Date: Sat, 1 Jun 1996 15:13:13 -0700 (PDT) From: jessea@uclink4.berkeley.edu (Jessea NR Greenman) Subject: NGLTF 1996 Youth Institute Application--LONG || footnote re CA legislative actions [note: do not respond to sender of this message about this. respond to NGLTF as indicated at bottom of the message]. ---begin included message--- The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force is proud to announce its second national training for young leaders: the NGLTF Youth Leadership Institute, a week-long, intensive training for young lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered activists and organizers. The Youth Leadership Institute will bring together 20 queer young people from across the country to learn grassroots organizing and leadership skills. Each training participant will be expected to apply the skills and experience they gain during the training to a specific project at home - whether by creating a new group or program, strengthening an existing program or organization, or in another concrete and innovative way empowering young people in their home town. In order to make the training truly accessible for young people of low-income backgrounds, NGLTF will cover some costs for each youth who requires assistance to attend the training, including travel, lodging, food, and all training expenses. However, all accepted applicants must be able to cover some of the costs of the Institute, either on their own, or through fundraising. NGLTF staff will be available to assist accepted applicants with their fundraising efforts. This year's Institute will take place at the Shenoa Retreat and Learning Center, 2.5 hours north of the Golden Gate Bridge and half an hour from the Mendocino Coast. Located in pastoral Anderson Valley, the center sits on 160 acres of sunny meadows, orchards, gardens and woodlands bordered by the Navarro River. We are looking for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered young people 16 to 24 years of age who have some activism and organizing experience and who are ready and committed to take a leadership role in organizing for the rights and empowerment of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered youth. If you are someone who has started or led a support group, helped organize a protest or rally, or put your efforts into helping other young people, and if you are ready to work hard to create change, we want you to apply. Because the training is designed to help youth develop concrete skills that can be put to use immediately, each applicant must have a specific project they want to create, develop or strengthen in their home town. The plans for the project do not have to be complete, but no applicant will be accepted for the training without having a specific project to work on when they return home. Because we want to bring together a broadly diverse training group, we strongly encourage young people of color, young women, young people with HIV, young people with disabilities, bisexual youth, transgendered young people, and youth in rural areas to apply. Application Deadline is June 14, 1996. Participants will be selected and notified by July 1, 1996. After the Institute Responding to the Republican National Convention August 11-15, 1996 NGLTF and local San Diego activists are promoting a progressive response to the Republican Convention platform. Graduates from last year's Institute are instrumental in organizing the National Queer Youth SpeakOut and all of the other queer youth activities that are taking place the week of the Republican Convention. Graduates of this year's Institute, who are able, will have the opportunity to work with us. This sort of opportunity only comes around every four years and will provide graduates with an insider's look at how national and local organizations produce actions of vital importance to our community. The National Queer Youth Speak Out, on August 13, will be the first time that youth, in their own voices, will speak about the impact that the policies and politics of our administration have on them, and respond to the youth policies in the Republican platform. NGLTF will pay travel costs to San Diego and provide community housing. Availability to participate in convention response activities will not be among selection criteria for acceptance to the Youth Leadership Institute. Youth Leadership Institute Application Deadline: June 14 1996 Return this application to NGLTF by the deadline of 6 p.m., EST, Friday, June 14, 1996. Applications received after the deadline will not be considered. Participants will be selected and notified by July 1. By mail: Youth Training Applications, NGLTF, 2320 17th Street, NW Washington, DC 20009. By fax: (202) 332-0207. By email: . Call to receive additional applications, or with questions: (202) 332-6483, extension 3206. Applications are also available on the NGLTF web page: . 1. Name: ______________________________________________________________________ 2. Mailing Address: _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ City State Zip Code 3. Residence Address (if different): _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ City State Zip Code 4. If you live in a rural or suburban area, what is the nearest city?___________________________ How far away in miles? ________ 5. Phone (_____)____________________________ Best Times? ________________________ Need to be Discreet? ___yes ___no 6. Phone2 (_____)____________________________ Best Times? ________________________ Need to be Discreet? ___yes ___no 7. Fax (if applicable) (_____)_________________________ 8. E-mail (if applicable) _____________________________________________ 9. Do you have any plans to move away from where you live in the next year or two? ___yes ___no If yes, please explain. 10. Age_________ 11. Race/Ethnicity________________________________________ 12. Gender_____________________________ 13. Sexual Orientation_______________________________________ 14. Are you HIV-positive and comfortable talking about your status? ___yes ___no 15. If you have any special needs, please describe below. 16. Does your town or nearby area have a gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender community center? ___yes ___no If yes, please name both the town/city and the community center. 17. Does your town or nearby area have a gay, lesbian, bisexual, and/or transgender organization or group? ___yes ___no If yes, please list all those you know of. 18. Does your town or surrounding area have services or activities specifically for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and/or transgendered youth? ___yes ___no If yes, check all the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender youth-specific services that you know of: ___support or coming out group ___social/activities group ___newsletter/newspaper/other publication ___hotline ___drop-in center ___high school support services ___after-school program ___mentoring program ___counseling/clinical services ___sports teams, outdoor trips, other activities ___youth-run activist group ___speaker's bureau ___housing program ___direct action group Other : 19. Are you currently involved with any lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender youth organization(s) or program(s)? ___yes ___no Please list any organizations or programs you are involved with and describe your involvement. 20. What lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender youth programs or services do you think your home town or region needs most? 21. We want to tailor the content of the training to the participants' interests and needs. Please rank the following skills you would like to learn, from 1 (most) to 14 (least). Please write in specific things you'd like to learn in each category. ____ Respecting our Different Identities and Working with our Differences ____ Supporting Your Activist Peers ____ Leading and Facilitating a Group Discussion ____ Building a Youth Group from Scratch ____ Grassroots Organizing: Developing Strategies and Building Coalitions ____ Getting the Word Out: Community Outreach ____ Speaking Up and Out: Public Speaking 101 ____ Leading an Action Team ____ Producing a Newsletter ____ Starting and Coordinating a Hotline ____ Starting and Coordinating a Speaker's Bureau ____ Raising Money for your Group ____ Plugging In: Using Computer Technology for Activism ____ Making News: Working with the Media ____ Keeping the Peace: Conflict Resolution for your Group Other Subjects You'd Like To Learn About: 22. We expect each training participant to use the skills they've learned to create change for and with other young people in their community. We would like to hear from you about why you would be interested in participating in the training. Please answer the following questions on attached sheet(s) of paper. The answers to these questions do not need to be in a traditional essay format. Express yourself as you feel most comfortable: A. Tell us a little about yourself. What experiences or attributes make you interested in participating in this training? B. Describe your activism and/or community organizing experience. C. What, specifically, do you want to learn at the training? D. What do you plan to do, create, or work on with the skills you learn at the training? Please propose a realistic and specific project you plan to organize with these skills. E. How would this training experience fit into your long range vision for yourself and goals for your work? Youth Institute Budget The approximate cost of the Institute is $2000 per person. This covers training and site cost, lodging, meals, and travel. Every participant must be able to raise some portion of this cost, NGLTF will pay the rest. The more each participant contributes, the more participants we will be able to accept. NGLTF staff will be available to assist you with your fundraising planning. How much do you think you will be able to contribute to the cost of the Institute? ______ Every participant that is able is invited to join NGLTF in San Diego, to work with us as we promote a progressive queer response to the National Republic Convention. Community housing will be provided, and NGLTF will cover travel costs to San Diego. Participants will be responsible for their own meals and transportation costs while in San Diego. Availability to participate in convention response activities will not be among selection criteria for acceptance to the Youth Leadership Institute. Are you interested in participation in convention response activities? ___yes ___no Application Deadline: Friday, June 14th 1996 Return this application to NGLTF by the deadline of 6 p.m., EST, Friday, June 14, 1996. Applications received after the deadline may not be considered. Participants will be selected and notified by July 1. By mail: Youth Training Applications, NGLTF, 2320 17th Street, NW Washington, DC 20009. By fax: (202) 332-0207. By E-mail: . Call to receive additional applications, or with questions: (202) 332-6483, extension 3206. Applications are also available on the NGLTF web page: . ----------------------------------------- excerpted from wire reports: On May 30, 1996, the CA state assemgly passed a a conservative pro-ROTC, anti-LGBT bill by Republican Assemblyman Knight, (and passing it over the vociferous objections of the two out lesbian assemblymembers), the CA Assembly nonetheless later REJECTED a proposed budget amendment offered by Republican Assemblyman George House of Hughson that would have prohibited public school or college funds from being used for any program ``that suggests that homosexuality is a positive life alternative or that refers any students to any organization that affirms the homosexual lifestyle.'' *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+ OK TO RE-POST. Jessea Greenman The P.E.R.S.O.N. Project (Public Education Regarding Sexual Orientation Nationally) CHECK THIS OUT FOR TONS OF INFO - - http://www.youth.org/loco/PERSONProject/ Please cc us (for our files) on correspondence you send or receive re our action alerts. "As a straight, caucasian adoptive mother of two daughters of African ancestry, I'd much prefer to have RuPaul teaching my children in a classroom than any one of your hate-mongering ilk." said by one of our new subscribers to the religious political extremists in her area. Date: Sat, 1 Jun 1996 15:46:15 -0700 (PDT) From: jessea@uclink4.berkeley.edu (Jessea NR Greenman) Subject: NEA HIV/AIDS Grants || A Midsumer Night's Dream -- Pride Week Prom (WA) || Charlestown (IN) principal responds in writing to letter From: johng@garlic.com (John Lindner) Subject: NEA HIV/AIDS Grants I found this in the National Education Association Online section of America Online: >The NEA Health Information Network is currently accepting >proposals for participation in an HIV/AIDS program. This >program will assist school communities in the development and >evaluation of HIV/AIDS programs related to school employees >and/or students. Proposals can target existing programs or the >development of new programs. A $3000 stipend is included with >each of the three awards. To obtain a copy of the "Request for >Participation" contact the NEA Health Information Network at >202/822-7570. Proposals are due by August 23, 1996. Take care, John Lindner johng@garlic.com http://www.garlic.com/~johng/gateway.html DeFrank Center News: http://www.garlic.com/~johng/bdfc/news.html Link your home page to: http://www.critpath.org/pflag-talk/ --------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------- [The concept, as described below, of having a "prom" which BOTH young people and adults can attend, is certainly a creative way to approach meeting the need our community has for safe, fun same-sex proms]. To: PERSON PROJECT From: good1@halcyon.com (Allison Marsh) Subject: A Midsumer Night's Dream -- Pride Week Prom We are pleased to announce that Washington Citizens for Fairness, Hands Off Washington, and Stonewall Youth will be sponsoring the first prom, ever, in Thurston County for the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender communities, "A Midsummer's Night Dream." Particulars are: When: JUNE 21, 1996 Where: OLYMPIAN BALL ROOM (above the Urban Onion) Time: 7 P.M. TO MIDNIGHT Tickets: $15 EACH ADULT $10 EACH STUDENT +$2 IF PURCHASED AT THE DOOR Ticket Sales: RAINY DAY RECORDS, OLYMPIA SMITHFIELD CAFE, OLYMPIA WCF-HOW, THURSTON COUNTY PO BOX 7221 OLYMPIA, WA 98507 * *DO NOT SEND CHECK TO POST OFFICE BOX AFTER MONDAY, JUNE 17. The dress code for the Prom is "dressy", i.e. dresses (or dressy skirts/blouses), suits (or dress pants, dress shirt and tie), gowns, or tuxedos. If you have false teeth or bridgework, wear those too. We hope this will be the beginning of an annual Pride Week event, designed both as a fund raiser and an opportunity for the youth of our community to feel comfortable about attending a prom with the partner of their choice. However, it's not ONLY for our youth. It's for anyone, any age, who is gay or gay-friendly. All are welcome. If there is a way you can tell your members about this prom whether by newsletter, posting this flyer, direct mail, telephone, or "word of mouth", we would very much appreciate your doing so . --------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------- one of our readers/correspondents writes: >We got the following rather testy piece of mail back from the Charlestown >principal. If his version is correct, I understand his testiness. If it >isn't, I'm appalled. And even if it is correct, there are some troublesome >aspects to his response. > >His point about five people being too many is correct, but the original reports >certainly didn't indicate that the problem was with the numbers. > >The labeling of certain subjects as "controversial" is also >troubling. In this paticular case it may be obvious, but there could be >students in the classroom to whom other subjects are just as controversial. >I'm aware of very few subjects that aren't controversial to somebody. > >----------begin letter from principal--------------------- > It is easy to be judgemental when you haven't taken the time nor spent >the energy to find the truth. A local newspaper writer took a few facts >and reported some inaccuracies that maligned an excellent teacher, a school, >and a principal. An unknown source embellished it and put the story >on the internet without any regard for the truth. > > Ms. Boyer is an excellent teacher who invited two guest speakers into her >health class to discuss the stress that goes with being homosexual in >today's world. She had done this the first semester and everything went >well. When they were invited back this spring, one of the speakers took >it upon himself/herself to bring along three more homosexuals. Ms. Boyer >didn't want to be impolite, so she allowed all five to stay in the classroom. >If a teacher brings five priests, five pro-life, five pro-choice, five rabbis, >or five of anything into the classroom there is going to be a backlash. >Parents >are interested in their children getting a good education. They will tolerate >a teacher's good judgement to present material in the classroom that may >be objectionable to them if they feel that the teacher is sensitive to their >beliefs and handles the material responsibly. > > The public classroom is not an open forum. Because 14-17 year olds are >forced >by law to attend school, teachers have limited "academic freedom." They >must be sensitive to the feelings, the mores, and the beliefs of all students. >This is a tremendous responsibility for any teacher. Controversial subjects >like homosexuality must be discussed in the classroom if we are going to >prepare our students for the 21st Century. To ignore it, is not being fair >to our students. > > Following the episode above, Ms. Boyer and the rest of the faculty discussed >how we can avoid dealing with a similar incident in the future. The >following steps were taken: > > 1. Ms. Boyer was not reprimanded by me nor by my superiors. > 2. All teachers were reminded to check with the office before inviting any > controversial speakers into the classroom. > 3. The health curriculum on homosexuality that she followed in her health > class was not changed nor was it removed. > > Enclosed is an article (A more accurate account of the incident) written >by Louisville Courier writer Grace Schneider. > [our analysis: well, we won't ever probably have one objective version of the truth here, as much occurred between the principal and the teacher verbally (not in writing). i did talk at length with the teacher, who seemed rather level-headed. the principal seems to be having such a hissy fit that it reminds me of the old saying "methinks the lady doth protest too much." if he was such a great, caring, supportive, progressive, understanding guy, why is he being so hostile and defensive in his letter? he certainly is not being a good educator: yelling is not teaching. jessea] *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+ OK TO RE-POST. Jessea Greenman The P.E.R.S.O.N. Project (Public Education Regarding Sexual Orientation Nationally) CHECK THIS OUT FOR TONS OF INFO - - http://www.youth.org/loco/PERSONProject/ Please cc us (for our files) on correspondence you send or receive re our action alerts. "As a straight, caucasian adoptive mother of two daughters of African ancestry, I'd much prefer to have RuPaul teaching my children in a classroom than any one of your hate-mongering ilk." said by one of our new subscribers to the religious political extremists in her area.