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

1. Update Your GSA Contact Info
2. Apply for the GSA Network Youth Council!
3. Unite the South Bay GSAs Meeting
4. Upcoming GSA Network Leadership Trainings
5. Movie Night at CHD in Pleasant Hill -- tonight
6. Lambda Youth Speakers' Bureau Training
7. Services for Queer Youth on the Peninsula
8. Outlet Program Recruiting Mentors
9. SF School Board Public Meeting
10. SIECUS Fact Sheet on LGBT Youth Issues
11. Job Announcement:Youth Leader, Girls in the Hall

GSA Network is trying to keep our GSA database current -- Please help us by sending your updated GSA information!

Here's what we need:

• school name and address
• name of your club
• advisor contact phone and email
• GSA student leader name, address, phone, e-mail, and graduation year* (tell us if we need to be discreet when calling or sending materials)

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2. Apply for the GSA Network Youth Council!

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:P.O. Box 741063, Los Angeles, CA 90004, fax:415.552.4729

Contact Info:
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.

Thursday, September 27
6-7:30pm

Billy DeFrank Center
938 The Alameda, San Jose, CA 95126

All South Bay GSAs are invited to come and network with other youth, share ideas, hang out, and learn more about the GSA Network and the Billy DeFrank Center.

Snacks provided!

Co-Sponsored by GSA Network and the Billy DeFrank Center.

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4. Upcoming GSA Network Leadership Trainings

Save the dates! GSA Network is beginning our cycle of day-long Leadership Trainings, open to youth GSA organizers and GSA advisors. These trainings are a great opportunity for GSA leaders to network, gain skills, and exchange ideas.

Santa Cruz
Sunday, October 14
Location TBA
* more info next week

North Bay
Sunday, November 4
Spectrum Center, San Anselmo
* more info coming soon

GSA Network will be sponsoring Leadership Trainings in other California regions throughout the year. Keep watching GSA Network News for info about upcoming trainings in your area.

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5. Movie Night at CHD in Pleasant Hill -- tonight

Hello All LGBTQ Youth, Young Adults, and Straight allies,

MOVIE NIGHT

This Friday
September 21
7:00-9:00 pm

at the Center for Human Development (CHD) in Pleasant Hill

Folks will be watching "Better than Chocolate" from 7-9pm in the training room of CHD in Pleasant Hill. This event is youth run, hosted by Ravi Rangi.

Movie nights are twice monthly, the first and third Friday of every month.

ALL WELCOME - FUN TIME TO HANG OUT AND MEET NEW PEOPLE -

Directions to CHD: 391 Taylor Blvd, Suite 120 Pleasant Hill, CA 94523

North 680 - take Willow Pass exit, turn left at the light, proceed west past the Sun Valley Mall, (Willow Pass becomes Taylor) to Lucille Lane - about 1 mile. Turn left onto Lucille and left again into complex. Drive to the back of complex and take a left. Suite 120 will be on your left side.

South 680 - Take willow Pass/Taylor exit, turn right at the light and proceed as above.

East 24 - Take Pleasant Hill Road North - becomes Taylor BLVD. Continue about 5 miles. Just past Shell Station and 7-11 (on left) turn right on Lucille Lane and proceed as above.

Call (925) 687-8844 x307 or e-mail myriamrahman@hotmail.com if you have questions

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6. Lambda Youth Speakers' Bureau Training

S P E A K I T O U T !
Southern Alameda County LGBTQ youth and straight allies INVITED to join:

LAMBDA YOUTH SPEAKERS' BUREAU!

Come to:

FROM 580E: Take Hayward exit, Foothill Blvd, into downtown Hayward. Turn LEFT on Russel, then RIGHT on Second St., then LEFT on "A" St. Lighthouse is on your right, with a large rainbow flag hanging inside the window. Park on "A" Street, or streets nearby.

FROM 880: Take "A" St. exit going east (away from the bay) and follow all the way through Hayward, past Mission St. and past Foothill Blvd. After you cross Second St., Lighthouse is on your right, with a large rainbow flag hanging in the window. Park on "A" Street, or on streets nearby.

Sponsored by the Lambda Youth Project, Project Eden, Hayward -- the Gay Prom people! http://WWW.GAYPROM.ORG

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7. Services for Queer Youth on the Peninsula

*** Support group for Queer youth in Sunnyvale & Cupertino

A free, confidential support group for LGBTQQ youth ages 13-18 is being offered by Outlet at the Columbia Neighborhood Center, located at 785 Morse Ave. in Sunnyvale. The group will meet weekly on Tuesdays from 6-8pm, starting October 9th. For more information, contact Juan Barajas at (650) 494-0972 ext. 301 or juan@ywcamid.org

*** Queer Youth Social Group

A fun, new social group for LGBTQQ youth is being offered in Palo Alto. It's a chance for LGBTQQ youth to hang out, have some fun, and eat some great food with other queer kids. The group meets every Thursday from 6-7:30pm at the YWCA of the Mid-Peninsula, located at 4161 Alma St. in Palo Alto. Call Juan Barajas for more information. (650) 494-0972 ext. 301 or juan@ywcamid.org

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8. Outlet Program Recruiting Mentors

The Outlet Program at the YWCA of the Mid-Peninsula (in Palo Alto) is currently recruiting LGBTQ adults interested in mentoring queer youth. For more information and an application, contact Paula Harris at (650) 494-0972 ext. 336 or paula@ywcamid.org

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9. SF School Board Public Meeting

The SF School Board will hold a first-ever priority setting session on Tuesday, September 18, 7pm at 555 Franklin. They will be weighing the relative urgency of many issues. Public testimony is encouraged. Call 241-6493 for more information

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10. SIECUS Fact Sheet on LGBT Youth Issues

Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States (SIECUS) recently revised and updated their fact sheet on LGBT youth issues. It can be viewed and downloaded for free at http://www.siecus.org/pubs/fact/fact0013.html.

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11. Job Announcement:Youth Leader, Girls in the Hall

Job Description: Youth Leader

Girls in the Hall is a public art collaboration created to educate the community about young women's involvement with the juvenile justice system. Our first project was an art exhibit which took place at the Columbia Park Boys & Girls club from May 10-June 10, 2001 Girls in the Hall is a project of the Solutions program. Solutions is in the process of planning future exhibits in the San Francisco community as well as traveling the exhibit to cities all over the United States.

Solutions is a collaboration which includes members from Special Programs for Youth, Bay Area Teen Voices, Brava for Women in the Arts and other individual artists and collaborators. Solutions provides comprehensive health education through the use of expressive arts. We run workshops in juvenile hall dealing with emotional and physical health including:abuse, self-esteem, freedom, sexuality, substance use and incarceration.

Girls in the Hall is currently seeking part-time Youth Leaders to help develop the art exhibit, conduct outreach at schools and community organizations, and to be advocates for girls involved in the juvenile justice system in San Francisco.
Responsibilities

• Work with Advisory Committee and Project Manager to develop content for art exhibit
• Assist curators and installation crew with designing and building exhibit installation
• Develop outreach presentations and visit schools and community agencies to raise awareness about the exhibit and the issues facing incarcerated girls
• Participate as exhibit docent/guide for duration of exhibit
• Assist in development and facilitation of program evaluation
• Attend planning meetings as required
• Other Duties as required

• Knowledge of girls involved in the juvenile justice system
• Dependable, punctual and flexible
• Creative and an independent thinker
• Leadership experience desired
• Creative writing, drama or art experience helpful
• Computer experience helpful - Microsoft Word, Excel
• Dedicated to the mission of Girls in the Hall and to creating change for incarcerated young women

• 8-10 hours per week (hours To Be Arranged)
• $9 per hour

Solutions is dedicated to providing opportunities for young women to make positive change in themselves and their communities. Young women who have been involved in the juvenile justice system are strongly encouraged to apply.
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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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