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April 16, 2005


GLSEN Phoenix LGBTQ Youth Resource Bookmarks |
Want yours? Email info@glsenphoenix.org


GLSEN Phoenix PRIDE |
The Parade was longer than ever & the weekend was full of great community conversations. Thanks to Beck for coordinating the GLSEN booth & volunteers and to Brian and Carrie for coordinating the Youth Zone (!!!) for GLSEN Phoenix.


GLSEN Phoenix Day of Silence Workshop |
Run by GLSEN National Christopher Ramirez & Steven, Tucson’s GLSEN student organizer. Thanks to the National Conference for Community and Justice (the Anytown folks) for providing a comfortable space to meet.


First Responders Unit |
Congratulations to all the more than dozen volunteers who completed the 6-hour FRU training co-sponsored by EMPACT-SPC on April 16th. FRU’s goal is to provide K-12 school staff and other first responders with information and resources to help them 1) integrate LGBTQ perspectives into existing counseling practices & crisis management tools and 2) sensitize and empower school staff to affirmatively support LGBTQ students. W/ EMPACT-SPC. Trainings completed & pending:

  1. February 19, 2005 Ottawa University pre-service teachers course
  2. February 28, 2005 Cave Creek Unified School District counselors
  3. February 28, 2005 Devereux School staff
  4. March 11, 2005 Arizona School Counselors Association Conference
  5. March 15, 2005 Empact-SPC hotline & mobile crisis team members
  6. March 21, 2005 Value Options Prevention Staff
  7. April 11, 2005 Devereux School staff
  8. April 14, 2005 Glendale Union High School District social workers
  9. April 16, 2005 Training of FRU trainers
  10. June 8, 2005 Cave Creek/Scottsdale School Resource Officers
  11. June 10, 2005 Arizona Counselor Academy
  12. Pending:
    1. Arizona Library Association
    2. Arizona Coalition on Adolescent Pregnancy & Parenting


Bridges Project |
To link community college and university GSAs with high school GSAs to bridge the gap between high school and college. Includes panel discussions about critical issues; information about college application, financial aid & LGBTQ resources. Mesa Community College, South Mountain Community College, ASU and Paradise Valley volunteering – what about your college?


Teachers’ Lounge |
All K-12 employees welcome to talk about LGBTQ issues & share resources. First Fridays 5-7pm @ Fair Trade Café (NW Corner Central and Roosevelt) Next lounge: Friday, May 6th


Sunnyside Unified School District Governing Board Meeting |
At the April 12 Governing Board meeting of the Sunnyside Unified School District, the board voted unanimously to approve addition of "gender identity or expression" to all of its non-discrimination policies- (1) non-discrimination; (2) staff & hiring; (3) student participation; and (4) multicultural education.

Sunnyside is the only district in the state of Arizona to offer domestic partner benefits to all employees, to include "domestic partners" in its definition of "family" in policies, and to include both "sexual orientation" and "gender identity or expression" in its various non-discrimination policies.


Jump-Start 2005-06 National Student Leadership Team Apps! |
Though the school year's not over yet, the 2005-2006 year is just around the corner. As such, we're gearing up for another awesome year and are NOW accepting applications for the new 2005-2006 Leadership Team. Please share with any and all K-12 grade level students who you think might be interested in working with their peers across the country and supporting safer schools for all! Want to support students in your state and region with their safer schools efforts? - Want to share the knowledge you've gained with others? Want to receive special trainings on days of action and organizing so you can better support your peers? Check out the Goals & Responsibilities & fill out the online application:
http://www.glsen.org/cgi-bin/iowa/student/library/record/1777.html


One Teacher in 10, Second Edition? |
Kevin Jennings, GLSEN’s Founder and Executive Director, edited a book entitled One Teacher in 10 back in 1994. Now, ten years later, he has edited a second edition of the book, which you can purchase on-line by visiting the following websites! www.alyson.com www.amazon.com www.barnsandnoble.com



Be Part of GLSEN's LGBT Families and Schools Research! |
In collaboration with COLAGE (Children Of Gays And Lesbians Everywhere) and the Family Pride Coalition -- needs LGBT parents of school-age children and children of LGBT parents to participate in surveys about their experiences with schools. The information gathered from this survey will help GLSEN to lobby and advocate for the rights of all students and their families to be treated with respect in their schools.

If you are interested in participating in this very valuable research project and are either: an LGBT parent with at least one school-age child currently attending school (K through 12th grade) OR a student in middle school or high school (13 years of age or older) who has an LGBT parent or parents please go to the following website for more information and complete an online survey:
http://www.glsen.org/cgi-bin/iowa/all/news/record/1787.html

If you would prefer a paper copy of the survey or have further questions, please feel free to contact Elizabeth Diaz, Research Associate, at ediaz@glsen.org or 212-727-0135 x114.


GLSEN Teach Respect Campaign |
GLSEN also today officially launches the Teach Respect Campaign, a national “Breaking the Silence” event that seeks to educate, inform and inspire Americans to address the serious problems of anti-LGBT name-calling, bullying and harassment that affects ALL students in our nation’s schools today.

“I am proud to announce the launch of GLSEN’s Teach Respect campaign as our way of ‘Breaking the Silence’ on this issue which plagues America’s schools,” said Kevin Jennings. “While hundreds of thousands of students lead a silent event to educate their classmates and communities about the problem of anti-LGBT bias, violence and harassment, GLSEN now breaks the silence on this issue with a campaign encouraging all Americans to take action to make schools safe for all students.”

GLSEN’s 2003 National School Climate Survey found that more than 4 out of 5 LGBT students report verbal, sexual or physical harassment at school and nearly 30% report missing at least a day of school in the past month out of fear for their personal safety. The study also found that inclusive safe schools policies, teacher trainings on LGBT issues and supporting student clubs commonly known as Gay-Straight Alliances are part of the solution to ensure schools are safe and effective environments for all students.

The Day of Silence is an important way for students and their allies to make it known that anti-LGBT bullying, harassment and name-calling are unacceptable in America’s schools.

The Teach Respect campaign will use public service announcements, or PSAs, in print media and radio to raise awareness of the harmful effects of bullying and harassment in America’s schools. A televised PSA will air on MTV stations during the Day of Silence.

The Teach Respect PSAs can be viewed and heard on a re-launched educational website, www.TeachRespect.com. The site will also provide information and resources about what can individuals can do within their homes, schools and communities to curb anti-LGBT bullying and harassment.


Day of Silence Success - Now What? |
Congratulations to all Day of Silencers – you broke a record with over 450,000 students in more than 4000 schools. According to the Arizona Republic no less than 7500 students in the greater Phoenix area participated. Amazing.

Thanks go to ASU LGBTQ Coalition (www.asu.edu/clubs/lgbtq) for hosting a rocking SHOUT OUT where State Representative Kyrsten Sinema, (D) Phoenix-15, spoke to the crowd about what she has been working on in the Arizona Legislature to promote the equality of LGBTQ Arizonans. Recently hired Student Success Coordinator Jessica Pettitt spoke and urged participants to do something different to promote equality in their own sphere of influence. GLSEN Phoenix intern Ken Heare spoke about the Bridges Project.

SIX THINGS YOU CAN DO TO CONTINUE BREAKING THE SILENCE
HUGE CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL DAY OF SILENCE PARTICIPANTS!
Because of you, the Day of Silence has out-done itself yet again, with well over 450,000 participants in well over 4,000 middle/high schools, colleges and universities in EVERY SINGLE STATE, DC and Puerto Rico!!! You have made the Day of Silence the largest single-day, student-led action on LGBT issues IN HISTORY! But it's not over... Here are SIX (6) things you can do to BREAK THE SILENCE!

DAY OF SILENCE TESTIMONIALS: SUBMIT YOURS AND CHECK OUT THE WORDS OF OTHER STUDENTS!
Break the Silence with your very own words--and those of your peers!!!
Read the words from students and allies who share their experiences and stories with Day of Silence. Check out some of those experiences and stories from people throughout the country! Submit your own words! Encourage all participants to share: www.dayofsilence.org

TEACHRESPECT.COM - SAFE SCHOOLS ACTION NETWORK!
GLSEN Breaks The Silence with launch of Teach Respect campaign! The Teach Respect campaign will use public service announcements, or PSAs, in print media and radio to raise awareness of the harmful effects of bullying and harassment in America’s schools. The Teach Respect PSAs can be viewed and heard on a re-launched educational website, www.TeachRespect.com. The site will also provide information and resources about what can individuals can do within their homes, schools and communities to curb anti-LGBT bullying and harassment.
Join the Teach Respect campaign online at TeachRespect.com.

APPLY TO BE A NATIONAL STUDENT LEADER!
It is 2005 -- students still hear anti-LGBT name-calling and see or experience anti-LGBT harassment in schools all across America. It is 2005 -- we still hear of LGBTQ and ally young people being beaten up and even murdered because of their identities. It is 2005 -- now in its third year, there is a network of over 70 student organizers from across the country that have been trained to live out the mission of GLSEN, assuring that "each member of every school community is valued and respected regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression." These 70 students could be you. You could be the positive change our movement needs. Find out what it takes to be on the Jump-Start 2005-2006 National Student Leadership Team. Straight allies, students of color and transgender students are strongly encouraged to apply!

LGBT YOUTH: SPEAK OUT ABOUT YOUR SCHOOL EXPERIENCES!
Tell us about your experiences in school by completing GLSEN’s 2005 National School Climate Survey on-line. Help GLSEN inform education policymakers and the public about the challenges facing LGBT students in school by telling us about your experiences. Speak out and be heard! If you were in high school or middle school during the current school year (2004-2005) and are at least 13 years old, go online for survey.

START OR BUILD YOUR STUDENT CLUB!
The GLSEN Jump-Start activities are based in the belief that they can be resources for student clubs and student organizers in addition to helpful tools for student organizers and their allies to train others. The activities outlined in the GLSEN Jump-Start always involve lots of group work - brainstorming, discussing and writing. Read a Jump-Start today and get your student club moving!

WRITE A YEARBOOK ARTICLE!
GLSEN celebrates the success and expertise of students in the history-making efforts of creating safer schools across the country through artwork, essays, photos and stories in both an on-line and end-of-the-year print versions. Submit your entry today, and check out more information online at: www.glsen.org

Local News

1N10 Program Coordinator |

Position: Program Coordinator
Non-profit: 1n10 (One In Ten) - GLBTQ Youth
Contract: Part-time contract position, 12-month duration,
Location: Central Phoenix

Organization Information:

One In Ten is the oldest, community-based organization in the Valley dedicated to inspire and enable gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and questioning youth to realize their full potential. We create a safe space for glbtq youth, of all backgrounds, to develop positive self-acceptance through life enhancing programs and character developing experiences. Our current program centers on VOIT/Horizons, a weekly drop-in group for youth ages 14-22. Programming is broad-based and includes discussion, activities, educational programming plus community outreach services. We draw on input from youth, volunteer staff, and numerous partner agencies to keep programs supportive of personal and social development. 1n10 has been providing this service to the Phoenix area since 1993. Annual participation runs between 300-500 youth. See our website at www.1n10.org.

Position Description:

1n10 seeks a Program Coordinator to enhance the quality and scope of our programming. This is a one-year, part-time (20-30 hours/week) contract position, that we envision being able to convert to a full-time staff position at end of contract. The Program Coordinator will report to the Board.

Primary Responsibilities:

Work in collaboration with volunteer staff & youth to deliver a need-based program. Coordinate volunteer staff, recruitment and selection process. Facilitate, schedule and/or lead group discussions, workshops and activities. Build and maintain strategic partnerships to enhance program content, depth, and impact. Build and maintain strategic partnerships to enhance community outreach and awareness. Measure program effectiveness. Advise Board on quality, scope, impact, grants, proposals, and marketing.

Qualifications desired:
BS Degree in social work or education, or equivalent experience
Experience working with youth in classroom, counseling, case management, leadership, peer-based and/or at-risk setting. Demonstrated knowledge of LGBTQ issues. Strong interpersonal, organizational and communication skills

Application Process:

Please fax resume to (602) 870-7446 deadline May 1st.




Faces of Hate Film Series - April 20 |
In Russia, the freedom unleashed by Glasnost, Gorbachev and Yeltsin has included the freedom to hate. This film looks at this new form of anti-Semitism and includes secretly shot footage of the nationalist movement Pamyat and other hate groups against their traditional Jewish scapegoats. The Anti-Defamation League & Scottsdale Community College present The Many Faces of Hate Film Series ³FREEDOM TO HATE² (to be followed by public discussion) ADMISSION IS FREE! 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm Wednesday, April 20th Scottsdale Community College Performing Arts Center 9000 E. Chaparral Park in lot B


Arizona School for the Arts Showcase |
Monday, April 25 at Phoenix Theatre Main Stage 6:00PM-7:30PM
Join us for an evening celebrating the work of the Arizona School for Arts Drama Department students as they showcase monologues, scenes, pantomime, and movement pieces as well as technical presentations. Each class will present an overview of the work covered during the year and a few selections and highlights from their units of study. Everyone is welcome to attend. Admission is free! And you might meet some of ASA’s GSA members!


AZ Anti-Gay Marriage Postcard to Congress |
The Arizona Senate narrowly approved (16-14) HCM 2005, the "postcard" to the United States Congress, urging them to adopt an amendment to the U.S. Constitution prohibiting same-sex marriage. For most gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender people and their families, this act is seen as a message of intolerance in Arizona. In response, a number of organizations will hold a Black Armband Concert & Rally Tuesday, April 26th at 7:00 p.m. at Portland Park. There will be a variety of performers, as well as prominent political and religious speakers. Two hundred and sixteen people will be present wearing black armbands. This is symbolic of the 216 years that the Constitution has been amended only to extend rights and not deny them.

Rev. Brad Wishon, Senior Pastor of Gentle Shepherd Metropolitan Community Church stated, “It is a profoundly sad moment in the history of this great state when our legislative body, so sharply divided over this very issue as witnessed by the close vote, would proceed to inform our Federal Delegation that the whole of this great state wants the U.S. Constitution amended. That is simply not true. And it is wrong.”

The concert and rally are being held to show that the voices of all Arizonans are not being represented through this postcard to Congress. Any groups or individuals who feel that a Constitutional amendment is unjustified are invited to take part. For additional information or to include your group, please contact any of the following: Rev. Brad Wishon at 623-570-6166; Rev. Jeffrey Proctor-Murphy at 602-321-2211; Rev. David Ragan at 602-993-0050.

National News

Youth T-Shirts: Gay? Fine By Me - Mix It Up: T-Shirts and Activism |
March 16, 2005 -- Myka Held, a senior at Homewood-Flossmoor Community High School in Illinois, writes about confronting her school's administration to sponsor a T-shirt campaign against discrimination. http://www.tolerance.org/teens/stories/article.jsp?p=0&ar=132


Day of Silences Irks Conservative Religious Activists |
[Thanks to Thomas Walker for sharing the following quotation to accompany the article below: “All truth passes through three stages. First it is ridiculed. Second it is violently opposed. Third it is accepted as being self-evident.” Schopenhauer ]

Group makes noise over Day of Silence
Day of Truth designed to counter gay-supportive observance
The Associated Press
Updated: 3:06 p.m. ET April 12, 2005

NEW YORK - Irked by the success of the nationwide Day of Silence, which seeks to combat anti-gay bias in schools, conservative activists are launching a counter-event this week called the Day of Truth aimed at mobilizing students who believe homosexuality is sinful. Participating students are being offered T-shirts with the slogan "The Truth Cannot be Silenced" and cards to pass out to classmates Thursday - the day following the Day of Silence - declaring their unwillingness to condone "detrimental personal and social behavior."

The driving force behind the Day of Truth is the Alliance Defense Fund , a Christian legal group that has opposed same-sex marriage and challenged restrictions on religious expression in public schools. The event is endorsed by several influential conservative organizations, including the Christian ministry Focus on the Family and the Southern Baptist Convention's Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission.

Mike Johnson, an Alliance Defense Fund attorney from Shreveport, La., said organizers were unsure how many students would participate in the Day of Truth, but expressed hope it would grow in coming years as more people learned about it. Johnson said the event is meant to be "peaceful and respectful," but made clear it is motivated by belief that homosexuality is wrong. "You can call it sinful or destructive - ultimately it's both," he said.

Tens of thousands join in. The event is designed as a riposte to the Day of Silence, which began on a small scale in 1996 and is now observed by tens of thousands of students annually at hundreds of schools and colleges across the country. Most Day of Silence participants go through the school day without speaking - a tactic for drawing attention to the isolation and harassment experienced by many gay students.

Since 2001, Day of Silence observances have been coordinated by the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN), a New York-based organization that also has worked to support gay-straight alliances at high schools across the country.

Kevin Jennings, GLSEN's executive director, said he doubted the Day of Truth would gain a following and stature of any significance. "The Day of Silence was an event conceived of by students themselves in response to a very real problem of bullying and harassment they saw on their campuses," Jennings said. "The Day of Truth is a publicity stunt cooked up by a conservative organization with a political agenda; it's an effort by adults to manipulate some kids."

Underlying the dueling events is a fundamental disagreement over the rationale for the Day of Silence. GLSEN and its allies say the silent protest is specifically targeting harassment of gay students, while the Alliance Defense Fund and other conservatives say GLSEN's agenda is to broaden national acceptance of homosexuality.

Cloaked message? "No one is for bullying and harassment," Johnson said. "But that's cloaking their real message - that homosexuality is good for society." Echoing the stance taken by defense fund lawyers in several court cases, Johnson said teachers and students critical of homosexuality have been pressured to stifle their views while at school. They cite the case of a San Diego-area high school student, Chase Harper, who was disciplined last year for refusing to change out of a T-shirt that read, "Homosexuality is Shameful."

"We wouldn't have come up with the Day of Truth if Christian kids hadn't been silenced in the first place," Johnson said. "The public school is part of the free market of ideas - if the other side is going to advance their point of view, it's only fair for the Christian perspective to present their view, too."

The Alliance Defense Fund is anticipating that some students who try to participate in the Day of Truth may be admonished by school staff. Its resource kit includes a hot-line number, with attorneys on call to provide legal advice about free-speech rights on school grounds.

Jennings said GLSEN had no ambitions to keep schools free of all criticism of homosexuality. "There always should be a place in our schools for respectful differences of opinion - we don't expect everyone to agree, or even to like each other," he said. But he questioned whether the Alliance Defense Fund and its allies were committed to constructive dialogue. "I don't think they believe in pluralism," he said. "They feel they have the truth and everybody else should buy into it."

According to GLSEN, 84 percent of gay and lesbian high school students experiences verbal harassment on a regular basis at school, and 40 percent experience physical harassment.


GPAC Gets Grant for GenderYouth |


Grant to help support Children As They Are; GenderYOUTH Programs

WASHINGTON (April 13, 2005)
The Gender Public Advocacy Coalition (GenderPAC) today announced a grant of $150,000 from the Overbrook Foundation, to be administered over the next three years. These important funds will help GenderPAC continue to develop the Children As They Are parenting program, expand public education efforts, and support the GenderYOUTH Network of collegiate activism.“For too long, children and youth have been expected to comply with rigid gender roles,” said Riki Wilchins, GenderPAC’s Executive Director. “This grant will help us to continue our work in erasing these stereotypes so all children can be who they are, rather than who society expects them to be.” "Children are happier, healthier, and higher-achieving when they are free to explore a wide range of choices without limitations based on out-dated gender stereotypes. The Overbrook Foundation is proud to support GenderPAC's work to help the next generation reach their full human potential," said Steve Foster of the Overbrook Foundation.

Resources & Research

Transgender Resources |


LGBT-Friendly Research |
Hello! My name is Tiffany and I am a LGBT affirming researcher and graduate student at the University of Florida. I am conducting an online survey study on lesbian women's attitudes, experiences, and body image. Participation takes approximately 20-30 minutes. Any woman who identifies as lesbian and is 18 years or older is invited to participate. We want to represent a wide range of ages, racial/ethnic backgrounds, "outness" and other diversities among lesbian women in the sample. If you want to participate, please click here.

Participation is completely anonymous and confidential. It is hoped that findings from this study will contribute to the understanding of the experiences and needs of lesbian women.

Thank you for your time, Tiffany Graham

**This research study was approved by the University of Florida Institutional Review Board #2005-U-225


Homophobia Survey |
There is a Princeton graduate student who is conducting a survey about homophobia. Please fill this out to collect important data. Please fill out the questions. There is a lottery for $20 for people who complete the survey. Many people have logged on but not answered the questions, which leaves little usable data, so help the graduate student and the community by filling it out.

Homophobia Survey