“The state's landmark school finance law has prompted most major California school districts to pledge to reduce student suspensions, hire more counselors and use positive alternatives to deal with misbehavior, according to a study released Wednesday.” Read the full article in The LA Times … [Read more...]
LGBT Youth Voices: I’m a Transgender Teen and Which Restroom I Use Is None of Your Business
“The Kentucky Student Privacy Act, as proposed by Kentucky State Sen. C.B. Embry, would deny access to restrooms, locker rooms and other gender-specific spaces to students who do not identify with the gender assigned to them at birth. The act also suggests "compromises" with transgender students who fit these circumstances. In this case, the transgender student would have to use a unisex facility, which many schools do not have, or use the faculty restrooms.” Read more in The Huffington Post … [Read more...]
[Updated] Queer Skate Night! Mar 3
Join Theta Pi Sigma - Alpha Chapter in supporting the Safe Schools Project, part of the Queer Youth Task Force of Santa Cruz County! Meet The Santa Cruz Derby Girls and get a chance to win some awesome prizes they’ve provided for the raffle! When: Tuesday, March 3rd, 2015 @ 7:30pm - 9:30pm Where: Santa Cruz Roller Palladium, 1606 Seabright Ave, Santa Cruz, California 95062 ** Easily accessible by bus routes: 66, 69, or 71 Cost = $5 presale - $10 at the door (Includes skate rental and raffle ticket) ΘΠΣ seeks to make all of our events … [Read more...]
GSA Day For Racial Justice, Feb 20
“National GSA Day for Racial Justice is an annual day of action to mobilize for racial justice and celebrate the multiple identities we hold as LGBTQ youth. This year, GSA Day for Racial Justice will honor Audre Lorde’s words, impact, and legacy, and take action across the country in support of the #BlackLivesMatter movement. Get involved by holding teach-ins, teach-outs, rallies, marches, and other actions on February 20th in support of #BlackLivesMatter, and create #BlackFutureLegends videos about how past or present Black activists or … [Read more...]
Save The Date: GSA Summit, San Jose, Feb 6
Join the LGBT Youth Space for some informative workshops focused on successfully running and leading a GSA. This is a great opportunity to meet other local GSA members and officers. Don't miss out on this free event and the food that comes along with it! Friday February 6, at 4:30 PM to 8 PM at the LGBT Youth Space located at 452 South 1st Street, San Jose, CA 95113. Questions? Comments? Visit youthspace.org for more information and future events … [Read more...]
LGBT News: LGBTQ Youth Study Reveals That It Really ‘Does Get Better’ Over Time
“In a multi-year study of LGBTQ youth, researchers found that being the victim of bullying and other abuse was linked to psychological distress, but both distress and victimization decreased as the adolescents grew up.” Read the full article in The Huffington Post … [Read more...]
LGBT News: Denver Police Kill Gay 17-Year-Old Driving Stolen Car
“Denver's LGBT and Latino residents are looking for answers after local police officers shot and killed a 17-year-old lesbian during an early-morning confrontation Monday, reigniting a tense, ongoing national conversation about police use of force and interactions with communities of color. “ Read more in The Advocate … [Read more...]
[Reminder] “Beautiful Love Stories Need To Be Told Twice” PFLAG Santa Cruz County is Proud to Announce that their February meeting Will Feature Ann & Nancy Forsberg, Feb 10
When Nancy and Father Larry Forsberg were married in 1973, they vowed to stay together through all of the changes in life. When Ann (Father Larry) began to show subtle signs of change over 20 years ago, Nancy knew that she needed to understand and make changes of her own for their marriage to survive. Today they have a thriving partnership. Please join us as they share their love story! When: Tuesday, February 10th, 2015 @ 7:00 – 9:00 pm Where: Peace United Church of Christ, 900 High Street, Santa Cruz, CA Questions? Contact PFLAG at … [Read more...]
GSA Network News: Breaking the Gender Binary at Graduation
“This campaign took a lot of work just by outreaching to other GSAs or spreading the word out about this campaign to all the students in the district; in the end, the success came from every individual that contributed and became a part of this petition, whether by forming it, spreading it, or just signing it. The campaign ended with the district deciding to allow schools have their seniors vote for what they wanted their graduation gowns to be. The senior classes can now choose whether they want a unisex color for their gowns or have everyone … [Read more...]
[Reminder] Jandy Nelson & Annameekee Hesik Book Reading and Discussion, Jan 28
Jandy Nelson plus local YA author and teacher Annameekee Hesik for a Young Adult Fiction double-header and conversation. Come to enjoy a book reading, signing, Q & A, and discussion. Both of their latest books have LGBT characters. When: Wednesday, January 28th, 2015 @ 7pm Where: Bookshop Santa Cruz, 1520 Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA Visit Bookshop Santa Cruz for more about the authors, their written work, and this event! … [Read more...]