Francisco in a day, The New Conservatory Theatre Center is a non-profit organization, and a small donation is requested to cover production costs. Cost underwriting is available for low-income schools. Food and lodging must also be provided for our cast and crew of seven for any overnight travel. Please call for more information or to discuss logistics. (415) 861-4914 or email sara@nctcsf.org

You may also download a preview copy of the script from our web site at www.nctcsf.org/Other.html.
What audiences are saying about The Other Side of the Closet …

I really enjoyed the play. This is the first live action performance on the subject of tolerance that I have seen where multiple topics were brought into focus so well. I am glad a program like this exists and that finally the safe schools message, and the reality of the issue that a lot of us, maybe even all of us deal with every day, are so effectively being communicated to my generation.
- Student from Fremont High School in Sunnyvale

It got students to think about words such as "gay" and "fag" that are sometimes used negatively in casual conversation. The discussion helped many students realize that this can be offensive to individuals and entire group …. I think this is a great program that can really help open the minds of many teenagers.
- Student from Oceana High School in Pacifica

I really enjoyed your play. It really inspired me not to use disrespectful language or to treat others differently no matter if they are gay or not. You guys should continue to share your message with other high school students because many don't know about the respect you teach.
- Student from El Cerrito High School in El Cerrito

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Scholarships
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13. Erika J. Glazer Family Scholarship Fund - 2006 Scholarship Program

Below are the guidelines for the Erika J. Glazer Family Scholarship Fund - 2006 Scholarship Program. Please note that the 2006 program is limited to students accepted to, or currently attending, California State University, Los Angeles.

Complete application packets must be received in our office no later than 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 15, 2006. Please refer to the guidelines and application for full details.

PLEASE DISTRIBUTE TO YOUR STUDENTS & OTHER APPROPRIATE CONTACTS.

Established by the Erika J. Glazer Trust of 1985, the Erika J. Glazer Family Scholarship Fund will award several multi-year scholarships of up to $7,000 per year (the total amount of scholarship funds available per year is $30,000-$40,000) to academically qualified students in need of financial assistance. However, the amount and number of recipients will be at the sole discretion of the scholarship committee appointed by the scholarship donors and the Liberty Hill Foundation.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

To be considered for the Erika J. Glazer Family Scholarship, applicants must meet all of the following criteria:

1. Meet the requirements of California Assembly Bill 540 (Nonresident Tuition Exemption).

2. Be a graduating high school senior or an undergraduate college student who has attended a public or private high school in Los Angeles County for at least three years.

3. Be accepted to, or currently attend, California State University, Los Angeles during the 2006-2007 school year and for all subsequent years of the scholarship, while pursuing a full course load for a Bachelor's degree in any discipline. Recipients must maintain good academic standing.

4. Be the child of immigrant parents.

5. Be ineligible for federal and state financial aid and demonstrate financial need. Please note that there is no particular threshold of financial need we are considering. It is up to the applicant to decide if she/he would be a competitive applicant given her/his particular circumstances.

6. Demonstrate leadership, merit, a commitment to community service and/or potential for academic achievement.

7. Provide clear and detailed information about any disciplinary or criminal record (e.g. school suspensions, arrests, convictions, etc.) and a full and detailed explanation of the circumstances leading to such actions.

8. Make every effort to be available for a personal interview should one be required.

9. Be willing to attend an awards ceremony on a date to be determined in Los Angeles should one be awarded a scholarship.

For Application email Carol Lee
Program Associate, Donor Advised Funds
Liberty Hill Foundation
2121 Cloverfield Boulevard, Suite 113
Santa Monica, CA 90404

Phone: (310) 453-3611, ext. 130
Fax: (310) 453-7806
Email: mailto:clee@libertyhill.org
Web: http://www.libertyhill.org/

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Jobs:
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14. Interracial Family Pride- Junior Camp Counselors Needed (Oakland)

iPride (Interracial Family Pride http://www.ipride.org/, an agency that serves mixed heritage and transracially adopted youth and their families. Our annual Fusion Summer Camp for mixed heritage and transracially adopted youth is scheduled for this July in Oakland. We're looking for more junior camp counselors and we are looking for youth (ages 15-17).

Additionally, if you know people who may be interested in sending their children (ages 7-12) to the summer camp, the information is on the Fusion website http://www.fusionprogram.org. We do offer scholarships for the summer camp.

PS iPride is hosting a fabulous night of spoken word, comedy, and music featuring performers who are themselves of mixed heritage and/or transracially adopted on May 25th at La Pena. Email me at logangutierrezmock@yahoo.com for more info if you're interested! Childcare will be provided.

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News
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15. NEWS: Gays' place in textbooks: Debate is on

By Judy Lin
Sacramento Bee
Monday, May 22, 2006

Lance Chih first read Walt Whitman's inspiring poetry in his state-approved 10th-grade literature textbook. It was easy for the newly out-of-the-closet teen to connect with the beloved poet's messages, particularly those about celebrating one's own individuality and identity.

"The ones we read in class, it meant something to me," said Chih, now 18 and about to graduate from Folsom High School.

He thinks it would have been helpful, though, to learn, too, that Whitman's groundbreaking lines carried more than one man's view on slavery, the working man and the American landscape. Whitman's work, such as the Calamus poems, a series written in 1860 that articulated intense affection between males, later made him the poster child for the gay liberation movement.

But Chih didn't learn that in class. He learned it a year later through his own readings and through friends in the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.
Right now, California textbooks rarely broach the subject of sexual orientation. Students like Chih might see brief references to gays or lesbians in their social science textbooks, such as when being taught about the AIDS epidemic.

Senate Bill 1437, a state measure recently approved by the Senate that will now be vetted in the Assembly, seeks to change that by recognizing the contributions of the LGBT community in the social science curriculum in the same way the state has come to recognize the achievements of women and minorities.

To read the full story, visit:
http://www.sacbee.com/content/news/education/story/14258703p-15073075c.html

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16. NEWS: California Senate Bill Set to Improve Equality of Education for LGBT Youth

May 23, 2006
Ms. Magazine

The state of California is one step closer to achieving equity in education for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) youth, after a bill introduced to the state legislature by openly gay state Senator Sheila Kuehl was passed by the Senate. Current anti-discrimination laws include protections for students based on race, sex, disability, and religion. California State Senate Bill 1437 (SB 1437) would amend the law to include categories of sexual orientation and gender to existing criteria used to create courses of study designed to promote diversity in the public school curriculum. In addition, SB 1437 would prohibit the inclusion of official teaching materials that reflect adversely on people because of their sexual orientation or gender.

To read the full story, visit:
http://www.msmagazine.com/news/uswirestory.asp?ID=9673

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May 17, 2006

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

GSA Network Highlight
Fresno Unified District-Wide Trainings Address Anti-LGBTQ Harassment and Discrimination
Go directly to GSA Network highlight

GSA Network Announcements
1. WIN $100!! Fill out GSA Network's Year-End Evaluation and be entered to win $100
2. 3 HOT! GSA Network Activist Camps! APPLY ONLINE!
3. March with GSA Network for PRIDE 2006
4. Historic LGBTQ-inclusive Curriculum Bill Passes Senate
5. Santa Clara County GSA SUMMIT! (San Jose)
6. Support Youth Films at the SF LGBT Film Festival (San Francisco)
7. GSA Network is Hiring! - Southern California Program Coordinator and Operations Director
8. Become a Summer or Fall Intern with GSA Network
9. You Could be a GSA Network Board Member
Go directly to GSA Network announcements

Other Announcement
Southern California
10. Queer film series at Crossroads (Los Angeles)
11. It's that time of the year again...time for Peer Party! (Los Angeles)
12. Pride Center (San Bernardino)
Go directly to Southern California listings

Northern California
13. Queer Young Woman's Video Project Screening (San Francisco)
14. The Felicia Park-Rogers Summer Internship Program at COLAGE (San Francisco)
15. Make some $$ at Gay Pride (Sacramento)
16. Intergenerational Story Telling Project (San Francisco)
17. Two Pride Events with LYRIC (San Francisco)
18. THIS SATURDAY!! Unchained Conference - Young Women's Health Fair - Unchained Dance (San Francisco)
19. Unite with Education Not Incarceration for Youth (Oakland)
20. TODAY! EMERGENCY RALLY to demand foll rights to ALL Immigrants (San Francisco)
Go directly to Northern California listings

National
21. DesiQ2006, a conference on South Asian lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues.
Go directly to National listings

News
22. NEWS: Students applaud gay, lesbian textbook bill
23. NEWS: History lessons (by Sheila Kuehl)
24. NEWS: State Senate Endorses Teaching of Gays' Historical Achievements
Go directly to News listings

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

Fresno Unified District-Wide Trainings Address Anti-LGBTQ Harassment and Discrimination

Over the past year, the GSA Network has worked to help coordinate a proactive approach to help create a safer climate for all Fresno Unified students. In September of 2005, GSA Network youth offered their voice to this process by helping train teachers, staff and administrators for the district. These youth shared stories about their school experiences in and outside of the classroom, while also allowing educators to ask questions in a non-threatening environment. After the initial trainings took place, the educators who went through the September trainings became trainers for their co-workers and this Spring have been conducting training around what they learned about LGBTQ sensitivity.

For the past two weeks, GSA Network has been working with Fresno Unified to train peer educators to conduct on-site peer-to-peer trainings for all 9th grade classes. Some of the comments from Fresno Unified student trainers include…

“The presentation I give will help make Bullard into a more tolerant school.”
~ 11th grade trainer at Bullard High School

“I feel that the process we are going through is important because it shows us how to deal with many of the situations that we deal with in our everyday lives. I think that the training is fun and I want to do it again in the future. It is an excellent learning experience for everyone involved.”
~ 10th grade trainer at Edison High School

”The training was an amazing experience. I loved the role playing because it got everyone involved.”
~ 11th grade trainer at Duncan Polytechnical High School

"I have a friend, he's gay. They say the meanest things about him every day, and I see how much he hurts. I am here training today for him."
~11th grade trainer, Roosevelt High

After the youth leaders conducted the peer education workshops the 9th grade students have responded with comments…..

"I learned today that everybody--gay, lesbian, whatever--is equal. We should remember that when we talk to each other."
~9th grader, Roosevelt High

“I appreciate that we touched on this subject because I feel that these issues are getting worse day by day, instead of better. From now on I will definitely watch myself to not say, “That’s so gay!” as we often do. If I hear someone harassing another person for whatever reason, I will step in and tell the person to leave them alone or report it.”
~ 9th grader, Hoover High School

“I think it was very educational and I liked how the peer educators acted out the examples. They gave out a lot of important information.”
~ 9th grader, Hoover High School

“I did understand them and I did learn a lot. I learned not to talk about things that would offend somebody else because it could hurt them. No matter what people do or think you should always work to show tolerance.”
~ 9th grader, Hoover High School

“I think that today’s discussion was very interesting. It reminded me of where I should draw the line between my opinion and attacking someone. I didn’t think that my opinion would hurt someone else’s feelings. Next time I will think before saying things.”
~ 9th grader, Hoover High School

As of May 18th, GSA Network and FUSD will have helped to facilitate trainings for the entire district, including 10-12th curriculum about LGBTQ sensitivity. One administrator was quoted as saying, “WOW! This really works!” after watching peer educators conduct an on-site training.

This process has been a valuable learning experience for everyone involved. Knowing that one of the largest school districts in the Central Valley has started to work on such an important issue as creating safe places to learn brings hope to the possibility that other school districts in the generally conservative region will follow their lead.

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

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

Go online and fill out the evaluation on www.gsanetwork.org/yearendeval/index.php and be entered to win $100 for your GSA!
Drawing June 2nd, 2006

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Northern California Activist Camp - Oakland
July 28th - 30th, 2006

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
San Francisco Pride Parade - Commemorate-Educate-Liberate-Celebrate!
Sunday, June 25th. 10:30 AM
Marco Castro-Bojorquez
415-552-4229
marco@gsanetwork.org

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CENTRAL VALLEY
Fresno Rainbow Pride - 16th Annual GLBT Pride Parade & Festival
Saturday, June 3rd.
Contact: Ty Ryan
559-268-2780
ty@gsanetwork.org

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4. Historic LGBTQ-inclusive Curriculum Bill Passes Senate

GSA Network is pleased to announce that SB 1437 (The Bias-Free Curriculum Act) passed the Senate on Thursday. The bill now moves to the Assembly.

GSAs all over the state have been lobbying hard for this important legislation since Queer Youth Advocacy Day on March 6. Most recently, a group of Queer Youth Advocacy Day Leaders (Nicholas Chin, Justin Daley, Marina Gatto, Raul Hernandez, Kiran Savage-Sangwan, Yvonne Neis, and Garrett Rubin) returned to the Capitol to speak to legislators and drop off support letters during Equality California's Lobby Day on Monday, May 8.

You and your GSA can help to assure that SB 1437 passes and anti-LGBTQ bias is kept out of textbooks. Please visit www.gsanetwork.org/qyad to learn how you can reach out to your lawmakers by writing a letter, sending a postcard, sending an email message, and/or visiting your legislator at his/her district office.

May 11, 2006
SENATE PASSES HISTORIC BIAS-FREE CURRICULUM ACT
Sacramento, CA - Today, the Senate passed a bill that would prohibit biased curriculum and require that the contributions of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community, like other underrepresented groups, be included in the social science curriculum. The measure was approved by a 22-15 vote and now moves to the Assembly for consideration.

"The invisibility of LGBT people in history materials in schools exacerbates already hostile school climates in which homophobic bullying, harassment and violence are rampant. Studies show that a bias-free and LGBT-inclusive curriculum fosters tolerance, resulting in greater feelings of student safety and less bullying of students who are perceived to be lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender," said the bill's author Senator Shelia Kuehl (D-Santa Monica). "Today's vote brings us one step closer to our goal of safe schools for all children, and I am very grateful that so many of my colleagues in the California Senate saw the pressing need for this bill."

"All students deserve to learn history from a fair and balanced perspective," said Geoffrey Kors, Executive Director of Equality California (EQCA) who sponsored the bill. "SB 1437 also permits teachers to use their discretion and develop age appropriate materials within the social science curriculum."

According to the Gay Lesbian Straight Education Network's 2005 National School Climate Survey, in the last school year, 64% of LGBT students reported instances of anti-gay verbal harassment and an alarmingly 36% reported physical harassment on the basis of sexual orientation. These circumstances led to nearly two-thirds of LGBT students surveyed to feel unsafe at school, an outcome that manifests itself in the form of increased absenteeism, drop-out, depression and even suicide. According to the California Safe Schools Coalition's Safe Place to Learn report, California is no exception to this national trend, with more than 200,000 students estimated to experience harassment based on sexual orientation each year.

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5. Santa Clara County GSA SUMMIT! (San Jose)

The DeFrank Center and GSA Network present the Santa Clara County GSA SUMMIT!

Unite the south bay GSAs! For advisors, students, and allies.

Saturday May 25th 6:30 - 9:30 at
The Billy DeFrank LGBT Community Center
938 the Alameda
San Jose CA 95126
408-293-2429

Meet and greet other GSA members, socialize, network, share ideas, and learn how to better collaborate with each other.

PRE- SUMMIT OPEN HOUSE for Parents and Advisors
Saturday May 13th, 12-2 p.m. Come get a tour of the DeFrank Center and have your questions answered!

For more info, contact Marco Castro-Bojorquez at marco@gsanetwork.org.

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6. Support Youth Films at the SF LGBT Film Festival (San Francisco)

Juliana Spector form the GSA Network Northern California Youth Council, will be screening her movie "Stainless" on June 21 6:00 p.m. Roxie Film Center. Come and Join us to support Juliana!

San Francisco International LGBT Film Festival
June 15-25, 2006

The San Francisco International LGBT Film Festival celebrates its 30th anniversary this year with Frameline30, 11 days of the best queer cinema from home and abroad. Cinematic stories of love, lust, friends, family, good deeds and bad behavior span countries and communities, revealing a stunning diversity of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender aesthetics and experiences. Festival favorites such as Charles Busch, Margaret Cho and François Ozon return with new features, icons such as Tony Kushner and George Michael are profiled in hard-hitting documentaries, and there'll be plenty of fun in boys' and girls' shorts.

Advance tickets go on sale May 26 at the Frameline30 ticket outlet located inside Superstar Satellite, 474 Castro Street (between Market and 18th). Ticket Outlet hours are 1:00 pm-8:00 pm daily beginning Friday, May 26 (for Frameline members) and Friday, June 2 (for general). Tickets also are available online (www.frameline.org), by phone (925.866.9559), and by fax (925.866.9597). Unless otherwise noted, tickets are $10 general, $9 members; and $7 general, $6 members for screenings beginning at 5:00 pm or earlier. Castro Passes, good for admission to all screenings other than Opening Night and Closing Night, are available for $175. Daytime Matinee Passes, good for admission to all daytime screenings at the Castro Theatre on Friday, June 16 and Monday, June 19 through Friday, June 23 starting no later than 5pm, are available for $35. For more information, visit www.frameline.org.

Pick up a Program Guide starting Tuesday, May 23 for complete information on screenings at the magnificent Castro Theatre, CinéArts @ Empire, Roxie Film Center and Victoria Theatre in San Francisco, and the Parkway Theater in Oakland.
The complete schedule of Frameline30 films and events will be announced on May 23.

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7. GSA Network is Hiring! - Southern California Program Coordinator and Operations Director

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8. Become a Summer or Fall Intern with GSA Network

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

A great way to gain hands-on experience, build up your resume, and possibly get college credits.

These skills may include:
program
- outreach and technical assistance to high school and middle school GSAs
- curriculum development
- resource sheets and program material development
- working on media or press work
- lobbying and policy
- event planning
admin
- individual donor fundraising
- database systems

-GSA Network Internships are non-paid positions.
-This internship is located in our San Francisco Office and you must be available to work a minimum of 10 hours per week. Hours vary.

For more information or an application please contact tanya@gsanetwork.org or call Tanya @ 415-552-4229

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9. You Could Be a GSA Network Board Member

Are you...
- Passionate about GSA Network and our mission of empowering youth activists to fight homophobia and transphobia in schools?
- Able to commit to attending 4 board meetings a year (in person) plus committee calls by phone?
- Interested in learning how a nonprofit organization works and eager to help GSA Network?
- You are: 1) in high school now, 2) no more than a year past your graduation from high school, or 3) 19 years old or younger?

If you answered yes to these questions, you should apply to GSA Network's Governing Board.

GSA Network's Governing Board is a group of youth and adult allies who oversee the organization. Board members are responsible for organizational planning, evaluating, fundraising, and governing. The board meets four times a year in person, rotating between Southern, Northern, and Central California. Youth board members' travel expenses are paid. Youth board members' terms are for 1 year.

To apply, email mailto:carolyn@gsanetwork.org to request an application. Applications will be due by Monday, May 22nd. We hope to fill several board slots by July, so don't delay!

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As part of the queer film series at Crossroads, sponsored by FLAG (our gay/straight alliance), we will be having our last movie screening of the year on Wednesday, May 17th, from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. We invite you to join us for a great event!

We'll be screening the wonderful movie, My Beautiful Laundrette, starring a young and sexy Daniel Day-Lewis (see description below).

All students and faculty from Gay/Straight alliances and their friends are welcome. It's a great way to meet new friends, or see old ones. We've had students from many different GSAs at our films this year and it's been a blast!

The movie is FREE and free pizza and drinks will be provided (though donations always gladly accepted)! But please reply and let us know if you might come, so we have an idea of how much pizza to get. Directions are below.

**NOTE: This is our LAST movie of the year, your last chance to come and enjoy. You don't want to miss it!

My Beautiful Laundrette
DIR: Stephen Frears, 1985
In this film, Daniel Day Lewis gives an outstanding performance as a gay punk Londoner who falls in love with a young Indian laundromat owner (played compellingly by www.imdb.com/name/nm0912376/ Gordon Warnecke. This movie won multiple awards, was nominated for an Oscar for Best Screenplay, and is a favorite among critics and queer audiences. It touches on issues of race, class, sexuality, and how to have a lot of fun with soap suds.

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....
Hope the directions aren't too confusing. It's not really that hard once you see it, and you can always ask people.

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11. It's that time of the year again...time for Peer Party! (Los Angeles)

Peer Party is the youth section of the Christopher Street West L.A. Pride Festival. Peer Party provides LGBQT youth under 24 a safe place to socialize, express themselves, feel empowered, and enjoy a weekend filled with youth-oriented activities. Peer Party's main attractions this year are the "West Hollywood Idol" singing contest and the "Walk 4 Youth Empowerment". The Peer Party Planning Committee is led by youth leaders from the community.

Check out our all-new web site for more info, photos from Peer Party over the years, a writing contest, and more! The address is: www.cityx1.com/peerparty4

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12. Pride Center (San Bernardino)

After a three month break, the Rainbow Pride Youth Alliance is once again up and running in our new, permanent location. Learn more at www.RPYA.org

We now serve GLBTQ youth, and their straight allies ages 13 to 20. If you or anyone you know wants to know more, please contact us directly at youth@rpya.org or (909)725-0417

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Northern California

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13. Queer Young Woman's Video Project Screening (San Francisco)

Thursday, May 25th, 5pm to 6pm: Queer Young Women's Video Project Screening. See the world through the eyes of young women! 4 short films. 4 young women. 1 big event. Women sharing their perspectives on violence against women. See the final culmination of the Queer Young Women's Video Project at the FREE screening, hosted by Bay Are Video Coalition (BAVC) at 2727 Mariposa Street, 2nd Floor, San Francisco, CA 94110. BAVC is ADA accessible to people with disabilities. In order to make our events as accessible as possible, we're happy to provide reasonable accommodations upon request (e.g. reserved seating, larger print documents, ASL interpreters/translation services, etc.). Please let us know if there are ways that we can support your involvement in the Queer Young Women's Video Project Screening!

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14. The Felicia Park-Rogers Summer Internship Program at COLAGE (San Francisco)

Come work in the national headquarters of COLAGE this summer! COLAGE engages, connects and empowers people to make the world a better place for children of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and/or transgender (LGBT) parents and families.

The Felicia Park-Rogers Internship Program

The COLAGE Summer Internship Program is named for our visionary former director Felicia Park-Rogers who started the summer internship program during her leadership of COLAGE. We honor her commitment to people with LGBT parents, creativity, energy and years of leadership through 10-week internships that promote development of young leadership, allow participants a hands-on look at the non-profit field, teach interns about LGBT families issues, and promise to be a lot of fun!

COLAGE is the only national organization serving people with LGBT parents, therefore presenting a unique perspective on LGBT issues, and providing a once in a lifetime opportunity for interns. This is a hands-on job: you won't just be filing, you'll get to use your creativity and initiative. We are looking for team players who are motivated to learn, share, play, and work hard in support of COLAGE's mission. Interns will assist the staff on current or new projects, with both local and national events, and with office management.

Preferred qualifications
· Computer literate (especially on PC's), knowledge ofOffice 2000, FileMaker Pro, HTML, and desktop publishing programs a plus.
· Experience and comfort with email and phone-based organizing and networking.
· Experience and comfort working with youth and families
· Self-motivated, flexible, and full of initiative
· People with LGBT parent/s

Requirements
Summer interns receive a modest stipend (DOE $1500-2500) for a ten-week, full time internship including some evenings and weekends. We will help you find low-cost or free housing when possible.
· Must make at least a ten-week, full-time commitment during the summer.
· Must be 18 or over if not from the Bay Area, 15 or over from the Bay Area.
· Must be LGBT-positive

COLAGE is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer
· People of color, people with disabilities, and people with LGBT parents especially encouraged to apply.

How to Apply for Summer Internships
Deadline: Wednesday, May 24th
Please mail, email, or fax us the following information:
1. Your resume;
2. A cover letter sharing your interest in working for
COLAGE and qualifications;
3. Contact information for two people who will serve as references and can attest to your experience and skills.

We ideally are looking for folks to work June 12th- August 18th in our San Francisco office.

COLAGE also has fall/spring work-study internships; if you are interested contact COLAGE for more information.

Need more info? Want to apply?
COLAGE, 1550 Bryant St., Suite 825
SF CA 94103
phone: 415-861-5437 fax (415) 255-8345,
www.colage.org

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15. Make some $$ at Gay Pride (Sacramento)

We're looking for someone to help us recruit participants at our booth at the Sacramento Gay Pride Festival (www.sacpride.org) on Saturday June 10, 2006.

We are an Evanston Northwestern Healthcare research group and are conducting a study on the genetics of sexual orientation (http://www.gaybros.com). The group, led by Alan Sanders, M.D., is seeking one helper to assist on June 10th, from 10 am to 6 pm, with the distribution of brochures and collection of names and contact information. The helper will be paid $100 each in cash at the end of the day along with up to $20 worth of food/beverage at the festival.

If you or anyone you know (such as students, research assistants, LGBT activists, etc.) might be interested, please feel free to forward this email or reply to Jules more information @ jules@northwestern.edu

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16. Intergenerational Story Telling Project (San Francisco)

Attention LGBTQQ Young People!
You are invited to be a part of the LYRIC/New Leaf Intergenerational Story Telling Project "Sharing Our LGBTQ History"

WHAT IS THE STORYTELLING PROJECT?
Seeking LGBTQQ identified young people interested in participating in a storytelling project with elders within the LGBT Community.
This intergenerational experience will provide participants with a unique opportunity to exchange life stories with LGBT Elders. The
stories will be recorded and edited in a radio/audio format.

ELIGIBILITY
LGBTQQ young people 24 and under.

COST?
The cost of participation is FREE. Participants will receive a monetary stipend for participation of at least $100.00 and may be
eligible for a paid internship.

WHEN?
1. Orientation May 13: 1-4 pm (EVRC)
2. Storytelling/Interviewing Skills May 21: 1-4pm (LYRIC)
3. Using Audio equipment May 24: 4:30 ˆ 6:30 pm (EVRC)
4. Actual Recording of Stories Week of April 29 - June 3 - (TBA)
5. Presentation of Stories & Wrap Up June 10: 1-4pm (EVRC)

WHERE?
LYRIC & Eureka Valley Recreation Center (EVRC) Both are located on Collingwood St. (corner of 18th). LYRIC is at 127 Collingwood and
EVRC is across the street.HOW CAN YOU BE A PART OF THIS EXCITING PROJECT?

To learn more about the Storytelling Project you can attend an information session at LYRIC on May 9th or May 11th from 5 - 6pm.
Contact Don Sanders at (415) 703-6150 X 16 (don@lyric.org) for more information or to sign up to participate.

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17. Two Pride Events with LYRIC (San Francisco)

Event 1:
Friday, June 23rd, 3pm-6pm: LYRIC's All Ages BBQ and Picnic! Dolores Park, 19th Street and Dolores Street. We are inviting you and your crew to LYRIC's all ages BBQ. Bring your mom, dad, sister, brother, uncle, boyfriend, girlfriend, best friend, or just your favorite person and have some great food and good times in Dolores Park! Dolores Park is accessible on MUNI's 33, 26, and J Lines. In order to make our events as accessible as possible, we're happy to provide reasonable accommodations upon request (e.g. reserved seating, larger print documents, ASL interpreters/translation services, etc.). Please let us know if there are ways that we can support your involvement in LYRIC's Pride Events! Like all LYRIC events, the picnic is a clean and sober space. For more information, visit the event website http://www.lyric.org/pride.html or e-mail Erica Newport at Erica@lyric.org.

Event 2:
Friday, June 23rd 8pm-12am: Pop my Skittles! LYRIC's Annual Pride Dance is at Eureka Valley Recreation Center, 100 Collingwood Street and 18th Street (across the street from LYRIC). Dance the night away! DJ LUNA will be spinning tasty beats all night long! The dance is for folks 24 and under. Like all LYRIC events the dance is FREE! Snacks and refreshments aplenty. The Eureka Valley Recreation Center is accessible on MUNI's M, L, K, 33, and 24 Lines. In order to make our events as accessible as possible, we're happy to provide reasonable accommodations upon request (e.g. reserved seating, larger print documents, ASL interpreters/translation services, etc.). Please let us know if there are ways that we can support your involvement in LYRIC's Pride Events! Like all LYRIC events, the dance is a clean and sober space. For more information, visit the event website http://www.lyric.org/pride.html or e-mail Erica Newport at Erica@lyric.org.

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18. THIS SATURDAY!! Unchained Conference - Young Women's Health Fair - Unchained Dance (San Francisco)

Saturday, May 20th
1 day! 3 big events for LGBTQQ youth!
Join over 400 hundred youth for a day of workshops, food, performances, and an opportunity to connect with community organizations from around the Bay Area!
Register online and learn more about these events at www.lyric.org

Unchained Conference and Young Women's Heath Fair, two of LYRIC's most popular events, are together at last! The conference is a chance for queer youth and their allies of all backgrounds to connect with their peers, learn from one another, and have some fun. The fair is a sex-positive event for lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer women-attend workshops, get resources, and did we mention gift bags?!
WHO: LGBTQQ youth (24 & under) and their allies (including teachers/adult allies!)
WHAT: New workshops, new performers, and a chance to connect with other youth!
WHEN: Saturday, May 20th, 10a.m. - 6p.m.
WHERE: Everett Middle School , 450 Church St. (@ 17th St.), San Francisco , CA

The Unchained Dance ©it's back! At a new location, at a new time, and with new DJs. Come to the conference and fair, but make sure you stay
for the dance!WHO: LGBTQQ youth (24 & under)
WHAT: A bangin' after-party with guest DJs and door prizes!
WHEN: Saturday, May 20th, 8p.m. - 12a.m . (midnight)
WHERE: EVRC, 100 Collingwood St. (@ 18th St.), San Francisco , CA (Castro District)
Wanna lead a workshop, provide a resource table, become an event volunteer, or perform?

If so, go to www.lyric.org/Unchained06.html and submit your workshop, tabling, volunteer, or performance proposal online! All proposals are due this Thursday, April 20th. Questions? Contact Denny David at 415.703.6150 x28 or email denny@lyric.org and find out how you can get involved with these upcoming events.

LYRIC is thrilled to bring you the 2nd annual Unchained Conference and the 11th annual Young Women's Health Fair, co-sponsored by GLSEN San Francisco-East Bay, Spectrum, and Billy DeFrank LGBT Community Center.

The Unchained Conference is a hot opportunity for queer youth and their allies of all backgrounds to connect with their peers in an inclusive and safe space, to build relationships with other youth, and to gain skills/tools to effect positive change in oneself and one's community. This conference seeks to prioritize youth of color by developing content that reflects the experiences of their communities.

The Young Women's Health Fair, now in its 11th year, is a progressive and sex positive event - an opportunity for LBTQQ young women to come together to talk and learn about sex and controversial topics that are not discussed in mainstream health education.

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19. Unite with Education Not Incarceration for Youth (Oakland)

Empowerment Day to Stop Youth Pushouts from School and Into Prison

Saturday, June 3rd, 6-9PM
McClymonds Educational Complex, 2607 Myrtle Street
Featuring: Lennox Hinds, Barbara Becnel, Camila Chavez & R&B/Pop Artist Raz B (formerly of B2K);
Suggested Donation:$10-$15 for Adults; $5-$10 for
Youth No-one will be turned away for lack of funds!!

In inner-cities over 50% of African American males do not finish high school; 72% of these pushouts were jobless in their 20s; by their mid-thirties, 60% had spent time in prison*. Latino , Native American and Asian Pacific Islander students face similar plights.
In Oakland, statistics are higher. 73% of African American males do not finish school; over 50% of our entire student body!** On June 3, join us in developing solutions!Lennox Hinds is the lawyer for Nelson Mandela and South Africa, the Rwandan genocide, and former lawyer of Angela Davis; Barbara Becnel is the lawyer for Stanly "Tooki" Williams and a gubernatorial candidate, and Camila Chavez is the daughter of Dolores Huerta and founder of the Dolores Huerta Foundation. Students will also have an opportunity to meet and hear words of support from famous R&B Pop artist Raz B, formerly of B2K.

Education Not Incarceration (www.ednotinc.org) has a three year history of developing curriculum and engaging students ranging from K-12 in taking action to change their world. Our history has also included mobilization of a coalition of community, parent, youth, educator, labor and interfaith organizations to acheachievee equitable funding for our schools and less funding for the prison industrial complex. Our curriculum has been featured on the California Teachers Association and National Education Association websites.

More Information: www.ednotinc.org, or email ednotinc@riseup.net or 510.533.3204

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20. TODAY! EMERGENCY RALLY to demand foll rights to ALL Immigrants (San Francisco)

MI GENTE!

Last night President Bush announced that 6,000 troops are going to patrol the border between Mexico and the USA!

Congress is moving to pass a bill that will effect us all!

Join us for an EMERGENCY Rally and March Wednesday, May 17, 2006 at 5 PM at the United Nations Plaza

Attached is the flyer pleasssssssssse pass it on to everyone on your e list! Make copies and pass them out today por favor!

Si Se Puede!

En La Lucha!

Sponsored by the Bay Area May 1st Coalition for Immigrant Rights / For more info call (650)291-0293 or (415)821-6545.

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21. DesiQ2006, a conference on South Asian lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues.

Trikone (www.trikone.org) is proud to host DesiQ2006, a conference on South Asian lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues.

At DesiQ 2006, we will be taking a moment to look at the overall picture, revisit the visions from 2000 and formulate an action plan to move forward. This conference aims at encouraging and empowering individuals to get involved and act, as independent contributors or leaders to unify the community towards greater political and social strength. More info on this at www.desiq.org

Although the event is in San Francisco, we are hoping participants not only from all of bay area, but all of US and some from other countries too. We will try to arrange carpools if necessary.

Register NOW so we get a better idea as to how many people are coming. Your registration fees and donations will help us get more speakers and make this conference a big success. If you can not register for the whole conference, there are options to register for a day or even just show up for one of the entertainment events like the Queer film night, Queer artists performances or the friday evening gala. Please Please Please... Register fast.

We have a lot of interesting workshops that we are considering. Nothing is final yet and your input is most welcome. Tell us what you would like to discuss and we will try to get a workshop on the matter.
Queer Spaces, Places, and Gender: Gender Queer Tropologies
Delectable Diva Dykes workshop (presented in 2000) - Variation or same
HIV/AIDS and Community Building workshop
The Bollywood Closet
Workshop on S. 377
Queer Leathersex or what makes kinky sex hot!
American Indian Two Sprits
Media training on how to become effective spokespeople for their issues
Panel discussion and/or workshop on Queer South Asian Media.
Marriage - Same Sex Marriage Case
Creating Change
"Non-South Asian allies in LGBTQ South Asian
organizations: a presentation and discussion"
Criminalization of Queer History
Bi-Sexualtiy
Healing from Violence, same-sex violence
Hijra
Sharing Field Experiences of Documenting Profiles of Lesbian
women and the Formation of Parma women's same sex relationship support
group, Gujarat, India
How to understand and appreciate Kathak Dance. A lecture demonstration on the Art of Kathak Dance with viewer participation that will give the participants an actual feeling of the dance.
Coalition Building: Threading Through Non-Queer Community
Fuzzy Boundaries: Gender, Sex and Sexuality among South Asians.
Domestic Violence/Relationship Violence in the Queer API Community
To Wed or Just to Bed On human spirituality and sexuality -
TRANSGENDER IN THE SOUTH ASIAN CONTEXT
Hand gestures(Hastamudra), body movements(Angikabhinaya) & Eye Movements (Drishti Bheda)
Thats a long list. Now... we are still getting more proposals... and the workshops committe will shortlist the workshops finally.

The DesiQ Core Team,
Rajat, Roke, Rakesh, Punam, Hrishi and Nony
Contact email: desiq06@gmail.com

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22. NEWS: Students applaud gay, lesbian textbook bill

By Matt King
Santa Cruz Sentinel
May 14, 2006

Since Joya Cazel began identifying as a lesbian last year, she's been harassed, heckled and hazed, called a faggot and worse.

"I have had a lot of harassment happen to me at school," the eighth-grader at Shoreline Middle School said. "Some of the things that are said to me are horrible."

Jacob Breslow didn't have such a hard time because "somebody walking down the street wouldn't look at me and think, 'Oh, that person is gay.' Because of that I wasn't stereotyped."

But Breslow, now a freshman at UC Santa Cruz who works with gay and lesbian youth, said he's seen and heard plenty of abuse since he came out in eighth-grade.

"It wasn't all directed personally at me, but the climate of the school was pretty bad," Breslow said of growing up in Lafayette. "There were a lot of slurs."

Gay and lesbian students may soon have a new ally in their fight for acceptance - a proposed state law that, if passed, would require California textbooks to note the accomplishments of gays and lesbians in history and ban any materials that criticize people based on their sexual orientation.

"I think including gay history in textbooks will throw a more positive bent on the homosexual population instead of the negative things I hear every day," Cazel said. "It's because people are not educated. I don't know who my gay heros in history are, and if I don't know, then nobody else at my school does and that's sad."

But the controversial bill - written by Sen. Sheila Kuehl, the state's first openly gay legislator - is reviving a long-running debate about the intersection of morality and sexual orientation with traditional classroom subjects. Parents of gay youth and other supporters argue that teaching children about notable gay figures will inspire youth struggling with their sexual orientation and make schools safer and more tolerant.

To read the full article, visit:
http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/archive/2006/May/14/local/stories/01local.htm

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23. NEWS: History lessons

May 13, 2006
LA Times

I was extremely disappointed to read your May 9 editorial on my Senate B