I thought you might be interested in this press release which covers the Models of Pride Conference held on October 27th.

Thanks.
Barbara Meltzer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:	CONTACT:	Barbara Meltzer
November 1, 2001		Barbara Meltzer & Associates
		(323) 964-9555

PROJECT 10's NINTH ANNUAL MODELS OF PRIDE CONFERENCE FOR LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, TRANSGENDER (LGBT) STUDENTS AND THEIR STRAIGHT ALLIES DRAWS 500 PARTICIPANTS

LOS ANGELES -- The Ninth Annual Models of Pride Conference for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) youth and their straight allies was held on Saturday, October 27, 2001, at Occidental College. The free, daylong event drew over 500 youngsters from San Francisco to San Diego and all points in between.
Hosted by Friends of Project 10, a Los Angeles Unified School District on-site support program for LGBT students, the Models of Pride Conference focused on the interests and concerns of LGBT youth and helping students to cope with issues surrounding their sexuality.
Almost 50 workshops were provided throughout the day covering such topics as dating, stereotyping, health information, student activism, coming out, college and career decisions, and cultural and religious issues.
Conference guest Senator Sheila James Kuehl encouraged the students to "insist upon the enforcement of AB 537" in their schools. Kuehl authored the bill which adds sexual orientation and gender to the California Education Code's umbrella nondiscrimination provisions.
Los Angeles City Councilmember Eric Garcetti and West Hollywood City Councilmember Jeff Prang also spoke to the gathering. Said Garcetti, "There is no more important issue in the coming years than making sure we have sexual and gender equality in our schools, and no more important organization than Project 10."
The first openly gay member of the LA City Council, Jackie Goldberg added, "We need to be at every table. We need to remind people that human rights encompass all human beings."

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Rap sessions preceded the workshops as a means of breaking the ice and providing a forum for the youngsters to get to know each other in an informal setting. The question, "Why are you here today," elicited answers ranging from, "To learn I'm not the only gay black chick in America," and "To learn important information from the workshops," to "I want to learn how to be an activist," and "There are no other gay people in my high school who are out." "A sense of belonging " and "The need to be part of a family," were expressed throughout the day.
The conference's impact on students can best be summarized by one chaperone who met a bewildered young man early in the morning who claimed he knew no one. The chaperone assured the nervous young man that he would meet many people and would have an enriching experience.
Their paths crossed after the dance finale where the chaperone found him with his parents. She asked how his day went. Shocked that she even remembered his name, he exclaimed twice, "It was the best day of my whole life." Said his mother with a smile on her face, "It was the best day of his whole life." Nineteen Models of Excellence Scholarship were awarded to students who have been accepted into colleges and universities and have demonstrated a commitment to the advancement of civil rights in the lesbian and gay community.
The Annual Models of Pride Community Service Award was given to Michael Weinstein, president of the AIDS Healthcare Foundation for his contributions to the LGBT youth population. Student, James Salmunovich received the Models of Excellence Award for his work on educating the community about LGBT issues.
Fashion designer Wendell Sakiestewa, which means "yellow-blossom" in the Hopi language, provided a fashion show of his own creations. Saloestewa's goal is to "grow in wisdom and create my own line of clothing inspired by my Native American roots."
The day's events concluded with a dinner and dancing.
In addition to Friends of Project 10, conference sponsors included the California Endowment, Wells Fargo, Kaiser Permanente, and numerous private contributors who have raised money for the event through a variety of parties, calendar sales, tennis tournaments, and other creative ventures.
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