Making plans to celebrate Native American Heritage Month? Team up with groups at your school to highlight the accomplishments of LGBTQ+ Native American two-spirits, like We’Wha & Chrystos.
Let’s honor past intersex activist & writers. The day marks Herculine Barbin’s birthday, a French intersex person whose memoirs were published posthumously.
#GSADay4GJ is an annual day of action to mobilize for racial justice & celebrate the multiple identities LGBTQ+ youth embody. The TRUTH Project, a youth-led program for trans & gender nonconforming young people, leads the event. For more information on TRUTH visit www.ourtranstruth.org
First held to honor Rita Hester, this day of remembrance has grown to memorialize many transgender people across the world as well as those who were killed due to anti-trans violence.
This day “is an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, show their support for people living with HIV & to commemorate people who have died. World AIDS Day was the first ever global health day, held for the first time in 1988.” – World AIDS Day. www.worldaidsday.org
Mobilize for racial justice & celebrate the multiple identities we hold as LGBTQ+ youth. Get involved by hosting teach-ins, marches, & other actions to support dismantling white supremacy & racism in your area.
“Trans Day of Visibility (TDoV) is an annual holiday to show your support for the trans & non-binary community. It aims to bring attention to the accomplishments of trans people around the globe while fighting cissexism & transphobia by spreading knowledge of the trans community. Unlike Transgender Day of Remembrance, this is not a day for mourning: this is a day of empowerment & getting the recognition we deserve!” -Trans Student Educational Resources (TSER)
The creation of NYHAAD is a move toward acknowledging & addressing the needs of young people in the HIV & AIDS response. Each year, young activists in high schools & at colleges & universities across the country will use this day to organize & educate about HIV & AIDS. To learn more, please visit: www.advocatesforyouth.org/youthaidsday
Students take a vow of silence to encourage schools & classmates to address the problem of anti-LGBTQ+behavior by illustrating the silencing effect of bullying & harassment. More info at www.dayofsilence.org
Making plans to celebrate Asian Pacific Islander American Heritage Month? Team up with groups at your school to celebrate the accomplishments of LGBTQ+Asian American & Pacific Islander historical figures.
LGBTQ+ youth & allies across the country join their statewide & regional GSA Networks in Pride celebrations. Recognize the sacrifices that our trans & queer elders endured so that we can carry their voices & our history forward.
Congratulations to our young people who worked hard in their schools & communities. Take this time to reflect on the tribulations & achievements your GSA has gone through, & prepare for what the coming year might bring for your GSA.
Every summer GSA Network hosts Activist Camps designed for trans & queer youth to build their leadership skills for the upcoming school year. Did we mention that its free?! Stay updated on your local camp via our website!
[SPECIFIC DATE TBD]
Our annual convening of the National Association of GSA Networks brings together organizations & young people from across the country together to share skills, expertise, & insight into what GSA movement looks like in their areas.
This is an international day that marks the anniversary of the first intersex protest & recognizes the challenges that intersex people experience. Check out this resource to learn how you can make your school’s GSA club intersex-friendly. Check out resources from InterAct - www.interactadvocates.org/intersex-awareness-day
Use this day to raise awareness of LGBTQ+ youth at your school. Organize film screenings, encourage people to come out as allies, or launch a campaign in your school or community!
Celebrate LGBTQ History Month using GSA Network’s guide on how to teach your school about LGBTQ+ people in history.
State & local governments spend between $8-$21 billion a year on the juvenile justice system instead of investing in our schools. LGBTQ+ students are being pushed out of schools because of high stakes testing, unsupportive climates, & punitive discipline policies. Join Dignity in Schools Campaign & the GSA movement, & plan an action in your school. www.dignityinschools.org/our-work/week-of-action
Ally Week is a youth-led weeklong event that sheds light on the experiences LGBTQ+ students face in schools. We challenge straight cisgender students & adults to build support with LGBTQ+ youth in their communities.
Team up with groups at your school to celebrate the accomplishments of LGBTQ+ Latinx figures, like trans activist Sylvia Rivera & undocumented trans activist Jennicet Gutiérrez. You can find more ideas by visiting the GSA Network resource library.
Make sure to register your GSAs every year!
Youth activists join their regional YOUTH COUNCILS, where they make a 1-year commitment to lead trainings, plan events, & work with their GSA on mounting a campaign at their school. To join a Youth Council, contact your local state GSA Network - www.gsanetwork.org/find-your-network.
For more information on the annual Day of Silence, contact Nat Duran at [email protected]
For more information on the Youth Summit, contact Nat Duran [email protected]
For more information on Youth Committee, contact Nat Duran at [email protected]
The Alliance will be leading a workshop on Trans/Gender Inclusion policies at this year's Creating Change Conference. Presenters will include the Allaince's excutive director, Anthony Papini; policy and advocacy director, Owen Daniel-McCarter; youth committee leader, Zaiden Sowle and elementary school principal from the Berwyen South School District 100, Jeremy Majeski.
Session title: Transforming School Culture: Strategies for Trans/Gender Inclusion in K-12 Schools
Session description: Nationally, transgender middle and high school students experience hostile school climate and regular harassment from peers. 4 out of 5 National School Climate Survey student respondents reported feeling unsafe at school. This interactive session will examine how youth voices, school leadership, and a community organization dedicated to safe schools collaborated to transform a school district through the implementation of trans inclusive policies and creation of a gender support team in schools. Hear directly from students, school administrators, policy makers, and safe schools advocates on the process of creating and implementing a trans affirming policy and the impact it has on healthy student identity development. Attendees will also have the opportunity to work in small groups to discuss collaboration, implementation, and messaging strategies. Sample model policies and procedures will be provided to attendees.
Session date: The Session will be on Saturday, January 23rd from 10:45 - 12:15
For more information about the Creating Change Conference, visit: http://www.creatingchange.org/
Beyond the Personnel Handbook: A Workshop on Key School Policies for School Climate Transformation
Date: Wednesday, January 13, 2016
Time: 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Location: Skyline Conference Room, Lawndale Christian Health Center
3860 W. Ogden Avenue
Chicago, IL 60623
Registration: Registration online is closed. Please contact Sarah Schriber at [email protected].
Workshop description:
Through storytelling, skill shares, and facilitated action planning, participants will learn about ways to coordinate and put into action:
• ISBE's Social and Emotional Learning learning standards,
• Illinois new discipline reform law, and
• Berwyn South School District 100's first-of-a kind set of transgender student support guidelines
to create schools where students thrive socially, emotionally, and academically.
Facilitators: Caryn Curry, former Coordinator for the Statewide SEL Pilot; Jeremy Majeski, Principal at Berwyn's Komensky Elementary School; Owen Daniel-McCarter and Jordee Yanez, Illinois Safe Schools Alliance; Miranda Johnson and Candace Moore, Transforming School Discipline Collaborative; and others.
Questions: Please contact Sarah Schriber at [email protected]
