“The plan had Ryan stay home that first day of school. After lunch, teachers in each fifth-grade class explained that the classmate they had known as a girl would return the next day as a boy. That night, fifth-grade parents received letters and emails explaining the news. Parents schoolwide were invited to a forum two days later on gender diversity with Mr. Malpas...Teachers at every grade level added books with themes of inclusion and defining one’s own identity. The whole school discussed “Red: A Crayon’s Story,” about a blue crayon trapped … [Read more...]

The Equality Scholarship recognizes youth throughout Central and Northern California who have demonstrated service to the LGBTQ community. It is expected that the collaborative will award 11 or more $6,0000 scholarships to put towards college expenses for graduating high school seniors. To learn more about elegibility, selection criteria, submitting an application, or have general questions visit equalityscholarship.org Over the last ten years many local youth have been awarded! Students from Watsonville High, Harbor High, Pacific Collegiate, … [Read more...]

Are you a senior applying to a 4-year college or university or community college? Are you an out leader in the LGBTQ community? Then you may be eligible for the Point Foundation scholarship! Apply Now at The Point Foundation Application open from: November 1st 2016 - January 1st 2017 … [Read more...]

“What is the purpose of the Day of Remembrance? The Transgender Day of Remembrance serves several purposes. It raises public awareness of hate crimes against transgender people, an action that current media doesn’t perform. Day of Remembrance publicly mourns and honors the lives of transgender people who might otherwise be forgotten. Through the vigil, we express love and respect in the face of national indifference and hatred. Day of Remembrance gives transgender people and their allies a chance to step forward and stand in vigil, … [Read more...]

““Queer” existed as a slur for a long time, an arrow slung at people to make them feel like freaks or deviants. The oldest meaning, going back to the 1500s, is strange, peculiar or questionable, and the word will still ring pejorative in many older people’s ears. Yet around the time of the AIDS crisis groups really started to reclaim it (“We’re here, we’re queer, get used to it!”), and today young people are increasingly gravitating toward this label, one with no precise definition related to sexuality or gender. Which is the point” Read the … [Read more...]

“October 26th is Intersex Awareness Day – marking the 20th anniversary of intersex protests outside the annual American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) conference in Boston, MA. That protest is considered the beginning of intersex activism in the U.S. and the beginning of a movement. Intersex – the “I” in LGBTQIA – is an umbrella term for people born with biological sex characteristics that are not strictly ‘male’ or ‘female.’ As common as red hair, nearly two percent of the population is born with reproductive or sexual anatomy and/or a … [Read more...]

Interested in starting a GSA on campus? The GSA Network Year Start Packet is perfect for you! Visit GSA Network today to get your copy! … [Read more...]

“I’m Jazzmyne. Up until this year’s New York Fashion Week, I had never modeled in my life. But there’s a first time for everything, right?...When I found out I’d be walking in the Stuzo Clothing show, I was nervous. It’s the biggest queer fashion show at NYFW, so the pressure was on.” Read the full story on BuzzFeed … [Read more...]

“According to GLSEN’s latest findings, LGBT secondary-school students experience higher rates of bullying based on not only their sexual orientation and gender identity, but also their appearance and body size. They’re also more likely to experience sexual harassment, cyberbullying, and property damage, among other forms of intimidation and abuse.” Read the full article in The Atlantic … [Read more...]