Good luck to everyone participating in the Day of Silence!

In this issue of GSA Network News, you'll find:

1. Apply for the GSA Network Youth Council!
2. AB 537 Implementation Questionnaire
3. Youth Party at Pacific Center (East Bay)
4. Rainbow Boys Author Appearance (Sacramento)
5. COLAGE Bowling Party (LA)
6. HRC Summer Youth College (D.C.)

GSA Network is now taking applications for our regional Youth Councils. If you're interested in being on the Youth Council for the upcoming term (now through the end of the '02-'03 school year), apply now!! We will be accepting applications on an ongoing basis, but the sooner you apply, the better.

Questions about the Youth Councils??
Northern CA - contact Emilie: 415-552-4229 or emilie@gsanetwork.org
Central CA - contact Diana: 559-442-4777 or diana@gsanetwork.org
Southern CA - contact CC: 323-662-3160 or cc@gsanetwork.org

You can also get a Youth Council application at http://www.gsanetwork.org/about/apply.html.

JOB DESCRIPTION:

Youth Council Description: The GSA Network Youth Council is a diverse group of youth leaders who care about fighting homophobia in schools. There are 3 Youth Councils: Northern California, Central California, and Southern California. Each Youth Council is responsible for making decisions about and guiding the programs of the GSA Network in their region. Youth Council members will represent the needs of GSAs and youth activists from their geographic region as well as set goals and establish priorities for the entire GSA Network.

Schedule: The Youth Council meets once a month, generally on a Saturday. Meetings will take place in each office of the GSA Network, in Northern, Central, and Southern California. Typically, Youth Council members are also involved in planning and/or implementing other trainings and conferences, most of which happen on weekend days as well.

Job Responsibilities
Each Youth Council member is expected to:

1. Make a one-year commitment to serve on the Youth Council.
2. Represent your region as fully as possible.
3. Prepare for and attend monthly meetings of the Youth Council.
4. Participate in setting goals and making decisions about the programs of the GSA Network.
5. Identify needs of GSAs and LGBTQ youth and straight allies in schools and guide the direction of the GSA Network activities accordingly.
6. Help plan and/or conduct workshops at GSA Network trainings and conferences.
7. Help coordinate youth involvement in events such as National Day of Silence.
8. Be a resource to new and/or struggling GSAs in your region.

1. Willing to commit to serve on the Youth Council for one year.
2. Interested in developing and suggesting ideas to strengthen the GSA Network.
3. Committed to creating change for LGBTQ youth and fighting homophobia in schools.
4. Be able to work well in a group.

RETURN TO:

E-mail:
Northern CA: emilie@gsanetwork.org
Central CA: diana@gsanetwork.org
Southern CA: cc@gsanetwork.org

Other:
Northern CA: 160 14th Street, San Francisco, CA 94103, fax: 415.552.4729
Central CA: 985 N. Van Ness, Fresno, CA 93728, fax: 559.442.4734
Southern CA: 4477 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90027, fax: 323-662-3167

Name:
Address:
City:
State:
Zip:

Phone Number

(home):

(alternate):

Do we need to be discreet when contacting you?

School Info:
School You Attend:
Name of GSA or LGBTQ-Related Group:

The GSA Network strives for diversity in all aspects of the organization. Please provide the following information about yourself:

What's your age?
What year in school are you?
Gender:
Sexual Orientation:
Race/Ethnicity:
Anything else you'd like us to know about you:

Reference:
Please provide contact info for a reference who knows about your work with a GSA or LGBTQ youth group and/or can attest to your abilities as a youth leader. It can be a peer, friend, teacher, or anyone else.

Name: ________________________________________
Relationship to You: _________________________
Phone: _______________________________________
Email: _______________________________________

Open-Ended Questions:

1. Please describe your involvement and experiences with the LGBTQ movement and any other movements or anti-oppression work you have been a part of.
2. Why are you interested in serving on the GSA Network Youth Council?
3. What would you be able to contribute to the Youth Council?
4. In your opinion, what are the greatest challenges facing GSAs and youth fighting homophobia in schools?
5. Share some ways that racism, classism, sexism, and other oppressions have affected you and your activism.

Please help us in our efforts to implement AB 537 by taking a few minutes to fill out this questionnaire and return it to cathy@gsanetwork.org. Thanks!

AB 537 Implementation Questionnaire - for YOUTH ONLY

Age:
Gender:
Race/Ethnicity:
School:
School District (if you don't know, list your city):
Anti-homophobia Group/Club (if any):
# of people in your group/club:

1. Are you aware of the California Student Safety and Violence Prevention Act of 2000 (AB 537) that protects students and teachers from harassment and discrimination because of sexual orientation and gender identity?
   __ Yes __ No

2. If you were harassed or discriminated against, would you know how to file a complaint about it?
   __ Yes __ No

3. Have you ever filed a complaint or used AB 537 in response to harassment or discrimination in your school?
   __ Yes __ No

   If yes, please explain what happened and how your school resolved the problem:

4. What is your school doing to make sure the law is implemented at your campus?

5. Do you know of any groups or organizations doing work to make sure the law is implemented in your area? If so, which ones and what are they doing?

6. Are you currently involved, on your own or with your group, in any work around AB 537 and its implementation?
   __ Yes __ No

   If yes, what?

7. What (if any) organization(s) assist you or your group/club?

8. Which of the following services have you received from these organizations?
   • Training/Education
     __ 3 or more times __ once or twice __ never
     which organization(s)?

   • General Information
     __ 3 or more times __ once or twice __ never
     which organization(s)?

   • Legal Assistance
     __ 3 or more times __ once or twice __ never
     which organization(s)?

   • Crisis Intervention
     __ 3 or more times __ once or twice __ never
     which organization(s)?

   • Support in Organizing/Lobbying, including resource materials
     __ 3 or more times __ once or twice __ never
     which organization(s)?

   • Other______________________
     __ 3 or more times __ once or twice __ never
     which organization(s)?

*********************************************
3. Youth Party at Pacific Center (East Bay)

*Heaven at La Luna*

A Party and Grand Opening of the new youth space La Luna at the Pacific Center

The party will be at The Pacific Center 2712 Telegraph Avenue in Berkeley on Saturday, May 4.

Drag show, spoken word, and performances are at 8:00

Party for Queer youth and their allies 25 and under is following at 10:00

Music, Food, Dancing, and Fun will be free all night so come on down and join the celebration!

*********************************************
4. Rainbow Boys Author Appearance (Sacramento)

Alex Sanchez, author of Rainbow Boys
Sunday, APRIL 28th 2002 at 2:00 pm
The Open Book - 910 21st Street Sacramento

ALEX SANCHEZ - author of the novel Rainbow Boys currently nominated for a Lambda Literary Award, will be making an author's appearance to discuss and sign copies of his debut book.

A revealing novel that percolates with passion and wit, Alex Sanchez follows these very different high school seniors as their struggles with sexuality and intolerance draw them into a triangle of love, betrayal, and ultimately, friendship.

Rainbow Boys is a novel that takes you into the lives of Jason Carrillo, a jock with a steady girlfriend, but he can't stop dreaming about sex... with other guys; Kyle Meeks doesn't look gay, but he is, and he hopes he never has to tell anyone - especially his parents; Nelson Glassman is "out" to the entire world, but he can't tell the boy he loves that he wants to be more than just friends - three teenage boys, coming of age and out of the closet.

*********************************************
5. COLAGE Bowling Party (LA)

COLAGE (Children of Lesbians and Gays Everywhere) will be sponsoring a kids' Bowling Party in L.A.

(Please bring approx. $12 for game & shoe rental fees)

FOR KIDS ONLY!
(Ages 8-16)

WHEN: SATURDAY, APRIL 27, 2002
TIME: 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM

WHERE:

Mar Vista Lanes

12125 Venice Blvd (at Grandview)

PARENTS:
Join other parents for lunch and conversation down the street from the bowling alley at Sunny Grill Restaurant, 12035 Venice Blvd organized by the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center's Family Services Program. Please meet at the bowling alley. RSVP to Arielle Rosen, 323-860-7397.

*********************************************
6. HRC Summer Youth College (D.C.)

APPLICANTS WANTED FOR HRC YOUTH COLLEGE

The Human Rights Campaign is currently looking for 20 energetic, young activists for our Youth College for Campaign Training program.

This comprehensive campaign-training program introduces 18 to 24 year olds who have an interest in electoral politics, organizing and gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender rights to every part of winning an election, from budgeting to writing a press plan or a field plan.

Once the participants have completed the intensive, hands on training program they are sent to targeted campaigns throughout the country, with a stipend from HRC and housing from friends of the campaign. Each participant fills whatever role is needed by the campaign, sometimes multiple roles, doing everything from writing press releases to organizing phone banks and precinct walks.

This year is shaping up to be a very exciting election year. States have lost or gained congressional seats, and new district lines have been drawn. A third of the Senate is up for election, and with the retirement of Jesse Helms and other conservatives it will be a very good year for pro-gay candidates.

The Human Rights Campaign is accepting applications for the Youth College program. We want to be sure that gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender friendly candidates are elected to office in record numbers this year and Youth College is an integral part of our efforts. All applications should be postmarked by May 1st for consideration. For more information, or to apply please go to http://www.hrc.org/about/pac/ycapp.asp, email youthcollege@hrc.org or call (202) 216-1537.

****************************************
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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