Dulce Garcia, from The Outlet, spoke at our meeting today about the Outlet services and did a gender workshop with us in preparation for our meeting next Friday.
Working together for a more accepting and safe environment for everyone.
Friday, April 29, 2011
Today's Meeting 4/29
Dulce Garcia, from The Outlet, spoke at our meeting today about the Outlet services and did a gender workshop with us in preparation for our meeting next Friday.
Schedule for May
Friday May 6, 2011
GSA Meeting @ Tutorial room 201
Trans Speaker: Anthony, the Director of Outlet
Saturday May 7, 2011
South Bay Gay-Straight Alliance Leadership SummitLearn essential GSA skills, make new friends, share your stories and experiences, and build the GSA movement in the East Bay!
MAKE SURE TO REGISTER BY FRIDAY, MAY 6TH AT 5PM! REGISTRATION CLOSES AT 5PM!
GSA Meeting @ Tutorial room 201
Trans Speaker: Anthony, the Director of Outlet
Saturday May 7, 2011
South Bay Gay-Straight Alliance Leadership SummitLearn essential GSA skills, make new friends, share your stories and experiences, and build the GSA movement in the East Bay!
MAKE SURE TO REGISTER BY FRIDAY, MAY 6TH AT 5PM! REGISTRATION CLOSES AT 5PM!
Friday May 13, 2011
GSA Meeting @ Tutorial room 201
Rachel Staab will be leading a special meeting in which we will make our own t-shirts for Free Hugs Day!
Friday May 20, 2011
GSA Meeting @ Tutorial room 201
HARVEY MILK EDUCATIONAL MEETING
Harvey Milk Movie Night 6pm-9pm
The LGHS GSA will be hosting a free movie night to celebrate the life and impact of Harvey Milk, the first openly gay politician. We will be watching "The Times of Harvey Milk" in honor of his life's work. Before we start the movie, our special guest, Simone Campbell, is going to talk about Harvey Milk and his significance today. There will be pizza, snacks, and drinks for free!
ALL YOUTH WELCOME TO THIS FREE EVENT! :D
Room 201 - Los Gatos High School
20 High School Court
Los Gatos, CA
20 High School Court
Los Gatos, CA
Friday May 27, 2011
GSA Meeting @ Tutorial room 201
GSA Meeting @ Tutorial room 201
We're meeting up really quickly before we go out around campus in a mass to hug people for FREE HUGS DAY!
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Plans for next year...
■ LGBT History Month – October
■ Ally Week – October 18-22
■ Transgender Remembrance Day – Sometime in November
■ No Name-Calling Week – January 23-27
■ Black History Month – February
■ Remembering Lawrence King – February 12
■ National Eating Disorder Awareness Week – Feb 20-24
■ Women’s History Month – March
■ Day of Silence – around 4/15
■ No Bullying Week – around D. of S.
■ Harvey Milk Day – 5/22
■ Pride (in who you are) Month - June
■ Anti-Bullying Campaign
■ Peer Mediation (CASSY)
■ DANCES
■ FREE HUGS DAYS
■ MOVIE NIGHTS
If you have any suggestions, please share them!
■ Ally Week – October 18-22
■ Transgender Remembrance Day – Sometime in November
■ No Name-Calling Week – January 23-27
■ Black History Month – February
■ Remembering Lawrence King – February 12
■ National Eating Disorder Awareness Week – Feb 20-24
■ Women’s History Month – March
■ Day of Silence – around 4/15
■ No Bullying Week – around D. of S.
■ Harvey Milk Day – 5/22
■ Pride (in who you are) Month - June
■ Anti-Bullying Campaign
■ Peer Mediation (CASSY)
■ DANCES
■ FREE HUGS DAYS
■ MOVIE NIGHTS
If you have any suggestions, please share them!
CASSY - Peer Mediation Group
CASSY is starting a Peer Mediation program called SCORE, which stands for Student Conflict Resolution Experts. Their "mission" is to find creative solutions to transform conflicts into understanding and learning opportunities. Conflict is a natural part of the learning process and they believe that students are responsible and capable of solving their own problems when given the opportunity.
If someone wants to get involved, they can come by house 1 or email Darin Conway at: dconway@lgsuhsd.org. She will be in touch with training details at the beginning of next year.
If someone has a conflict to report, fill out a form in House 1 or email Darin. Students can report a conflict they've witnessed anonymously or a conflict they themselves are struggling with.
If someone wants to get involved, they can come by house 1 or email Darin Conway at: dconway@lgsuhsd.org. She will be in touch with training details at the beginning of next year.
If someone has a conflict to report, fill out a form in House 1 or email Darin. Students can report a conflict they've witnessed anonymously or a conflict they themselves are struggling with.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
GSA & Shifting Perceptions
During lunch today, the GSA met with Shifting Perceptions to collaborate on plans for the rest of this year and next.
Here's what we went over today....
The GSA is going to do a Free Hugs Day May 27 which will be the last day of our Bully-Free Week. We are following a general plan from http://www.bullyingawarenessweek.org/ (which will we adapt appropriately to LGHS).
Along with this, we want to speak to CTE and Fisher Middle School about bullying during this week.
The GSA and Shifting Perceptions are going to meet again Next Wednesday 5/4 during lunch in room 201.
Feel free to join us and share your ideas for Bully-Free Week.
Here's what we went over today....
The GSA is going to do a Free Hugs Day May 27 which will be the last day of our Bully-Free Week. We are following a general plan from http://www.bullyingawarenessweek.org/ (which will we adapt appropriately to LGHS).
Along with this, we want to speak to CTE and Fisher Middle School about bullying during this week.
The GSA and Shifting Perceptions are going to meet again Next Wednesday 5/4 during lunch in room 201.
Feel free to join us and share your ideas for Bully-Free Week.
Friday, April 22, 2011
Today's Meeting 4/22
Today we reflected on the Day of Silence.
Unfortunately, this day did bring up some harassment so remember...
Harassment is against the Law!
Are you being harassed because of your actual or perceived race, ethnicity, gender, religion, physical ability, sexual orientation, or gender identity?
Harassment is “conduct based a protected status that is severe or pervasive, which unreasonably disrupts an individual’s education or work environments or that creates a hostile educational or work environments”. The protections cover any program or activity in a school, including extracurricular activities and student clubs.
If you or someone you know is being harassed, report this illegal activity to Mr. Autrey immediately! You may also tell a teacher, counselor or administrator.
By law, the School District is required to investigate your complaint, come up with a solution, and send you a written report no more than 60 days after they receive your complaint.
California Schools receiving state funding have a legal responsibility under law AB 537 to protect students and school employees against discrimination and harassment.
Complaints can be filed through us at:
http://acceptanceisbeautiful.com/?page_id=49
All reports will be directly sent to Mr. Autrey!
Please gin up and share your Day of Silence story at:
https://www.studentorganizing.org/login/index.cfm
Unfortunately, this day did bring up some harassment so remember...
Harassment is against the Law!
Are you being harassed because of your actual or perceived race, ethnicity, gender, religion, physical ability, sexual orientation, or gender identity?
Harassment is “conduct based a protected status that is severe or pervasive, which unreasonably disrupts an individual’s education or work environments or that creates a hostile educational or work environments”. The protections cover any program or activity in a school, including extracurricular activities and student clubs.
If you or someone you know is being harassed, report this illegal activity to Mr. Autrey immediately! You may also tell a teacher, counselor or administrator.
By law, the School District is required to investigate your complaint, come up with a solution, and send you a written report no more than 60 days after they receive your complaint.
California Schools receiving state funding have a legal responsibility under law AB 537 to protect students and school employees against discrimination and harassment.
Complaints can be filed through us at:
http://acceptanceisbeautiful.com/?page_id=49
All reports will be directly sent to Mr. Autrey!
Please gin up and share your Day of Silence story at:
https://www.studentorganizing.org/login/index.cfm
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Day of Silence = SUCCESS
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Bay Area Youth Summit THIS SATURDAY
The Bay Area Youth Summit (BAYS) is an event hosted by Aragon High’s Gay/Straight Alliance in San Mateo, CA on Saturday, April 23, 2011.
The main topic of this important summit will be about bullies, and the many ways you can effectively stand up to them and make sure your school is a safe one. The organizing committee, mostly comprised of youth, will offer up other important information such as running an effective Gay-Straight Alliance club but the focus will be how you can help perhaps save the life of your friend.
The Bay Area Youth Summit is committed to giving each individual the power to make a difference. Youth come in all different colors from a myriad of backgrounds, and every individual deserves to have a voice. BAYS can provide youth with the driving force needed to overcome challenges they face in their individual communities, whether they be an unsupportive school administration, bullies, or misunderstanding from their peers. Rather than speaking to the LGBTQ youth community as a whole, the Bay Area Youth Summit will serve to empower each unique individual with the tools and knowledge needed to combat their troubles.
While plans are still in the making, the BAYS organizing committee is excited to announce the first two major speakers who are tentatively scheduled to participate.
Cleve Jones is an outspoken AIDS and LGBT and civil rights activist. He conceived the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt that has become the world’s largest piece of community folk art still today.
Jones career as an activist began in San Francisco during the turbulent 1970’s when pioneer gay rights leader Harvey Milk befriended him. He worked as a student intern in Milk’s office while studying political science at San Francisco State. In 1979, Milk was assassinated and Jones to this day carries on his legacy by speaking out about equality and standing up to injustice, including bullying in our schools and in the community.
Joe Wilson is a filmmaker and producer who won numerous awards for his documentaries about social activists on human rights issues. His latest film, Out In Silence, captures a remarkable chain of events that unfold when the announcement of Wilson’s wedding to another man ignites a firestorm of controversy in his small town Pennsylvania hometown.
It was a desperate mother’s pleas for help for her gay teen who was being tormented at school in his hometown that make Wilson go back to the town he grew up in and make the film. His friendship with the gay teen and his mother made him realize that he had to finally stand up to the hate he was running away from, both in his past life and the hatred that still existed for this youth.
Youth and adult allies from within and outside of the Bay Area are encouraged to attend this important conference. Those who attend this summit can expect an afternoon and evening of informative content, lively interaction, and serious discussions relevant to issues facing youth, parents and administration of schools and communities everywhere. There will also be plenty of time for socializing with others and of course – a fabulous and fun dance to close the day!
The summit is scheduled from noon to 8:00pm. Beginning at 8:00pm an optional dinner/dance will conclude the day’s events.
For more information, offer donations, or register as in individual or GSA group, contact BAYS Executive Director and President of Aragon High School GSA, Jason Galisatus at ahs.gsapresident@yahoo.com.
bayareayouthsummit.org
The main topic of this important summit will be about bullies, and the many ways you can effectively stand up to them and make sure your school is a safe one. The organizing committee, mostly comprised of youth, will offer up other important information such as running an effective Gay-Straight Alliance club but the focus will be how you can help perhaps save the life of your friend.
The Bay Area Youth Summit is committed to giving each individual the power to make a difference. Youth come in all different colors from a myriad of backgrounds, and every individual deserves to have a voice. BAYS can provide youth with the driving force needed to overcome challenges they face in their individual communities, whether they be an unsupportive school administration, bullies, or misunderstanding from their peers. Rather than speaking to the LGBTQ youth community as a whole, the Bay Area Youth Summit will serve to empower each unique individual with the tools and knowledge needed to combat their troubles.
While plans are still in the making, the BAYS organizing committee is excited to announce the first two major speakers who are tentatively scheduled to participate.
Cleve Jones is an outspoken AIDS and LGBT and civil rights activist. He conceived the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt that has become the world’s largest piece of community folk art still today.
Jones career as an activist began in San Francisco during the turbulent 1970’s when pioneer gay rights leader Harvey Milk befriended him. He worked as a student intern in Milk’s office while studying political science at San Francisco State. In 1979, Milk was assassinated and Jones to this day carries on his legacy by speaking out about equality and standing up to injustice, including bullying in our schools and in the community.
Joe Wilson is a filmmaker and producer who won numerous awards for his documentaries about social activists on human rights issues. His latest film, Out In Silence, captures a remarkable chain of events that unfold when the announcement of Wilson’s wedding to another man ignites a firestorm of controversy in his small town Pennsylvania hometown.
It was a desperate mother’s pleas for help for her gay teen who was being tormented at school in his hometown that make Wilson go back to the town he grew up in and make the film. His friendship with the gay teen and his mother made him realize that he had to finally stand up to the hate he was running away from, both in his past life and the hatred that still existed for this youth.
Youth and adult allies from within and outside of the Bay Area are encouraged to attend this important conference. Those who attend this summit can expect an afternoon and evening of informative content, lively interaction, and serious discussions relevant to issues facing youth, parents and administration of schools and communities everywhere. There will also be plenty of time for socializing with others and of course – a fabulous and fun dance to close the day!
The summit is scheduled from noon to 8:00pm. Beginning at 8:00pm an optional dinner/dance will conclude the day’s events.
For more information, offer donations, or register as in individual or GSA group, contact BAYS Executive Director and President of Aragon High School GSA, Jason Galisatus at ahs.gsapresident@yahoo.com.
bayareayouthsummit.org
Good luck tomorrow everyone!
Wear red to show your support.
If you can't stay silent the whole day, stand up to harassment and let people know that it not okay.
Remember, we are trying to make a peaceful statement that a problem exists and action must be taken to fix it.
Silence commencing in 3... 2... 1...
Wear red to show your support.
If you can't stay silent the whole day, stand up to harassment and let people know that it not okay.
Remember, we are trying to make a peaceful statement that a problem exists and action must be taken to fix it.
Silence commencing in 3... 2... 1...
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Monday, April 18, 2011
Important things this week...
4/19 - Don't forget to grab your t-shit tomorrow @ tutorial in room 201.
4/21 - HUSH! The Day of Silence will be taking place at LGHS all day.
A silent lunch will take place on the front lawn (if it rains, room 201).
4/22 - GSA Meeting @ tutorial in room 201
Don't forget to sign up for the GSA Leadership Summit @ the Billy DeFrank Center 5/7
http://www.gsanetwork.org/civicrm/event/info?reset=1&id=66
Please participate in the 2010-2011 school climate survey!
http://www.glsen.org/cgi-bin/iowa/all/library/record/2730.html
Get the word out!
Day of Silence THIS THURSDAY 4/21!!!
Don't forget to pick up your t-shirt and speaking cards tomorrow @ tutorial in room 201.
Also, ask your teacher ASAP to briefly explain to your class what the Day of Silence is BEFORE Thursday. Encourage your friends to participate and if you can't stay silent for the whole day, be loud and stand up to harassment instead! If you hear someone saying negative things about the Day of Silence or hateful things such as "that's so gay", "fag", "dyke", etc... TELL THEM TO STOP!
The Day of Silence is a moment to open the conversation on the issue of bullying. Through your participation on the Day of Silence, a message will be sent that bullying and harassment faced by LGBT and ally youth affects you, your school, and the community.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
South Bay Resources
GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network) works to make schools safe for all students. We work to support diversity, equity and the right of every student to learn in a safe and accepting environment. We also provide networking and support for gay, bisexual, transgender and straight ally teachers, parents and administrative staff.
GLSEN Peninsula/SouthBay Email: info@glsenpsb.org Voice: (650) 361-0292 (408) 920-1735 Mail: PO Box 4092, Mountain View, CA 94040 GLSEN National at www.glsen.org GLSEN Colorado at http://www.glsenco.org/
OUTLET offers a safe, supportive, confidential drop-in support and social group for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth age 18 and under at the Palo Alto YWCA. Call (650) 494-0972, ext. 301 for more information, or visit http://ywcamid.org/rcc/Outlet/.
GSA Network (Gay-Straight Alliance Network) assists students in forming gaystraight alliances at their schools, and assists those clubs once formed. Contact Carolyn Laub at (415) 442-4726 or visit http://www.gsanetwork.org/.
PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) offers a monthly support group for parents, families and friends of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people. There are four meeting locations in the Bay Area: San Mateo, Menlo Park, San Jose, and Gilroy. Call (650) 857-1058 or (408) 270-8182 for more information, or visit www.pflagsanjose.org.
The Billy DeFrank Lesbian and Gay Community Center is a community center in San Jose provides social and support services for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth. (408) 293-2429 The Crisis Center offers 24-hour crisis support over the telephone. Call (650) 692-6655
The Billy DeFrank Lesbian and Gay Community Center is a community center in San Jose provides social and support services for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth. (408) 293-2429 The Crisis Center offers 24-hour crisis support over the telephone. Call (650) 692-6655
Colage (Children of Lesbians and Gays Everywhere) offers support for children with lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender parents. Call (415) 861- 5437.
Reconciling Ministries Network provides information on faith-based programs for gays and lesbians. http://www.rcp.org/
Sexual Identity Forum (the SIF Group) offers safe, supportive and confidential support for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth ages 12- 23. Meets Wednesdays 7:30-9 p.m. at the Redwood City Youth Health Center. CAPE (California Alliance for Pride and Equality) lobbies to ensure basic rights for lesbians and gays in California. http://www.calcape.org/.
GLBT National Hotline serves callers of all ages.
1-888-843-4564
Monday thru Friday from 1pm to 9pm
GLBT National Hotline serves callers of all ages.
1-888-843-4564
Monday thru Friday from 1pm to 9pm
Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund is a national organization committed to achieving full recognition of civil rights to lesbians and gays. http://www.lambdalegal.org/
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Responses from last meeting
At the last GSA meeting, I asked members to write a short response to the following question...
What is one thing that you wish every teacher knew about the LGBT experience or bullying at LGHS? (Answers are anoynmous and re-typed exactly as the original written response)
I wish that teachers would understand that “fag” or “gay” is as offensive as “retard.”
It doesn’t matter if I’m the victim or just a bystander – hearing someone get called a fag hurts. It’s wrong, and I feel powerless to stop it. The only thing I can do is tell them it’s not right. And at what cost? I get ridiculed, which I can handle but I know most people can’t.
Just because you put out this “super liberal, I-wear-birkenstocks-and-I-went-to-Santa Cruz” persona and you tell yourself “oh, I totally voted no on 8, I believe in equal rights” does NOT mean it’s okay to make snide, homophobic jokes to get a rise out of your biology class and make them like you!!! I guarantee that for every person that you make laugh, two more people lose respect for you. (On back of card in capital letters: teacher's name)
I’m sick of people using names like fag or gay. I have friend who have been called this, and they’re secretly gay. It makes it much harder for them to come out and be themselves. It leaves them depressed. It leaves them in so much pain.
It makes me fuming mad whenever I hear derogatory terms used against people. It makes me angry when I try to stop the people and all they do is repeat the words. And it makes me sick when I try to talk to people about it and theysay if they had gay kids, they’d disown them.
When a teacher hears a slur and doesn’t correct it or call it out, they are promoting the behavior and more so giving their seal of approval.
It would be nice if people would get to know somebody before they even consider judging them. Almost everyone I have met is different on the inside than they appear to be on the outside.
I’m sick of hearing people calling each other gay because, even though I’m not gay, some of my best friends are gay and because of all the hate they hear, they feel as if they can’t tell their friends in fear of being judged. It’s not just the students either, some teachers unknowingly offend the gay community.
People beat on others because others have beat on them.
I am so tired of hearing the terms “that’s (so) gay” and “faggot.” It is so pathetic that people can’t even think of a better insult so they default to these terms. The insults at all are worthless, and they prove nothing but weakness.
I wish that people would stop using those terms and if said that a teacher would do something.
I wish teachers would notice the derogatory names people call each other and try to put a stop to it L.
I wish people would watch what they say. Just in general. They never know who might be listening.
I wish people would actually THINK before they speak or call somebody something, even jokingly. I wish people would not assume things like “this guy’s gay” or “that one’s not.” I realize it’s still a long time before there wouldn’t be an awkward pause after I say something “gay” but for now could you please not classify things as much?
I wish people would understand that those words are hurtful to people because usually people think it’s no big deal.
Teachers need to stand up against bulling. ANY bullying. Everyday I see teachers let students get away with insulting others, or using the phrase “that’s so gay.” It needs to be stopped!
I would like teachers to know that being gay is ok. It’s your own life and you should be able to live your life the way you want. I am straight and I support everyone.
These terms are not okay.
Everyday I watch people say hurtful words, ad I wish it would just stop.
I think it’s disgusting that the word gay can be used as an insult. It used to mean happy! I just think its absolutely ridiculous this still goes on.
I’m sick of hearing a personality trait as a derogatory term.
I wish teachers would stand up for kids when they hear the word “fag” or “that’s so gay.” They always seem to ignore it.
That the term “fag” is used more than any other insult I hear, its used more and hurts more people than most insults.
I wish people wouldn’t say hurtful things. It’s mean.
If you really want someone to blame for all this, blame the Vatican. Enough said.
I wish people would understand how hurtful any name-calling is. Even if it is joking, many people take it seriously.
I wish people would stop judging others. School should be a place that is safe for people to be themselves without being scared of reactions.
“I want the world to be a place where ‘I’m gay’ invokes the same response as ‘I’m a virgo.’” ~ P!nk. I wish the world could be a place like this where everyone is accepted and valued for who they are.
I wish people at the school were more kind and had more sympathy and understanding. I wish there was less ignorance and more acceptance. I wish everyone would believe that derogatory terms are hurtful to anyone and everyone.
If you witnessed the looks I get when I walk down the hall, you would say something. If you heard every kid who says “faggot” when they see me, in the hall or in class, you would say something. At least, I hope that you would. Sometimes I have the courage to say “fuck off,” but not always.
Every time someone says, “that’s so gay,” it’s taken as a derogatory remark. I wish I had the confidence to tell them it’s wrong to say that. If the teachers told them it was inappropriate, I’d definitely have the nerve to tell them myself.
I wish teachers would realize that prejudice goes beyond racism. We spend weeks on African American stories and issues. Why have they never mentioned gays?
I feel like the people who say derogatory terms against not just gay people but other minority groups are not necessarily mean and cruel, just ignorant and don’t understand the severity of their words. If people become more informed there will be less verbal abuse.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
No meeting this week...
Ask your teacher...
+ To talk about the Day of Silence +
+ What is law AB 537? +
+ Start a discussion on harassment +
Friday, April 1, 2011
Today's Meeting 4/1
GSA members write what they wish every teacher knew about the LGBT experience.What do you wish every teacher knew about the LGBT experience in school?
How can teachers help? How can students make a difference? Can parents help too? How can we (the GSA) make he change? What works? What doesn't?
Please submit answers here on the blog, facebook group, or via email to lghs.gsa@gmail.com.
We want to know what you think!
Teachers are welcome to submit input as well.
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