Press Release: Queer Youth Advocacy Day

Apr. 4, 2011

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Youth to Meet with Elected Officials to Call for Protections Against Bullying and Discrimination

 

Press conference at 11:00 with legislators and youth speakers

 

April 4, 2011, Sacramento - Some seventy high school students are in Sacramento today where they will meet with lawmakers to discuss the need for greater protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) youth. The students include LGBT and straight ally young people from small towns and cities across the state, many of whom traveled hundreds of miles to speak out about bullying and discrimination in their schools at the annual event known as Queer Youth Advocacy Day. 

 

Students will rally at the State Capitol's South Steps at 11:00 a.m. where they will be joined by State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson, Senator Mark Leno (D-San Francisco), Senator Christine Kehoe (D-San Diego), and Assemblymembers Rich Gordon (D-San Mateo), Tom Ammiano (D-San Francisco), Toni Atkins (D-San Diego), and Ricardo Lara (D-Bell Gardens).

 

Following the rally, students will visit their representatives' offices to discuss three new pieces of legislation that aim to decrease bullying and make California's public schools more safe and inclusive of LGBT youth: Seth's Law (AB 9); the Fair, Accurate, Inclusive and Respectful (FAIR) Education Act (SB 48); and the Gender Nondiscrimination Act (AB 887).

 

Youth participants will also testify on Tuesday afternoon when the FAIR Education Act is heard in the Senate Judiciary Committee.

 

"Especially given the tragic suicides of numerous young people in the past year, it is crucial that legislators hear and understand the stories of youth who are working in their schools and their communities to combat bullying and harassment based on sexual orientation and gender identity," said Senator Leno. "I am inspired by the passion and resolve that these students have brought to Sacramento with their unified goal to make California a safer place for all young people."

 

"Bullying and harassment continue to be a pervasive problem in California schools, with heartbreaking consequences.  Youth leaders from Gay-Straight Alliance clubs across the state are here today to say, 'enough.'  They are telling their stories to lawmakers who have the opportunity to make it better for LGBT youth by supporting the FAIR Education Act, Seth's Law, and the Gender Nondiscrimination Act," said Carolyn Laub, Executive Director of Gay-Straight Alliance Network, a national safe schools organization that has been taking students to advocate in Sacramento since 1999.

 

"We cannot expect students to learn the important skills they need to be successful in life if they don't feel safe at school," said Jim Carroll, interim executive director at Equality California.  "We are proud of the fearless and committed youth who are sharing their stories today. They will head back home to inspire positive change in their schools and to improve the lives of young people in California."

 

"Seth's Law," authored by Assemblymember Ammiano, would ensure that every school in California implements updated anti-harassment and anti-discrimination policies and programs that include actual or perceived sexual orientation and gender identity and expression, as well as race, ethnicity, nationality, gender, disability, and religion. It would also empower students and parents to know what their rights are, and how to advocate for them.  AB 9 is named "Seth's Law" in memory of Seth Walsh, a 13 year-old gay student from Tehachapi, California, who took his life in September 2010 after facing years of relentless anti-gay harassment at school that school officials effectively ignored.

 

"We are excited to sponsor Queer Youth Advocacy Day, working with young people to encourage California lawmakers to improve school climate for all students," said Trevor Project Executive Director Charles Robbins. "When educational spaces promote good psychological well-being, it benefits everyone."

 

Participants are also discussing the Gender Nondiscrimination Act, authored by Assemblymember Toni Atkins (D-San Diego), which seeks to strengthen employment, housing, and other civil rights protections for LGBT people.

 

"The discrimination that transgender people face is life threatening. Even when youth who don't fit narrow gender stereotypes are comfortable being who they are, their classmates and schools often are not, and they face unfair harassment and discrimination," said Masen Davis, Executive Director of the Transgender Law Center. "We need to create a culture in which it is no longer acceptable for transgender and gender non-conforming youth to be bullied, beaten or harassed. All children deserve to live their lives fully and authentically."

 

Students will also discuss the FAIR Education Act, authored by Senator Leno, which would prohibit discriminatory education and ensure that LGBT people are fairly and accurately included in instructional materials.  By including fair and accurate information about LGBT people and history in instructional materials, SB 48 will improve student safety, reduce bullying, enrich the learning experiences of all students, and promote an atmosphere of safety and respect in California schools.

 

 

WEBSITE: www.gsanetwork.org/events/queer-youth-advocacy-day [1]

 

CONTACT: Jorge Amaro, Equality California Institute 

PHONE: 562-964-3591 EMAIL:  jorge@eqca.org [2]

 

CONTACT: Jackie Downing, Gay-Straight Alliance Network 

PHONE: 510-333-9649 EMAIL: jackie@gsanetwork.org [3]

 

CONTACT: Laura McGinnis, The Trevor Project 

PHONE: 323-423-7405 EMAIL: Laura.McGinnis@thetrevorproject.org [4]

 

CONTACT: Kristina Wertz, Transgender Law Center

PHONE: 415-865-0176 ex 302 EMAIL: kristina@transgenderlawcenter.org [5]

 

 

Gay-Straight Alliance Network (GSA Network) is a national youth leadership organization that empowers youth activists to fight homophobia and transphobia in schools by training student leaders and supporting student-led Gay-Straight Alliance clubs throughout the country. In California alone, GSA Network has brought GSA clubs to 56% of public high schools, impacting more than 1.1 million students at 850 schools. GSA Network's youth advocates have played a key role in changing laws and policies that impact youth at the local and state level. GSA Network also founded the Make It Better Project, which aims to stop bullying and prevent suicide. www.gsanetwork.org [6]

 

Equality California Institute educates lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people and the public at large about issues impacting the LGBT community and our allies. Established in 2000, EQCAI organizes and empowers individuals, communities and allied groups to work proactively for fairness, equality and justice. EQCAI coordinates the LGBT Health and Human Services Network, a statewide health coalition. www.eqcai.org [7]

 

The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services for LGBTQ youth. Every day, The Trevor Project saves young lives through its free and confidential lifeline, in-school workshops, educational materials, online resources and advocacy. www.TheTrevorProject.org [8]

 

The Transgender Law Center (TLC) is a civil rights organization advocating for transgender communities. TLC uses direct legal services, education, community organizing and advocacy to transform California into a state that recognizes and supports the needs of transgender people and their families. www.transgenderlawcenter.org [9]

 

 

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