+++++++++++++++ GSA NETWORK HIGHLIGHT+++++++++++++++
The Journeys of our Summer Interns
GSA Network loves hosting summer interns, and wants to give a huge shout out to Seth, Michael, Luis, and Nicole for their enthusiasm and tireless work all summer! For each of them, it has been a journey, learning more about themselves and picking up invaluable skills along the way.
San Francisco Interns
While working at GSA Network, S(arah B)eth Weintraub, who grew up in Nashville, TN and currently attends Yale University as a Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies major, spent a good deal of time working on developing a curriculum manual, making phone calls about the Year End Survey, tabling at events such as Hayward Youth Prom and the Trans March, and updating the recommended books and movies list so that it doesn't look like GSA Network stopped watching movies in 1999! Michael Aiyar, a native of Oakland, CA and current student at Marin Academy where he co-founded a club called Exploring Mixed Ethnicity, has spent much of his summer internship doing tech work - assisting with website updates, database clean-up, creating an inventory of all the technology, updating resource sheets, and testing keyboards for accuracy by typing really fast and seeing how many words he got right. Seth and Michael frequently collaborated on tasks such as creating new resource sheets, organizing the office, and distracting Aaron.
They both agreed that their internships have been great opportunities to see the inner workings of a non-profit and get more involved in the community they love so much. Seth had such an enjoyable experience in the Bay Area that she fully intends to move back someday. Michael, on the other hand, currently has no choice but to live here, so it's a good thing he likes it, too.
Los Angeles Interns
Nicole Carothers resides in the LA Area where she graduated from John
Burroughs High School, and will head off to study social work at UC Santa Cruz this fall. During her internship with GSA Network, Nicole was a youth trainer at the SoCal/Central Valley GSA Activist Camp, went to Texas to train at the first ever Texas GSA Network Activist Camp, participated in the Equality for All Coalition to defeat Proposition 8, did community outreach, and built all of the furniture in the new Los Angeles office. She still looks forward to outreaching to LGBTQ Youth at the 4th Annual Rainbow Youth Festival, working on planning Leadership Trainings throughout SoCal and developing final drafts of new resource sheets.
While Nicole was busy building furniture, Luis Roman, who grew up in East LA and will soon venture to UC San Diego, was running around helping to organize the So Cal GSA Activist Camp. He called all the participants, made sure they had all their paper work ready, and made what seemed like a never-ending pile of copies for the Activist Camp binders. He has also learned to appreciate even more all the resource guides offered by GSA Network, as he created two of his own and helped edit other new ones. Currently, he is helping organize other conferences in the Southern California area and really looking forward to the first Training of Trainers and Youth Council meeting of the new school year. He has the privilege of being in the Los Angeles No on Prop 8 Coalition representing GSA Network and reminding other folks about the power that the youth have! What Luis will miss the most is probably taking the bus to work every day, and mastering the technique of checking voice messages on the new office in Southern California. Luis is extremely happy and a bit jealous that what was once a cubicle during his days as a high school student in LA, has now turned into a super groovy office that he helped put together.
While some folks intern at various places to butter their college applications, and others do it to cross it off on their to-do list, the GSA Network interns did it because they care. Michael, Nicole, Seth, and Luis decided to embark on this opportunity because they knew that at the end of the day, their hard work will pay off and that somewhere in the golden state of California a GSA will benefit from their hard work. One thing is for sure, GSA Network has shaped their internship journeys in becoming dedicated, hard-working organizers and activists!
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+++++++++++++ GSA NETWORK ANNOUNCEMENTS +++++++++++++
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1. GSA Network Supports Rights of Immigrant Youth!
GSA Network has joined a coalition of over 30 schools, community groups, chambers of commerce, cities, and religious bodies in supporting the rights of immigrant youth in California by calling on Gov. Schwarzenegger to sign into law The California Dream Act, SB 1301.
The California Dream Act will allow undocumented students who have gone to school in California to receive to be eligible to compete for financial aid at all public colleges and universities to the extent that the federal law allows. These students would then have the chance to become teachers, doctors, and engineers and productive members of our California communities. These students have grown up in our neighborhoods, attended California public schools and can receive in-state tuition rates. Yet college is still a financial hardship for these children of low income families. The California Dream Act will make a college education accessible to these students.
GSA Network is now asking YOUR GSA to support the right to an education for all Californians. Go to California Dream Act website and learn what you can do to pass this law!
http://www.cadreamact.org/advocate.html
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2. Help defeat the Runner Initiative, Proposition 6 on the California November ballot!
Come show your support at one of the regional meetings to defeat the Runner Initiative, Proposition 6 on the California November ballot.
If passed, this initiative would take one billion dollars the first year, and half a billion each year after from the general fund to support prisons, jails, and law enforcement. This money will come from cuts to education, services for elders, and healthcare! It would also allow youth as young as 14 to be automatically tried as adults, and lock community members out of juvenile system reform efforts. If passed, this legislation will hurt the youth of our community the hardest, but everyone will feel its effects, making it even more difficult than it already is to get a good education and sufficient healthcare. Please show your support by going to www.defeatrunner.org and filling out a supporter form.
Also, please consider attending one of our regional meetings:
Northern CA--August 2nd, 2008 9:30 a.m.- 3:00 p.m. at ACLU Northern California 39 Drumm St, San Francisco, CA
Contact: Christina Gomez (415) 321-4100 x102, [email protected]
Southern CA--August 9th, 2008 9:30-4:00 ACLU Southern California 1313 West 8th St, 2nd Floor, Los Angeles, CA
Contact: Lisa Adler (213) 387-2800, [email protected]
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3. Nor Cal GSA Activist Camp Still Needs a Few More Campers!!
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 Tomorrow! July 31st.
Questions? Email: [email protected] or call 415.552.4229
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4. Now Hiring So Cal Interns!
SoCal GSA Network Hiring Paid Interns for the Fall and Spring Semesters
(please pass on to anyone who may be interested)
Internship Description
GSA Network SoCal is looking to hire paid interns for the Fall and Spring semesters. Interns will gain hands-on experience working for one of California's most dynamic LGBTQ youth-driven organization. They will gain invaluable insight about a mid-sized non-profit as well as GSA Network's particular organizational and organizing model. Interns will learn a broad range of skills while providing program and/or administrative support. This is a great way to gain hands-on experience, build up resumes, and possibly get college credits. Interns will do a variety of tasks including outreach and technical assistance to high school and middle school GSAs, curriculum development, resource sheets and program material development, working on media or press work lobbying and policy support, event planning, individual donor fundraising, database systems and and many other exciting activities. Interns also have the option to participate in staff meetings thus ensuring their voices are heard and their opinions are valued. Interns in the SoCal office will work directly with the Regional Program Coordinator, who will be responsible for providing support, an evaluation, and a letter of recommendation upon the conclusion of the internship.
Interns will be paid a competitive wage of $10 an hour. Internships are available on a part-time and full-time basis.
Intern Requirements
- Must have completed a year of college.
- A commitment to LGBTQ youth and their issues.
- Posses strong initiative & project management skills.
- Proficient in computer and Internet research skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Application Details
Applications must be submitted to Daniel Solis, Southern California Program Coordinator, by Friday, August 15th. Completed applications with resumes can be sent to <mailto:[email protected]>[email protected]. Download Applicaiton Here
Questions? Contact Daniel Solis: 213.482.4021 or email [email protected]
About GSA Network
Founded in 1998, Gay-Straight Alliance Network (GSA Network) is a
racially and economically diverse, youth-led statewide organization
that works to empower youth activists fighting homophobia and
transphobia in schools throughout California. We seek to create
supportive school communities where all students are safe to learn free
from discrimination, harassment, and violence based on actual or
perceived sexual orientation or gender identity. GSA Network's mission
statement is:
Gay-Straight Alliance Network is a youth leadership organization that
connects school-based Gay-Straight Alliances (GSAs) to each other and
community resources. Through peer support, leadership development, and
training, GSA Network supports young people in starting, strengthening,
and sustaining GSAs and builds the capacity of GSAs to:
1. create safe environments in schools for students to support each other and learn about homophobia and other oppressions,
2. educate the school community about homophobia, transphobia, gender identity, and sexual orientation issues, and
3. fight discrimination, harassment, and violence in schools.
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5. Join the 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
********************************************* 6. LYRIC Internship (SF)
Are you Young, Queer and Loud?
The LYRIC Internship Program is offering LGBTQQ youth 14-24 years old
the opportunity to work in a SF non-profit, gain work experience,
strengthen your community and get PAID to do
it!
Join QYTC - a Queer Training Collaborative designed for youth
Get job training (learn how to get and keep a job)!
Work 10-15 hours a week plus get an hourly wage!
Gain knowledge & experience!
Meet new friends!
Find a community or make a new one!
Have FUN!
Interested?
Orientation is the 1ststep!
Thursday, June 14th, 2008
4-6pm - 1st Floor
SAVE YOUR SPOT NOW! SPACE IS LIMITED.
Where: 127 Collingwood Street between 18th & 19th in the Castro
Contact: RSVP to Mercedes at 415.703.6150 x 21 or [email protected] *********************************************
7. QUEER WOMEN OF COLOR MEDIA ARTS PROJECT
A FREE Introductory Video Workshop focused on IMMIGRATION (includes refugee & asylum)
This workshop is offered to:
-- Lesbians, Bisexual, Genderqueer, Transgender,
Queer & Questioning women
-- who are People of Color: African American/Black, Chicana/Latina, Asian/Pacific Islander/Middle Eastern, Native/Indigenous/Aboriginal
PLEASE NOTE
o This workshop is open to everyone listed above but priority is given to immigrants of color.
o Films created through this workshop must explore themes related to IMMIGRATION (includes refugee & asylum).
o Workshop participants may create their own film or collaborate in pairs/teams.
o QWOCMAP past participants are encouraged to apply.
o Workshop will be conducted in English, with interpretation provided as needed.
o All workshop participants will receive a stipend upon completion of their video projects at the end of the workshop process.
DAY: Thursdays, 6:30pm to 9:30pm
BEGINS: August 21, 2008
ENDS: December 11, 2008
DURATION: 17 weeks
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: 5pm, Friday August 1, 2008
IMPORTANT
o Registration is first-come first-served.
o If accepted, you must be able to attend ALL 17 classes.
o Confirmation of your registration will be EMAILED to you on Monday, August 4, 2008.
o Class size is limited to 15 participants.
o There are no age restrictions for this workshop.
========
I M M I G R A T I O N W O R K S H O P REGISTRATION FORM
Email to: [email protected]
Please provide ALL of the following information for your application to be considered:
1. Name
2. Age
3. Race/Ethnicity
4. Nationality
5. Gender
6. Sexual Orientation
7. Full Mailing Address
8. Email Address
9. Day & Evening Phone
10. Access to a Mac computer with iMovie or Final Cut Pro will be *extremely* useful. Do you have access to a Mac computer with either software?
11. List any previous film/video production experience.
12. Have you attended past QWOCMAP screenings? When?
13. IMPORTANT: You must submit an idea for your project. Describe your idea for the 5-MINUTE video project that you will be creating through this workshop.
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WORKSHOP VENUE
Sunset Neighborhood Beacon Center
3925 Noriega Street (by 46th Avenue)
*Outer Sunset District in SF*
San Francisco, CA 94122
Phone: 415.759.3690
Fax: 415.759.0883
www.snbc.org
WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION
Each participant will create, write, direct and edit a 5-minute video project. This 17-week introductory workshop is intensive, transformative and lots of fun!
You will learn to: develop your story idea, write a script, draw storyboards, create shotlists, operate cameras & compose shots, set-up lights & sound, direct actors & manage crew, edit, send film to festivals & beyond.
Access to cameras and Mac computers is *extremely* helpful though it is not a requirement.
INSTRUCTOR
Madeleine Lim is the Executive Director of QWOCMAP. She is an award-winning filmmaker with 20+ years of film and video experience. Her films have been featured at international film festivals around the world, universities, museums and broadcast on PBS. She also teaches Video Production at the University of San Francisco.
Southern California
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8. 4th Annual Rainbow Youth Festival! (L.A.)
The 4th annual Rainbow Youth Festival
Saturday, August 16th 2008
2:00pm - 9:00pm
The Village at Ed Gould Plaza
1125 N. McCadden Place
Hollywood, CA 90038
(near Santa Monica and Highland)
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 meet new people! Last year's event was a great success with over 25 organizations and over 300 youth attending.
Attractions at event will include a LGBTQ youth resources fair, performances, dunk tank, face painting, live DJ, dance, talent show and youth entertainment. This is an alcohol, drug, and tobacco free event. For more information please call (323) 860-7394
www.myspace.com/rainbowyouthfestival
********************************************* 9. Ice-Cream Social (Whittier) Club IGSBY presents the 1st Annual Ice-Cream Social! Join the Inspired Gay Straight Bisexual Youth (IGSBY) club kick-off for
their youth group meetings weekly on Tuesdays.
Club IGSBY is a place for LGBTQ students and their Straight friends to
join forces and show their power.
See you all queer-fabulous youth there!!
When: Tuesday August 12th at 4:00 p.m.
Where: Christopher Wahl Youth Center
12401 Slauson Ave. Unit G
Whittier, CA 90606
For more information call 562-693-2247 or www.myspace.com/IGSBYconference
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10. LifeWorks Back to School Computer Contest!!! Essays due 8/20
Participate in our Essay Contest and you could be one of TWO WINNERS who will receive a Laptop Computer and Printer for school!
LifeWorks invites students to submit an essay in response to the following question:
"How will your education support the achievement of your goals and dreams?"
AWARDS:
* One new MacBook laptop computer with printer
* One new HP laptop computer with printer
Essays are due August 20, 2008.
For eligibility requirements and further information please go to
LifeWorks Essay Contest *********************************************
11. Trevor Project Volunteer Trainings (L.A.)
The Trevor Project operates the only nationwide, around-the-clock crisis and suicide prevention helpline for gay and questioning youth. Want to help? Become a help line counselor and assist LGBTQ youth in crisis.
The next Randy Stone West Coast Call Center training class will take place in Los Angeles over the following dates:
July 29, 2008 - Orientation: 7-8:30PM
August 3, 2008: 9AM-5PM
August 10, 2008: 9AM-5PM
August 16, 2008: 9AM-5PM
August 17, 2008: 9AM-5PM
The Volunteer Application is online at: Trevor Project Applications
If you have any questions contact Michael Vacha, West Coast Call Center Manager,
at 310.271.8845 ext 227 or [email protected]
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12. Make a ZINE (San Diego)
Join expressive arts therapist Nikyta Palmisani and Gwen Monoxide each
Wednesday from 5:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. at the Hillcrest Youth Center to
create the best zine for young folks in San Diego. Weekly prompts and
food, open to everybody of all skills, talents. If you can pick up a
pencil, you're IN! Distribution throughout San Diego County.
The Hillcrest Youth Center is located at 3777 4th Ave. San Diego, CA 92103.
For more information visit the Youth Center's website at
www.youthcenter.com
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13. South Bay Center presents First Friday Coffee House! (Torrance)
South Bay Center supporters will meet at a different Coffee Shop in the South Bay the first Friday of every month. Participants are invited to recommend their favorite coffee shop or Karaoke.
Join the gang for coffee, snacks, and conversation! Meet old friends, make new friends.
This Week:
Fri., August 1
7:00pm to 9:30pm
Coffee Cartel
Telephone (310) 316-6554
1820 South Catalina Avenue (Hollywood Riviera),
Redondo Beach, 90277, 310-316-6554
Cross Street is Elena Avenue.
Free large parking lot one block east of Catalina Avenue.
Night of event only, call (310) 613-1632.
For questions or more information, leave a message at (310) 328-6550
or send Email to [email protected]
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14. 2nd Annual Empowerment Luncheon (San Bernardino)
Featuring Keynote Speaker Deborah Roffman
Date: Thursday, September 25, 2008
Time: 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
The Castaway Restaurant
670 Kendall Drive
San Bernardino, CA 92407
Proceeds directly support the 2008 Young Women's Health Conference and San Bernardino health education programs.
Go to www.adayofqanda.com for more information
or call us at (909) 890-5515 x3 for more information.
National
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15. Documentary Film Seeks: OUT High School Athletes
Director Scott Bloom of Tragoidia Moving Pictures (www.tragoidia.com)
is now in pre production for his next feature documentary tentatively
titled, "The Best Year of Their Lives". The film's focus is on Out
High School Athletes and will follow them through their Senior year in
High School. Utilizing footage shot by our cameras and video diaries
kept throughout the year by our subjects, we hope to show the world a
new generation of courage in the most homophobic place on a high school
campus: the locker room.
We are interested in speaking to athletes who play team sports,
individual sports or any combination thereof. We would most like to
find young men and women who are out to their teammates, friends and
family but we are also hoping to speak to athletes who are still
struggling in the closet (identities will be kept confidential) because
we would like to be able to present a balanced view of High School
sports and beyond. Students who have aspirations to use their athletic
abilities to go on to college (via scholarship) and perhaps into
professional sports are of great interest as well.
Students wishing to participate in our project must be willing to
commit to a one year video shoot (off and on), follow up post
production pick ups and be willing to video diary once a week. Further
details will be discussed with candidates during their pre-interviews.
All students wishing to be considered should respond via email with a short introductory letter to:
Scott Bloom
Tragoidia Moving Pictures
[email protected]
Phone 818-915-0868 |
++++++++++++++++++++ NEWS ++++++++++++++++++
16. NEWS: Prop. 8 backers take fight to kindergarten
by Bob Egelko
San Francisco Chronicle
July 25, 2008
SAN FRANCISCO -- Backers of a November initiative to ban same-sex marriage in California plan to tell voters in the state ballot pamphlet that the constitutional amendment would protect children as young as kindergarten age from being taught in school about the virtues of gay and lesbian matrimony.
"If the gay marriage ruling is not overturned, teachers will be required to teach young children there is no difference between gay marriage and traditional marriage," supporters of Proposition 8 said in ballot arguments that went on public display this week at the secretary of state's office.
It's all nonsense and scare tactics, opponents of the measure said Thursday. Steve Smith, strategist for the No on 8 campaign, said opponents of the measure will decide by next week whether to sue, which is the only way a ballot argument can be changed before the election.
The argument represents an attempt by opponents of same-sex marriage to open a new front in the Prop. 8 campaign, although the interplay between gay rights and educational standards in California has surfaced before. Religious conservatives have sued in federal court to overturn a state law that took effect this year prohibiting public schools from discriminating because of sexual orientation or identity.
To read the full story, visit:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/07/24/BA5511V2DO.DTL&tsp=1
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17. NEWS: Bill would declare an annual Harvey Milk Day in California
By Jim Sanders
Sacramento Bee
July 27, 2008
Harvey Milk is a lightning rod in death - just as he was in life. Martyred hero or misplaced symbol, take your pick.
Nearly three decades after Milk and Mayor George Moscone were fatally shot by a fellow city lawmaker inside San Francisco City Hall, the gay activist's renown continues to grow:
* A bronze bust of Milk was unveiled at San Francisco City Hall two months ago to honor the former county supervisor and first openly gay man elected to office in a major U.S. city.
* Actor Sean Penn will star as Milk in a feature film about his political life and infamous death at the hands of Dan White.
* Milk's memory was celebrated this year by San Francisco's gay pride parade, which named his nephew, Stuart Milk, as a grand marshal.
Pending legislation would declare an annual Harvey Milk Day in California, a day of "special significance" in which schools would be encouraged to commemorate his life.
Alice Kessler of Equality California, a gay-rights advocacy group, said Milk is a symbol of civil rights activism and a role model for all - particularly for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender youth who face intolerance themselves.
To read the full story, visit:
http://www.sacbee.com/111/story/1112044.html
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