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eNewsletter 3 | | |
|  | 1. From the Editor:
Respect Sacramento Board Members Testify for Safe Schools
Assembly passes LGBT safe schools bill
Legislation calling for increased protections of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in California moved closer to passage on January 26 as members of the State Assembly voted in support of three bills sponsored by Equality California (EQCA), the state's LGBT civil rights advocacy organization.
Among them was Assembly Bill 606, the Safe Place to Learn Act (Levine, D-Van Nuys), a bill that would require school districts and the Department of Education to comply with California's existing laws regarding anti-discrimination in schools. It earned a 45-32 vote on the floor of the Assembly.
"I don't feel safe at my school," said Yvonne Neis, a senior at C.K. McClatchy High School and a board member of Respect Sacramento, whose locker was defaced when someone carved the word "fag" on it.
According to Neis, no action was taken as a result of this incident. "These incidents, among many others, have made me uncomfortable, not cared for and alone, and they have had an effect on my school work," she said. "AB 606 would not only provide needed support and protection for sexual minorities, (it would) make students, staff and parents more aware that the school environment should be safe for everyone."
Fellow Respect board member Lance Chih, a senior at Folsom High School, said that he has experienced "multiple harassments on campus" due to being openly gay, and added that the school has a history of harassment against students who are perceived to be gay. "Schools all around California need clearer standards on how they can make the environment for all students like me a safer place," said Chih. "AB 606 does this, and will hold schools accountable for ensuring the safe learning environment for other students that I was unable to experience."
Congratulations Yvonne and Lance for your courage and leadership in making change for all students in California!
Local GSAs on the Net
Area Gay-Straight Alliances, youth-led clubs on secondary school campuses that advocate for tolerance and equality, are growing in their presence on the World Wide Web. Recently, the students members of Hiram Johnson's Gay Straight Alliance posted their website with information and links to other schools in the Sacramento area. You can visit their website at www.hjhsgsa.bravehost.com.
Other area GSAs with websites:
C.K. McClatchy LGSA: www.geocities.com/ckmcclatchylgsa/.
John F. Kennedy Rainbow Appreciation Alliance (RAA): www.raa.bravehost.com/.
Does your GSA have a website? We'd love to hear about it! Let Jerry know by sending us an email at info@respectsacramento.org.
Queer Youth Advocacy Day March 6
Join GSA Network, Equality California, the youth board members of Respect Sacramento, and hundreds of youth activists for Queer Youth Advocacy Day in Sacramento at the capitol on March 6, 2006. Talk to lawmakers about what it's really like for LGBTQ students in California schools. Lobby for safer schools legislation (AB 606) and help to end discrimination and harassment for all students in California.
Register! EVERYONE MUST REGISTER online in order to participate in Queer Youth Advocacy Day. Signing up ensures that we know you're coming and a space is held for you. This includes all youth and adult advisors/chaperones.
The deadline for registration is February 13. To sign up: www.eqca.org/advocacyday.
Our Annual GSA Youth Leaders Workshop: March 18
We have a date, so mark your calendars and spread the word to GSAs throughout the Sacramento area: Saturday, March 18. As of this writing, we are waiting for the final OK from the school district where the event will be held (we're looking forward to a brand new venue for our workshop; it should be a great place!). Stay tuned to our website and we will email out the location as soon as we have the go-ahead.
Student members of the Sacramento Regional Gay Straight Alliance (SRGSA) will be working in the next few weeks to finalize the program for the event. Typically, student presentations will focus on establishing new GSAs, maintaining and strengthening existing GSAs, advocating for safer environments on your own campuses, planning for the Day of Silence in April, and much more. Would you like to contribute to the program? Join us at our next meeting, or contact Lance with the SRGSA at sacregionalgsa@hotmail.com.
Shall we dance?
Time to start planning for the 3rd Annual GSA Dance, the area's only truly welcoming prom for students of all orientations--straight, gay, bi, queer, questioning, or those who don't wish to be categorized. We've got a date set for Saturday, May 6 from 7 to 11 pm at Hiram Johnson High School, 65th Street and 14th Avenue. Want to be a part of the planning? Contact Lance or Yvonne at sacregionalgsa@hotmail.com.2. Our next meeting: Wed. February 8
Our next meeting will be Wednesday, February 8 at 6:30 pm. Our regular meeting time and place is the second Wednesday of the month at 6:30 pm at the Lambda Community Center, 1927 L Street in midtown Sacramento.
On our agenda: plans for the Queer Youth Advocacy Day on March 6, our next GSA Youth Leaderhship Workshop on March 18, Day of Silence information, and plans for the GSA Dance in the Spring. Are you a student at a local secondary school who would like to help plan events? Come on by or drop us a line. Our events are developed by and with local GSA members for their peers in the community. We hope to see you there! 3. Local and National PFLAG Scholarships
Sacramento PFLAG Follansbee Scholarship
The Sacramento Chapter of PFLAG is pleased to be able to offer one $1,000 scholarship to a deserving graduating senior in the Sacramento area who identifies as LGBT and will be attending college in the fall. The scholarship is named in honor of The Rev. and Mrs. Merrill Follansbee, chapter founders and proud parents of a gay son.
For more detailed eligibility information and to download an application, go to Respect Sacramento's website at www.respectsacramento.org.
Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) is a national organization of approximately 250,000 families organized in 500 chapters across the United States. It is a family-based organization of caring people from all walks of life working together for the benefit of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT) communities.
National PFLAG Scholarship
PFLAG's National Scholarship Programs for graduating high school seniors entering college in fall 2006 is open to self-identified gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) students and students who are allies and supporters of the GLBT community. The closing date for applications is February 14, 2006.
The PFLAG National Scholarships Program is funded by the Palmer B. Carson Trust and other private donors, including the support of the employees group, Gays, Lesbians, and Allies at Dow. The program offers six scholarships of $2,500 and fourteen $1,000 scholarships.
Application materials can be downloaded from the PFLAG website at www.pflag.org.
4. GSA Network News
Loud, Proud, & on the Way to the Capitol!
Save the Date---Queer Youth Advocacy Day 2006!
Join GSA Network, EQCA, & hundreds of LGBTQ & straight ally youth for Queer Youth Advocacy Day.
Who: You & your friends, your GSA members & hundreds of youth activists
Where: Sacramento, CA
When: Monday, March 6, 2006
Why: To unite with GSAS & youth from all over CA!
To learn how to lobby lawmakers & influence people
To help create safer schools & make sure everyone has a chance at an education.
What: On March 6, youth will sit down & talk with each & every CA Legislature member about a proposed law that will make it clearer how schools can end discrimination and harassment based on sexual orientation or gender identity. Following a mass training & a huge rally on the capitol steps, we're going to visit every legislator's office to share our stories. This is your chance to make a difference that will affect schools in every corner of CA.
You'll tell lawmakers what it's really like to be in school. Tell them what you need to feel safe, supported, and ignored no more. They need to hear from you!
More info: Email Lai-San Seto at advocacy@gsanetwork.org or call 415-552-4229 5. 2006 Lambda Community Awards March 20
The Lambda Community Center is very excited to bring you the 2006 Lambda Awards on Monday, March 20, 2006, at the Doubletree Hotel, 2001 Point West Way in Sacramento. We will be honoring the "Best of Our Community", those wonderful people, both inside and outside the LGBT community, who have distinguished themselves in either their service to our society or their efforts to end discrimination towards us. The winners of the Lambda Awards are people that have recognized and are actively helping to "Build Our Community" in 2006 and the future.
Kinna Patel of EQCA and Dan Roth of Stonewall Democrats will be our emcees for the Evening.
There will be fabulous food and unique entertainment, a intriguing silent auction with items for bid that reflect Sacramento's Diversity.
For more information about the awards program and to reserve your table or
tickets please contact Lambda Awards Chairperson Jason R. Kirkland.
Jason R. Kirkland
awards@lambdasac.org
(916) 442-0185 ext 103
<http://www.lambdasac.org/awards> 6. Job Announcement: GLSEN SF-EB
GLSEN San Francisco-East Bay Program Director (Concord)
Salary: 40 hours FT/$42,000-$45,000
Start Date: 2/27/06
Application deadline: Until filled
About the Position
This full-time Program Director will play a key role in the management and implementation of all GLSEN SF-EB programming and share, with the Executive Director, primary responsibilities for the services and operations of GLSEN SF-EB.
Go to www.glsen-sfeb.org for more details
Mail or fax your resume and cover letter to:
GLSEN San Francisco-East Bay
Attention: Julie Lienert, Executive Director
1924 Grant Street, Suite 4
Concord, CA 94520
Fax: (925) 685-5413
E-mail: respect@glsen-sfeb.org
No phone calls please
Deadline for resume submission: 2/10/06 or until filled
Successful candidates will be called to schedule an interview between February 13-17.
GLSEN SF-EB is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to staff diversity. | | | | | | | | | | Male student in NJ wins right to wear a skirt
Feb. 2, HASBROUCK HEIGHTS NJ (AP) A male high school student can wear a skirt to school after the American Civil Liberties Union reached an agreement with school officials.
The ACLU announced the deal. It will allow the Hasbrouck Heights School senior to wear a skirt to protest the school's no-shorts policy.
The district's dress code bans shorts between Oct. 1 and April 15, but allows skirts, a policy 17-year-old Michael Coviello believes is discriminatory.
"I'm happy to be able to wear skirts again to bring attention to the fact that the ban on shorts doesn't make sense," Coviello said in a statement.
The Hasbrouck Heights superintendent, Joseph C. Luongo, did not return telephone messages left Tuesday seeking comment.
Coviello first wore a costume-style dress but high school officials told him to go home and change. The district's superintendent then advised the Coviello to purchase everyday dresses and skirts at a retail store, which Coviello did, the ACLU said.
But after a few days, he was sent home with a note from his principal saying if he wore a dress, kilt or skirt, he could no longer attend school.
| | | | | Teen sought in Mass. gay bar shooting
Feb. 2, NEW BEDFORD MASS. (365gay.com) Police have identified a suspect in Thursday morning's shootings in a New Bedford gay bar that sent three people to hospital.
Two people were shot and one cut with what some witnesses said was a hatchet and others have described as a cutting tool. Earlier reports indicated that three people had been shot
Police say they are looking for 18 year old Jacob D. Robida.
New Bedford Police Capt. Richard Spirlet said that attack is being treated as a hate crime.
A bartender, identified on Boston television stations only as Philip, said that the suspect entered Puzzles bar after midnight and ordered a drink. The bartender said the suspect was dressed in black.
The suspect asked if he was in a gay bar. He finished his first drink and ordered a second and then walked to the rear of the club where two men were playing pool the bartender said.
Without warning the man then pulled a hatchet from under his sweatshirt and struck one of the players in the head. When the second pool player attempted to intervene the attacker pulled a handgun and began firing.
There were about 18 people in the club at the time. Some managed to get out the front door.
Two people were shot in the attack. They were airlifted to Boston hospitals. The man suffering hatchet wounds was taken to a local hospital.
The shooter then walked out of the club moments before police arrived. He left behind the hatchet, as well as a machete.
Capt. Spirlet did not say how police identified Robida as the suspect.
Robida is described as a short, stocky white man with dark hair.
He is believed to be driving a green 1999 Pontiac Grand Am. Spirlet said he is considered armed and dangerous, and if spotted should not be approached.
"When a man walks into a bar, asks if it's a gay bar and starts shooting, there couldn't be any more glaringly obvious and enraging example that we need uniform hate crimes law and that Congress has stubbornly failed to act," said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese.
"The Senate can change this today. Whether the hate crime occurs in New Bedford, Massachusetts, or Roanoke, Virginia, local law enforcement deserve access to the same tools. The Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Act would do this.
School tensions ease over gay posters
Jan. 26 SAN LEANDRO (San Francisco Chronicle) Two days after San Leandro High School teachers were ordered to hang posters in their rooms promoting tolerance toward gay students, many faculty and students said the move was long overdue.
"It shouldn't even be a debate. Kids need to feel comfortable in class, and the adults need to make sure that happens," said senior Je'Nea Woods. "The school environment's supposed to be about students. Everyone should feel safe whether they're homosexual or not."
The school board-mandated posters sparked a controversy Monday when a handful of the school's 120 teachers said the posters -- which feature pink triangles, a rainbow banner and the words "safe space" -- contradicted their religious beliefs.
TV news crews swarmed the 2,500-student campus Tuesday, and Principal Amy Furtado spent much of the day, the second day of the spring semester, fielding calls from the media, parents and the community.
But so far, the conflicts appear to have been resolved through faculty discussions about the underlying message of the posters, which is to promote tolerance, said Furtado.
"We are a diverse staff. We have teachers here who are active in their churches, and we respect their beliefs," Furtado said Wednesday. "But none of those teachers have said they won't put up the posters because of that."
Teachers have a week to hang the 8 1/2-by-11 posters, which were designed by the 30 or so students in the school's Gay-Straight Alliance. Furtado will check all 200 classrooms next week to see if the posters are visible, and she said she'd have "a private conversation" with teachers who don't comply.
"The expectation is compliance," she said. "It's board policy. But what's great is that today we have some very conservative teachers who've already put it up."
The posters, along with faculty training about racism and homophobia, were required in the 2002 settlement of a lawsuit filed by a San Leandro High teacher who was disciplined after teaching those topics in his honors English class in the mid-1990s. The teacher, Karl Debro, was awarded $1.1 million and still teaches at the school.
"The school has changed a lot since then, but then, society's changed a lot, too," Debro said Wednesday. "A lot of kids have relatives who've come out. The Gay-Straight Alliance has helped a lot. The poster could be a way to get people to think even further about it."Anti-GSA bill passes Virginia House
Jan. 31, RICHMOND VA (AP) Virginia's House of Delegates passed legislation Tuesday allowing local school boards to prohibit the use of school facilities by groups they believe encourage promiscuity.
Opponents of Del. Matthew Lohr's bill claim its real purpose is to dissolve gay-straight alliances, which typically meet on campus.
Dyana Mason, head of Equality Virginia warned that the legislation would essentially dissolve the gay-straight alliances, which typically meet on school grounds.
But Lohr, R-Harrisonburg, said during debate Monday that the bill does not target any specific group.
"This bill is not aimed at one particular group," Lohr told House members. "The intent is to give local school boards more control over the types of groups which use the buildings."
But when pressed by Falls Church Democratic Del. James Scott about which groups could be interpreted as addressing sexual issues, Lohr referred to a situation involving a Chesterfield County gay-straight student alliance last year.
In that case, Lohr said school officials canceled a planned book signing by a gay author after it was learned the author would be including a steamy novel about gay fraternity sex.
Lohr argued school officials should have been able to quash the group entirely.
"Whether it be homosexual or heterosexual, school is just not the place to be talking about sexual activity," said Lohr, adding he would encourage schools to disband heterosexually oriented groups that promoted teen sex.
With little debate, the House voted 70-29 to pass the bill.
The House also voted 68-31 to pass a bill sponsored by Del. L. Scott Lingamfelter, R-Prince William, requiring family life education programs to encourage abstinence as the only guarantee against unwanted pregnancy.
Both bills now go to the Senate, where a bill identical to Lohr's died in committee last year. | | | That's enough for now. Did I leave anything out? Please drop me a line. Do you have an announcement or item that you'd like to include in our newsletter? Would you like to write an opinion piece about something in the LGBT education area? Tell us about what's going on in your GSA! Send complaints, comments, or submissions to admin@respectsacramento.org and I will be happy to place it in our newletter, which is composed and sent out in the first week of the month. Make this your newsletter by contributing to it!
See you on Wednesday, February 8 at 6:30 at the Lambda Center.
Jerry O'Connor
Respect Sacramento Board Member
Respect Sacramento
PO Box 191678
Sacramento CA 95819
(916) 733-2135
info@respectsacramento.org
www.respectsacramento.org
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| | Quote Unquote
They should not be allowed to have that on school property. It's just wrong. - Republican Utah state senator Chris Buttars, who proposed legislation to ban gay-straight alliances in schools, January 31, 2006
Although tradition and societal values are important, they cannot be given so much weight that they alone will justify a discriminatory law. - Maryland Circuit Judge Brooke Murdock, in declaring her state's law against gay marriage violates the Maryland Constitution's guarantee of equal rights, January 20, 2006 | | You are subscribed as XXXXX@XXXXX.net. To unsubscribe please click here.
 
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