+++++++++++++++ GSA NETWORK HIGHLIGHT+++++++++++++++
National Program & Texas GSA Network Partner for Youth Activist Camp!
GSA Network's National Program teamed up with the Texas GSA Network based at Out Youth in Austin this month to put on Texas's first GSA Activist Camp, based on our California model.
GSA Network's National Program helps to coordinate the National Association of GSA Networks in 20 states across the US, and one province in Canada. The National Program has also been working with groups in New Mexico and Texas to build those state's networks through a replication process that provides technical expertise, assistance with events, and use of California's materials and curricula. The recent GSA Activist Camp was a part of this effort.
The 3-day Texas GSA Activist Camp was held at the Alma de Mujer center for indigenous women just outside of Austin, Texas. Two youth trainers from California, Nicole Carothers and Rick Griswold traveled to Austin to help Texas youth leaders present GSA Network's training for youth activists.
Young people joined the camp from Austin, Dallas, San Antonio, and El Paso in an effort to build collaboration between GSAs, gain new skills in activism, and learn about anti-oppression models of organizing. The workshops covered a range of topics from "How to have a kick-ass GSA" to "Race, Power, Privilege."
Nicole Carothers one of the California youth trainers writes:
"I will carry the memories and experiences of the Texas GSA Network Activist Camp in my heart for as long as I live because not only did I play the role of a facilitator, I also played the roles of student and friend. As much as the youth participants learned from me, I learned twice as much from them in terms of Texan customs, traditions and beliefs and more. They exposed me to new ways of thinking and inspired me with their knowledge, which seemed to surpass mine, and left me confident knowing that I walked away from camp much more prepared to be an activist than I had arrived.
As a youth trainer, I found myself in positions of leadership and authority. I did not take these roles lightly and was fortunate to have examples of positive, effective leaders to look up to in California and Texas Staff. For this I am forever grateful and will remember these influential people, and follow their example as I continue my work in activism."
This year's camp also saw an exciting and friendly competition between the "Texas Armadillos" and the "California Tofu Bugs" (as named by the Texas staff and youth leaders) in the form of an obstacle course that involved water balloons, puzzles, three legged races, and team jump rope. After a close race, the Cali GSA Network is proud to announce we are now the National GSA champions. Texas will see California in a rematch at this year's National Gathering to be held in Chicago July 31st through August 3rd. |
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+++++++++++++ GSA NETWORK ANNOUNCEMENTS +++++++++++++
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1. Volunteers and Endorsements Needed - No on Prop 8
GSA Network is a member of Equality For All, a large and diverse coalition of civil rights, faith, choice, labor and community of color organizations working to stop and defeat any ballot measure that has the intent to discriminate against LGBT Californians and deny gay and lesbian couples the right to marry.
Equality For All is looking for volunteers to get involved in the fight to defeat Prop 8, which will be on the ballot this November.
http://eqfed.org/equalityforall/volunteer.html
Equality For All is also looking for GSA clubs, LGBT groups, and supportive non-LGBT groups (such as other clubs at your school) to endorse the campaign against Prop 8. Let's keep showing what a diverse and broad coalition of Californians oppose Prop 8!
You can download the endorsement form here.
http://www.equalityforall.com/endorsement-forms
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2. Apply for GSA Activist Camp This Summer!!
It's that time of year again! GSA Network Activist Camp is happening in Northern California.
Who's excited? We are!
The
GSA Activist Camp is a youth-planned and youth-led 3-day event that
features intensive community building, skill-building, political
education, and leadership training for GSA members and potential
members. All LGBT and straight ally youth from California can apply.
Youth who will be in a high school or middle school GSA next year will
be given priority.
APPLY ONLINE: http://www.gsanetwork.org/camp/camp2007.html
Northern California
On
August 15-17 youth from all over Northern California and Central Valley
will be heading to the Marin Headlands in Sausalito. Application
deadline is Today! July 16.
Questions? mailto:[email protected] or call 415.552.4229
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3. Help GSA Network Serve You!
Help GSA Network better serve you. Let us know how this last year went for your GSA, and how the Network can make next year even better. Fill out the end of the year evaluation.
http://www.gsanetwork.org/yearendeval/index.html
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4. GSA Network Statewide Advocacy Council
Are you interested in legislation, advocacy, developing campaigns, and creating change in your community and through-out California? Then we want you to join our Statewide Advocacy Council. Applications are due Friday August 1st by 5pm.
Statewide Advocacy Council Description
The GSA Network Advocacy Council is a diverse group of youth leaders from schools across California. As a member of the Statewide Advocacy Council (SAC) you will learn skills to become a stronger activist and work towards creating a safer climate across California for LGBTQ students and straight allies. You will get support to use your advocacy skills for your school, GSA and in your community.
Members are also responsible for providing input towards the planning of GSA Advocacy & Youth Leadership Academy (GAYLA), Queer Youth Advocacy Day (QYAD), and our new Curriculum Campaign. GAYLA will typically be a fall event bringing all the Advocacy Council together to develop skills and strategically plan the year out in regards to the work that we want to focus on. QYAD is an annual all-youth lobbying day held at the Capitol in Sacramento in the spring; bringing student from across California together to speak to lawmakers about the needs of LGBTQ students. The Curriculum Campaign will work over the next few years to implement LGBTQ inclusive curriculum into schools across California and hopefully in the long-term towards the statewide academic standards.
In addition, members are responsible for giving input in order to guide GSA Network's Advocacy Program: providing feedback and recommendations on legislation being considered by GSA Network for future support, endorsement, or other kinds of action; members will also guide the implementation advocacy work of GSA Network; and members will guide the new curriculum development. Finally, members will represent the needs of GSAs and youth activists from their region.
Please see the following link for the SAC Application. If you have more questions please contact t. aaron hans.
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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.
Northern California
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5. Dusty Springfield Summer Cabaret presents "Brand New Me" at the New Conservatory Theater Center
This Thursday July 17th 8PM is a Pay-What-You-Wish Preview show at New Conservatory Theatre Center. All proceeds will go to Shanti's Lifelines Breast Cancer Project & Camp Sister Spirit. After Thursday, we run Fri & Sat nights & Sunday matinees through Aug 10th. For tickets Call- 415-861-8972
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6. The Jewish Film Festival Presents: The Secrets The Secrets
Naomi, daughter of a revered rabbi, comes to Safed -- where the mystical texts of the Kabala were received -- to study in an orthodox women's seminary. Eagerly diving into serious Torah study, she catches the eye of the flirtatious Michelle. Assigned to bring meals to the mysterious Anouk (Fanny Ardant), ill and seeking spiritual redemption, Michelle and Naomi embark upon a secret journey of purifying rituals and forbidden love. More Info: SFJFF - The Secrets
Southern California
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7. 4th Annual Rainbow Youth Festival!
The Fourth Annual Rainbow Youth Festival will take place on Saturday, August 16th, 2008. The event will start at 2:00pm and end at 9:00pm. Attractions at event will include resources tables, performances, "dunk" tank, face painting, a live DJ, dance, talent show and youth entertainment.
The Rainbow Youth Festival is an outreach event and resource fair organized by representatives from the LA Gay & Lesbian Center, Gay & Lesbian Adolescent Social Services (MOHOP), Bienestar Human Services and LifeWorks Mentoring. The event provides a safe and healthy place for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) youth, ages 15 to 24, and their friends to learn about community resources, socialize and make new friends. Last year's event was a great success with over 25 organizations. Over 300 youth attended.
The 4th annual will take place on Saturday, August 16th 2008, at the Village at Ed Gould Plaza, 1125 N. McCadden Place, in Hollywood.
For more information please call (323) 860-7394 or check out the event at www.myspace.com/rainbowyouthfestival
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8. MODELS OF PRIDE CONFERENCE
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2008
OCCIDENTAL COLLEGE
brought to you by: Friends of Project 10 Inc.
115 W. California Blvd. #116
Pasadena, CA 91105The annual Models of Pride (MOP 16) is scheduled for
Saturday, November 1, 2008, at Occidental College in Eagle Rock. This
is a free one-day conference for youth, ages 14 to 23. The focus of the
conference is on LGBTQ youth interests and issues.
APPLICATIONS ARE NOW ON THE WEB SITE FOR WORKSHOPS, ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSIONS, AND THE RESOURCE FAIRE.
VISIT THE MOP 16 WEB SITE AT
Models of Pride
TO DOWNLOAD APPLICATIONS.
CLICK ON WORKSHOPS
AND RESOURCE FAIRE.
Nonprofits and for-profits (businesses and corporations) are invited to have a resource table at the resource faire.
CLICK RESOURCE FAIRE.
We are offering sponsorships at the $250, $500, $1,000 + levels.
Learn how you can be a sponsor.
Volunteer applications will be posted in July.
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9. National Campaign to Restore Civil Rights, Make a Video with your GSA!
Civil Rights 2.0: What Are You And Your Generation Doing For Civil Rights Today?
If you are between the ages of 16 and 25, the National Campaign to Restore Civil Rights wants you to answer that question.
We
know that you are voting in numbers higher than we've ever seen and
that you are aware and organizing in new and creative ways. Now we
want you to give us insight into what you care about and how you are
taking action. And then we want to share your good work with those
around the country!
Civil Rights 2.0 will be hosted on our http://youtube.com/user/rollbackcampaign
YouTube
channel, and will run until July 31st. We are asking contestants to
make 30 second to two minute videos answering the question:
What Are You And Your Generation Doing For Civil Rights Today?
Entries
will be judged by a panel of celebrity judges. Present judges include
NAACP President-Elect, Ben Jealous, MTV News Correspondent, and former
America's Next Top Model contestant, Kim Stolz, award-winning filmmaker
Stanley Nelson and Congresswoman Hilda Solis.
You can see the introductory video, and learn more details about the contest, by clicking below.
http://www.rollbackcampaign.org/video-contest/
Scholarships
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10. �Adelante! California
�Adelante! California is dedicated to empowering and nurturing youth through educational programs and collaborative that promote advocacy and organizing skills, developing and motivating agents for change so as to improve the quality of life in communities throughout the state.
Fr. Rutilio Grande, SJ Scholarship - awarded to undergraduate and graduate students pursuing their degree in Religious Studies, Theology or Philosophy. Scholarship amount is $500 - $2000.
About Fr. Grande - the scholarship was established to honor the first religious martyr of the Salvadoran Civil war. Father Grande, SJ was a courageous man that taught his community to have faith, stand for their rights, and care for our shared gift -the earth. For voicing the rights of an impoverished community, living his life according to the gospel, and daring to confront an unjust society, he was murdered on March 12, 1977.
Luisa Moreno Scholarship - awarded to undergraduate AB 540 students. Scholarship amount is $500 - $2000.
About Luisa Moreno - Luisa Moreno was a trail-blazing Guatemalan union organizer and civil rights activist. In the course of her 86 years, Luisa Moreno organized Latina garment workers in New York City, African American and Latina cigar rollers in Florida, pecan-shellers in San Antonio, cannery workers in Los Angeles and San Diego, walnut pickers in El Monte and citrus pickers in the Inland Empire. Due to her committed activism and tireless defense of the working class and racially oppressed peoples, Moreno was deported on November 30, 1950 as part of Operation Wetback. Despite the fact that Luisa Moreno was one of the major figures in the pre-Chicano Movement era, she has often been overlooked in favor of male Mexican American leaders.
Founders' Scholarship - awarded to graduate AB 540 students in the state. Scholarship amount is $1000 - $2000.
Adelante College Stipend - awarded to seniors in high school wishing to apply to colleges. Stipend amount $60 .00 -$150.00
For Applications please contact:
Adelante! California
812 West 148th Place, Gardena, CA 90247
[email protected]
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