Date: Fri, 05 Feb 1999 16:43:59 -0800 From: Jean Richter Subject: 2/5/99 P.E.R.S.O.N. Project news, pt. 2 1. NY: GLSEN staffer honored, gets grant for student group outreach ====================================================================== Date: Tue, 02 Feb 1999 07:56:21 -0500 From: GLSEN Alert To: "GLSEN News" Subject: GLSENAlert: Kudos to Kerry Sender: ........................................................... An important message from GLSEN-Alert, the electronic news service of GLSEN. The Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network -- GLSEN 121 West 27th Street, Suite 804 New York, NY 10001 212-717-0135; 212-727-0254 - fax glsen@glsen.org http://www.glsen.org/ ........................................................... MEDIA RELEASE For Immediate Release Contact: Jim Anderson Director of Communications Ph: (212) 727-0135 x136 Pgr: (888) 869-6512 GLSEN STUDENT PRIDE COORDINATOR ONE OF TWENTY TEENS WHO WILL "CHANGE THE WORLD", SAYS TEEN PEOPLE National advocacy organization receives grant to expand services to LGBT high school youth New York, New York (1 February 1999) -- The Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) congratulates staff member Kerry Ashforth for being named one of twenty "teens who will change the world" in the February 1999 issue of Teen People magazine. Ashforth was recognized for her work with GLSEN's Student Pride Project, which provides resources and technical assistance to over 300 high school-based Gay/Straight Alliance (GSA) clubs across the nation. Ashforth, who works part time with GLSEN while studying music composition at New York University, was the only openly-LGBT teen on the list. "The work happening through Student Pride, under Kerry's leadership, is changing the face of high schools everywhere," said GLSEN Executive Director Kevin Jennings. "LGBT students are creating much-needed safe and affirming spaces in hostile school communities everywhere. We thank Kerry for the energy and resourcefulness she's brought to this work. We also thank Teen People for recognizing that her work is, in fact, world-changing." The two-year-old Student Pride Project is one of the fastest-growing and most innovative programs in the nation supporting LGBT students. Using the Internet and other on-line communications, the project provides resources, as well as discussion forums, for student activists across America. According to Jennings, who served as the faculty advisor to the first GSA established in the country, LGBT youth often face opposition from school officials and right wing groups as they attempt to establish these non-curricular clubs. Student Pride helps youth work through these and other difficulties. The number of GSAs registered in GLSEN's Student Pride network has doubled from 150 to over 300 in the last year. The Los Angeles-based Colin Higgins Foundation recently awarded GLSEN a $30,000 grant to expand the Student Pride Project. The funding will be used to hire a permanent full-time Director of Student Organizing, provide additional resources to high school student activists, and educate school communities about the need to support LGBT students. GLSEN is currently seeking to fill the position, which will be staffed in New York City. "Student Pride is great because it empowers young people across the country to change things that are wrong with the communities around them," said Ashforth, a Plymouth, MA, native. "I believe that with the expansion of the program staff, Student Pride will blossom fully into a nationally-based youth leadership development resource." ##### The Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network is the largest national organization working to end anti-gay bias in public, private and parochial K-12 schools. Established nationally in 1994, GLSEN now has 85 chapters across the country. For more information, visit our web site at www.glsen.org. ........................................................... Visit the GLSEN Blackboard online: http://www.glsen.org/ Past GLSENAlert posts are archived on the GLSEN Blackboard: http://www.glsen.org/pages/sections/news/glsenalert/ ........................................................... TO SUBSCRIBE OR UNSUBSCRIBE You may add or remove yourself from this mailing list by going to: http://www.glsen.org/pages/sections/news/glsenalert/ If you have problems or questions, you can contact the list server administrator at: ........................................................... =========================================================================== Jean Richter -- richter@eecs.berkeley.edu The P.E.R.S.O.N. Project (Public Education Regarding Sexual Orientation Nationally) CHECK OUT OUR INFO-LOADED WEB PAGE AT: http://www.youth.org/loco/PERSONProject/