Greetings!
As we approach the last days of summer, GSA Network can't help but get excited about the great things in store for GSAs this fall. We've got our year-start resource blast (new! improved!) heading out to GSAs all over the state and a special resource on GLBT History Month going out as well!
A special note for our SoCal readers: you've got a ton of cool events coming up this week so don't miss your section below!
Have fun squeezing the last drops of enjoyment out of your summer!
In Solidarity,
GSA Network
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NETWORK NEWS HIGHLIGHT: Building the National GSA Movement One State at a Time
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For five years, GSA Network has been the leader and convener of the National Association of GSA Networks. Each year we bring the members of the National Association together for a national summit aimed at strengthening the GSA movement across the country. This year, we held the National Gathering in Providence, Rhode Island -- our first time meeting in the Northeast. Our amazing local host organization was Youth Pride, Inc, an LGBTQ youth center in Providence that coordinates a statewide coalition of GSA clubs.
This year's National Gathering was one of our largest with 16 states represented, including GSA organizations from Connecticut, Georgia, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Utah, and Vermont who joined us for the first time ever.
The event featured a session to develop a nationwide vision for the GSA movement, a large group session focused on addressing classism and inequality in our society, and 20 workshops on topics including feminism, anti-racism, inspiring allies, fundraising, addressing transgender issues in the GSA movement, building coalitions and collaborations, fighting the tobacco industry's targeting of LGBT communities, and exploring models of youth leadership in the GSA movement. We also screened two movies at the National Gathering: "FIT", a film about anti-bullying from the UK, and "Brother Outsider: The Life of Bayard Rustin."
Staff and youth leaders from Youth Pride in Rhode Island  | GSA youth leaders and staff from the 16 GSA networks that attended the National Gathering 2010 remarked that this year's gathering was the best to date. It was particularly inspiring to build connections between some of the newly established GSA networks in places such as Mississippi, Utah, and North Carolina with some of the long-time GSA networks such as those in Wisconsin, Long Island, and California. In the five years since GSA Network launched the National Association of GSA Networks, we have seen the number of states with a GSA network grow from 15 to 28, nearly doubling! We all recognized the power in numbers by building the GSA movement from the ground up, GSA by GSA, state by state.
Below are ten (okay, eleven) of our favorite comments from youth and staff who attended the National Gathering about the impact of the event:
There's SO much we'll be taking back with us. This has been a really valuable introduction for our youth to what a GSA network can do.
The most valuable part was meeting other queer youth and allies and having the opportunity to share information through the workshops. I have learned a lot from the Gathering and I plan to take that back to my school and state's GSA network.
Closing community circle at the National Gathering 2010  | Now I have more resources to call upon and a renewed fervor for activism.
The most powerful part of the National Gathering was the workshop on oppression, because I learned how different people react to different types of oppression.
I valued the opportunity to connect with people (youth) from across the nation and also compare regional differences in the queer movement. I'm walking away with a greater wealth of knowledge to return to good ol' Mississippi.
The National Gathering rekindled the activist flame within me and gave me great ideas.
The most valuable part was bringing my youth together from across the state to think strategically about our work and gain insight from other organizations about their models.
The peer networking was extremely valuable and the transgender 101 workshop was incredibly informative. I feel much more confident in addressing trans communities.
Meeting so many people who were so proud of who they are made me prouder and made me excited to be involved in other GSA-related things in the future. I feel like a more fit leader now. Hopefully, this Gathering will inspire us to create and statewide network and/or a youth advisory board. Right now we're only working in Philadelphia.
The most valuable part was having the opportunity to find out how other GSAs around the country transcend their challenges, and building the connections I will continue to use. I believe the National Gathering provided inspiration for the GSAs in Rhode Island to work more closely together.
I was so impressed and inspired by the strength and innovation of youth at this conference. I appreciated the depth we explored around oppression, homophobia, transphobia, and racism.
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GSA NETWORK ANNOUNCEMENTS |
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1. GET LOUD with Hollywood Youth Pride on Sunday, August 22nd, 2010!
|  March with Queer Youth and Allies at 2pm from the Grand "Gay" Burrito on Santa Monica Blvd. and Vermont Avenue, accessible by the Metro Red Line. We will be marching North on Vermont and West on Sunset Blvd, and end at 4955 West Sunset Blvd. for a FREE Resource Fair and Do It Yourself (DIY) Workshops- including Fix Your Bike, Know Your Rights, Zine Crafting, Safer Orgasms, Yoga, and others.
End the night with us by dancing with beats by DJ MILK & DJ PARADOX. And come see performances by artists like Metahuman, Lawrencia and Hype Blast!!
We'll be providing body paint and body glitter, as well as 90 rainbow flags for the march. Please bring colorful handmade signs. Just be sure that any picket signs have a BLUNT end. No sharp ended materials will be allowed at the event.
The event is FREE to all attendees!
Check us out on Facebook or on our website, www.hollywoodyouthpride.com.
*Substance-free event
Co-sponsored by GSA Network--See you there!!
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2. Gender Spectrum Family and Teen Conference, Berkeley, Labor Day Weekend
| Gender Spectrum Family and Teen Conference co-sponsored by GSA Network:
 Come join other transgender, gender bending, gender nonconforming teens, children and families for three days of celebrating individuality, making friends, and having fun.
Meet other trans and genderqueer teens and adults, hang out, and explore topics on gender: workshops about school, medical and legal issues, privacy and much more!
This year's conference is scheduled to take place in Berkeley, CA over Labor Day Weekend, September 3 - 6, 2010, and promises to be an unforgettable experience for all. You will leave with fresh ideas, new friends, and great resources and support!
To learn more or register, please visit us at www.genderspectrum.org or call us at 877-809-4159.
Teen Conference: $25;
Individual Family Conference: $175;
Family Tickets $325.
Scholarships Available!
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| 3. FREE DVDS! It's been a while, but YIM is back in MOTION! |
Frameline and GSA Network are proud to announce that due to the renewed support from the ever-generous Bob Ross Foundation we are to keep Youth In Motion moving forward!
First off: We are going to produce more copies of our current DVDs.
If your school didn't get any or all of the DVD series due to short supply, send an email to: youthinmotion@frameline.org, informing him of which ones your school still needs:
· Gender Matters: Expressions and Identities Beyond the Binary
· Global Currents: Broadcasting Change in Latin America
· In The Family: Marriage Equality and LGBT Families
· Visionaries & Victories:Early Leaders in the LGBT Movement
And the big news: We're creating two brand new DVDs, which will be ready this fall! Stay tuned for more information! |
OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS
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| 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. |
4. Cut&Paste Rock&Roll #3, Fri 8/20 7pm
| Cut&Paste Rock&Roll is the largest queer music and art event in southern california coming back for the third time on August 20th 2010 in beautiful Long Beach, CA.
Come out to see queercore bands from all over the country, local artists performing masterpeices in front of your very eyes along with local vendors, crafters and artists selling and displaying their creations.
Each attendee to CPRR will recive a famous Queer Survival Kit gift bag (while supplies last) that include all sorts of awesome free goodies from local queer bands, artists, organzations and businesses.
CPRR is an all ages event and the funds raised go towards the Queer Youth Scholarship supporting young LGBTQIA students who are passionate about art and the queer community.
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5. imMEDIAte Justice Filmmaking Program (L.A.)
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This fall, get involved in a youth filmmaking workshop called imMEDIAte Justice. imMEDIAte Justice empowers young women from Los Angeles to share their experience of reproductive justice through film. With film mentors, young women write and direct films that offer a fresh take on sexual health education.
The program weaves together peer-to-peer sexual education, mentorship, and media literacy to help young women become ambassadors of health and change in their communities. Each 7-week imMEDIAte Justice program focuses on a different aspect of reproductive justice. In this fall's program participants will create stop motion animation public service announcements using the lens of gender identity and sexual orientation.
Fall 2010 imMEDIAte Justice Filmmaking Program Specifics
When: September 10, 2010 - October 24, 2010, meetings are on Saturdays 10:00 am-2:00 pm
Where: Meetings held near the USC Campus
Who: We are looking for young women of color, or transgender/non-gender identified youth of color who are still in high school and interested in LGBTQ issues and filmmaking.
Please email jacsun32@gmail.com for the application or for more info!
Application Deadline: 8/20/10.
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6. Gay Men's Chorus of LA (GMCLA) at Disney Hall
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Sure on this Shining Night
Saturday, August 21, 2010 @ 8pm
Walt Disney Concert Hall, Los Angeles
Presented by AT&T and Southwest Airlines
A highlight of this concert is the poignant and critically acclaimed Harvey Milk Schools Project. Presented by the Chorus in Los Angeles-area schools, the Project is a mix of music and spoken word focusing on the life of civil rights icon Harvey Milk. GMCLA promotes equality and acceptance and raises awareness about anti-gay bullying in schools through its Alive Music Project- AMP. GMCLA notes that every year, over 85% of LGBT students in American schools are physically or verbally abused. To celebrate thier work in schools, the concert will feature another premiee - the debut of the GMCLA Alive Music Project Youth Chorus, comprised of local students, which will perform several numbers. The evening will be rounded off by having both the Youth Chorus and the main ensemble in a medley featuring such hits as True Colors and Michael Jackson's Will You Be There?
There is a 10% discount for students. Interested students need to call 1-800-MEN-SING to get the discount. There is also a discount for groups of 8 or more that can be redeemed the same way.
Visit www.gmcla.org for more information and to purchase tickets online.
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7. Rainbow Youth Festival, Sat 8/21 2pm
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The 6th annual Rainbow Youth Festival, Saturday, August 21st 2010, 2:00pm - 7:00pm, 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, 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, a 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 or see http://www.myspace.com/rainbowyouthfestival
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8. QueeRevolution Open Mic, Thu 8/26 7pm
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LifeWorks Youth Council presents QueeRevolution Open Mic - Igniting the Queer Renaissance!
** Spoken Word ** Singers ** Musicians ** Comedians ** Free Admission **
Thursday August 26th, 2010, 7-9:00pm, at the Village at Ed Gould Plaza, 1125 N McCadden Place, Los Angeles 90038.
For more info contact Armando and Destiny: queerevolution.lw@gmail.com
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9. MODELS OF PRIDE 18 (L.A.)
| Saturday, October 9, 2010
 LifeWorks and Friends of Project 10 Inc. announces its 18th annual Models of Pride Conference to be held at Occidental College, 1600 Campus Road, Los Angeles California, CA 90041, from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
There will be a dinner and a dance for the first 250 high school youth who sign up on the day of the conference.
Attendance to the conference is free and open to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) youth, and allies, ages 12 to 24.
Contact Daryl Parker at 323-860-7323, e-mail Daryl at mopdaryl@gmail.com, or you can visit www.ModelsofPride.org for more information.
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10. GSAs help Sponsor Youth Today: Walking for Equality (L.A.)
YOUTH TODAY: WALKING FOR EQUALITY
| Equal Action is looking for queer and ally youth to help organize their 2nd annual queer high school youth march in LA this October. Our first march last year, Youth Today: Walking for Equality, was LA's first-ever queer high school youth march! It attracted around 300 people, a majority of which were youth, as well as various media outlets such as CBS and Univision. If you know of any youth who might be interested, please let them know. All Queer youth of all backgrounds are encouraged to participate. You can click here for more information.
More Info:
Stephanie Van
Equal Action, Co-founder
www.EqualAction.org
Equal Action is a youth-powered, anti-racist, multigenerational organization that mobilizes the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ) community to join the fight for social justice. In organizing and supporting actions for change in overlooked communities, we collaborate with those who work to end oppression in all its forms. |
| 11. OUTspoken Sessions (L.A.) | |
| OUTspoken Sessions
an open mic for queer youth and straight allies 19 and under
Every 4th Friday from 6:30-9:30 pm.
2170 W Washington Blvd., 90018
for more info or to reserve your spot email: info@equalaction.org
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| 12. 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/ |
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| 13. Trans-E-Motion Meetings in Fresno on Saturdays (Fresno) |
| Trans-E-Motion Meetings in Fresno on Saturdays.
Trans-e-motion has a social meeting on the first Saturday of each
month. Time and location to be
announced. See calendar or call (559)
255-4075.
There
is a Trans-e-motion
business meeting on the third Saturday of each month at 5:00 p.m. to
about 7:30
p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Equality California office, Van Ness
Towers office Bldg., 1055 N. Van Ness Ave. "C", near Alhambra (South of
Olive), Fresno,
California, 93728, U.S.A. |
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| 14. Community Link's Youth Meetings Friday Night (Fresno) | |
15. LGBTQI Census Oakland Pride
| In the 2000 U.S. Census, the City of Oakland had the third-highest gay and lesbian concentration in the country.
Oakland would like a complete picture of the economic, social and cultural makeup of LGBTQI community. We are committed to cultivating an inclusive and welcoming environment for all of our residents.
Help identify and plan for services and economic development for the LGBTQI community by taking this survey: www.surveymonkey.com/s/oaklandpride
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| 16. 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 |
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 JOBS, SCHOLARSHIPS, AND GRANTS |
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17. LGBT Activists Apply to be a Mass Promise Fellow | Are you looking transform yourself and your community through service? The Massachusetts Promise Fellowship can help you do just that. Visit www.masspromisefellows.org to learn more and apply to be a Fellow!
REQUIREMENTS
Fellows Need:
* Excellent organization and communication skills
* The ability to work independently and as part of a team
* Proven leadership and project management abilities
* A passion for national and community service
* The desire to work with diverse constituencies
* Flexibility and a good sense of humor
* To be a US Citizen or Permanent Resident Alien
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| Check out our news items feed! We share new stories almost daily at gsanetwork.org/news.
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Gay-Straight Alliance NetworkNational & Statewide Headquarters: 1550 Bryant St., Suite 800San Francisco, CA 94103Phone: 415-552-4229Fax: 415-552-4729Southern California Regional Office: 1145 Wilshire Blvd. #100Los Angeles, CA 90017Phone: 213-482-4021Fax: 213-482-4027Central Valley Regional Office:Phone: 559-268-2780 Mail for the Central Valley office may be sent to our headquarters in San Francisco.http://www.gsanetwork.org |
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FREE POSTERS
| CA GSAs get 30 free posters per school year
ORDER HERE |
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...Hey
Class of 2010...
Keep Your GSA In the LOOP!
Are you a GSA president
who has just graduated?
Make sure you RE-REGISTER your GSA with the new student leader and advisor so that
your GSA doesn't miss out on any of GSA Network's events or
announcements!
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