GSA Network News:

We want to wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season and vacation! GSA Network's Office's will be closed on Dec. 25th-26th and Jan. 1st-2nd.

Our last issue of GSA Network News of 2008 will be sent on Dec. 31st. Organizations can submit 2009 events for GSAs to: [email protected]

In this issue we re-cap the Youth Empowerment Summit and mention some upcoming holiday festivities for your GSAs, as well as some "save the dates" in 2009!

In solidarity,
GSA Network

GSA NETWORK NEWS HIGHLIGHT: Over 400 Youth Activists attended YES 2008!

On Saturday, December 6th, hundreds of youth and adults swarmed Everett Middle School to attend the 5th annual Youth Empowerment Summit (YES).

This event, organized and led by a youth steering committee and the NorCal Program Coordinator, was for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer, questioning, and straight ally youth who are dedicated to fostering safe schools and youth activism.

With an impressive opening focusing on Tom Ammiano, Phyllis Lyon, and an interactive student panel contemplating what it means to be a youth activist, the YES conference started off with a solid activist punch!

As one youth activist, Piper Hoffman from Laguna Creek High School, states, "I loved absolutely everything about the conference, but was most inspired by seeing and meeting Tom and Phyllis. Because they were there doing so many things in our history for us. It makes me feel like I want to be like that, that I want to make a huge difference like they did and then come back for a youth conference and talk about it."

YES had close to 30 workshops with topics including how to start and maintain a GSA in a public or private school, sexual communication and consent, the importance of queer youth of color spaces and services, knowing the legal rights that protect LGBTQ students, and many more! Attendees also took part in caucuses where they had an opportunity to network and share advice with other GSA members from their own specific geographic regions. Apparently, the East Bay session had more participants than the San Francisco session. What's up with that?! : )

Logan Cuevas, a student from Oak Grove High School, believes "YES was a chance for me to put my self out there and show other youth that there's youth just like them taking charge."

The all-day event included a resource fair in which over twenty community organizations participated. After a day full of education, sharing, and networking, everyone reassembled in the auditorium for the closing ceremony in which prizes were raffled off, a special dance was performed, and participants sang along to Diana Ross' "I'm Coming Out"! Finally, everyone who had the energy then partied it up at the dance and drag show where YES had the special guest DJ B-Somebody from SF's The Crib.

Alex Adsit, a student at Bishop O'Dowd, exclaims, "I absolutely LOVED YES and I'm so proud of how it turned out. I was especially enthused about how many people showed up! Also, I was absolutely inspired by the keynotes Assembly Member Tom Ammiano and Activist Phyllis Lyon! Both were so amazing and the entire day was just a dream come true!"

LOST AND FOUND: If anyone lost any items, please contact us at [email protected] so we can return these things to you.

And lastly, THANK YOU to all the volunteers, workshop presenters, and resource tablers who helped make this event run smoothly!

Please send any pictures you would like to share to [email protected]

GSA Network hopes to see you all again next year for the sixth annual YES Conference!

	GSA NETWORK ANNOUNCEMENTS

1. Ventura County GSA Summit! Jan 31, 2009

As part of our mission to empower youth activists, we are holding GSA Leadership trainings throughout Southern California.

GSA Network will be holding a FREE leadership summit for GSA activists in Ventura County on Saturday, January 31st from 10am to 5pm at the offices of Ventura County Rainbow Alliance in Ventura.

We are asking all youth who wish to attend to pre-register through our Myspace page: http://www.myspace.com/socalgsanetwork
or by emailing us at [email protected].

Youth who attend will:

-Learn how to Have a Kick Ass GSA!
- Connect with other GSAs throughout Ventura County!
- Gain leadership skills!

RSVP BY 1/16/09

Ventura Summit Poster

2. Expression Not Suppression (Fresno)
Save the date!

Gay-Straight Alliance Network and Community Link present: Expression Not Suppression (ENS)

Save the date: Feb 7th, 2009

ENS is a FREE conference for LGBTQQI youth activists and their allies
who are dedicated to defeating homophobia and transphobia and creating
safe and supportive schools for everyone.

The target audience is high school & middle school students.
Teachers & GSA advisors are welcome.

The event will be held on Saturday, February 7th from 12pm-9:30pm.
The location will be 2131 N Van Ness Blvd, Fresno, CA 93704

The conference features workshops and speakers that will help you feel comfortable with who you are, explore how you express yourself, and develop tools to change the world around you.

After the workshops, there is a free dinner, dance and drag show!

If you'd like more info or would like to help with planning,
please call 559-268-2780 or email [email protected]

REGISTRATION OPENS 1/9/09
All interested youth should register at www.gsanetwork.org/ens after
1/9/09.

3. LGBT Inclusive Curriculum at Your School?

Are You Interested in having LGBT Inclusive Curriculum at your School?

GSA Network's Statewide Advocacy Program is excited to announce the creation of a statewide working group for developing LGBT Inclusive Curriculum Campaign in schools. The Statewide Advocacy Council is looking for youth who would like to be involved in developing the campaign materials and are willing to develop a campaign at your school to try out the new materials.

This working group will be hosted by the Statewide Advocacy Council, a group of 15 youth from across California, who help GSA Network determine the priorities of our advocacy programs.

If interested, please contact t. aaron hans at [email protected] or call 415.552.4229.

4. GSA Site Visits! GSA Network Staff can visit your GSA

Is your GSA running out of ideas for meetings? Is it lacking members? Does your GSA want a peer-led training on pretty much anything GSA related? Or do you just want someone cool and totally fun to come and sit in on your meeting and share resources?

Well then time to contact the GSA Network!

Here at GSA Network there are 3 Program Coordinators for every region of CA (Kiely, Daniel, and Robin) that would love to come and visit your GSA and provide resources, feedback, or your own personalized mini training!

We'll do our very best to visit your GSA, and if we can't make it to your school for a visit because of distance or scheduling, we're more than happy to answer any questions by phone or email. We love talking with GSA members!

And our mini trainings are freakin' awesome! These trainings are youth led, so what's better than learning about GSA organizing from another experienced GSA member?

So if you want to be like all the cool youth who are doing it, be sure to contact your local GSA Network Program Coordinator today!

Northern California
For more info contact [email protected] or call 415-552-4229
Central Valley
For more info contact [email protected] or call 559-268-2780
Southern California
For more info contact [email protected] or call 213-482-4021

5. Re-Register your GSA!

Keep your club registered! Get new resources & stay informed!!

Before you plan any events for your GSA, remember to register or re-register your group with the GSA Network. Do it NOW to make sure you receive our student resource sheets, FREE posters, other resources, and notifications of future GSA Network or LGBT-related events. (Mailings will go out only to California GSAs in middle and high schools.)

Register online at http://www.gsanetwork.org/register/index.php

If you have any questions or concerns contact:
[email protected]

6. GSA Network Recap: Filing a Complaint

Unfortunately, in the wake of the passing of Proposition 8, we have been hearing from youth, parents and other organizers about an increase in harassment and discrimination towards LGBT students in schools all across California.

While we hope that you are not experiencing this, we also want to let you know that if you are, you are NOT alone. Please, contact us if you need support, want to know what your rights are, or want to create a campaign to change the climate at your school.

You have the right to file a complaint if you are being harassed at your school. You can ask for a complaint form in the main office or find one on the district website, and if they don't have one, write your own one up. You need to document and keep copies of EVERYTHING! You want to make sure that the following is covered in your complaint form:

Start by saying that you are filing a complaint based on discrimination based on sexual orientation and/or gender identity and expression, under the uniformed complaint procedures.

-Make sure to include the five W's: Who, What, Where, When, and Witnesses.

-Make 3 copies of the complaint - turn them into the principal, the superintendent of your district (or the person responsible for complaints at the district level) and keep a copy for yourself.

-Take notes each and every time you talk to somebody about the compliant.

-Lastly, follow up with them about your complaint to see what they are doing about it (we recommend giving them a week or so, but make sure that you have a follow up conversation). You can take others with you to this conversation: a parent, an adult you trust, or even other students.

Here are the critical time restrictions:

You have 6 months from the date of the incident to file a complaint.
Once you have filed a complaint, the school has 60 days to resolve and report to you what has happened.

If you are unsatisfied with the outcome, than you have 15 days to appeal to the California Department of Education.

Lastly, if you are in "imminent danger" (you are experiencing violence or threat of physical violence) than you can call the California Department of Education and file a complaint directly with them. Call Toni Valadez at 916.445.9174 or email her at [email protected].

If you are interested in or are filing a complaint at your school, please contact t. aaron hans, Advocacy Program Manager at GSA Network, [email protected] or 415.552.4229.

	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.

	NATIONAL

	7. NYAC Calling All Queer Youth Bloggers
The National Youth Advocacy Coalition is seeking LGBTQ youth contributors for its blog. If you identify as LGBTQ and are under 24 years old, you are eligible! If you enjoy blogging and have an opinion to share, please submit a sample column and you could be the next contributor to NYAC's blog. To visit NYAC's blog, click here. To submit a sample blog, click here.

8. Queer Musical: "Were the World Mine" now in Theaters

If you had a love-potion, who would you make fall madly in love with you?

After an award-winning turn on the film festival circuit, WERE THE WORLD MINE kicks up its heels in movie theaters across the country.

WERE THE WORLD MINE

A musical dream come true

Timothy escapes his dismal high school reality through dazzling musical daydreams. But when his eccentric teacher casts him as Puck in A Midsummer Night's Dream, he stumbles upon a recipe hidden in the script and creates a truly magical purple love-pansy. Armed with the enchanted flower, Timothy imposes a new reality by turning much of his narrow-minded town gay -- beginning with the rugby-jock of his dreams... Ensnaring family, friends and enemies in this heart-wrenching chaos, Timothy forces them to walk a mile in his musical shoes.

Trailer & Complete Theater Listings available at:

http://www.weretheworldminefilm.com/
http://www.myspace.com/weretheworldmine

Opening Friday, November 21st:
San Francisco, CA - Opera Plaza Cinema (601 Van Ness Avenue)
Berkeley, CA - Shattuck Cinemas (2230 Shattuck Avenue)
New York, NY - Cinema Village (22 East 12th Street)

Opening Friday, December 5th:
Boston, MA - Kendall Square Cinema (One Kendall Square)
San Diego, CA - Ken Cinema (4061 Adams Avenue)

Opening Friday, December 12th:
Los Angeles, CA - Laemmle's Sunset 5 (8000 Sunset Boulevard)
Washington, D.C. - E Street Cinema (555 11th Street NW)
Chicago, IL - Music Box Theatre (3733 N. Southport Avenue)

9. Did a GSA Change Your Life?

You could lend your voice to LGBTQ history and let the world know how your GSA has affected your life.

If you are a current high school or junior high student that is non-heterosexual and you have gone to at least one GSA meeting at your school, your experiences are invaluable to a graduate school study. You could lend your voice to LGBTQ history and let the world know how your GSA has affected your life.

The study is an anonymous Internet survey that takes about 20 minutes to complete. You can take the survey without parental permission and no one will ever contact you from the study. You can fill-in the survey by using this link: GSA Survey until the end of Dec.

If you have any questions about the survey, would like to receive a flyer advertising the study or want to receive the results once the study is complete, please feel free to email Nicole Hermann at the following address: [email protected]

And don't forget to spread the word at your next GSA meeting!

10. Day of Pink

The first Day of Pink was 'born' in 2007 when a gay youth in Nova Scotia
was bullied for wearing a pink shirt to school. Hundreds of his
classmates stood up to the discrimination by wearing pink shirts to
school.

Working with millions of youth across the world, Day of Pink
(www.DayOfPink.org ) promotes this international day of action (February 19, 2009), and includes FREE RESOURCES (posters, guidebooks, stickers...) and support for students, teachers, and administrators to get involved and make a difference.

All you need to do is this:
*         Wear pink on February 19, 2009; and getting others to do the same
*         Go to DayOfPink.org; download or order free posters, stickers and buttons to advertise the event.
*         Register your school at DayOfPink.org to enter to win cool prizes.
*         Find out how you can organize other diversity activities to make your Day of Pink POP.
*         Donate to Day of Pink to support this international day of action

WOW: By getting involved you are also entered to win cool prizes like a
trip to Iceland or the Caribbean, and Sony digital cameras.
Should you have any questions, please contact Jeremy at:
www.jersvision.org
877.868.8292 x6486

	CA STATEWIDE

	NOR CAL

11. Revoke Prop 8 Rally Dec. 19th!! (S.F.)

COUPLE MARCHING THROUGH CALIFORNIA TO REVOKE PROP 8
ARRIVES IN SAN FRANCISCO; RALLY PLANNED AT SUPREME COURT

San Francisco, Friday, December 19th, 12 noon - Valerie Paget and Tracie Jones, a Los Angeles couple affected by the passage of Proposition 8, will arrive in San Francisco culminating a 450 mile march through California to demonstrate their conviction that the California Supreme Court should revoke Prop 8.

People are invited to join the couple at Market and Castro at 11:00 am to walk the final miles to the steps of San Francisco City Hall at noon for a short rally with a march to the steps of the California Supreme Court to follow.

December 19 is the deadline for our opponents to file their briefs in the historic Supreme Court case that will decide the constitutionality of Prop 8.
Valerie and Tracie began their march in West Hollywood Park, Los Angeles, on November 18. As they marched, they carried their message through every community along their route from Los Angeles to San Francisco, collecting signatures, rallying communities, and gathering personal letters and video testimonies from Californians to bring to the courthouse.
"We will carry the demands for full equality from our streets to the steps of the California Supreme Court," said Valerie Paget. "We have traveled the extra mile in support of marriage equality and hope that the California Supreme Court Justices will also go the extra mile to ensure equality and equal protections are safeguarded for all Californians."
"We will gather to celebrate and welcome Tracie and Valerie as they complete the final leg of their journey," said McKay. "They have literally walked their talk, spoken to hundreds of people about the impact of marriage discrimination and put a human face to the issue of marriage equality which is the key to securing support. We must continue to advocate in the court of public opinion while we await the California Supreme Court's ruling on Proposition 8. While our lives hang in the balance, we must re-new our efforts to keep hope alive in California."

Valerie and Tracie blogged their experiences along this historic 450-mile, five week march for equal rights at www.Revoke8.blogspot.com.

	12. Sacramento 2009 Queer Prom (Feb. 7th)
Save the Date! Sacramento Gay and Lesbian Queer Youth Program Presents: The 2009 Queer Prom Come join the Masquerade! When: Feb 7th Where: The Double Tree Hotel From: 7pm to 11pm Tickets: $5.00 in advance, $10.00 more info at: [email protected] Fabulous Door Prizes, Dance to Great Muisc, Decorate Your Own Mask, Get Your Picture Taken

13. HOLY ROLLERS: A BIG Gay Skate Party!

Wednesday, January 14, 2009 8-10.30pm
Redwood Roller Rink: 1303 Main St.
Redwood City, CA 94063

$10 entry fee

Just like holy rollers take their ministry around the nation, The Sisters of
Perpetual Indulgence will take their ministry around the rink!

This will be a social mixer for LGBTQ youth with one goal in mind: to have a good time! All
proceeds raised will go to LYRIC.

Festivities include:
- Raffles throughout the night
- Skate contests
- Great music
- ...and your chance to catch a Sister strut her stuff or fall (gracefully) on
wheels.

We also learned today that 92.7 is making this an official event and will bring their big sound truck and personalities out for the evening and do heavy promos on their morning drive-time shows.

I hope that this is something GSAs can get behind and that the evening will provide a needed fun evening for queer youth in your area!

For more information, you're welcome to contact me or my sister who is the point nun (and one with the inspiration) Novice Sister Desi Groan [email protected] and phone: 415-203-0681.

The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence take a very active interest in youth, especially those beyond the SF downtown area, and we provide grants and resources as often as possible to support the safe development of LGBTQ youth and resources to build their communities.

Much love
Sr. Merry Peter, SPI
http://www.thesisters.org

The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence� is a leading-edge Order of queer nuns. Since our first appearance in San Francisco on Easter Sunday, 1979, the Sisters have devoted ourselves to community service, ministry and outreach to those on the edges, and to promoting human rights, respect for diversity and spiritual enlightenment. We belive all people have a right to express their unique joy and beauty and we use humor and irreverent wit to expose the forces of bigotry, complacency and guilt that chain the human spirit.

14. Youth Calendar (S.F.)

San Francisco's LYRIC Youth Center hosts events almost everyday for LGBTQQ youth.

LYRIC
LYRIC's mission is to build community and inspire positive social change through education enhancement, career trainings, health promotion, and leadership development with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning youth, their families, and allies of all races, classes, genders, and abilities.

Calendar of Events
http://lyric.org/calendar.html

15. GLBT Historical Society exhibit Open! (S.F.)

Passionate Struggle: Dynamics of San Francisco's GLBT History

Featuring hundreds of artifacts and images from the GLBT Historical Society's extensive archives including:

-Founding documents from the earliest queer organizations
-Iconic objects such as Harvey Milk's personal effects and the sewing machine that made the first rainbow flags
-Photos and footage capturing everyday life and major episodes
-Scrapbooks, diaries, and art from individuals well-known and not
-Buttons, protest signs, fliers, and t-shirts from important events

Open every day from 11AM to 7PM (except major holidays). $3 admission.

For more information visit our website: http://www.glbthistory.org/passionate_struggle/index.html

Mailing Address:
Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Historical Society
657 Mission St
Suite 300
San Francisco, CA 94105
US

Contact Name: Paul Boneberg
Telephone Number: (415) 777-5455

	Central Valley

	16. Fresno Gay Men's Chorus Christmas Concert Dec. 18th (Fresno)
December 18th, 2008 7:30pm Fresno Gay Men's Chorus Christmas Concert at: First Congregational Church of Fresno. 2131 N Van Ness More info at the Fresno Gay Men's Chorus site

	17. Youth Alliance Meetings Fridays (Fresno)
Meets Every Friday Evening 7:30pm -9:00pm Fresno's GLBTQ Youth group's weekly meeting is every Friday evening. 1584 N. Van Ness Ave. Map to event More info :http://www.fresnorainbowpride.com/youthalliance.html

	So Cal

18. CA Trans Conference: Equality and Parity 1/26-1/28 (L.A.)

Equality & Parity - Transgender Conference 1/26-1/28

Attend the Equality & Parity conference in January 26th-28th, 2009.
It's a statewide transgender conference!

There are many of issues that will be addressed there.
The conference is free to all, and if you have an address 50+ miles from where it takes place in Los Angeles, you can apply for travel & hotel scholarships.

If you live within 50 miles you can apply for travel scholarships.

Register online or learn more about the conference at: www.equalityandparity.org

19. Holiday Blizzard! Holiday Party!

***Rain or Shine Indoor Event!***
Date: Saturday, December 20, 2008
Location: Plummer Park
Address: 7377 Santa Monica Blvd.
Time: 6:00pm-9:00pm
Event Web Site: http://www.cityx1.com/blizzard
Event HotLine: (310) 712-3918
Flyer: Attached
Alcohol & tobacco-free event

ATTRACTIONS
Free Ice Cream, Egg Nogg, & other Holiday Snacks.
Live DJ, Special Video & Laser Light Show, Giveaways/Raffles, Community Resources, Free Rapid HIV Testing, Voter Registration, and more!

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Volunteers play a key role at our annual event and this year will be no different. Stop by our web site for a listing of Volunteer Job Descriptions and our Volunteer Form.
http://www.cityx1.com/blizzard/volunteer.html

EVENT WEB SITE
Be sure to stop by our very colorful web site for more event info, online voting, photos from past events, important announcements, and more!
http://www.cityx1.com/blizzard

PASS ON THE WORD!
Attached you will find a copy of our flyer. Please pass this info along to interested youth. Last year's event drew over 150 youth from all over Southern California and made for a very diverse gathering...so this event is totally worth checking out!

Brought to you by:

The C.I.T.Y. x1 Youth Group
Web: http://www.cityx1.com
E-mail: [email protected]
HotLine: (310) 712-3918

20. Youth Art Activism at Palm Springs Art Museum

The Palm Springs Art Museum is hosting an event with Gay Associated Youth (GAY), the Coachella Valley's only organization working wih LGBT and straight ally youth, on Saturday December 20th from 10 am to 4pm.

The museum's Teen Art Group will work with members of the Museum and GAY to create an in gallery collaborative experience centered on viewing the works in the Keith Haring exhibition and responding through writing and personal interaction as a means of empowerment.

The exhibition presents work Keith Haring, who died from Aids at the age of 33, produced after his early mural and graffiti art. Included in the exhibition are 70 paintings, drawings and one sculpture spanning from works he created for his first gallery exhibition in 1982 to others made closer to his death in 1990.

To attend, please call GAY's Center at 760-568-3332. Lunch will be provided.

	21. "Naughty or Nice" Xmas Bash (L.A.)
Bienestar presents: "Naughty or Nice" Xmas Bash On December 22nd, 2008 at 7pm. Location: "La Casa" Drop in center. 5301 E. Atlantic Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90022 click here to view poster

	22. "Sex and the City" Pajama Party (L.A.)
Bienestar Presents: "Sex and the city" Pajama Party (feat. "Sex and the City" The Movie) on December 8th, 2008 @ 7 pm. Location "La Casa" Drop in center. 5301 E. Atlantic Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90022

23. GMCLA's A-LIVE Music Project, available to So Cal Schools and GSAs

GMCLA'S A-LIVE Music Project is dedicated to proving that music and song are community building. In the case of the A-LIVE Music Project, uniting our 200 member, all male chorus and young audiences in an effort to highlight the unique experiences shared by all humans-regardless of race, class, gender or sexual orientation. Our project takes place during the school day with the intention of providing music education and hands on experience in order to assist an educator's annual curriculum. We are committed to changing hearts and minds through music, and inspiring students to use their art in order to make their individual voices and political desires/opinions heard!

WHAT'S SO GREAT ABOUT GMCLA'S A-LIVE MUSIC PROJECT?
ABSOLUTELY FREE, GMCLA's A-Live Music Project offers schools:
-Access to live choral performance
-Historical information and education about various genres of music, composers, and important social issues such as racism, discrimination, civil rights, and human rights movements (LGBT focus).
-Lyric and music analysis experience
-Professional introductions from GMCLA singers about their careers and personal experience in the chorus.
-A panel discussion in a historical Los Angeles theater with professional -GMCLA artistic and production staff about their roles, duties, and specific job functions.

HOW DOES GMCLA'S A-LIVE MUSIC PROJECT WORK?
GMCLA's program content, informational worksheets and other educational materials will be sent to participating educators prior to our appearance. These materials can be used for the purposes of pre- discussion or related lessons in music, arts, composition, history, etc. as educators deem fit based on their annual testing and curriculum needs.

GMCLA singing members and professional staff appear on school campuses to provide a free, live choral performance. There will be a Q & A held after the performance, and students will be asked to evaluate the program as to its effectiveness and worth. This program can be done in an hour long assembly format for a large volume of students, but would ideally take place during scheduled class periods for smaller groups to deliver a deeper impact.

Students and chaperones are invited to attend a Monday evening rehearsal at the GMCLA rehearsal hall (bus transportation provided by GMCLA free of charge)

Students and chaperones are given free tickets to a live GMCLA performance at the Alex Theatre in Glendale (bus transportation is provided by GMCLA free of charge). After the show students will be able to participate in a panel discussion with professional GMCLA artistic and production staff.

To book this program or obtain further information please contact Jeffrey Morris at 323.467.9741 x2 or email: [email protected]

I will be happy to meet with GSA advisors and presidents, school administrators, performing arts instructors, or music/choral directors at ANY school location in Southern California.

	24. LGBT Youth Calendars (L.A. and San Diego)
Check out these new calendars for LGBT Youth! Los Angeles Youth http://lalgbtcalendar.pbwiki.com/ http://www.virsil.com/ San Diego Youth www.ourlgbtevents.org/

25. Teachers and Community Educators' training on "It's Still Elementary" (Irvine)

GLSEN Co-Sponsors with community partners, a Teachers and Community Educators' training on "It's Still Elementary"

In February 2008, Lawrence King, a 15-year-old openly gay student at E.O. Green Junior High in Oxnard, CA was murdered because of his sexual orientation. The FBI 2006 Hate Crimes Statistics report an estimated 9.7% of sexual orientation hate crimes occurred at a school or university. Schools are still not safe for those with perceived differences.

Over a decade has passed since "It's Elementary" sparked national momentum to create hate-free safe school environments that encourage respect for all. However, escalating school violence underscores the need to promote curriculum and increase efforts to ensure all youth have access to education free from harassment.

IT'S STILL Elementary presents a moving story about the power to ignite positive social change through documentary film and grassroots organizing. It examines the incredible impact of "It's Elementary" over the last decade, and follows up with teachers and students featured in the first film to see how lessons about LGBT people changed their lives. "IT'S STILL Elementary" also documents the story behind the controversial PBS broadcast of It's Elementary and the infamous right-wing attacks on the film and its creators. It's STILL Elementary is a call to action for parents and educators to continue working for safe, inclusive schools.

This film helps dispel stereotypes by promoting respect and understanding before prejudices root.

The training will be held at:

COR AME Church
46 Maxwell in Irvine
January 24, 2009 from 8-12

For more information contact:

Danielle Nava
Associate Director
Anti-Defamation League
Orange County/Long Beach Region

PLEASE SHARE WITH INTERESTED COLLEAGUES.

	JOBS AND SCHOLARSHIPS

26. eQuality Scholarships

The eQuality Scholarship Collaborative honors and encourages northern
and central California students for their service to the
lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender community by providing scholarships for
post-secondary education at approved institutions. In 2009, about nine
$5000 scholarships will be awarded.

Applications are now available from high school guidance counselors.
Applicants must:
- be a resident of northern or central California but may study
elsewhere (go to the web site for a map of specific counties);
- have completed or expect to complete high school or equivalent between
1 Jul 2004 and 30 Jun 2009;
- plan to attend or began attending an accredited post-secondary
institution (college, university, or vocational/trade school) in the
United States for the first time in 2009 (proof of enrollment will be
required before scholarship funds are disbursed);
- have demonstrated service to the LGBTQ community (applicants of all
sexual orientations and gender identities are eligible); and
- be available for an interview either by phone or in person on 29 Mar
or 4 Apr 2009.

Completed applications, including transcripts and a letter of
recommendation, must be postmarked no later than February 21, 2009.
Completed applications should be mailed to:

   eQuality Scholarship Collaborative
   P.O. Box 191311
   San Francisco, CA 94119-1311

The Collaborative is the joint effort of a group of organizations based
in the San Francisco Bay Area. It began in 1989 as a scholarship program
by PG&E's lesbian and gay employee association, now PG&E PrideNetwork.
The following year, the Bay Area Network of Gay and Lesbian Educators
(BANGLE) - now Ally Action - joined the effort. The other organizational
members of the Collaborative are: KP Pride, Out & Equal Workplace
Advocates, Genentech Out & Equal, and GSA Network.

27. Point Foundation Scholarships for 2009-2010

The Point Foundation is truly a great organization and is making a
difference in the lives of 90 scholars this year! Point Foundation is
the nation's largest scholarship granting organization for LGBT students
of merit. Point provides support through multi-year scholarships,
leadership training, mentoring and hope to LGBT students who are
marginalized because of their sexual orientation, gender identity or
gender expression.

Applications for the 2009-2010 school year become available at
www.pointfoundation.org
December 12th, 2008 with a February 9th, 2009 deadline.

	NEWS

28. NEWS: Ammiano Inspires Gay and Straight Youth

December 6, 2008
KCBS

SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) -- Some 500 gay and straight young people gathered at San Francisco's Everett Middle School Saturday to attend the Youth Empowerment Summit 2008.

The event was designed to discuss how life is changing for gays of all ages.

Newly elected California Assembly member Tom Ammiano was among the keynote speakers.

"Someone like me who has been around for a long time really is happy to play as the torch. These young people have a lot of energy [and] they're really sophisticated," said Ammiano.

He says the conference focused mostly on Proposition 8, the measure that banned same-sex marriage in California.

Ammiano says the young people were also interested in his long career in San Francisco politics, and his memories of gay rights pioneer, Supervisor Harvey Milk.

Milk was assassinated along with Mayor George Moscone in their city hall offices 30 years ago.

The new movie has sparked a tremendous interest in Harvey Milk, and his career.

Read article here.

29. NEWS: T-shirt sparks civil-rights argument at Big Bear High School

Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
December 15, 2008
The Sun

BIG BEAR CITY - Big Bear High School student Mariah Jimenez should be allowed to wear the "Prop. 8 Equals Hate" T-shirt she was banned from wearing on campus, according to the American Civil Liberties Union.

The 16-year-old sophomore, who is her class president, wore the tie-dyed T-shirt to school on Nov. 3, the day before voters approved the constitutional amendment prohibiting same-sex marriage in California.

Mariah's sixth-period teacher, Sue Reynolds, ordered her to remove the shirt during a meeting of the Associated Student Body.

When Mariah protested, Reynolds sent her to the principal's office.

"She said I shouldn't be wearing such divisive shirts, and my shirt draws a line down the school," said
Mariah, who also plays on her school's golf and softball teams and has been involved in school politics since seventh grade.

Principal Michael Ghelber gave Mariah an ultimatum: Remove the shirt or remain in his office.

Under protest, Mariah changed shirts and returned to class. Then, she went to the ACLU.

...

Read whole article here

See the ACLU press release here

empowering youth activists to fight homophobia and transphobia

Gay-Straight Alliance Network
1550 Bryant Street, Suite 800
San Francisco, CA 94103
415.552.4229 (Phone)
415.552.4729 (Fax)
[email protected]
http://www.gsanetwork.org