Every year, GSA Network hosts GAYLA, the GSA Advocacy & Youth Leadership Academy. GAYLA is a three-day intensive training in the legislative process, policy and administrative advocacy, media activism, and other important leadership skills. 

Students trained at GAYLA fight to protect and advance the rights of LGBTQ students and allies. GAYLA culminates in Queer Youth Advocacy Day, where students use their new skills to educate and engage lawmakers at the State Capitol in Sacramento. 

Upcoming Events

GAYLA 2010 will be held April 23-26, 2010 in Sacramento.  Apply now!

Are you in College? Interested in supporting Middle & High School youth participating in the event?  Apply now to be a College Mentor. 

About GAYLA

To attend GAYLA, students must apply and be accepted. Applications are usually available each year starting in February.

Who should apply?

• Youth (age 18 and under) who are interested in making their schools safer for LGBT students should apply.
• You must attend a California middle school or high school.
• We are especially looking for students who are high school juniors or younger, since GAYLA youth often work on a campaign that continues into the next school year.
• Middle school students can also apply.
• Youth of color, low-income youth, and transgender and gender non-conforming youth are strongly encouraged to apply.

GSA Network partners with organizations such as Equality California, BIENESTAR, Transgender Law Center, The Trevor Project, and the National Association of Social Workers - California Chapter to organize GAYLA and Queer Youth Advocacy Day.

After GAYLA

After being a leader at GAYLA, students are encouraged to continue advocating for LGBTQ youth in schools by:

• Training members of your GSA in advocacy skills.
• Serving as a media spokesperson in your region on GSA, safer schools, and LGBTQ youth issues.
• Making follow-up calls or visits with your lawmakers.
• Joining the GSA Network’s Statewide Advocacy Council.
• Organizing & participating in a campaign during the following school year to advocate for full implementation of the gender identity non-discrimination law in California schools, which may include visits with lawmakers and education officials, rallies, letter-writing campaigns, and speak-outs in your area.

Past Events  

GSA Advocacy & Youth Leadership Academy 2009

Read the blog from QYAD/GAYLA 2009.

See quotes and photos from previous years below.