GSA Activist Camps are 3 days long and feature intensive community building, skill-building, political education and leadership training for current and potential GSA members. Participants learn how to work with school administrators to fight homophobia and transphobia. Recognize the ways that homophobia and transphobia are connected to racism, sexism, classism, and other oppressions. Learn how to run successful campaigns to change the climate on their campuses, and MUCH more! Click Here to Apply! When: Friday July 11th - Sunday July … [Read more...]
[Reminder] PFLAG Santa Cruz County Celebrates OUT IN OUR FAITH
10 Years of Love and Support for the LGBTQI Community! Join us as we listen to clergy and members of the Out In Our Faith coalition speak to us about 10 years of their amazing work! This Temple Beth El award-winning project promotes the full inclusion of LGBTQI individuals and their families in the faith community which best meets their personal spiritual needs. Out in Our Faith is a coalition of 22 faith communities, comprised of Jewish, Christian, Protestant, Catholic, Buddhist, Unitarian and non-denominational congregations within Santa … [Read more...]
Presidential Proclamation
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month, 2014 “As progress spreads from State to State, as justice is delivered in the courtroom, and as more of our fellow Americans are treated with dignity and respect -- our Nation becomes not only more accepting, but more equal as well. During Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Pride Month, we celebrate victories that have affirmed freedom and fairness, and we recommit ourselves to completing the work that remains.” … [Read more...]
National LGBT News: US Dept. of Education. Announces Title IX Protects Transgender Students
“The guidance, from the Department's Office for Civil Rights (OCR), states: "Title IX's sex discrimination prohibition extends to claims of discrimination based on gender identity or failure to conform to stereotypical notions of masculinity or femininity and OCR accepts such complaints for investigation." Read more at The National Center for Transgender Equality … [Read more...]
Local LGBT News: Youths Break Silencing Effect of Bullying
“Breaking the Silence,” a rally held last Friday at the downtown Santa Cruz Town Clock, expanded awareness of the national Day of Silence, an annual event formed in 1996 by the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN) during which students across the country vow to stay quiet for a whole day to symbolize the silencing effects of harassment and bullying on LGBTQ students. Read more in City on the Hill Press … [Read more...]
LGBT Youth Voices: 14 year old Christine Breaks Her Silence
Christine has partnered with The Poet Warrior Project to share this beautiful and powerful spoken word piece about breaking the silence. View her video on YouTube … [Read more...]
“Out in Santa Cruz” Radio Show Features QYLA Nominees!
Tune into KSCO 1080 AM Saturday May 3rd from 7pm to 8pm to listen to the LGBTQ youth and allies nominated for the 17th annual Queer Youth Leadership Awards! … [Read more...]
GSA Network Joins Teachers, Advocates in Calling for Restorative Practices, Not Suspensions
“On Monday, Tillman and many other parent, student and teacher activists across the country traveled to Capitol Hill to tackle how minority and disabled youth are being pushed out of the school system nationwide. The group was part of the Dignity in Schools Campaign (DSC), a coalition made up of 78 organizations from 22 states that’s challenging the current ‘push out’ problem in today’s schools” Read more in Empower Magazine … [Read more...]
[Reminder] PFLAG Monthly Meeting: Creating Families Through Local Adoption & Foster Care, April 8
When: Tuesday April 8th, 2014 @ 7pm - 9pm Where: Peace United Church of Christ, 900 High Street, Santa Cruz, CA This month we will discuss adoption and foster care as a way to create warm and loving families in the LGBT Community. Right now in our county, there are amazing kids of all ages who are waiting for wonderful homes. Loving homes are particularly needed for sibling groups and older children. This Months Keynote Speakers Are: Anastasia Torres-Gil, Resource Family Specialist with the County of Santa Cruz’s Roots & Wings Program, … [Read more...]
LGBT News: Frameline Youth Program Goes National
“Now, Youth in Motion is having the same impact but on a national scale. Since last August, 100 new schools outside California registered, bringing the total number of schools serviced by the program to 620 in 34 states.” Read more in The Bay Area Reporter Click Here to register your GSA for FREE Frameline films! or Email youthinmotion@frameline.org with questions. … [Read more...]