Below are some suggestions from LGBTQ Liaisons on what their schools will be doing for April's Gay Pride:

Burton High School

• View the "Laramie Project: Ten Years Later" with GSA and English class students
• Meet Dan Savage, Founder of the "It Gets Better Campaign," author of the "It Gets Better" book at San Francisco State University fieldtrip
• Wear "Gay? Fine By Me" t-shirts

"Yes I Can" poster from Respect Week 2010-2011

Horace Mann Middle School

• Hold Pride Day: Queer 101 Fashion Show
• Honor "Day of Silence" by wearing District badges

Denman Middle School

• Sell rainbow colored bracelets that say "Denman Diversity" to raise money for the Diversity Club, and to raise awareness of our LGBTQ students and staff
• Host the New Conservatory Theater Production of the  "Other Side of the Closet" for our seventh and eighth graders
• Hold an art party through the Diversity Club to make Gay Pride posters to be displayed year-round in halls, classrooms and offices

James Lick Middle School

• Hold a one-day screening of an episode of Glee and sell popcorn to get funds into the Diversity Club, and help create a school that celebrates its LGBTQ students and staff

Wallenberg High School

• View "Straight-Laced" video in art class and follow-up with a sketch about breaking gender norms

Peter Toscani, GSA Advisor

Peter Toscani

At school, what have you done to create a safer climate for LGBTQ youth and their families?

I've been a GSA Advisor for the last five years.  This year we distributed a school safety survey regarding LGBTQ youth.  Our GSA has had presentations from the Family Acceptance Project.  Lastly, I remind the staff at my school about the District's anti-harassment policies. 

What is a fun activity you've done for LGBTQ youth?

Where to start?  National Day of Silence coupled with Pink Tsunami; National Coming Out Day; FoodFests to raise money for our club; having a GSA table at our semi-annual Student Success Night; Castro Neighborhood Walking Tour; "Make It Better" video project.

What were some challenges/barriers you encountered?

Initially, drumming up interest for joining the GSA was a huge issue.  A couple years ago, two colleagues-a husband/wife couple who were popular English teachers became co-advisors and recruitment shot up 2000 percent.  As a special education teacher, I am not known to many potential GSA members, so I'd like to think that this was the reason I couldn't get recruits.

What inspired you to create safer spaces for LGBTQ youth?

As a queer, but closeted teen in the middle 1970s, my high school certainly was not a safe place for anyone not fitting into the rigid roles of the status quo.  Now as an adult teaching teens it is vitally important to me to help provide services where teens can feel safe.

What has been the school/community reaction for the work you've done?

The reaction has been positive over the years, although sometimes I don't receive much feedback one way or the other.