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November 15, 2004

GLSEN Phoenix Monthly Meeting Wednesday, November 17, 2005 |
GLSEN Phoenix meets the third Wednesday of the month, between 6:30-8:00pm at 99 E. Virginia Ave, Suite 150 (NCCJ office), located in Central Phoenix, just off Central Ave, and 1 block south of Thomas. All are welcome to meet and discuss our upcoming and ongoing activities – including all GSA members and students interested in LGBTQ and ally concerns in K-12 schools. Call 602/705-9780 for additional information.

Transgender Day of Remembrance Resources |
With our second day of action swiftly approaching, we are excited to share with you information on Transgender Day of Remembrance, Saturday, November 20, 2004. GLSEN has supported Gender Education & Advocacy’s (GEA) Transgender Day of Remembrance over the past several years, encouraging students and student clubs to remember and educate communities about ending violence based on gender identity/expression. Partnering this year, GLSEN hopes Transgender Day of Remembrance can be used to create events that will open up discussion on the need to protect students against discrimination and harassment based on gender identity/expression.

From a candle light vigil to a school assembly, an art instillation to a transgender inclusive school training, students will be encouraged to participate in their schools during the week of November 15-19. Here are our resources for Transgender Day of Remembrance. Check out this resource created by GLSEN and Transgender Day of Remembrance organizational partner GSA Network, a statewide organization supporting students and GSA's across California. The Trans Day of Remembrance resource has information on the purpose, activities, and tips for planning and having a successful Day of Remembrance as well as information as to whose being honored by the Transgender Day of Remembrance.

Jump Start 8; Where’s the T in GSA? Making Your Student Club Trans-Inclusive. This resource will help students develop a greater understanding of transgender-related issues, as well as actions that can ensure that transgender and gender non-conforming people are fully included in all that student clubs, commonly known as gay-straight alliances (GSAs), do in schools. Jump-Start 8 is meant to be used as a planning and activity tool within already existing student clubs. Student organizers can also use these activities to get ready for Transgender Day of Remembrance or as their Transgender Day or Remembrance event!

Organizers and allies can support Transgender Day of Remembrance by:

  • Sharing GLSEN's Transgender Day of Remembrance link with your contacts
  • Support students and student clubs with their Transgender Day of Remembrance events
  • Encouraging student clubs in your area to register online with GLSEN
  • Plan a Transgender Day of Remembrance in your community
  • Use Transgender Day of Remembrance resources to inform your community on gender identity/expression issues



Documentary Producer Seeks Contributions |
Are you a teenager (age 13 - 21) being raised primarily by Gay Parents?

Are you a Gay Parent raising a teenager (age 13 - 21)?

If so, we want to hear your story!

"Teens with Gay Families" (working title) is an hour-long documentary that will follow the lives of three teens whose primary parents are LGBTI. This show is one episode of a documentary series entitled "Logo Lens" set to air on Logo, the new gay-oriented network launching in February 2005. Through this program we want to give a voice to this trailblazing generation of today's families. This is a unique opportunity to tell a true, nuanced story about the real-life similarities and differences faced by teens and the out gay parents raising them.

We are looking for articulate teens who are going through something major in their lives and want to share their experience as it unfolds.

For example:

  • A teen whose mom or dad is moving in with their same-sex lover for the first time. Perhaps combining 2 families, you know, like the "Gay Brady Bunch."
  • A teen whose gay parents are getting married.
  • A gay teen in the process of coming out to his / her gay parents.
  • A straight teen bringing a date home to meet the gay parents for the first time.
  • A teen finding, or getting to know, or moving in with their egg or sperm donor. There are so many variations of this - let's discuss!
  • A teen being raised by multiple parents (i.e. Mom-Mom-Dad, etc.) who is going through something interesting.
  • A teen who has been adopted by gay parents and is at some kind of crossroads. A foster teen about to be placed with gay parents.
And any other story you think is important - we'd love to hear from you! We are a producing team of three understanding gay and bisexual women with extensive documentary experience, specifically with teens. Samantha Kurtzman-Counter directed "Totally In Tune" for Disney Channel and was the Co-Producer of a sensitive documentary feature about Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Lara Spotts created Disney Channel's "Totally Hoops" after working with teens for many years as a camp counselor. Leisha Hailey is a current star of Showtime's "The 'L' Word" and former member of the band "The Murmurs."

So if you're between the ages of 13 and 21 and have some interesting stuff going on, call us at 213.250.5060 or email teenswithgayfamilies@hotmail.com

We can't wait to hear from you.



ASU Undergrad Seeks Input on Gay Marriage Project |
I am an undergraduate student at Arizona State University doing my senior thesis on gay marriage in the United States. My thesis project will take the form of something visual, displayed in ASU's 2005 Graphic Design Senior Show Exhibit. My portion of the exhibit will entail positive aspects of gay marriage, but I encourage completely truthful answers, even if they are negative towards gay marriage. Any answers submitted may be used in the exhibit or related materials (a book, video, typographic imagery, etc. that would go into the display). If you do not wish to be identified in the exhibit/related material, please do not fill out the "name" box.

I am also looking for homosexual couples in committed, long-term relationships to interview. This would be more in-depth, and would not be anonymous. If you live in the Phoenix area and are interested or know of anyone who would be interested in being interviewed for this project, please contact me.

http://www.public.asu.edu/~crbrow1/gaymarriage/

Please do share this link with anyone and everyone if you like.
Cindy Brown