Date: Wed, 15 Sep 1999 17:22:41 -0700 From: Jean Richter Subject: 9/15/99 P.E.R.S.O.N. Project news 1. GA: Update on GLSEN national conference 2. CA: Further comment on urging governor to sign AB 537 ======================================================================== From: "GLSEN Alert" To: "GLSEN News" Subject: GLSENAlert: Teaching Respect for All '99 -- UPDATE Date: Wed, 15 Sep 1999 11:30:34 -0400 ........................................................... 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/ ........................................................... Seven stellar reasons to attend GLSEN's Third Annual National Conference: TEACHING RESPECT FOR ALL '99 Atlanta, Georgia - October 1-3, 1999 Westin Peachtree Plaza Register today at http://www.glsen.org or by calling 1-877-99-GLSEN ***************************************************** 1. BECAUSE LGBT STUDENTS FACE PERVASIVE HARASSMENT AT SCHOOL, AND TEACHING RESPECT FOR ALL '99 WILL HELP YOU TO END IT On average, high school students hear anti-gay epithets 25 times a day; 97% of the time, teachers hearing these epithets fail to respond. 76% of our nation's schools fail to train teachers about issues facing lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students. These youth are more than four times as likely as their non-gay peers to be threatened with a weapon while at school. Come join the largest national summit of those working to end this abuse. 2. THIS THREE-DAY WEEKEND OFFERS SEVEN FULL-DAY, INTENSIVE LEARNING INSTITUTES These comprehensive full-day seminars offer attendees a chance to sharpen skills in areas such as media activism, responding to right wing attacks, youth organizing, building effective youth and adult partnerships, holding difficult conversations, educator empowerment, and organizing with an anti-bias agenda. 3. IT ALSO OFFERS A COMPREHENSIVE SLATE OF OVER 65 WORKSHOPS 'Teaching Respect for All '99' offers the most comprehensive slate of skills-building and informative workshops for those working to end the damaging effects of anti-gay bias in their hometown school communities. Visit www.glsen.org to see a full list of workshop titles. 4. THE PATHFINDER AWARDS, FEATURING COMEDIAN MARGARET CHO Each year GLSEN awards the Pathfinders to those who've cleared new ground in the fight to end anti-gay bias in K-12 schools. World-renowned comedian Margaret Cho, who's currently touring her smash Off-Broadway show, I'm the One that I Want, will perform a special Pathfinder show following the award ceremonies. 5. A NATIONAL STRATEGY MEETING OF SAFE SCHOOLS COALITION ACTIVISTS The growing national movement of Safe Schools Coalitions has proven invaluable in legislative and public education campaigns seeking to address anti-gay harassment in public schools. For those already involved, the summit will provide a unique opportunity to meet and learn from others involved in these efforts. For those interested in beginning a local Safe Schools Coalition, this is a key opportunity to check out model programs from Washington, Massachusetts and other states. 6. A SNEAK PREVIEW OF GLSEN'S NEW NATIONAL PUBLIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN, FEATURING JUDY SHEPARD On Sunday, October 3, GLSEN will launch a new public education campaign featuring Judy Shepard, the mother of murdered University of Wyoming student Matthew Shepard. Mrs. Shepard will be on hand to accept a special award for her work to end anti-gay bias in America's schools. 7. AND LAST, BUT CERTAINLY NOT LEAST, THE OPPORTUNITY TO HEAR FROM CIVIL RIGHTS LEGEND AND U.S. REPRESENTATIVE JOHN LEWIS Lewis came to national attention as a student activist during the early years of the Civil Rights Movement, as he helped organize the Freedom Rides and the historic 1963 March on Washington. We're honored that he'll be addressing conference attendance as Teaching Respect for All's 1999 Keynote Speaker. ************************************************ WHY DID WE STOP AT SEVEN? We don't want to give it all away - yes, you're still in for some surprises. ************************************************ To learn more or to sign up today, please visit http://www.glsen.org or call 1-877-99-GLSEN. We look forward to seeing all y'all in Atlanta. REGISTER SOON!! ************************************************* ........................................................... 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: ........................................................... ======================================================================== Regarding yesterday's action alert requesting that you urge Governor Davis to sign AB 537: the sample letter to the governor might be amended >to include recognition of the right-wing >opposition to this bill...AND recognition >that the vehemence and virulence of >such opposition reflects the deep and >wide hatred against which this >bill seeks to provide students with some >protection. ========================================================================= Jean Richter -- richter@eecs.berkeley.edu The P.E.R.S.O.N. Project (Public Education Regarding Sexual Orientation Nationally) These messages are archived by state on our information-loaded free web site: http://www.youth.org/loco/PERSONProject/