(Lambda Legal) Illinois Governor Pat Quinn will sign into law SB 3266, the Prevent School Violence Act, a bill that covers bullying specifically targeted at students because of their sexual orientation or gender identity, among other categories. In response, Lambda Legal released the following statement from Christopher Clark, Senior Staff Attorney in Lambda Legal’s Midwest Regional Office in Chicago.
NEW YORK (AP) — Constance McMillen said she considered backing down when school officials canceled prom after she asked if she could bring her girlfriend. But then the 18-year-old thought about the point she was trying to make….
(Pride Source) The Ruth Ellis Center, an LGBT youth center for homeless and runaway youth in Highland Park, is beginning efforts to make young people more involved with the center on a regular basis. As a part of the Youth Driven Spaces project, fueled by Ann Arbor’s teen center the Neutral Zone, the Ruth Ellis Center will be involved in workshops, training and evaluation to learn how to make young people a part of the everyday operations.
(GTN) The Trevor Project, the leading national organization focused on crisis and suicide prevention efforts among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) youth, has announced that it will honor multi-faceted entertainer Vanessa Williams and premier retailer Macy’s, Inc. at Trevor New York, the organization’s 10th annual East Coast fundraising gala. The event will be held on Mon., June 28 at Capitale in New York City.
(HRC Back Story) Last summer I welcomed a surprise visitor to the HRC building – Anne Phibbs, the Director of GLBTA Programs Office at the University of Minnesota. She stopped by to tell me about a new initiative at the school that would be an integrated, year-long learning experience for undergrads with hands-on education for developing their skills as student leaders in order to affect social and political change. The program would incorporate specific courses in the fall and spring semesters along with a chance to study activism and organizing on a national level with a bus trip to Chicago, New York, Philadelphia and Washington DC.
(SFGN) Two gay best friends, Charlie Ferrusi and Timothy Howard, have been voted Prom King and Queen of Hudson High School in Hudson, NY. The progressive student body overwhelmingly voted them the winners. So much so, that there were no runners-up.
(The Patriot News) Cumberland Valley School Board stumbled over a routine approval to reinstate its high school Gay-Straight Alliance club after the board’s newest members questioned the club’s application.
(The Sexist) Capital City Public Charter School students Keonie Smith , 17, and Clara Lincoln , 14, created the above video to show the support of gay rights among their peers at the Columbia Heights school. Prepare to clutch your pearls, wingnuts: The video was made as part of a school geometry project meant to apply logical proofs to real-life issues. Lincoln on the effort: “We want people on the fence or who oppose this issue to see that youth really do care about gay rights.
(Seattle Times) A student was badly beaten at Mount Si High School, which had been the scene of a 2008 clash over an event highlighting the harassment of gay students. The recent attack has renewed questions about the climate at the school.
(SFGN) OUTlet 2010 Plugging Women into the Arts – “A Conference for and by Young Lesbian, Bi, Trans, Queer, Questioning Women (and women of all ages) and our Allies” is scheduled to take place on Saturday, June 12 at the Pride Center at Equality Park. MTV’s Rachel Robinson and Aqua Foundation Executive Director Kate Williams will deliver the keynote address. Attendees are encouraged to participate in a variety of workshops being offered.
