GSA Network News archives

GSA Network News Email Archive - October 2007

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Sign Up for GSA Network News! Email:

October 31, 2007

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

GSA Network Highlight
New Easier-to-Use Make It Real: AB 537 Campaign Guide Now Available!
Go directly to GSA Network highlight

GSA Network Announcements
1. Awesome New Resources Are on the Way to All GSAs!
2. Register for YES 2007!
3. Join the Southern California Youth Council!!
4. Re-register Your GSA today - Get New Resources & Keep Informed!!
5. Need Something to Wear? Buy a GSA Power T-shirt!
Go directly to GSA Network announcements

Other Announcements
Southern California
6. Hike the Hollywood Hills (Los Angeles)
7. Queer Pin@y Conference (San Diego)
8. Pride Festival Teen Zone (Palm Springs)
9. Film Viewing: Shelter (Los Angeles)
10. 5th Annual ThanXgiving Youth Social (West Hollywood)
Go directly to Southern California listings

Northern California
11. Volunteer at CUAV! (San Francisco)
12. Forum and Fair: Creating Inclusive Environments for LGBT Families (San Francisco)
13. Register Now: Strengthening the Youth Worker Voice (Bay Area)
14. LIFT Open House (San Francisco)
15. Due Process: Justice for Youth, by Youth (Bay Area)
Go directly to Northern California listings

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

New Easier-to-Use Make It Real: AB 537 Campaign Guide Now Available!

This week, your GSA will receive our brand new Make It Real: AB 537 Campaign Guide as part of your year-start packets. This version is a much shorter and streamlined version of the Make It Real handbook (available at http://www.gsanetwork.org/resources) and is a super simple way to get the information that you and your GSA need to start a campaign at your school to ensure there are Safe Schools for All!

Here’s a sneak peek at what this guide has to offer:

• Understand what your rights are under the California Student Safety & Violence Prevention Act of 2000 (aka AB 537) & how your school should be protecting you and other LGBTQ and ally students from harassment and discrimination.

• Learn how to file an official complaint if your school isn’t protecting you or other students & learn how to follow-up to make sure you get effective results.

• Find out how to create an activism campaign with your GSA to make change at your school by doing the following:
-- Identifying your issues & who your targets are
-- Creating a plan & timeline
-- Recruiting allies & responding to opponents
-- Taking action with creative tactics
-- Evaluating your accomplishments

• Read all about potential ideas, tactics, and days of action your GSA can carry out to help create a safer, more supportive learning environment for all students.

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

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1. Awesome New Resources Are on the Way to All GSAs!

This week all currently registered GSAs in California will be receiving a year-start packet from GSA Network. These packets contain many exciting resources your club can use to plan days of actions and to juice up your activism in school this year, including:

--a yearly calendar of events!
--a brand new campaign guide about how to fight LGBTQ-inclusive curriculum in your school: Sharing Our Stories!
--three streamlined, easier-to-use guides for our three most popular campaign handbooks: Make It Real, Take It Back, and Beyond the Binary!

If you do not receive your packet by the end of this week, your GSA might not be currently registered with us. You can register/re-register at http://www.gsanetwork.org/register and then explain in the “Tell Us How GSA Network Can Help Your GSA” section that you want to be sent the new campaign guides.

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2. Register for YES 2007!

GSA Network Presents the 2007 Youth Empowerment Summit!
Saturday, December 8 - San Francisco, CA

YES is a FREE conference for LGBTQQI youth activists and their allies who are dedicated to defeating homophobia and transphobia, and creating safe and supporting schools for everyone. The target audience is high school and middle school students, teachers, GSA advisors and the community. The YES conference is a chance for LGBTQQI and straight ally youth to network and enjoy free workshops on activism and topics related to queer life.

Registration is now on-line at http://gsanetwork.org/yes

For presenter and community table faire info, please send your organization's information to Marco Castro-Bojorquez at mailto:marco@gsanetwork.org or call 415-552-4229.

Who: LGBTQQI youth activists and their allies
Where: Everett Middle School, 450 Church Street, San Francisco,CA
When: Saturday, December 8, 2007 - 9:00 am-5:00 pm
Cost: FREE, including breakfast and lunch!
What else: The after-YES dance will take place from 5:00-8:00pm at the Everett cafeteria!!

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3. Join the Southern California Youth Council!!

The SoCal Youth Council is a diverse group of youth leaders from GSAs all over Southern California. As a member of the youth council, you will learn skills to become a stronger activist and work toward creating a safer climate at your school for LGBTQ youth and straight allies. You will get support around mounting a campaign, event planning, and starting a GSA club on your campus.

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

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

Our next SoCal Youth Council meeting will take place on Saturday, November 16th.
For more info, email mailto:marco@gsanetwork.org
http://www.myspace.com/socalgsanetwork

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4. Re-register Your GSA today - Get New Resources & Keep Informed!!

Before you plan any events for your GSA, remember to register or re-register your group with the GSA Network. Do it NOW to make sure you receive our student resource sheets, campaign resources, and notifications of future GSA Network or LGBT-related events. (Mailings will go out only to California GSAs in middle and high schools.)

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

If you have any questions or concerns contact:
mailto:info@gsanetwork.org
415-552-4229

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5. Need Something to Wear? Buy a GSA Power T-shirt!

Another GSA Network T-shirt hot off the press... Cafepress that is. Do you just love our GSA Power postcard? Well, now it's a shirt. Buy it today and help support GSA Network!

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

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

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

So, help support GSAs and look cool doing it.

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

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++++++++++++++++ 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. Hike the Hollywood Hills (Los Angeles)

LifeWorks Fall Hike
Sunday 11/04 at 11am

Join us next Sunday at Runyon Canyon for a beautiful hike in the Hollywood Hills. Meet new people, get some fresh air, and enjoy a free lunch! For LGBTQ youth ages 14-24 and our allies.

This is a chill, beginner level hike, so if hiking is new to you that's okay, this is a great way to try something new.

Let us know you're coming! Email mailto:rsvp@lifeworksmentoring.org or give us a call at 310-724-6300

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7. Queer Pin@y Conference (San Diego)

Kamalayan Kollective of UCSD will be hosting this academic school year's Queer Pin@y Conference (pronounced Queer Pinay Pinoy Conference) on November 3rd with the support of UCSD's Cross-Cultural Center, Women's Center, LGBT Resource Center, Queer People of Color, Kaibigang Pilipino, kaBayanihan: PSST, SIAPS and the Student Affirmative Action Committee. Out theme "And Still We Rise" allows us to recognize that the endeavours and fights of the Queer Pin@y community are not specific to our community, but that we share similar endeavours with other Queer People of Color.

Come join us for a progressive day of educating one another, as we address gender and sexuality, the marginalization of Queer Womyn of Color and Queer Men of Color.

If you're interested in registering for this event, email the following information to mailto:qpc007@gmail.com.

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8. Pride Festival Teen Zone (Palm Springs)

Rainbow Pride Youth Alliance/Inland Empire is hosting the first ever Teen Zone @ the Palm Springs Pride Festival, 3-4 Nov 2007. Games, resource info, entertainment, picture booth and youth-only space where you can kick it with friends...Come check us out!!

VOLUNTEERS also needed for Teen Zone.

To volunteer, you must be b/w ages 13-20 years and be able to work at least one full shift at the festival that weekend.

To sign-up, contact Rainbow Pride Youth Alliance: 909.725-0417 or mailto:moreinfo@rpya.org. Ask for Wil or Maggie.

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9. Film Viewing: Shelter (Los Angeles)

As part of the queer film series at Crossroads, sponsored by FLAG (our gay/straight alliance), we will be having our next movie screening of the year on Wednesday, Nov. 14th, from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. We invite you to join us!

We'll be screening a film called Shelter, a sexy and moving gay-surfers-coming-out-love story that was featured at many queer film festivals this year. We'll also be showing a short film called Davy & Stu, about two Scottish boys on the brink of expressing love for each other.

Special bonus!-no guarantees at this point, but it looks like the directors of both movies will be with us-and maybe the stars of the gay surfer movie as well!

We're expecting a fun, full house at this event, and we thank all the students from all the schools who came to our last movie night.

We'll get back to you in a week or two with more information about the evening, but right now we wanted to tell you so that you could:
1) Mark the date on your calendar, schedule, etc.
2) Talk to your friends about coming
3) Talk to your gsa about coming
4) Arrange for rides

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.

The movie is FREE and free food and drinks will be provided! But please reply and let us know if you might come, so we have an idea of how much food to get.

Take care,
Adam Behrman
Crossroads School
Advisor, FLAG

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10. 5th Annual ThanXgiving Youth Social (West Hollywood)

It’s almost that time of the year again...time for our 5th Annual ThanXgiving Youth Social!

This free event will take place on Saturday, November 17th, 2007 from 6:00pm-9:00pm at Plummer Park in West Hollywood (7377 Santa Monica Blvd.).

We will have free food, live youth performances, giveaways, and some special surprises. The social is for LGTBQ youth (14-24) and their allies. This will be an alcohol-tobacco-free event.

Also, we have created a special event web site at http://www.cityx1.com/thanx.

There are also Volunteer opportunities available. Click on the ‘volunteer’ button on our event web site for more info.

Mark your calendars now!!!

The Youth of C.I.T.Y. x1
Web: http://www.cityx1.com
E-mail: mailto:webmail@cityx1.com
HotLine: (310) 712-3918

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Northern California
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11. Volunteer at CUAV! (San Francisco)

Concerned about hate violence & domestic violence in queer communities?
Want to be an ally to victims and survivors of Hate Violence and Domestic violence?
Why not volunteer at Community United Against Violence (CUAV)!

CUAV is currently looking for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, & questioning folks and their allies who are:
* Compassionate people willing to listen to others
* Folks who are committed to the struggle to end racism, sexism, classism, heterosexism, and all other oppressions

Fall 2007 TRAINING DATES:
Saturdays: November 3, 10, 17 10:00am - 5:30 pm
Sundays: November 4, 11 10:00am - 5:3 0 pm
Sunday November 18 11:00am-3 :00pm

Full attendance at ALL training days is required!

For more information, contact Oscar at CUAV
415-777-5500, ext 306
mailto:oscar@cuav.org

Folks of color, transgender folks, women, and survivors of violence strongly encouraged to volunteer. We offer stipends to bilingual counselors.

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12. Forum and Fair: Creating Inclusive Environments for LGBT Families (San Francisco)

San Francisco Elementary School Forum and Fair: Creating Inclusive Environments for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Families

The San Francisco Elementary School Forum and Fair will offer parents, teachers, and principals an opportunity to engage in dialogue about creating, maintaining, and strengthening a safe and inclusive environment for all of our children.

Over 40 public and private schools from the area will be tabling. This is not only a perfect event for parents seeking an elementary school for their children, but also a great event for parents with children already in elementary school to talk to schools about their LGBT policies and curriculum. Please join us in this unique and exciting opportunity to make your voice heard in our schools.

Date: Saturday, November 3, 2007
Time: 11:30am-3:30pm
Elementary School Fair: 11:30am-1:00pm (tabling by 40+ public & independent schools)
Forum: 1:00pm-3:30pm
Location: Harvey Milk Civil Rights Academy
4235 19th St at Collingwood, San Francisco

Lunch will be provided at 11:30am

Free childcare! Please RSVP by October 26 to Julia at mailto:julia@ourfamily.org or 415-981-1960. Your RSVP should indicate whether you require childcare.

****Do you want your school to have a table at the fair? Contact Julia at mailto:Julia@ourfamily.org or 415-981-1960.****

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13. Register Now: Strengthening the Youth Worker Voice (Bay Area)

The Youth Development Peer Network is excited to be sponsoring a conversation on Strengthening the Youth Worker Voice on TUESDAY, November 6 from 11am to 1pm. The purpose of this conversation is to form a collective voice of youth workers that will move the YDPN's worker-centered workforce development agenda forward.

What does that mean? Well...The YDPN represent youth workers. That's YOU! In an effort to build a stronger voice for youth workers, we are launching the development of a worker-centered agenda that clearly articulates our needs as workers ( e.g. days of rejuvenation and self-care, training, benefits, career ladders, flex time...to name a few). We as workers are always caught between our organization/agencies goals and the needs we see in the community. Often times, we forget about our own needs.

This is a forum for you to speak your reality, connect with your intention, and translate both your reality and intention into a YDPN worker-centered agenda. Please help shape the future of the YDPN!

To register, visit: http://youthworkervoice.eventbrite.com/

You can also help out the YDPN by telling your colleagues, associates, friends, and family about this amazing opportunity!

Peace,
Your Friendly, Neighborhood YDPN
p.s. For more information, please check out the YDPN website at: http://ydpn.bay.area.googlepages.com

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14. LIFT Open House (San Francisco)

Tuesday, November 6th
LIFT Core Group Meeting
3pm - 5pm

INFO: An "Open House" for all youth ages 16-24 who are interested in meeting other people and becoming a part of a peer-driven committee to decide on, plan, and produce events for other youth their age.

Call Jacob for more info. (415) 412-3077

ABOUT LIFT: LIFT Bay Area is an HIV prevention project for at-risk youth. LIFT hosts free events and workshops, for youth of all genders between the ages of 16-24, that are designed to enhance self-confidence and personal awareness while providing opportunities to develop meaningful relationships through shared experiences and trust-building. LIFT events are drug and alcohol-free. LIFT seeks to create a health-oriented non-judgmental atmosphere of self-care and mutual respect. We strive to keep youth safe by encouraging communication and providing tools necessary to make healthy informed decisions for years to come.

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15. Due Process: Justice for Youth, by Youth (Bay Area)

Introducing a bold new five-day curriculum experience that examines AB 537 and the intersections of social identity and safety.

Bring Due Process to Your School!

In this five-day peer education curriculum experience, students have the opportunity to lead a mock trial and create a school safety plan in response to a fictional situation involving a pattern of harassment and bias that culminates in a hate crime at school against a transgender youth of color.

Due Process engages students in deeper explorations of how social identity impacts their safety at school, and provides a space for students to think about what they can do as members of their school community to make their school safer for all students.

The accompanying Equity Action Kit: Change Thru Action! provides activities and resources for students to extend the impact of what they experienced in Due Process. The kit offers fun, interactive, and informative ways for students to raise LGBTQ and other social identity issues with their peers and to take action to change their own school's climate.

Get Involved in the Launch!

On Saturday, November 17th from 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. (Location TBA), Ally Action will launch our first Due Process Training-of-Trainers. Youth members of Ally Action's Awareness Leadership Team (ALT) will train students from various campuses with the knowledge and skills they need to lead Due Process in their own school communities.

Want to find out more!

If you're interested in attending the training and/or having Due Process in your school, contact Jillian Ross (mailto:jillian@allyaction.org) for more information or visit http://www.allyaction.org.

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October 24, 2007

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

GSA Network Highlight
Getting Ready for Transgender Day of Remembrance
Go directly to GSA Network highlight

GSA Network Announcements
1. Supporting Southern California
2. Register for YES 2007!
3. Art For Change!
4. Join the Southern California Youth Council!
5. GSA Network Supports Workplace Rights for All & Calls for Inclusive ENDA
6. Re-register Your GSA today - Get New Resources & Keep Informed
7. Need Something to Wear? Buy a GSA Power T-shirt
Go directly to GSA Network announcements

Other Announcements
Southern California
8. Trick or Treat Halloween Party (Los Angeles)
9. Hike the Hollywood Hills (Los Angeles)
10. Pride Festival Teen Zone (Palm Springs)
11. Queer Pin@y Conference (San Diego)
12. 5th Annual ThanXgiving Youth Social (West Hollywood)
Go directly to Southern California listings

Central Valley
13. Family Fun Night (Modesto)
Go directly to Central Valley listings

Northern California
14. Celebrate Halloween with AQU25A! (San Francisco)
15. Film Screening: It’s STILL Elementary (San Francisco)
16. Bat Out of Hell (San Francisco)
17. LYRIC’s 5th Annual Queer Grrl Retreat (San Francisco)
18. A Halloween Gathering (El Cerrito)
19. Frameline's Generations Film Workshop (San Francisco)
20. Volunteer at CUAV! (San Francisco)
21. Forum and Fair: Creating Inclusive Environments for LGBT Families (San Francisco)
22. Due Process: Justice for Youth, by Youth (Bay Area)
Go directly to Northern California listings

Jobs
23. Community Organizer (San Francisco)
Go directly to Jobs listings

News
24. NEWS: Gay Rights Measure Targeted
25. NEWS: "Fag" Is Turning into a High School Insult for Any Guy Who Doesn't Play Football
Go directly to News listings

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

Getting Ready for Transgender Day of Remembrance

Transgender Day of Remembrance will take place on November 20, 2007 and we want to help you get ready to hold a successful event at your school! Below you'll find some ideas and resources to get you started.

According to the Remembering Our Dead website (http://www.rememberingourdead.org), this day commemorates all those who have been killed due to anti-transgender hatred or prejudice. Initially started in 1998 as a memorial for the slain Rita Hester, many activists and organizers have used this day to commemorate victims (and survivors) of gender-based brutality.

The Transgender Day of Remembrance serves several purposes. It raises public awareness of hate crimes against transgender people, an action that current media doesn’t perform. Day of Remembrance publicly mourns and honors the lives of transgender people who might otherwise be forgotten. Through the vigil, we express love and respect in the face of national indifference and hatred. Day of Remembrance gives transgender people and their allies a chance to step forward and stand in vigil, memorializing those who’ve died by anti-transgender violence. Putting on the Day of Remembrance in schools can also be used as a way to educate students, teachers, and administrators about transgender issues, so we can try to prevent anti-transgender hatred and violence from continuing.

In Remembrance
Sakia Gunn, 15, (Newark, New Jersey) was a gender non-conforming lesbian who was targeted because of her gender presentation. Sakia Gunn was not like most girls in her neighborhood. She refused to wear pink even as a young child. Her mother laughs when asked if Sakia played with dolls. When they were given to her as toys, she immediately cut off their hair, she says. For as long as anyone can remember, Sakia preferred baggy jeans and a T-shirt over dresses and skirts. On a hot night in June, Sakia and her friends were returning from the Chelsea Piers in downtown Manhattan, a hangout for mostly queer youth of color, to Newark, New Jersey. When Sakia and her friends, refused the advances of a couple of men, Sakia was subsequently stabbed and passed away on the way to the hospital.

Gwen Araujo, 17, (Newark, California) chose the name, Gwen, after her favorite star, Gwen Stefani, from the group No Doubt. Before her untimely death, her skirt was lifted up for people to see that she was born biologically male before she was beaten and buried in a shallow grave.

Nireah Johnson, 17, (Indianapolis, Indiana) was murdered by a man who became enraged when he discovered that Nireah, the young woman he was attracted to, was transgender. Nireah and a friend, 18-year-old Brandie Coleman, were shot in the head while sitting in a SUV.

Stephanie Thomas, 19, and Ukea Davis, 18, (Washington, DC) were friends found shot to death together. They were a part of SMYL (Sexual Minority Youth Liaison) and were often teased for being feminine. Stephanie started wearing dresses and makeup at the age of 14. Her mother commented that “on the school bus kids tormented her, so she would get off and walk a couple miles to the school.” Through a transgender health group, Stephanie met Ukea Davis, another transgender woman. They supported one another, especially when classmates--and even teachers--harassed them about their gender identity.

Over the past year, several transgender people have lost their lives due to hate crimes, but this is unfortunately just the tip of the iceberg of people killed worldwide due to bias and hatred based on gender identity and expression. Most of the victims were people of color who came from working class backgrounds. Originally, the Transgender Day of Remembrance was a day of mourning and commemoration of those who have been killed due to anti-transgender hatred. Currently, students across California are also using this day as a way to educate their GSAs and their schools about transgender violence, inclusivity, and identities.

Taking Action!
These guiding principles have been developed by the organizers of the Day of Remembrance. You can use these words to help frame your message and tone for the day.
• “Those who cannot remember the past are doomed to repeat it.” (Santayana)
• All who die due to anti-transgender violence are to be remembered
• It is up to us to remember these people, since their killers, law enforcement, and the media often seek to erase their existence.
• Transgender lives are affirmed as valuable.
• We can make a difference by being visible, speaking out, educating and organizing around anti-transgender violence, which can effect change.

Here are some ideas of things you can do:
• Candlelight Vigils / Marches
• Discussion forums with local activists, politicians, or school officials
• Performance Actions
• Poetry or spoken word art readings
• Visual representation of the number of deaths with:
• Cardboard Tomb Stones of Remembered People
• Paper Cutouts of Remembered People
• Body Outline Chalkings of Remembered People
• Teach-Ins and Speakers Bureaus
• Art / Photography Displays
• Movie screenings (such as “Boys Don’t Cry”)
• Trans 101 trainings for staff or any interested people
• Anything else that reflects the grounding principles of the day that you can imagine

Gender Identity Resources
• “About a Boy Who Isn’t” (article) by Benoit Denizet-Lewis. The New York Times Magazine, May 26, 2002.
• Call Me Kate: The Story of Katherine Marlowe, a Transsexual (paperback) written by Nelson, edited by Eugenia Jackson. Writers Club Press (2000).
• My Gender Workbook (paperback) by Kate Bornstein. New York: Routledge (1997).
• “One Chromosome Too Many?” (article) by Cheryl L. Cole. The Olympics at the Millennium: Power, Politics, and the Games, edited by Kay Schaffer & Sidonie Smith. Rutgers University Press (2000).
• Revolutionary Voices: Multicultural Queer Youth Anthology (paperback) edited by Amy Sonnie. Los Angeles: Alyson Press (2000).
• Girl Like Me: The Gwen Araujo Story (DVD) directed by Agnieszka Holland (2006). This Life¬time original movie tells the story of Gwen Araujo, a Newark, CA teenager murdered in October 2002.
• Ma Vie En Rose (VHS/DVD) directed by Alain Berliner (1997). About young person who wants to be loved regardless of his gender expression.
• Soldier’s Girl (DVD) directed by Frank Pierson (2003). A soldier falls in love with a striking MTF lounge singer.

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

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1. Supporting Southern California

Here at GSA Network we are deeply saddened by the devastation of the fires that are now raging in San Diego County, Orange County, and other parts of Southern California. We are also very concerned about the safety and welfare of the many GSA students and their families who live in the region, some of whom have already been displaced or separated from their loved ones.

We encourage you to consider donating your time, money, or resources to help with relief and evacuation efforts. Below are a few links to various organizations who are providing assistance.

American Red Cross (http://www.redcross.org)
Is working to provide shelter, food, counseling, and other forms of relief to people displaced in the So CA fires and other natural disasters

San Diego Foundation (http://www.sdfoundation.org)
They have started a After-The-Fires fund to raise money for relief efforts.

San Diego Humane Society & SPCA (http://www.sdhumane.org)
Is helping to rescue displaced and abandoned pets.

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2. Register for YES 2007!

GSA Network Presents the 2007 Youth Empowerment Summit!
Saturday, December 8 - San Francisco, CA

YES is a FREE conference for LGBTQQI youth activists and their allies who are dedicated to defeating homophobia and transphobia, and creating safe and supporting schools for everyone. The target audience is high school and middle school students, teachers, GSA advisors and the community. The YES conference is a chance for LGBTQQI and straight ally youth to network and enjoy free workshops on activism and topics related to queer life.

Registration is now on-line at http://gsanetwork.org/yes

For presenter and community table faire info, please send your organization's information to Marco Castro-Bojorquez at mailto:marco@gsanetwork.org or call 415-552-4229.

Who: LGBTQQI youth activists and their allies
Where: Everett Middle School, 450 Church Street, San Francisco,CA
When: Saturday, December 8, 2007 - 9:00 am-5:00 pm
Cost: FREE, including breakfast and lunch!
What else: The after-YES dance will take place from 5:00-8:00pm at the Everett cafeteria!!

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3. Art For Change!

October 25, 2007
5:30 to 7:30 PM
2412 D Street, Sacramento, CA

Art For Change
"Art For Change," will feature works of local artists on display and available for silent auction bids. All the proceeds will benefit the GSA Network and their many programs including Queer Youth Advocacy Day (QYAD), which is held every spring in Sacramento. QYAD brings more than 400 queer youth and allies to Sacramento to educate Legislators on the issues effecting queer youth on school campuses.

My Story
About 13 years ago, as I bright eyed young activist, I came to Sacramento for the first ever Queer Youth Advocacy Day to educate Legislators about what is was like to be a young lesbian navigating her safety through high school and college. It took several years for the legislation to pass (AB 537), which protects students from being discriminated or harassed because of their actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity, but that first Advocacy Day stayed with me forever. It was that day that I knew what I wanted to do. I wanted to write and help pass the laws that would changes peoples' lives.

Having worked at the Capitol and now as a lobbyist (the good kind) for almost 9 years, I am beginning to fill the impact of my work. Outside of work, I have exercised my activist skills on a number of issues, but somehow, something felt incomplete. As a lesbian mother of 2 children, Aidyn almost 3 and Addison 10 months, I have recommitted my work to creating a safe community for my children. I have done this by joining the Board of the GSA Network and working to empower youth to create a safer world for themselves and for my girls.

My dear friend Jade Baranski and I have both joined the Board of GSA Network and as good Board Members, it is our responsibility to help raise money for the organization. This is where we need YOUR help!

How Can You Donate?
You can send us a check to the address above.
You can purchase tickets at the door on Thursday.
You can donate directly online at https://secure.groundspring.org/dn/index.php?aid=8305

We are also still looking for additional art pieces, door prizes, food and beverage donations and volunteers. Please let me know if you are interested in helping us out!

Much love and thank you!

Wendy Rae Hill

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4. Join the Southern California Youth Council!!

The SoCal Youth Council is a diverse group of youth leaders from GSAs all over Southern California. As a member of the youth council, you will learn skills to become a stronger activist and work toward creating a safer climate at your school for LGBTQ youth and straight allies. You will get support around mounting a campaign, event planning, and starting a GSA club on your campus.

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

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

Our next SoCal Youth Council meeting will take place on Saturday, November 16th.
For more info, email mailto:marco@gsanetwork.org
http://www.myspace.com/socalgsanetwork

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5. GSA Network Supports Workplace Rights for All & Calls for Inclusive ENDA

GSA Network has signed onto a growing list of 300+ local, state, and national LGBTQ organizations who are supporting an inclusive version of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA). ENDA is federal legislation that would address workplace discrimination and make it illegal to fire, refuse to hire, or refuse to promote an employee simply based on his/her/hir sexual orientation and gender identity. While California state law already protects workers in this way already here in this state, GSA Network recognizes the value in ensuring these protections apply to everyone across the country.

What has happened:
Several weeks ago, Democratic leaders in the House of Representatives withdrew an earlier version of the bill (HR 2015) that included gender identity protections over concerns there would not be enough votes for it to pass. They have pushed forward a bill that only addresses protections based on sexual orientation (HR 3685). This prompted an outcry from LGBTQ advocacy and community organizations across the country who are concerned that leaving out these provisions means that transgender individuals would remain unprotected, and so would individual who do not conform to societal expectations around gender expression and gender behaviour. Organizations, including GSA Network, came together to form United ENDA to oppose the stripped-down version of the bill and to urge lawmakers to reconsider more inclusive legislation. Unfortunately, on October 18, the House Education and Labor Committee nonetheless approved the sexual orientation-only bill.

What’s going on now:
This week, Democratic leaders in the House have announced they have a postponed a full vote on HR 3685 for one more week. Also, Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisconsin), an out lesbian, has introduced an amendment that would restore the trans inclusive provision. Her amendment is expected to be considered on the House floor this week.

What you can do to help support workplace equality:
Please consider calling your Congressional Representative to voice your support for the Baldwin amendment!

Step 1: Contact your Representative today by calling 202-224-2131 and voice your support for the Baldwin amendment. Don’t worry if you don’t know who your Representative is. Call this number, give them your zip code, and they will tell you who your Representative is.

Step 2: Call your member of Congress and say: “Hello. My name is ____ and I live in your district. I am calling to ask the member to support the Baldwin amendment to the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (HR 3685). The Baldwin amendment adds gender identity protections back into ENDA. It is very important to me that all lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer individuals are protected by this legislation. I only support HR 3685 if the Baldwin amendment passes. Thank you.

Step 3: If your Representative says she/he/ze supports the bill, then follow up by saying: “Thank you. I urge you to fully support ENDA (HR 2015) as introduced, and oppose any efforts, including stripping or modifying the gender identity protections.”

For additional talking points and more information about the legislation, go to: http://www.thetaskforce.org/enda07/enda07.html

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6. Re-register Your GSA today - Get New Resources & Keep Informed!!

If you have any questions or concerns contact:
mailto:info@gsanetwork.org
415-552-4229

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7. Need Something to Wear? Buy a GSA Power T-shirt!

Another GSA Network T-shirt hot off the press... Cafepress that is. Do you just love our GSA Power postcard? Well, now it's a shirt. Buy it today and help support GSA Network!

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

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

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

So, help support GSAs and look cool doing it.

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

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++++++++++++++++ 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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8. Trick or Treat Halloween Party (Los Angeles)

Trick or Treat ...a halloween boogie for lgbtq young people...
brought to you by LifeWorks and Bienestar

Come party with us to celebrate the gayest holiday of them all - HALLOWEEN! Dress up in costume or in drag (or don't), dance to the beats of DJ Nova Jade, enjoy free food, get a makeover, meet new people! There will be prizes, free food, a costume contest, performances, and free hiv testing.

No cover - everything is free!

This is an alcohol and drug free event for queer gay lesbian bi trans genderqueer questioning and str8 ally young people ages 14-24.

F or more info contact:
Pedro: (323) 660-9680 ext 13
Dan: mailto:rsvp@lifeworksmentoring.org

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9. Hike the Hollywood Hills (Los Angeles)

LifeWorks Fall Hike
Sunday 11/04 at 11am

Join us next Sunday at Runyon Canyon for a beautiful hike in the Hollywood Hills. Meet new people, get some fresh air, and enjoy a free lunch! For LGBTQ youth ages 14-24 and our allies.

This is a chill, beginner level hike, so if hiking is new to you that's okay, this is a great way to try something new.

Let us know you're coming! Email mailto:rsvp@lifeworksmentoring.org or give us a call at 310-724-6300

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10. Pride Festival Teen Zone (Palm Springs)

Rainbow Pride Youth Alliance/Inland Empire is hosting the first ever Teen Zone @ the Palm Springs Pride Festival, 3-4 Nov 2007. Games, resource info, entertainment, picture booth and youth-only space where you can kick it with friends...Come check us out!!

VOLUNTEERS also needed for Teen Zone.

To volunteer, you must be b/w ages 13-20 years and be able to work at least one full shift at the festival that weekend.

To sign-up, contact Rainbow Pride Youth Alliance: 909.725-0417 or mailto:moreinfo@rpya.org. Ask for Wil or Maggie.

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11. Queer Pin@y Conference (San Diego)

Name
School
Year
Email
Contact
Will you be needing a place to stay?
If you would like to host a workshop, please submit a description of your workshop and any materials that you may need.
If you would like to perform at night, please send a bio and a description of your act.

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12. 5th Annual ThanXgiving Youth Social (West Hollywood)

It’s almost that time of the year again...time for our 5th Annual ThanXgiving Youth Social!

This free event will take place on Saturday, November 17th, 2007 from 6:00pm-9:00pm at Plummer Park in West Hollywood (7377 Santa Monica Blvd.).

We will have free food, live youth performances, giveaways, and some special surprises. The social is for LGTBQ youth (14-24) and their allies. This will be an alcohol-tobacco-free event.

Also, we have created a special event web site at http://www.cityx1.com/thanx.

There are also Volunteer opportunities available. Click on the ‘volunteer’ button on our event web site for more info.

Mark your calendars now!!!

The Youth of C.I.T.Y. x1
Web: http://www.cityx1.com
E-mail: mailto:webmail@cityx1.com
HotLine: (310) 712-3918

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Central Valley
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13. Family Fun Night (Modesto)

Come out with family and friends for SPC’s “Family Fun Night” at Modesto’s corn maze.

It’s happening the night before Halloween, on Tuesday, October 30th. We’ll be gathering as a group at the corn maze, located at Funworks in Modesto (4307 Coffee Road) at 6:30 PM.

The price to navigate the corn maze is regularly $8 per person if you are age 10-up, $6 for ages 5 to 10, and $1 if under 5. As a group of 10 to 25 persons, it’s just $5.00 per person ages 5 and up; if our group is larger than 25 persons, the price drops to $4.50 each (still a buck for the under 5s). It takes 30 to 45 minutes to complete the maze.

Oh, and here’s the fine print…All maze goers 17 years and younger must be accompanied by an adult chaperone. Sensible walking shoes are recommended. Flashlights required at dusk.

See you Tuesday night (October 30th)!

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Northern California
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14. Celebrate Halloween with AQU25A! (San Francisco)

Thursday, 10/25
6pm-9pm

Celebrate Halloween with your friends from AQU25A!

Havent gotten around to decorating your home yet? Well get started by carving a pumpkin with us this Thursday!
Get a free pumpkin and dinner on us! Co-sponsored by Connect to Protect of UCSF.

Asian and Pacific-Islander Wellness Center
730 Polk St.
San Francisco, CA

-----------------
Monday, 10/29
7pm

Want a real-life haunted experience to get in the mood for Halloween? SF Ghost Hunts will take us through a spooky tour of San Francisco as we hear real ghost stories in the places where the ghosts are rumored to occupy!

Normally a $20 value! Don't miss out on this rare opportunity!
Check out http://www.sfghosthunt.com for more info.

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15. Film Screening: It’s STILL Elementary (San Francisco)

Just announced - educator discount tickets: $20 - see below!

There is still time to reserve your spot for the San Francisco premiere of It's STILL Elementary this Thursday, October 25! Please join GroundSpark (formerly Women's Educational Media) for the this kick-off screening and party of the new retrospective documentary It's STILL Elementary. Directed by GroundSpark's executive director, Debra Chasnoff, produced by Chasnoff and Sue Chen and co-directed by Johnny Synmons, It's STILL Elementary marks the 10th anniversary of of the landmark documentary, It's Elementary--Talking About Gay Issues In School, originally produced by Chasnoff and Helen S. Cohen.

Come see the inspiring impact of being exposed to LGBT-inclusive education on some of the students and teachers who were in the original film, the fascinating history of why the film got made, the response it provoked from the religious right, and the questions it raises about the national safe schools movement today.

Thursday, October 25, 2007
5:30 PM - Doors Open for Hors d'oeuvres
6:15 PM - Film Screening and Celebration of GroundSpark's 29 years of filmmaking and social change
8:15 PM - Reception with Food and Wine

Jewish Community Center
3200 California Street @ Presidio
San Francisco

Tickets are $35 per person. Educator Discount: Educators can purchase tickets for only $20. To purchase educator discount tickets, please email mailto:groundspark@cbcsanfrancisco.com from your .k12 or .edu email address.

Pay at the Door: RSVP to info (at) groundspark.org
Purchase Tickets Now: Go to http://www.groundspark.org/respect/sf_ise_rsvp.html - or phone 415-821-9693 to purchase your tickets now. (This is a ticketless event. Names will be held at the door.)

More About the Films
It's Elementary was the first documentary film to make the case that all children are affected by anti-gay prejudice and that all adults have a responsibility to address it. The film helped fuel a national movement by providing educators and parents with inspiring examples of how schools could be inclusive and pro-active in talking to children about lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people.

The new retrospective documentary, It's STILL Elementary, follows up with some of the students and teachers and explores the impact It's Elementary had on their lives. It looks at what happened when the film was screened across the country, and is a call to action for parents and educators to continue working for safe, inclusive schools.
It's Elementary and the follow-up documentary It's STILL Elementary will be released together on DVD in December 2007.

For more information about GroundSpark please visit our web site at http://www.groundspark.org.

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16. Bat Out of Hell (San Francisco)

An evening of gays & ghouls to benefit Community United Against ViolenceIn honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, CUAV will be hosting a benefit to raise money for emergency services for queer survivors of domestic violence.

Join us at Femina Potens on Friday, October 26 at 8pm for some haunting performances from rocker Shawna Virago, hip hop duo NaR (aka Truu Bloo and Mazen), poet Nazbah Tom, belly dancers Raks Africa, and burlesque sensations Topsy Curvey and Fanny Fuller.

DJ Durt will make the people move. $5-$15 sliding scale, no one turned away. Bring your friends. Bring the skeletons in your closets. Bring your closets. Bring some cash for your local queers. Just bring it.

Bat Out of Hell
An evening of gays & ghouls to benefit CUAV
Friday, October 26
8pm
Femina Potens (Market at Sanchez)
$5-$15 sliding scale, no one turned away

Visit http://www.cuav.org for more information, or call (415) 777-5500 x318

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17. LYRIC's 5th Annual Queer Grrl Retreat is THIS WEEKEND! (San Francisco)

Sign-up now for two days (Saturday October 27 and Sunday October 28) of radical queer education about community, bodies, and pleasure. It’s FREE with gift bags (including sex toys!) and food provided. The retreat is open to all woman-identified lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning folks ages 24 and under.

Contact Jess at the Lavender Youth Recreation and Information Center (LYRIC) today to reserve your space:

Jess Arevalo
415.703.6150 x16
jessica@lyric.org

http://www.myspace.com/queergrrlretreat

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18. A Halloween Gathering (El Cerrito)

A Halloween Gathering At The RYSE Center
205 41st Ave (at Bissell off MacDonald Ave)

On Halloween - Wednesday, Oct 31st from 5pm-8pm

A FREE event for the whole family with:
-Pumpkin Painting
-Fun, healthy treats
-Treasure Hunt
-Haunted Hallways
-A movie & popcorn
-Lots of surprises!

The RYSE Center is a soon-to-open youth center that promotes youth leadership, social justice & multiracial alliance building. Visit us at http://www.rysecenter.org. For more info, call Kanwarpal at 510/374-3231

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19. Frameline's Generations Film Workshop (San Francisco)

Frameline's Generations Film Workshop
Bringing Youth and Elders Together

Frameline's Generations Film Workshop, a free 10-week workshop that teaches media literacy and technical skills while fostering creativity and self-expression among elders and young people, begins its 2007-2008 classes next month.

This year's Generations Film Workshop will serve approximately 10 LGBT elders (ages 60 and above) and LGBT youth (ages 15-20) who will work in partnership to create their own films that will be exhibited during the San Francisco International LGBT Film Festival. Classes will be held at BAVC on Monday and Wednesday nights and two Saturdays starting November 14th. Frameline is currently accepting applications from youth and elders for the 2007-2008 Workshop.

Within the queer community, and society at-large, at-risk LGBT youth and elders are often marginalized, overlooked and denied access to technology and full participation in the arts. Both groups are especially susceptible to negative stereotypes and homophobic portrayals of queer life in the media. Frameline believes there is tremendous value in connecting these constituencies in a process of self-exploration and personal development.

Funded by The San Francisco Foundation and Walter & Elise Haas Fund, the Generations Film Workshop seeks to empower LGBT youth and elders of diverse ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds by providing them with the skills, expertise and knowledge to control, create and disseminate media that will represent their unique point of view. Their artistic creations will serve as a powerful teaching tool, educating young and old alike regardless of sexual orientation.

To apply, please download an application here: http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001cRLqsDD27HN3nFSmnw269CKUjtUVodjAEyhP6tx4O1qOp_mDvlJqS5wgiDX88LmiAK1xY9G71WEDDJwM3EILLPu8cv7UF4sctc1PQh3U9PTa_p69zR4KgAjTj6-lxCljslu8xeDhm8c8oxQrZe4RvNYB77tcLU4MhZWnyqRMzIwiYbLC4eGMBQ==

Send to Frameline Generations, 145 9th St., SF, CA 94103 or email to mailto:Jennifer@frameline.org.
Applications are due by October 31st.

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20. Volunteer at CUAV! (San Francisco)

Concerned about hate violence & domestic violence in queer communities?
Want to be an ally to victims and survivors of Hate Violence and Domestic violence?
Why not volunteer at Community United Against Violence (CUAV)!

CUAV is currently looking for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, & questioning folks and their allies who are:
* Compassionate people willing to listen to others
* Folks who are committed to the struggle to end racism, sexism, classism, heterosexism, and all other oppressions

Fall 2007 TRAINING DATES:
Saturdays: November 3, 10, 17 10:00am - 5:30 pm
Sundays: November 4, 11 10:00am - 5:3 0 pm
Sunday November 18 11:00am-3 :00pm

Full attendance at ALL training days is required!

For more information, contact Oscar at CUAV
415-777-5500, ext 306
mailto:oscar@cuav.org

Folks of color, transgender folks, women, and survivors of violence strongly encouraged to volunteer. We offer stipends to bilingual counselors.

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21. Forum and Fair: Creating Inclusive Environments for LGBT Families (San Francisco)

San Francisco Elementary School Forum and Fair: Creating Inclusive Environments for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Families

The San Francisco Elementary School Forum and Fair will offer parents, teachers, and principals an opportunity to engage in dialogue about creating, maintaining, and strengthening a safe and inclusive environment for all of our children.

Over 40 public and private schools from the area will be tabling. This is not only a perfect event for parents seeking an elementary school for their children, but also a great event for parents with children already in elementary school to talk to schools about their LGBT policies and curriculum. Please join us in this unique and exciting opportunity to make your voice heard in our schools.

Date: Saturday, November 3, 2007
Time: 11:30am-3:30pm
Elementary School Fair: 11:30am-1:00pm (tabling by 40+ public & independent schools)
Forum: 1:00pm-3:30pm
Location: Harvey Milk Civil Rights Academy
4235 19th St at Collingwood, San Francisco

Lunch will be provided at 11:30am

Free childcare! Please RSVP by October 26 to Julia at mailto:julia@ourfamily.org or 415-981-1960. Your RSVP should indicate whether you require childcare.

****Do you want your school to have a table at the fair? Contact Julia at mailto:Julia@ourfamily.org or 415-981-1960.****

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22. Due Process: Justice for Youth, by Youth (Bay Area)

Introducing a bold new five-day curriculum experience that examines AB 537 and the intersections of social identity and safety.

Bring Due Process to Your School!

In this five-day peer education curriculum experience, students have the opportunity to lead a mock trial and create a school safety plan in response to a fictional situation involving a pattern of harassment and bias that culminates in a hate crime at school against a transgender youth of color.

Due Process engages students in deeper explorations of how social identity impacts their safety at school, and provides a space for students to think about what they can do as members of their school community to make their school safer for all students.

The accompanying Equity Action Kit: Change Thru Action! provides activities and resources for students to extend the impact of what they experienced in Due Process. The kit offers fun, interactive, and informative ways for students to raise LGBTQ and other social identity issues with their peers and to take action to change their own school's climate.

Get Involved in the Launch!

On Saturday, November 17th from 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. (Location TBA), Ally Action will launch our first Due Process Training-of-Trainers. Youth members of Ally Action's Awareness Leadership Team (ALT) will train students from various campuses with the knowledge and skills they need to lead Due Process in their own school communities.

Want to find out more!

If you're interested in attending the training and/or having Due Process in your school, contact Jillian Ross (mailto:jillian@allyaction.org) for more information or visit http://www.allyaction.org.

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Jobs
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23. Community Organizer (San Francisco)

Position: Community Organizer, API Equality (Bilingual)
Compensation: DOE + competitive benefits, including medical, dental, vision, sick leave, and vacation
Hours: Full-time
Location: San Francisco, CA
Deadline: Submit resume by November 19, 2007

API Equality is a California statewide project committed to working in our Asian and Pacific Islander (API) communities for equal marriage rights and fair treatment of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) families through education and advocacy.

Description:
API Equality seeks a bilingual (English and Cantonese) Community Organizer to mobilize API community organizations, leaders, and members to actively promote marriage equality, and LGBT acceptance in general, in the San Francisco Bay Area. The Community Organizer's main goal will be to generate support for marriage equality in the San Francisco Bay Area's API communities.

Reporting to the Director of API Equality and working with the Steering Committee of API Equality-SF and the staff at CAA, the organizer will play a key role in coordinating field outreach efforts to identify API supporters of marriage equality, organizing API community members to be pro-LGBT advocates in their communities, and building partnerships with other API community organizations and leaders to support the issue.

This position is an exciting opportunity for an energetic community organizer who is passionate about the marriage equality cause. There will be plenty of opportunities for this community organizer to take a leadership role in the marriage equality movement, as well as to be a key team player along with other committed and passionate allies of social justice movements in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Responsibilities:
Coordinate field outreach efforts at public events around the Bay Area;
Plan events including meetings, trainings, convenings, and press conferences;
Build relationships with partner organizations in the Bay Area;
Translate and/or coordinate translation of education materials and news clippings;
Assist in writing media advisories and maintaining media files; and,
Perform other duties as assigned by the Director of API Equality.

Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree;
Oral fluency in Cantonese (required);
Written proficiency in Chinese (highly desirable);
Experience in organizing around social justice issues;
Strong oral and written communication skills;
Excellent organizing and planning skills;
Team player; and,
Knowledge of MS Word, Excel, Internet, and e-mail.

Application process:
Please e-mail a cover letter and resume to mailto:awong@caasf.org by November 19. All applications will be treated as confidential.

CAA is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to diversity in its workplace.

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News
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24. NEWS: Gay Rights Measure Targeted

Gay rights measure targeted
Referendum effort seeks to overturn governor's signature on education bill.

Saturday, October 20, 2007
Sacramento Bee
By Jim Sanders

Opponents launched a referendum campaign this week to overturn Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's signature on legislation touted as an anti-discrimination measure for gay and lesbian students.

"Citizens are outraged," said Karen England, who launched the drive and directs Capitol Resource Institute, a conservative public policy group that focuses on family issues.

Geoff Kors, director of a gay rights group that sponsored the measure, Senate Bill 777, blasted the drive as nonsense.
"They claim to want to foster family values and education and what's best for children," he said. "Yet they oppose legislation to make schools safer for children."

England filed a referendum petition Monday against SB 777 with the state attorney general's office, the first step in a 90-day process that requires collection of 433,971 valid voter signatures to qualify for the June ballot.

State law prohibits SB 777 from taking effect Jan. 1, as scheduled, pending completion of the referendum campaign. Schwarzenegger signed the Republican-opposed bill Oct. 12.

Opponents argue the measure would, among other things, force schools to allow boys to use girls' restrooms or run for homecoming queen.

"What they're saying about the bill is crazy," countered Kors.

SB 777 was one of more than a half-dozen gay rights bills signed by Schwarzenegger, including measures to require monitoring of school anti-discrimination policies and to simplify the process for domestic partners to change their last name.

Schwarzenegger rejected legislation to allow same-sex partners to marry.

Supporters and opponents of SB 777 disagree on both the purpose and impact of the bill, proposed by Sen. Sheila Kuehl, a Santa Monica Democrat and one of five openly gay legislators.

"It breaks no new ground," said Kuehl, who said she carried the measure to consolidate anti-discrimination statutes within the state's education code.
But opponents argue SB 777 is stealth legislation hiding its true purpose, which they characterize as a push to promote homosexual, bisexual and transgender lifestyles among youths.

"SB 777 introduces new mandates that will sexually indoctrinate schoolchildren as young as kindergarten," Randy Thomasson of Campaign for Children and Families said in a September letter urging Schwarzenegger to veto the bill.

The state education code currently bans discrimination against students because of sex, race, religion or various other characteristics. It does not specifically mention gender or sexual orientation, but it promises protection to anyone covered by the state's hate crime law – thus, gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender Californians.

SB 777 removes any ambiguity by specifying that campus discrimination on the basis of gender or sexual orientation is illegal.

Perhaps the most controversial portion of Kuehl's bill, however, replaces two words in the education code with four others.

To read the full story, visit: http://www.sacbee.com/111/story/443968.html

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25. NEWS: "Fag" Is Turning into a High School Insult for Any Guy Who Doesn't Play Football

"Fag" Is Turning into a High School Insult for Any Guy Who Doesn't Play Football

Posted on October 20, 2007, Printed on October 24, 2007
American Sexuality Magazine
By C. J. Pascoe

"I'm talking like sixth grade, I started being called a fag. Fifth grade I was called a fag. Third grade I was called a fag," seventeen-year-old *Ricky recounted as we sat at a plastic picnic table outside of a fast food restaurant in California's Sacramento delta region. Though he experienced this type of harassment throughout elementary and junior high school, Ricky said that the threats intensified as he entered *River High School.

At "all the schools the verbal part . . . the slang, 'the fag,' the 'fuckin' freak,' 'fucking fag,' all that stuff is all the same. But this is the only school that throws water bottles, throws rocks, and throws food." Harassment like this hounded him out of his school's homecoming football game. "Two guys started walking up to get tickets said, 'There's that fucking fag.'" During the game boys threw balloons and bottles at Ricky along with comments like, "What the fuck is that fag doing here? That fag has no right to be here."

While this singular event stands out as particularly hate filled, Ricky's story also illustrates the larger problems of homophobia and gender-based teasing in high school. Homophobic taunting is especially intense during adolescence, a time when sexuality and romance are at the fore of social life. For boys, and not just those who are branded as gay, walking through a hallway is like running a gauntlet of homophobic insults as their male classmates imitate effeminate men and hurl homophobic slurs. My book, Dude, You're a Fag: Masculinity and Sexuality in High School, examines this ubiquitous homophobia. During my year and a half of research at River High, I found that these comments, when coming from and directed at boys, often have as much to do with shoring up definitions of masculinity as they do with reinforcing notions of "normal" heterosexuality.

This is particularly true of the slur "fag." While the term "gay" is frequently used as a synonym for stupid, it lacks the gender loaded skew of the term "fag." Oftentimes when boys call someone a "fag" they simultaneously imitate effeminate men (in other words, behavior they consider to be "fag-like"). Their homophobic comments, jokes, and interactions, in a sense, serve to punish others into behaving in stereotypically masculine ways. Though homophobia is usually thought of as fear of same sex attraction, in high school, boys' homophobia is also about policing gendered norms.

At River High I saw and heard boys imitate effeminate behavior and hurl the word "fag" so frequently at one another that I came to call it a "fag discourse." Invoking this epithet and joking about "fags" were not just random incidents, but systemic and well accepted ways for teenage boys to communicate. Boys talked about others they considered to be "fags," made jokes about unmasculine mannerisms, imitated those mannerisms, and used the term to insult one another both jokingly and seriously. They lisped, pretended to lust after men, and drew laughs from primarily male onlookers. They frantically lobbed the epithet at one another, in a sort of compulsive name calling ritual. Because the "fag" slur is and isn't about sexual desire, both self-identified gay boys and heterosexual boys were subject to the label for failing at stereotypically masculine tasks or revealing, in any way, weakness or femininity.

Gendered Homophobia
When I asked boys at River High why they so frequently deployed the term and regularly imitated what they saw as unmasculine men, many readily answered that such homophobia was simply part of what it meant to be a teenage guy. *Keith explained, "I think guys are just homophobic." Regardless of assertions like these, their homophobia, for the most part, did not extend to girls. While *Jake told me that he didn't like gay people, he quickly added, "Lesbians, okay, that's good!" *Ray explained the seeming discrepancy to me: "To see two hot chicks banging bodies in a bed, that's like every guy's fantasy right there. It's the truth. I've heard it so many times."

To read the full story, visit: http://www.alternet.org/sex/65697/

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October 17, 2007

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

GSA Network Highlight
VICTORY - Governor Schwarzenegger Signs Safer School Bills!!!
Go directly to GSA Network highlight

GSA Network Announcements
1. Youth Speak Out at Hearing!
2. YES 2007 is Coming!
3. Re-register Your GSA today - Get New Resources & Keep Informed!!
4. Need Something to Wear? Buy a GSA Power T-shirt!
Go directly to GSA Network announcements

Other Announcements
Southern California
5. Trick or Treat Halloween Party (Los Angeles)
6. Volunteers Needed for Sisters of Sakia (Los Angeles Area)
7. Crossroads Film Series (Santa Monica)
8. CTWO presents Spanish-language Community Action Training (Los Angeles)
9. Pride Festival Teen Zone (Palm Springs)
Go directly to Southern California listings

Central Valley
10. Film Screening: The Education of Shelby Knox (Fresno)
Go directly to Central Valley listings

Northern California
11. Halloween Dance and Drag Fashion Show this Friday Night! (San Jose)
12. Film Screening: It’s Still Elementary (San Francisco)
13. Performance: The Other Side of the Closet (San Francisco)
14. LYRIC’s 5th Annual Queer Grrl Retreat - Oct. 27 & 28 (San Francisco)
15. Due Process: Justice for Youth, by Youth (Bay Area)
16. Bat Out of Hell (San Francisco)
17. Volunteer at CUAV! (San Francisco)
18. Forum and Fair: Creating Inclusive Environments for LGBT Families (San Francisco)
Go directly to Northern California listings

National
19. New Book: What If Someone I Know is Gay?
Go directly to National listings

News
20. NEWS: Royal Yes to Diversity at Davis Senior High
Go directly to News listings

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

VICTORY - Governor Schwarzenegger Signs Safer School Bills!!!

GSA Network is pleased to announce that Governor Schwarzenegger signed both the Student Civil Rights Act (SB 777) and the Safe Place to Learn Act (AB 394) last Friday. These important safer schools bills provide clear guidance to schools about how they can comply with the Education Code’s non–discrimination policy prohibiting harassment and discrimination based on real or perceived sexual orientation and gender identity and ensure that all students at state-funded schools in California are afforded the same level of protection.

For more information about these bills, please visit: http://www.eqca.org/site/apps/nl/newsletter2.asp?c=9oINKWMCF&b=2292609.

This is a major victory for Safe Schools For All that could have never happened without the hard work and energetic activism of GSA clubs all across the state. Hundreds of members lobbied their legislators as part of Queer Youth Advocacy Day 2007 earlier this year. Later, students educated classmates and other community members and collected signatures for the thousands of Dear Governor postcards they mailed off to Sacramento this spring and summer. Lastly, the activism continued into this school year when GSA members called the Governor’s office earlier this month during Speak Out to Schwarzenegger Week.

Here at GSA Network, we believe it’s important to take every opportunity to educate and celebrate when we accomplish something significant at the end of long campaign. Please take the information about these new laws back to your GSA clubs and schools and talk to those around you about what this means. Please know that this is just the beginning and the work continues. The next big step will be to ensure that these new laws become a reality not just in Sacramento, but all over the state. We will be working in conjunction with other community organizations and GSAs like yours to ensure that schools fully comprehend their legal responsibility to protect students from harassment and discrimination. Keep looking out for future updates!!!

For more information about what these new laws mean for GSAs, please email mailto:advocacy@gsanetwork.org.

To find out more about this victory, read the article in the News section of this newsletter.

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

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1. Youth Speak Out at Hearing!

Youth Speak Out at Recent Hearing about Protecting Students from Gender Identity Discrimination and Harassment

On Monday, youth activists, community organizations, including GSA Network, and allies came together to discuss what needs to be done to ensure safety, dignity, and respect for transgender and gender non-conforming students in California schools.

At an informational hearing held by Senator Sheila Kuehl and the Senate Select Committee on School Safety on Monday evening, lawmakers listened to moving testimony from current and former high school students who have faced harassment and discrimination based on their real or perceived gender identity and gender expression.

October marks the fifth anniversary of the murder of Gwen Araujo, a Newark-area transgender teenager who was killed at an off-campus party after suffering years of harassment and abuse at her former high school. Based on the testimony offered by youth at Monday night’s event, school can still be a dangerous and difficult place for many trangender and gender non-conforming students.

Angel Woolsey, a Queer Youth Advocacy Day 2007 Leader and current college student, detailed the difficulties he experienced. “Anytime you walk into a bathroom, you don’t know if you will be beaten up,” he said. “Principals and teachers don’t know how to help, or they actively do things to make the situation worse, such as segregating students or singling out transgender students for punishment.”

In addition, safe schools activists from several different organizations, including GSA Network Executive Director Carolyn Laub, offered recommendations for a series of next steps they asked the Legislature to take to provide schoosl and the California Department of Education with the necessary resources to adequately protect students.

These recommendations include:
*Schools should adopt written policies that explicitly prohibit harassment based on gender identity.
*The state should ask students about their experiences with gender-identity-related harassment and threats in the annual California Healthy Kids Survey and California Student Survey.
*Teachers and administrators should be trained to identify and prevent harassment.
*The CDE should audit school districts to find out if they are complying with the Student Safety and Violence Prevention Act of 2000 (aka AB 537), the law that added real or perceived gender identity and sexual orientation to the California Education Code’s non-discrimination policy.

These recommendations are supported by member organizations of the California Safe Schools Coalition (http://www.casafeschools.org), including GSA Network, Transgender Law Center, Equality California, the National Center for Lesbian Rights, and the ACLU of Northern California, the ACLU of Southern California, and the ACLU of San Diego and Imperial Counties. These organizations will now continue to work together with Senator Kuehl and other legislators on these policy recommendations and to bring about change in California schools.

For more information about what happened at Monday’s hearing, please email GSA Network Advocacy Coordinator Lai-San Seto at mailto:lai-san@gsanetwork.org.

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2. YES 2007 is Coming!

GSA Network Presents the 2007 Youth Empowerment Summit!
Saturday, December 8 - San Francisco, CA

YES is a FREE conference for LGBTQQI youth activists and their allies who are dedicated to defeating homophobia and transphobia, and creating safe a supporting schools for everyone. The target audience is high school and middle school students, teachers, GSA advisors and the community. The YES conference is a chance for LGBTQQI and straight ally youth to network and enjoy free workshops on activism and topics related to queer life.

Registration will be available on-line soon. For presenter and community table faire info, please contact Marco Castro-Bojorquez at mailto:marco@gsanetwork.org or call 415-552-4229.

Who: LGBTQQI youth activists and their allies
Where: Everett Middle School, 450 Church Street, San Francisco,CA
When: Saturday, December 8, 2007 - 9:00 am-5:00 pm
Cost: FREE, including breakfast and lunch!
What else: The after-YES dance!!

More info coming soon!

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3. Re-register Your GSA today - Get New Resources & Keep Informed!!

If you have any questions or concerns contact:
mailto:info@gsanetwork.org
415-552-4229

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4. Need Something to Wear? Buy a GSA Power T-shirt!

Another GSA Network T-shirt hot off the press... Cafepress that is. Do you just love our GSA Power postcard? Well, now it's a shirt. Buy it today and help support GSA Network!

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

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

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

So, help support GSAs and look cool doing it.

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

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++++++++++++++++ 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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5. Trick or Treat Halloween Party (Los Angeles)

Trick or Treat ...a halloween boogie for lgbtq young people...
brought to you by LifeWorks and Bienestar

Come party with us to celebrate the gayest holiday of them all - HALLOWEEN! Dress up in costume or in drag (or don't), dance to the beats of DJ Nova Jade, enjoy free food, get a makeover, meet new people! There will be prizes, free food, a costume contest, performances, and free hiv testing.

No cover - everything is free!

This is an alcohol and drug free event for queer gay lesbian bi trans genderqueer questioning and str8 ally young people ages 14-24.

F or more info contact:
Pedro: (323) 660-9680 ext 13
Dan: mailto:rsvp@lifeworksmentoring.org

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6. Volunteers Needed for Sisters of Sakia (Los Angeles Area)

Are you ready to make a difference for black lesbian youth?

Sisters of Sakia is gearing up for a new season of programs, and we are looking for a few good women to help build our outreach capacity! SOS has set new goals for reaching young black lesbian/queer youth in Los Angeles, and we need you!

We're looking for sisters with access to the internet, access to a phone for calls in the Los Angeles area, and passion. This project won't take long and is not labor intensive, but it does require a bit of dedication!

If you're up for it, contact us at mailto:sistersofsakia@gmail.com.

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7. Crossroads Film Series (Santa Monica)

As part of the queer film series at Crossroads, sponsored by FLAG (our gay/straight alliance), we will be having our first movie screening of the year on Thursday, Oct. 25th, from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.

We invite you to join us for a great event!

We'll be screening the funny, wonderful, award-winning movie, Puccini for Beginners. We'll also be starting the evening with the hilarious short film, Kali Ma.

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 had students from many different GSA's at our films last year and it was a blast!

The movie is FREE and free pizza and drinks will be provided! RSVP by replying and let us know if you might come, so we have an idea of how much pizza to get.

Directions are below. If you have any more questions, please feel free to e-mail and ask: Adam Behrman at mailto:ABehrman@xrds.org.

Hope to see you there!

Directions: Crossroads is at 1714 21st St. in Santa Monica, at the corner of 21st St. and Olympic Blvd.

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

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8. CTWO presents Spanish-language Community Action Training (Los Angeles)

Inscríbase al Instituto Popular de Acción Comunitaria!

Presentado por El Centro de Organizar el Tercer Mundo
(Center for Third World Organizing) con Las Comunidades por un Medioambiente Mejor (Communities for a Better Environment)
Cuando: el viernes, 30 de noviembre al domingo, 2 de diciembre de 2007
Lugar: Los Angeles, CA

Center for Third World Organizing presents Spanish-language Community Action Training (CAT)
Co-Hosted by Communities for a Better Environment
When: November 30- December 2, 2007
Where: Los Angeles, CA

Vea el volante adjunto para más información. Espacio limitado, regístrese hoy!

Registrarse al http://www.ctwo.org/index.php?s=30. Lo sentimos pero la pagina de registración en el internet está escrita en ingles. La traducción está en el documento adjunto.

Fecha límite para registrarse: el 16 de noviembre de 2007

Para Registrarse o Más Información
• Completar el forma de registrar al http://www.ctwo.org/index.php?s=30
• Llame Daniela al (510) 533–7583 x16 o mande un email a Reem al mailto:rassil@ctwo.org para más información.

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9. Pride Festival Teen Zone (Palm Springs)

Rainbow Pride Youth Alliance/Inland Empire is hosting the first ever Teen Zone @ the Palm Springs Pride Festival, 3-4 Nov 2007. Games, resource info, entertainment, picture booth and youth-only space where you can kick it with friends...Come check us out!!

VOLUNTEERS also needed for Teen Zone.

To volunteer, you must be b/w ages 13-20 years and be able to work at least one full shift at the festival that weekend.

To sign-up, contact Rainbow Pride Youth Alliance: 909.725-0417 or mailto:moreinfo@rpya.org. Ask for Wil or Maggie.

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Central Valley
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10. Film Screening: The Education of Shelby Knox (Fresno)

Friday, Oct. 19, 2007 at 5:15PM
CSU Fresno, McLane Building Room 121

The Education of Shelby Knox
Directed by Marion Lipschutz and Rose Rosenblatt. 76 min. Not rated.

Shelby Knox is a politically conservative, deeply religious, Southern Baptist teenager who joins the Lubbock Youth Commission, a group of high school students representing a youth voice in city government. When the teens confront Lubbock's sexual health crisis and campaign for comprehensive sex education, Shelby throws herself into the fight with missionary fervor, struggling to reconcile her newfound political beliefs with her conservative religious views. When the campaign broadens to include a fight for a gay-straight alliance, Shelby must confront her family and pastor in this coming-of-age story. 2005 Sundance Award (Excellence in Cinematography, Documentary Category).

Post-screening discussants: Patsy Montgomery (Fresno Planned Parenthood Mar Monte Public Affairs Director) and members of Sex Education NationCineculture Club promotes cultural awareness and addresses diversity issues through film and post-screening discussion.

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Northern California
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11. Halloween Dance and Drag Fashion Show this Friday Night! (San Jose)

When: Friday, October 19 from 7pm to Midnight
Where: Billy DeFrank LGBT Community Center Grand Ballroom
938 The Alameda, San Jose, Ca 95126
Cost: $5 at the door
Ages: 13-20 only
State or School I.D. Required

Contact Cassie with any questions or if your interested in getting involved: mailto:CassieB@defrank.org or call (408) 293-3040 ext. 111

Halloween and costume attire not required but highly encouraged. Bags, backpacks and purses must be checked at the door.
Hope to see you all there!!!!!

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12. Film Screening: It’s Still Elementary (San Francisco)

GroundSpark, formerly Women's Educational Media, will be screening their new documentary "It's Still Elementary" in San Francisco on Thursday, October 25.

Where: Jewish Community Center
3200 California Street at Presidio Avenue, San Francisco
When: Thursday, October 25, 2007, from 5:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

The new film looks at the impact of their groundbreaking 1996 film "It's Elementary—Talking About Gay Issues in School" and reveals why the film was made, the right wing attacks spurred by its PBS broadcast, and its role in the national safe schools movement.

The film also follows up with some of the original students in "Its Elementary" and asks how their lives were affected by learning about LGBT issues in elementary school. Originally distributed in 1997, "It’s Elementary" was the first documentary film to make the case that all children are affected by anti-gay prejudice and that adults have a responsibility to address it – a reality with continuing relevance in today’s world.

Following the screening of the film, the audience will have the opportunity to attend a dinner reception in celebration of the anniversary re-release of this groundbreaking film.

Tickets for the screening and reception are $35 and are available through Capiraso Bing Consulting at 415.821.9693. For additional information please contact GroundSpark at 800-405-3322 or visit http://www.groundspark.org.

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13. Performance: The Other Side of the Closet (San Francisco)

A FREE Preview of the Award-Winning play “The Other Side of the Closet” presented by NCTC's YouthAware Program

When: Monday, October 22, 2007 at 7:00 pm
Where: The New Conservatory Theatre Center
25 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94102
Box Office: 415.861.8972

The YouthAware Educational Theatre program at NCTC continues to tour the hard-hitting play The Other Side of the Closet by Ed Roy to schools and communities throughout Northern California. This innovative play educates teens about homophobia, diversity and the CA Student Safety Act (AB537), which prohibits harassment in schools based on actual or perceived sexual orientation.

Enjoy a FREE preview performance as our pre-holiday gift to you. There will be an audience discussion with the director and cast immediately following the performance.

Seating is limited and on a first-come, first-served basis. You must RSVP to the NCTC Box Office no later than 10/20/07. Be sure to include your name and number of tickets. Seating is General Admission so please plan to arrive early for best seats.

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14. LYRIC’s 5th Annual Queer Grrl Retreat - Oct. 27 & 28 (San Francisco)

October 27 and 28: Mark your calendars -- just 3 weeks until LYRIC’s 5th Annual Queer Grrl Retreat! Sign-up today for two days of radical queer education about community, bodies, and pleasure. And it’s FREE! (food provided)

The retreat is open to all woman-identified lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning folks ages 24 and under.

Contact the Lavender Youth Recreation and Information Center (LYRIC) today to register!

Jess Arevalo
415.703.6150 x16
mailto:jessica@lyric.org

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15. Due Process: Justice for Youth, by Youth (Bay Area)

Introducing a bold new five-day curriculum experience that examines AB 537 and the intersections of social identity and safety.

Bring Due Process to Your School!

In this five-day peer education curriculum experience, students have the opportunity to lead a mock trial and create a school safety plan in response to a fictional situation involving a pattern of harassment and bias that culminates in a hate crime at school against a transgender youth of color.

Due Process engages students in deeper explorations of how social identity impacts their safety at school, and provides a space for students to think about what they can do as members of their school community to make their school safer for all students.

The accompanying Equity Action Kit: Change Thru Action! provides activities and resources for students to extend the impact of what they experienced in Due Process. The kit offers fun, interactive, and informative ways for students to raise LGBTQ and other social identity issues with their peers and to take action to change their own school's climate.

Get Involved in the Launch!

On Saturday, November 17th from 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. (Location TBA), Ally Action will launch our first Due Process Training-of-Trainers. Youth members of Ally Action's Awareness Leadership Team (ALT) will train students from various campuses with the knowledge and skills they need to lead Due Process in their own school communities.

Want to find out more!

If you're interested in attending the training and/or having Due Process in your school, contact Jillian Ross (mailto:jillian@allyaction.org) for more information or visit http://www.allyaction.org.

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16. Bat Out of Hell (San Francisco)

An evening of gays & ghouls to benefit Community United Against ViolenceIn honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, CUAV will be hosting a benefit to raise money for emergency services for queer survivors of domestic violence.

Join us at Femina Potens on Friday, October 26 at 8pm for some haunting performances from rocker Shawna Virago, hip hop duo NaR (aka Truu Bloo and Mazen), poet Nazbah Tom, belly dancers Raks Africa, and burlesque sensations Topsy Curvey and Fanny Fuller.

DJ Durt will make the people move. $5-$15 sliding scale, no one turned away. Bring your friends. Bring the skeletons in your closets. Bring your closets. Bring some cash for your local queers. Just bring it.

Bat Out of Hell
An evening of gays & ghouls to benefit CUAV
Friday, October 26
8pm
Femina Potens (Market at Sanchez)
$5-$15 sliding scale, no one turned away

Visit http://www.cuav.org for more information, or call (415) 777-5500 x318

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17. Volunteer at CUAV! (San Francisco)

Concerned about hate violence & domestic violence in queer communities?
Want to be an ally to victims and survivors of Hate Violence and Domestic violence?
Why not volunteer at Community United Against Violence (CUAV)!

CUAV is currently looking for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, & questioning folks and their allies who are:
* Compassionate people willing to listen to others
* Folks who are committed to the struggle to end racism, sexism, classism, heterosexism, and all other oppressions

Fall 2007 TRAINING DATES:
Saturdays: November 3, 10, 17 10:00am - 5:30 pm
Sundays: November 4, 11 10:00am - 5:3 0 pm
Sunday November 18 11:00am-3 :00pm

Full attendance at ALL training days is required!

For more information, contact Oscar at CUAV
415-777-5500, ext 306
mailto:oscar@cuav.org

Folks of color, transgender folks, women, and survivors of violence strongly encouraged to volunteer. We offer stipends to bilingual counselors.

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18. Forum and Fair: Creating Inclusive Environments for LGBT Families (San Francisco)

San Francisco Elementary School Forum and Fair: Creating Inclusive Environments for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Families

The San Francisco Elementary School Forum and Fair will offer parents, teachers, and principals an opportunity to engage in dialogue about creating, maintaining, and strengthening a safe and inclusive environment for all of our children.

Over 40 public and private schools from the area will be tabling. This is not only a perfect event for parents seeking an elementary school for their children, but also a great event for parents with children already in elementary school to talk to schools about their LGBT policies and curriculum. Please join us in this unique and exciting opportunity to make your voice heard in our schools.

Date: Saturday, November 3, 2007
Time: 11:30am-3:30pm
Elementary School Fair: 11:30am-1:00pm (tabling by 40+ public & independent schools)
Forum: 1:00pm-3:30pm
Location: Harvey Milk Civil Rights Academy
4235 19th St at Collingwood, San Francisco

Lunch will be provided at 11:30am

Free childcare! Please RSVP by October 26 to Julia at mailto:julia@ourfamily.org or 415-981-1960. Your RSVP should indicate whether you require childcare.

****Do you want your school to have a table at the fair? Contact Julia at mailto:Julia@ourfamily.org or 415-981-1960.****

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National
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19. New Book: What If Someone I Know is Gay?

In a completely revised and expanded edition of What If Someone I Know Is Gay?, Eric Marcus offers teens the no-nonsense answers they're looking for and deserve. And at the same time, in a new chapter specifically for parents, he throws adults a welcome lifeline when they're faced with questions and/or issues that leave them struggling for the right thing to say or do.

Eric covers all the essential questions young people-and their parents-are likely to have, whether those questions are about a friend, relative, or themselves, including:
*Does a person just decide to become gay?
*How do I know if I'm a lesbian?
*Does God love gay people?
*How do gay people have sex?
*Can gay people get married?
*What can I do if someone calls me names or bullies me?

For sample questions and answers, as well a downloadable podcast interview with Eric Marcus, visit his website: http://www.ericmarcus.com.

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News
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20. NEWS: Royal Yes to Diversity at Davis Senior High

Royal yes to diversity at Davis Senior High
Gay boys are voted princes of junior event, cheered by fellow students, adults.
October 13, 2007
Sacramento Bee
By Kim Minugh

Note: Kiernan was a 2007 Queer Youth Advocacy Day Leader!

Ladies and gentlemen, introducing the royalty of Davis Senior High School's junior class: Brandon Raphael and his prince, Kiernan Gatewood.

For what appears to be the first time in school history, the Davis Senior High student body has elected a gay couple into homecoming royalty. With each boasting a white sash declaring his title as "Prince," the two 16-year-olds rode through the city of Davis Friday afternoon in the school's annual homecoming parade.

They stood in the back of a pickup truck, arm-in-arm, smiling warmly despite the rain.

"People were so excited for us," Gatewood said of the couple's victory, announced a few weeks ago. "We were a little surprised, but Davis ..."

"Is a liberal town," interrupts his boyfriend of four months, Raphael. "Go 10 miles in any other direction and you'll get some other feeling."

Indeed, the news might surprise few in Davis, a city embraced and, at times, mocked for its liberal leanings.
But students and adults cheering on the boys recognized their election as a meaningful milestone.

Lai-San Seto, advocacy coordinator for the San Francisco-based Gay-Straight Alliance Network, said the Davis Senior High homecoming election is not the first case of gay students bucking tradition.

But it remains far from the norm, Seto said.

And usually by the time she hears about such things, they've become a controversy within their community.

"It's a sign that LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer) people are getting recognized everywhere," she said.

"LGBTQ are considered vital members of the school community and are able to participate in school events in the same full way that their straight fellow students are able to."

Seto applauded the Davis Senior High student body for their acceptance -- and the school administration for being "open-minded."

In the weeks since officials announced the homecoming court, there's been no public outcry -- not by campus leaders, not by students and not by the community.

Students said they were encouraged that the election was not an issue for campus administrators. They said they were less surprised that a gay couple would win than they were that officials allowed it to happen.

"I thought the administration would have more to say about it," Raphael said.

Principal Michael Cawley declined to comment Friday on the boys' election, saying only that he hoped to keep the issue "low-key."

Students, however, were eager to talk. They piled atop floats and lined the parade route to show their school spirit, armed with air horns and fistfuls of candy.

Some have been celebrating their friends' landmark victory for days.

"I think it's just such a good thing for our school. Just knowing that the other kids recognize them as a couple and would vote for a gay couple to be prince and prince of homecoming. ... I don't know, I just think it's awesome," said senior Chandler Fox, co-president of the campus Gay-Straight Alliance. "I want people to know about it so maybe it can happen at another school."

To read the full story, visit: http://www.sacbee.com/yolo/story/430062.html

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October 10, 2007

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

GSA Network Highlight
It is NEVER TOO LATE to Start Raising Funds!
Go directly to GSA Network highlight

GSA Network Announcements
1. Dragonfly Stories to Benefit GSA Network
2. Public Hearing - Dignity, Safety & Support For All Students
3. Take Action Now for Safe Schools - Call Governor Schwarzenegger Today!
4. YES 2007 is Coming!
5. Re-register your GSA today - Get New Resources & Keep Informed!!
6. Need Something to Wear? Buy a GSA Power T-shirt!
Go directly to GSA Network announcements

Other Announcements
Southern California
7. Los Angeles/Valley Pride GLBT Awareness Festival (Los Angeles)
8. Latino AIDS Awareness Day (Los Angeles)
9. Palm Springs Pride Festival Teen Zone (Palm Springs)
10. SoCal for Youth is Looking for Volunteers! (Los Angeles)
Go directly to Southern California listings

Northern California
11. Free Classes in Audio Production, Break Dancing and DJing (San Francisco)
12. Out of the Closets and Into the Archives! (San Francisco)
13. School Forums (Oakland & San Francisco)
14. LYRIC’s 5th Annual Queer Grrl Retreat - Oct. 27 & 28 (San Francisco)
15. Bat Out of Hell (San Francisco)
16. Volunteer at CUAV! (San Francisco)
17. Adolescent Rainbows Panel Discussion (San Francisco)
18. SPIN Project Bay Area One-Day Training (San Francisco)
Go directly to Northern California listings

National
19. New Book Available: The Gay and Lesbian Guide to College Life
Go directly to National listings

Jobs
20. Director, San Francisco Interagency Council on Transitional Youth
Go directly to Jobs listings

News
21. OPINION EDITORIAL: Queer History Month a Chance to Put an End to Homophobia
Go directly to News listings

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

It is NEVER TOO LATE to Start Raising Funds!

Only the financially fortunate clubs don’t have to worry about securing funding. So, unless you fall into that category – I suggest you start brainstorming now about how to raise some cash for your club.

Some of the best advice we can offer is to utilize the brainstorming power that you have in club meetings. Put fundraising on the agenda and have everyone, including your advisor, spend some creative free time listing ideas that might work as a way to raise funds. Follow these brainstorming steps at your next meeting:

- Ask each individual to not evaluate any of their ideas, writing down anything and everything that comes to mind, also, give them enough time to list as many ideas as possible – 3 to 5 minutes should be enough.
- Once everyone has compiled their list – compile a group list of all the ideas that were generated.
- Use the chalk/whiteboard in the room, or make sure you have some butcher paper to hang, allowing everyone to see the suggestions.
- After all the suggestions have been displayed, this is the opportunity for members to either offer explanation on how the fundraiser would logistically work or offer constructive criticism on how the fundraiser could be done differently.
- Once the discussion has concluded, have all group members vote on the most logical ideas that the group feels best match the environment you are working with – for example, if you have a car wash as the suggestion, can this event really be preformed at school or will you have to go out into the community?

The best fundraising ideas are ones that everyone can get behind, be excited about and have the ability to participate (You don’t want to be left doing all the work with just a few members of the group). Here are some guidelines to follow and cool ideas to use when fundraising for your GSA. If your club has other good tips or ideas for raising money, let us know!

1. Become familiar with your school's system for financing student organizations. How do clubs set-up bank accounts? Where will donations go? Who will donation checks be made out to? Who has the power to sign checks? Talk to other