MEDIA ADVISORY

Student Advocates to Call on Elected Officials to 

Protect Against Bullying and Discrimination

WHAT: On Monday, April 4, nearly 70 California students who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) and straight allies will participate in the annual Queer Youth Advocacy Day. By meeting with state legislators and administrators in Sacramento, students will raise awareness about issues affecting LGBT middle and high school students, including the need for stronger protections against anti-LGBT bullying and discrimination and the lack of social science instruction on the contributions of LGBT people. The event is sponsored by Gay-Straight Alliance Network, Equality California, Transgender Law Center, and The Trevor Project. 

WHEN: Press Conference: Monday, April 4, 2011, 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.   

WHERE: South Steps, State Capitol, Sacramento, CA 

WHO: Senator Mark Leno

Assemblymember Tom Ammiano

Assemblymember Rich Gordon 

Mario Guerrero, Government Affairs Director, Equality California

Carolyn Laub, Executive Director, Gay-Straight Alliance Network

Dave Reynolds, Senior Public Policy and Research Manager, The Trevor Project

Student leaders from cities and towns across California 

Youth leaders will arrive in Sacramento on Friday, April 1 to participate in a three-day educational training called the GSA Advocacy & Youth Leadership Academy (GAYLA). The educational training will cover the legislative process, policy advocacy, media activism, and other important leadership skills for students working to change cultural perceptions and treatment of LGBT students in school. Youth leaders will then participate in Queer Youth Advocacy Day on Monday, April 4.

WEBSITE: www.gsanetwork.org/events/queer-youth-advocacy-day

CONTACT: Jorge Amaro, Equality California Institute 

PHONE: 562-964-3591 EMAIL:  jorge@eqca.org

CONTACT: Jackie Downing, Gay-Straight Alliance Network 

PHONE: 510-333-9649 EMAIL: jackie@gsanetwork.org

CONTACT: Laura McGinnis, The Trevor Project 

PHONE: 323-423-7405 EMAIL: Laura.McGinnis@thetrevorproject.org

CONTACT: Kristina Wertz, Transgender Law Center

PHONE: 415-865-0176 ex 302 EMAIL: kristina@transgenderlawcenter.org

Gay-Straight Alliance Network (GSA Network) is a national youth leadership organization that empowers youth activists to fight homophobia and transphobia in schools by training student leaders and supporting student-led Gay-Straight Alliance clubs throughout the country. In California alone, GSA Network has brought GSA clubs to 56% of public high schools, impacting more than 1.1 million students at 850 schools. GSA Network's youth advocates have played a key role in changing laws and policies that impact youth at the local and state level. GSA Network also founded the Make It Better Project, which aims to stop bullying and prevent suicide. www.gsanetwork.org

Equality California Institute educates lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people and the public at large about issues impacting the LGBT community and our allies. Established in 2000, EQCAI organizes and empowers individuals, communities and allied groups to work proactively for fairness, equality and justice. EQCAI coordinates the LGBT Health and Human Services Network, a statewide health coalition. www.eqcai.org

The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services for LGBTQ youth. Every day, The Trevor Project saves young lives through its free and confidential lifeline, in-school workshops, educational materials, online resources and advocacy. www.TheTrevorProject.org

The Transgender Law Center (TLC) is a civil rights organization advocating for transgender communities. TLC uses direct legal services, education, community organizing and advocacy to transform California into a state that recognizes and supports the needs of transgender people and their families. www.transgenderlawcenter.org

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