In this issue of GSA Network News, you'll find:
GSA Network Highlight
Thank You to GSA Network Donors!
GSA Network Announcements
+++++++++++++++ GSA NETWORK HIGHLIGHT +++++++++++++++
Thank You to GSA Network Donors!
Happy New Year! On behalf of the board and staff of GSA Network, we want to thank the hundreds of people who gave a 2002 year-end contribution to GSA Network. We appreciate your support!
We also want to say a very special thank you to the folks who hosted house parties this Fall. The house parties are a really fun way to introduce new folks to GSA Network and celebrate the incredible work of youth activists in the GSA movement across California!
Special thanks to house party hosts:
Beth Mischke & Tony Sachs
John Thompson & Ellen Press
Emilie Eagan & Justus Brown
Christopher Calhoun, Viannah Duncan, & Laura Vilchez
If you would like to make a donation to GSA Network in 2003, you can:
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1. GSA Network Organizational Update
GSA Network is undergoing some changes in 2003 due to the downturn in the economy. It is with great sadness and regret that we are announcing the departure of 2 beloved staff members of GSA Network: Jill Shenker and CC Sapp. Jill has been the Arts Empowerment Coordinator for GSA Network for more than 2 years, helping to develop the incredible arts activism tools that so many GSAs have used over the years. CC has been our Southern California Community Organizer, helping to expand GSA Network and running our first trainings and GSA Activist Camp in the region over the past nearly 2 years. They will each be sorely missed!
Additionally, we have decided to close our physical office space in Los Angeles. All of these changes mean that GSA Network will undergo a restructuring in 2003, so that we can maintain our core programs and services.
GSA Network remains a statewide organization and will continue to provide support and trainings to GSAs in Southern California through phone, email, and staff traveling to Southern California to conduct trainings and run Youth Council meetings.
GSA Network will also continue to distribute our arts activism tools, including the High Contrast photo exhibit, As If It Matters video, and Liberation Ink posters. Check these resources out at http://www.gsanetwork.org/freezone. We will not be running a new Free Zone program in summer 2003.
These are difficult economic times for many non-profits. Nonetheless, GSA Network remains committed to fulfilling our mission of empowering youth activists to fight homophobia in schools throughout California. We appreciate all of your support and confidence during this time.
If you have any questions, please call us at 415.552.4229 or email info@gsanetwork.org.
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2. Next Bayprism Meeting (Bay Area)
Bayprism is a group of Bay Area GSAs started by GSA members in September of 2002. The goals of the group are to exchange information with each other, plan events, and have fun!
We meet once or twice a month at potluck meetings where we go over GSA issues and help each other solve them and then plan events for all students. We are always looking to add more GSAs to our group. If you would like to join please email Frances Grimstad at franwg@rcn.com or our yahoo group at Bayprism@yahoogroups.com.
Our next meeting will be JANUARY 11TH, 3:30-5:30PM, AT FRANCES' HOUSE!! We will be discussing our next events and any other problems that are arising with our GSAs. Please e-mail Frances if you have any questions - franwg@rcn.com.
++++++++++++++++ OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS ++++++++++++++++
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3. GLSEN Students of Color Organizing Retreat (Santa Fe, NM)
GLSEN national is sponsoring its Students of Color Organizing Retreat on January 17-20 in Santa Fe, New Mexico. They are looking for 12-15 student organizers from throughout the country to network with GLSEN staff and each other, build skills of students of color organizers, and identify strategies for GLSEN to better meet the needs of students and communities of color.
The deadline for application was December 29, but interested students may still be able to get on board if they apply right away.
Go to http://www.glsen.org/templates/student/record.html?section=45&record=1493 for more information.
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4. First Gay Prom 2003 Planning Meeting (Bay Area)
GAY PROM 2003 PLANNING MEETINGS OPEN TO ALL YOUTH!
The ninth annual Bay Area Gay Prom will be on Saturday, June 14, 2003, at Centennial Hall in Hayward. Last year, over 400 queer and straight-ally youth attended Gay Prom, which is created by youth every year!
Our first planning meeting will be on Tuesday, January 7, 6-7pm, at Lambda Youth Project, Project Eden, 22646 Second St. (corner of C and 2nd Sts.), Hayward.
All are welcome to come and be part of designing this amazing event! Contact Christina with questions or for directions: 510/247-8217 or info@gayprom.org.
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5. Transgender Youth Symposium (LA County)
The 3rd Annual Transgender Youth Symposium:
"Raising the Next Genderation"
This conference is designed for the Transgender Youth as well as service providers who work directly or indirectly with the Transgender Youth population. Last Year's symposium was attended by over 250 providers and youth. It included workshops on medical, mental health, and legal issues. This year's even is being developed to meet the needs of 300 service providers as well as Transgender Youth in Los Angeles County.
When: January 17, 2003 * 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Where: Los Angeles City College
Registration Fee: $25 and free for TG Youth under 25 years of age
To register for this conference, you may call (323) 669-2390 for more info.
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6. LYRIC Peer Health Educator Program (SF)
LYRIC's Peer Health Educator (PHE) Program is seeking applicants!
Below is the application for the internship. PHEs get trained over a weekend retreat and monthly follow-up trainings to then work in teams to develop your own workshops on issues related to LGBT youth health and wellness. The PHEs are required to meet once month for supervision meetings and attend one training per month. On top of that you work on your own and in groups to research, develop and present your workshops. Workshops are presented in all kinds of places such as LYRIC programs, conferences, schools, and other youth spaces. The internship requires about 12-15 hours per month and pays $100/month.
There are only six paid positions available. Anyone can volunteer with the PHEs and anyone who goes through the training is also qualified to facilitate our discussion groups. We are always looking for more facilitators. All volunteers receive incentives and have priority if a paid position opens up at LYRIC. Youth of color, trans youth, young women, homeless youth, youth with disabilities, current LYRIC participants and youth under 18 are strongly encouraged to apply.
Here are the upcoming dates to be aware of:
Tues. Jan 21st 6:30-8pm - Info. meeting @ LYRIC about the Wellness Retreat
(For all current or prospective PHEs, facilitators, Love and Justice interns and Kickin It peer leaders.)
Fri. Jan 24th - Application Deadline for PHEs and facilitators
Fri. Feb 7th - Sunday Feb 9th - Wellness Retreat (Sacramento, depart Fri. night/return Sun. afternoon)
Tues. Feb. 18th 6:30-9pm - Wellness Team In-service Training @ LYRiC
FACILITATOR/ PEER HEALTH EDUCATOR APPLICATION:
Applications due Jan. 24th, 2003 . First meeting = Tues., Jan. 21st from 6:30-8pm. The retreat will be held @ the Sacramento Youth Hostel - Fri. Feb. 7th - Sun Feb. 9th.
Name:
Date of Birth:
Address:
Phone#:
E-mail:
Ethnicity:
Gender identity:
Do we need to be discreet when contacting you? YES NO
I am interested in becoming a: (check one or both)
__ Facilitator (check which discussion group(s) below)
Changeling (trans group)
Young Men's Group
Young Women's Group
All Tied Up (BDSM group)
Coming Out Group
Bi Grou
__ Peer Health Educator
*If you are interested in becoming a peer health educator, you must submit a letter with this application addressing the following: (forms are due by Friday, Feb. 24th)
Tell us a little about yourself
More questions...?
Contact Joe at LYRIC:
Joe Ereñeta
LYRIC - Wellness Program Coordinator
(415) 703-6150 ext13
joe@lyric.org
http://www.lyric.org
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7. Theater Activism Workshop for GLBTQ Youth and Allies (SoCal)
Please join us for a FUN and FREE THEATRE ACTIVISM WORKSHOP for GLBTQ youth & their allies!
Through brainstorming, discussion, improvisation and theatre & performance art exercises, we will collaborate to create fun & powerful school assemblies & PSA's...
Sunday, January 12, 2003, from 2-to-5pm
in Pasadena, at 960 E. Green Street, Suite #292, (626) 399-2933
Directions from Hollywood/the Valley/the West Side:
(from the West Side, take the 405 North to the 101)
Take the 101 East to the 134 East
Take the 210 East, towards Pasadena
Exit LAKE Ave....Hang a RIGHT at the top of the off ramp
LEFT onto Green Street
RIGHT onto Catalina
Enter the first parking lot on the RIGHT
pull in & park wherever... it's free.
Suite #292
For more information AND to RSVP, contact Cassandra at (626) 399-2933 or at skorpeogrl@aol.com.
Fringe Benefits is a groundbreaking theatre company with a 12-year track record of collaborating with youth to fight discrimination. Two published anthologies of our plays, Friendly Fire and Cootie Shots, and the award-winning documentary film about our work, Surviving Friendly Fire, narrated by Sir Ian McKellen, have all received critical acclaim, support from educators & parents
and RAVE REVIEWS from youth!
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8. Outright Radio - Queer Homelessness Story
Outright Radio is seeking a story for its upcoming hour-long documentary about queer homelessness. We have a half-hour segment from Portland, Oregon about a young lesbian's life on the street and are seeking a 20 minute companion piece for the show.
Outright Radio produces in-depth, documentaries, personal stories and insightful interviews about America's LGBT community for national distribution on Public Radio International (PRI).
What we're looking for: The story of a family that cast out its gay/lesbian child when he/she came out to them. We want to get the story of a family that is willing to speak about how their insensitivity to their queer child resulted in the child's homelessness. This could have happened long ago and are now re-united with the child as an adult. Getting parent(s) and child to speak about it together would be ideal. We are not intending to lash them for having done so. We are offering the national air time to a family that would be brave enough to tell this story with the hopes that it may save other families from making the same mistake.
If you know of anyone with this story or something along these lines, please contact us immediately at 1-866-OUT-RADIO (866-688-7234) or email us at David@OutrightRadio.org.
Outright Radio
http://www.OutrightRadio.org
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9. NEWS: Anti-Bullying Programs in Sacramento Area
Sacramento Bee
December 19, 2002, Thursday METRO FINAL EDITION
HEADLINE: Pushed Around Students lead the way in trying to prevent bullying at their schools
BYLINE: Pamela Martineau Bee Staff Writer
It can be a small gesture such as bumping into a child's desk and knocking school books to the floor. Or it can escalate into more overt aggression, like posting denigrating fliers about a student's sexuality or slamming someone into school lockers.
Many capital-area elementary, middle school and high school students say they have witnessed such actions by bullies, either as bystanders or as the unlucky targets.
"We see fights almost every week. We walk around and hear verbal harassment. ... Things like, 'Oh, you're so retarded,' or 'Quit being so gay,' " said Sandra Ramirez, a senior at Elk Grove High School. But Ramirez and a growing number of students in the Sacramento area and around the country increasingly are sending the message that campus bullying in any form will not be tolerated.
Counselors and teachers are helping kids identify the types of bullying, while principals are handing out firm punishment for student-on-student aggression, no matter the severity of the action.
The Davis Joint Unified School District recently hosted a series of forums to discuss school climate and ways to curb schoolyard bullying.
Davis Senior High School student Dwaimy Rosas-Romero has been active in the district's efforts and says she unfortunately knows the issue well.
As a Holmes Junior High School student, Rosas-Romero was bullied by the same girl for months. To this day, the reason she was targeted remains a mystery.
First, the bully spread rumors. Then the bully persuaded the people Rosas-Romero had befriended to shun her.
"I would walk around school and no one would talk to me," Rosas-Romero said. "At that age it hurt so much. I just had to go home and I would cry and be all sad about it. You feel so helpless."
Like many others, she kept the torment to herself, fearing that if she asked teachers or her parents for help, she'd be called a snitch.
Michelle Reardon, a Davis parent and president of the Emerson Junior High School Parent Teacher Association, said she hears of similar stories.
"Parents tell me their kids are harassed because of their weight or religion. There are cases, particularly against seventh-grade boys, where kids have their backpacks taken, or they are pushed against lockers," said Reardon.
Bullying has many forms, but among the most pervasive involves taunting kids who are gay or who are perceived to be gay.
A survey released Dec. 10 by the National Mental Health Association found that nine out of 10 teens who were surveyed reported hearing words such as "homo," "queer" or "gay" to describe other kids at least once in a while, with 51 percent reporting hearing them every day.
The toll of such taunting - whether tied to hostile views regarding gender, sexual orientation or even scholastic ability - can be lifelong, experts say, for the bystander, the victim and the bully.
More immediate consequences are apparent in the number of empty classroom seats. One 1998 study of eighth-graders found that 7 percent stayed home at least once a month because they feared being bullied, according to the Education Resources Information Center.
These victims often view school as a miserable place, the national study said, increasing student isolation because their peers do not want to lose status by associating with them or because they do not want to increase the risks of being bullied themselves.
Randy Hood, head of the Sacramento City Unified School District's school safety program, described such bullying as "a virus." If not stopped, it infects kid after kid who feels he or she can pick on others without repercussions, he said.
Hood is implementing a program that trains teachers and students to combat bullying. He believes that creating an environment in elementary schools that deems bullying as uncool will lessen the chance of kids continuing such corrosive behavior in middle school and high school.
The effort is modeled after The Caring Majority program, developed in Washington state, in which students are taught to swarm and protect the victim while ostracizing the bully.
In other programs, students take the lead to combat bullying on their campuses.
"Everybody knows it's not cool to bully, but the thing is, people are too scared to actually stand up and say it," said Rosas-Romero.
She and other Davis Senior High students have launched Friendship Days, monthly off-campus retreats where students from different ethnic and social groups talk about school life and its pressures. With help from school counselors, students get to know each other to move beyond any stereotypes they may hold.
In the Elk Grove Unified School District, high school students have formed Teens for Tolerance groups, which also work to reduce stereotyping and stifle harassment and bullying. The groups hold informal discussions that show students how to respect differences among their peers.
"Some people automatically think that if you're a rocker, you get bad grades, or if you're a cheerleader or football player, you're preppy," said Trang Vo, 14, a member of Teens for Tolerance at Elk Grove High School.
Members give monthly recognition awards to teachers and students who create a positive atmosphere on campus and who stress that bullying is hurtful.
Students at Elk Grove High also hold an annual Peace Week, where they pledge not to make mean comments or exclude others for a week. During that time, students can send anonymous apology notes, via student couriers, to people they have harassed.
Such anti-bullying efforts are essential because no one wants such behavior to breed the violence that occurred in 1983 when Davis Senior High student Thong Hyunh was stabbed to death by a group of boys who repeatedly bullied him.
Patti Fong, a Yolo County deputy district attorney and member of Davis Asians for Racial Equality (DARE), has been active in the Davis community's efforts to stem bullying since the group's formation following Hyunh's campus death.
Fong said she fears a tense environment at some local campuses could escalate into the type of violence that occurred in 1983 with Hyunh's slaying, or even trigger more campus shootings such as those that have occurred recently around the country.
DARE has asked Davis school district administrators to develop a standard reporting form so schools, and ultimately the district, can monitor how severe a problem bullying poses.
Schools don't have to quantify the range of bullying behaviors, though the state does require districts to track violence or physical threats on their campuses.
Davis schools Superintendent David Murphy said creating safer schools by reducing bullying is one of the district's top priorities this year.
In addition to tolerance groups, the district's schools hold assemblies and classroom discussions about the topic and ways to stop bullies.
Talking about bullying is key to eliminating it, many feel.
Davis Senior High student Babajide Olupona, 18, who serves as a student representative to the Davis Human Relations Commission, said he believes the community discussions about bullying that have been held by Davis residents are a good way to keep the issue in the public eye.
Olupona, who is of Nigerian descent, said he has experienced racially motivated bullying that he would never want younger members of his family to experience.
"There are some things that happened to me in first through ninth grade that just (horrifies) me to think about," said Olupona, who informally changed his first name to B.J. because of teasing by schoolmates.
"As a student who sees the racial lines being drawn and the separation with the cliques, I'm starting to get worried, knowing I have relatives who are going to go to the school," said Olupona. "I don't want to look back and say, 'Oh, I was there, but I did nothing.' "
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The Bee's Pamela Martineau can be reached at (916) 321-1074 or pmartineau@sacbee.com.
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empowering youth activists to fight homophobia in schools
Carolyn Laub
Executive Director
Gay-Straight Alliance Network
160 14th Street
San Francisco, CA 94103
ph: 415.552.4229
fax: 415.552.4729
carolyn@gsanetwork.org
http://www.gsanetwork.org/
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Last updated 4/2/2003 by Jean Richter, richter@eecs.Berkeley.EDU