GLSEN's 2011 GSA Census
GLSEN has supported GSAs for more than 20 years, providing resources and a place for more than 4,000 clubs to register. With the start of a new school year, we know some GSAs may not have registered with us yet. Plus, we want to know from all GSAs how we can provide even better support in the coming school year. So we're excited to announce the 2011 GSA Census. Are you a GSA member or advisor? Make sure your GSA is counted! |
Share Your Stories Undergraduate journalism students at UCONN are working on a project focused on bullying and are seeking information from school districts that would like to share first-hand successes or challenges. Student, teacher and administrator stories are welcome. E-mail Gail B. MacDonald, Assistant Professor in Residence, overseeing the project.
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GSA Advisors:
Did You Get Yours?
This month we are checking to see if you or someone at your school received our Safe Space Kit mailing this fall. In our statewide roll-out we sent Safe Space Kits to all public, private and parochial middle and high schools. Did your school get one? Please let us know whether your school received the kit or if for some reason you didn't. And tell us....was your name on it or was it forwarded to you from someone else at your school? If we didn't have your name, we sent it to the guidance counselor, so, you might want to check with them too!
Email your response directly to Joy Lenters, GSA Outreach Coordinator.
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 LGBT Youth Conference
Please join our friends at GLSEN Hudson Valley, along with many collaborating partners, for their annual Prideworks Conference in Tarrytown, NY on Thursday, November 17th from 8:00am-3:00pm. Click here for more information and to register. |
DVR Extreme Makeover: Home Edition on December 2nd!
Extreme Makeover: Home Edition will feature GLSEN Spokesperson and Board Member Sirdeaner Walker on the December 2nd episode. To give people an opportunity to show their support for Sirdeaner's efforts to end bullying, the show worked with GLSEN to create a new website where people can take a pledge to Stand Together against bullying. Take the pledge.
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GLSEN Connecticut is a member of Community Works of Connecticut, a progressive workplace giving program.
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Please Note: This electronic message from GLSEN Connecticut contains information and opinions deemed relevant to ending anti-LGBT bias in schools and other items which may be of interest to the LGBT community and its valued allies. Not all opinions expressed are those of GLSEN Connecticut.
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Greetings!
The first snow has fallen already (and what a devastating storm it was!) and we at GLSEN Connecticut hope you and your families are safe and enjoying these last few weeks of autumn. As it starts to get colder, it is time to start thinking about how you'll warm your heart this season! Don't let that chilly weather stop you! Involvement is easy this winter season! Stay warm with us! This e-mail is packed with plenty of ways you can warm your heart and the hearts of others. Below you will find information on local events, support for GSAs, the GLSEN Sports Project, and an amazing scholarship opportunity for student athletes. There is so much to be thankful for this year!
Happy November!
Leif Mitchell and Liane Roseman
Co-Chairs, GLSEN Connecticut
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Transgender Day of Remembrance
 Sunday, November 20, 2011 is the 13th annual International Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR). TDOR is a day to memorialize those whose lives were lost due to anti-transgender fear, bigotry and hatred. Around the world communities plan vigils to remember those who have died in the previous year. In recognition of Transgender Day of Remembrance, work in your school and GSA to be more inclusive and supportive of transgender and gender-nonconforming youth. Click here to find new and updated resources from GLSEN in support of TDOR. Click here for information on events happening in Hartford that day.
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Staples High School 2010-2011 Boys' Soccer Team: Changing the Game
The Staples High School boys soccer team was proud to be the first team in any sport, at any level, to take the Changing the Game challenge. "I can't quantify it, but I'm convinced that the attitude of respect for all that is fostered on our team - reinforced by the captains, and embraced by the players - has something to do with results on the field" says Dan Woog, Head Coach. "When players don't have to worry about where they fit in - and no one spends time and energy putting down anyone else - they can concentrate on more important things, like playing and winning!"
"As an added bonus, the Staples High School boys soccer team won this year's Sportsmanship Award, given by the soccer referees' association. We also reached the finals of our league championship game, proving that strong play and good sportsmanship are NOT mutually exclusive!"
To learn more about GLSEN's Sports Project click here.
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Jump-Start Team Recruits 12 New Students!
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Alberto Cifuentes, Jr., Adult Jump-Start Coordinator
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I'm very excited to announce that the team has recruited twelve new student leaders from seven different schools all across the state! These schools include Stratford High School, New Britain High School, East Hartford High School, The Marvelwood School, Watkinson School, Somers High School, and Stafford High School. I'm so proud of how our team has gradually expanded and reached out to so many students.
I was able to meet most of our new student leaders at our recent Meet-and-Greet last month, and they all showed a lot of promise and commitment to our team's mission to make schools safer for all students. We look forward to engaging in some challenging but fun student leadership training this month and will soon start planning for our prospective GSA summit next year. Please stay tuned for more information about this event that will involve collaborations with several schools and organizations statewide!
I want to thank our existing team members - Mara, Shawn, and Skylar - for their tireless team promotion and recruiting. Without their help, we wouldn't have gotten so many students on board. Thanks to all of you on our mailing list as well who helped spread the word about our team and encouraged students to apply. I especially want to thank our team's new Student Coordinator, Julian, for all his energy and excellent leadership in mobilizing our team to eliminate bullying and harassment. I'm excited to have him contribute to our monthly column, and I hope you enjoy reading about his dedication to our team. Happy reading!
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Julian Arias, Student Jump-Start Coordinator
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Why I Joined the Jump-Start Team
I saw the Jump-Start team as a way of becoming more involved and active with GLSEN Connecticut. I also saw it as a huge opportunity to make a change. Over the summer at Camp GLSEN, I learned a lot of student leadership and organizing skills that I will use to help others. GLSEN has provided me with great tools to improve our team outcome as well as my ability to help others.
Recruiting and selecting our new members was a thrilling but difficult experience. The applications we got were so good that it made it really difficult to choose who was going to be a part of our team. Nevertheless, I'm glad with the decisions we made, and I'm sure our team is going to be outstanding. I see a lot of potential in our Jump-Start team this year. I hope that our new team will keep moving forward and achieve our goals that will soon make a difference.
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Local Events Corner: Fun for GSAs!
 Erin Davies at Rockville High
When: Wednesday, Nov. 9 from 2:30 - 4pm Where: Rockville High School Why: On the 11th Annual National Day of Silence, Erin Davies was victim to a hate crime in Albany, New York. Because of sporting a rainbow sticker on her VW Beetle, Erin's car was vandalized, left with the words "fag" and "u r gay" placed on the driver's side window and hood of her car. Despite initial shock and embarrassment, Erin decided to embrace what happened by leaving the graffiti on her car. She took her car, now known worldwide as the "fagbug," on a 58-day trip around the United States and Canada.If you would like to learn more about Erin and her message click here. Contact: Patricia Bengtson for more details. Trumbull High School's GSA, know as GLOW, is coordinating two events open to GSA members from throughout the state. For more details, e-mail Nicole Decker. The Laramie Project When: November 17th, 18th and 19th at 7:30pm. Where: The Westhill High School Northstar Playmakers (in Stamford)
Why: This production is being fully supported by the entire Westhill GSA. Advisors Cathy Manning and Kate Tobin will be serving as the House Directors, and the GSA will be fundraising during each intermission, thanks to the generosity of the Northstar Playmakers. Cost: Tickets will be available at the door - $7 students/seniors, $10 adults. Rock Climbing at Carabiners Indoor Rock Climbing Gym When: Sunday, Nov 20, 5:30pm - 7:30pm (arrive 15 min. early) Where: Carabiners Indoor Rock Climbing Gym, 85 Mill Plain Road, Fairfield, CT Why: To get various GSA groups together to celebrate Transgender Day of Remembrance Cost: $20/student for 2 hours, 6 students per instructor (need at least 20 students, need to know # as of Nov. 14) Need: Permission slip & waiver filled out by parent/guardian Must Wear: Comfy clothing, socks
Disco Ice Skating When: Saturday, Dec. 10, 7pm - 9pm Where: Fairfield Ice Academy, 85 Mill Plain Road Fairfield, CT Why: To get students together to celebrate International Human Rights Day Cost: $10 to skate, $4 to rent, $2 per person will be donated to International Human Rights Funds Must Wear: Warm clothing, socks, can bring own skates |
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The Foot Locker Scholar Athletes program honors high school athletes for demonstrating academic excellence as well as flexing their hearts on their sports team and in their communities. So, we're celebrating YOU - not just because you scored the winning touchdon or goal - but because you've used sports to become a strong leader and volunteer in your community.
Application open from September 20, 2011 until January 9, 2012.
Apply or nominate someone now!
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