Thanks,
Carolyn
In this issue of GSA Network News, you'll find:
GSA Network Highlight
Senate School Safety Hearing Discusses AB 537 Implementation
GSA Network Announcements
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Senate School Safety Hearing Discusses AB 537 Implementation
On Thursday, October 3, the California State Senate Select Committee on School Safety, chaired by State Senator Sheila Kuehl, heard testimony and public comment on harassment and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity and its relationship to school safety. The hearing examined current implementation of the law and information on levels of safety from harassment and discrimination in California's public schools. Testimony included presentations from educators, attorneys and social service providers on violence and discrimination in California's schools; disciplinary procedures and prevention strategies.
GSA Network's Executive Director, Carolyn Laub, testified on the problems with the complaint process in California and was accompanied by Clovis graduate, Sarah Stuebner, who spoke on the need for confidentiality when students file complaints. Students Nikira Hernandez (Santa Cruz) and Duran Hernandez (Clovis) shared their experiences with positive and negative school climates, respectively, and argued passionately that students should not bear the burden alone of improving school climates. Student Alyn Libman (Los Angeles) and parent Teri Erickson (San Carlos) testified on the panel about gender and homophobia. Alyn told about his experience as a female-to-male transgender student at North Hollywood High, while Teri talked about being the parent of a gender non-conforming elementary school student who faced relentless harassment based on gender expression.
"Since SB 537 passed, we've come a great distance, but we still have a long way to go," says Senator Kuehl. "I still hear from parents, students and teachers that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students face direct attacks, along with various serious forms of harassment. We can do more to provide these students and parents with the tools they need to assert their rights, and to provide educators with the tools they need to create a safe climate in our schools. Already, many school districts have done exceptional work in creating safer environments. We want to learn from them and help to promote their example. This hearing is necessary so that we can continue our work of ensuring that every student in California's public schools has equal access to the education they require in order to achieve their full potential."
+++++++++++++ GSA NETWORK ANNOUNCEMENTS +++++++++++++
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1. Models of Pride Youth Conference (SoCal)
Models of Pride X - Conference for LGBT Youth
October 12, 2002
Occidental College in Eagle Rock (1600 Campus Road)
FREE to all youth ages 14 to 23
Workshops, entertainment, food, networking, a resource fair, and a dance!
On-site registration: 8am-9am
Conference: 9am-7pm
Dance: 7pm-8:30pm
Visit http://www.modelsofpride.org/ for more info or to preregister.
Volunteers are needed!! Contact Mary-Beth Meyer, Volunteer Coordinator, at brassel@aol.com or call (818) 247-9469.
If you are attending the conference, be sure to check out these fabulous workshops that GSA Network staff and youth will present:
Leslie Feinberg
Transgender Activist, Journalist, Author, and Lecturer
Trans-Liberations: Beyond Pink and Blue
Lecture, 7:30 pm
Wednesday, November 13, 2002
Satellite Student Union
California State University, Fresno
Cost: FREE
Dinner & Lecture
6 pm Dinner/ 8 pm Lecture
Thursday, November 14, 2002
Picadilly Inn, at Shaw and Van Ness Streets
For more information call 599.265.7117
Cost: $25 Central California Alliance Members/ $35 Non-members
Sponsored by: The University Lecture Series of CSUF, Gay-Straight Alliance Network, Central California Alliance, United Student Pride of CSUF, and the Imperial Dove Court de Fresno/Madera Inc.
For more information contact: GSA Network at 559.442.4777
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3. Liberation Ink Posters - Free For GSAs
LIBERATION INK POSTERS NOW AVAILABLE
FREE FOR GSAs!!
Seven poster designs are available for GSAs, organizations, and individuals to make change by building a presence of youth voices for justice, peace, and youth empowerment and against hatred, harassment, and discrimination of all kinds. This summer, Gay-Straight Alliance Network, LYRIC, and Mission Grafica worked with a group of youth to create Liberation Ink, a series of posters designed to make change. Every GSA in California can receive 30 FREE posters to use at your school. You can order more than 30 for $1 each. From community organizations and individuals we request a donation of $5 each for 1-10 posters, $4 each for 11-30 posters, and large quantity discounts are available.
You can view the designs and order posters on the Liberation Ink website: http://www.gsanetwork.org/freezone/liberation.
Please place your order by November 1st.
HERE ARE SOME WAYS TO USE LIBERATION INK TO MAKE CHANGE AT YOUR SCHOOL!
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If this message has been forwarded to you and you would like to sign up to receive it yourself, please visit: http://www.gsanetwork.org/news/signup.html.
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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 10/11/2002 by Jean Richter, richter@eecs.Berkeley.EDU