Date: Sun, 26 May 1996 13:25:55 -0700 (PDT) From: jessea@uclink4.berkeley.edu (Jessea NR Greenman) Subject: Input needed for OR state youth suicide task force || Rainbow Prom in Syracuse NY [The following is from Candace Steele with PFLAG in Oregon...] Yes, Jessea, this can go out to the PERSON network, finally. What we want are young people who went to school in Oregon, and experienced suicidal thoughts etc, related to their school experiences here. I believe that they can submit written testimony, or, if they are back for the summer, they could possibly testify. Please ask all of them (I hope there are responses!) to reply to *Tammy Alexander* and not to me (Candace). The same goes for any parents/family members with glbt "kids" who went to school here. Yesterday Anne Bliss, Donna Saffir of Portland, Neil Sherwood, and Dick Holt of Salem, and I attended the first meeting of the [OR] state Task Force on Youth Suicide Prevention. It went *very well*! Sen. Len Hannon was terrific, and he didn't hesitate to use the L and G words. Very supportive. Others equally so. *Many* of the audience of about 40 also talked about sexual minority youth's problems. Anyway, a *tentative* schedule for the public hearings and Task Force meetings was set up, though changes may be made. The first session seems the most certain, and the rest more iffy, but still coming up rapidly: Newport: Thursday, June 13th, 1-5pm, and 6-9pm. Task force meeting first, followed by public testimony, probably. Bend: Thursday, July 11th, 6-9pm. Public testimony, I think Friday, July 12th, 9am-noon. Task Force meeting La Grande: Thursday, August 15th. 6-9pm Public testimony Friday, August 16th. 9am - noon. Task Force Medford: Dates not yet set, but will be in September Portland: October, to discuss the preliminary report of the task force. Final report due Jan. 1st, 1997 ***We must hurry*** to identify glbt kids who've either thought seriously about killing themselves, planned suicide, or have actually tried. Also parents/family members whose glbt kids have tried or completed a suicide. I think a close friend of a kid who killed her/him self might also be OK. Age limit is probably 24 (I'm not clear whether that means "under 24", or "no older than 24".) ***Please send any ***info about such people to the following: Tammy Alexander, M.Ed. Adolescent Health Coordinator, Child Health Section Oregon Health Division of the Oregon Department of Human Resources 800 N.E. Oregon St., #21, Suite 825 Portland, Oregon 97232 (503) 7310-4584 Fax: (503) 731-4083 E-mail: Tammis.P.Alexander@state.or.us (Tammy and Kim Roth are the staff support persons for the task force.) We will have a way for kids to testify anonymously if necessary. There will be work groups set up as well. Five of them are identified, as follows: 1) Existing Resources Group: What currently exists to help kids in the state, ie in schools, social services, etc. 2) Research Group: Will identify what works locally, nationally, and internationally, and what might be implemented in Oregon, or is already being tried. 3) Data Group: To devise methods of collecting data, and tracking data. 4) Special Populations Group: Issues and concerns specific to special populations, including ethnic groups, gl kids etc. (only one person included bi and Trans kids, but we're not going to let them be ignored.) 5) Media Group: How is suicide reported by the various forms of media, and what can be done to get accurate reporting. Will include concerns about kids' music. People who are interested in serving with work groups are required to fill out an application form. I am not clear about what sort of schedule of meetings will be developed, or how many meetings will be held, or where. But the hope is that people with knowledge in these various work groups will apply. I can think of several people who would be very helpful in these groups. I will send another message that includes the Work Group Application Form. Please see that it gets out asap, as needed and appropriate!! hugs to all, Candace ------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------ From: LEONARD MARSH Date: Sat, 25 May 1996 13:47:16 EST Subject: ** RAINBOW PROM ** Syracuse, NY Announcing Syracuse's Third Annual R A I N B O W P R O M Missed your H S Prom? Didn't get invited? Couldn't bring your chosen date? Make up for it at Central New York's own ** R A I N B O W P R O M ** Saturday, June 1, 1996 8:00 pm to midnight at The Westhill Country Club, Camillus Hors d'oeuvres -- Desserts -- Cash Bar -- Music -- Dancing $20 single To reserve call (315) 476-4329 $40 couple or e-mail: marsh@lemoyne.edu Sponsored by the Syracuse Gay and Lesbian Chorus, Inc. *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+ 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.