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Inside
Out Youth - May 2008
Welcome to the the latest edition of
Inside
Out Youth, a monthly electronic newsletter designed to keep our
extended Family up to date on events, happenings, and news items.
Please help spread the word that we're still here, still queer, and the
Drop-In Center is open three nights a week:
Sunday, Wednesday, and
Thursday 4:30-8:30 pm.
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The
Day of
Silence & Prom
The Day
of
Silence was observed by students in schools all over Central Texas.
Thanks to all those who helped us break the silence at the capitol.
Thanks to Grace and Megan for mc-ing. Mark your calendars for next
year's DOS: 04.17.09. But we don't have to wait to end the silence.
The 2008
Déjà vu Blast From The Past Prom was truly a blast,
thanks to the vision of the youth who planned it and the hard work and
generosity of the volunteers who made it a fabulous reality.
Special
thanks to: JC, DJ, and Diane of Cobalt
Blue Enterprises for catering, hand holding, networking, and their
can-do attitude. Thanks to Keith Kessler of Laughing Goat
Studio for setting up and taking so many fun prom photos. Thanks to
Big
Medicine for lighting
and sound. Thanks to P.O.W.
for DJ-ing. Thanks to Saffire Trinity and Simone Riviera for brilliant
performances. Thanks to Brent and Rory, Elaine, David Smith, The United
Court of Austin, Roger Olien, and more than a few anonymous donors. The
youth are already talking about next year!
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Donor
Challenge
Out Youth
is thrilled at the
response to our May 1st donor reception,
hosted by Bettie Naylor. Bettie made an eloquent and heartfelt
appeal
on behalf of the community's youth, and many of you heeded her call
with generous donations. In conjunction with the event, we
received
challenge gifts from Bill Dickson and Linda and Jerry Strickland
totaling $65,000! That means every dollar donated to OY will be
matched - in effect, doubling your money. If you've been wanting
to make a
contribution, now is a great time to do it.
Many thanks to our wonderful donors, old and new, for the amazing
difference you make in so many lives. |
News
from the Texas GSA Network
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State
of
the State
Out Youth's Justin Jacobson spoke at the Equality Texas State of the
State Conference on
April 18th. He spoke on issues of student safety and inclusion of
LGBT students in the school system. Justin shared the goals of
the Texas GSA Network and spoke of how youth mobilization is crucial in
creating change for LGBT students and their allies for addressing
bullying and harassment in public schools. Speaking as a youth
leader, Justin talked about the importance of youth inclusion in all
areas
of the safe schools movement. He encouraged all youth to engage
in
the Texas GSA Network as youth council members, attend the Activist
Camp to learn tools in addressing LGBT issues in schools, and
participate in youth activism in their schools.
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Regional
Meeting in Dallas and Houston
On April 12 and May 3rd youth interns went to Youth First in Dallas and HATCH in Houston to talk with
them and their youth about the Texas GSA Network. We were excited
to share the network model and talk about ways the youth in other
regions can plug into the network. Both youth centers will be
sending some of their youth to the GSA Activist camp in July. They also
agreed to bus their youth personally to Austin for the Activist
camp! We came out of these regional meetings with the support of
the Texas GSA Network and I can see a future bond between Out Youth, Youth
First, and HATCH. We also
ate at an awesome gay diner near each center, leaving with several
great experiences.
by Megan,
GSA
intern
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Texas Gay
Straight Alliance
Activist Camp � Austin, TX, July 8-10, 2008
Texas Gay Straight Alliance Network
is a statewide program which unites school-based GSA student clubs to
one another. Through peer support, leadership development, and
training, Texas GSA Network supports young people in starting,
strengthening, and sustaining GSAs and builds their capacity to:
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create safe
environments in schools for students to support each other and learn
about homophobia and other oppressions;
-
educate
their school community about homophobia, gender identity and sexual
orientation issues, and
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fight
discrimination, harassment, and violence in schools.
The Texas
GSA
Activist Camp is a statewide youth-planned and youth-led intense 3-day
event which features interactive, hands on games, activities and
workshops
which teach:
* Skill
Building * GSA Leadership * Political Education * Queer People of Color
* Trans Advocacy * Community Building * Fight for Your Rights
The Texas
GSA
Network is looking for students who would love to spend the weekend
with 40 other youth from GSAs that are interested in creating safer
schools for LGBT youth and their straight allies. All LGBT (lesbian,
gay, bisexual and transgender) and Straight ally youth can apply. Youth
who will be in high school or middle school GSAs next year will be
given
priority. Youth of color, trans youth, and low income youth are
especially encouraged to apply!
Cost:
$20-$100
sliding scale -- scholarships available.
To
download the
2008 Camp Application go to www.texasgsa.org
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click to enlarge
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T-Shirt
and Screen Printing Donations Needed!
Are
you heading to T or that other W-store? Maybe you
have
come across an amazing t-shirt sale some where. We are in need of NEW
t-shirts for our upcoming youth camp. We are looking for all sizes
(more "M" or "S") but please gather a variety of sizes!!! We will be
printing our new activist awareness "Don't Yuck My Yumm" t-shirt
campaign and need tons of blank t-shirts. Please, make sure the
t-shirts do not have pockets, keep to the basics. With this we are in
search of a cheap or free screen printer who could help make this
possible. If you have any leads on printers, let us know. |
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Youth
Ally Program - YAP
The goal of the
Ally Program is to educate and organize straight youth allies of
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender youth in a safe environment to
understand and create open dialogue about sexual orientation and gender
identity/expression. Some activities and projects will include:
*
table at Pride Fest * workshop at the GSA Network's Conference * Ally
Week *
Bring an Ally to Drop-In * peer workshops at Out Youth
* support group
for Allies * pamphlets * resources for Out Youth/GSA websites *
buttons/t-shirts
There are plenty
of opportunities to get involved. Please email
Monica@outyouth.org if you are interested in joining. Once I have
names, I will send an email out with our first committee meeting date!
Thank you!
Melissa Frederick, Youth
Ally Program Intern
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TO:
Bettie Naylor & Libby Sykora for
hosting, and Gary Cooper for organizing a house party * Jerry &
Linda Strickland * Bill Dickson * Michael and Bill for tools * Kim
Pearson, Executive Director of Trans
Youth Family Allies, and her son Shawn for sharing their story *
Green With Envy Lawn Service * Interns * everyone who helped celebrate
OY's birthday, observe the Day of Silence, and create an awesome Prom
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Out
Youth Spring 2008 Interns
We've been extra lucky this year to enjoy the company
of five
outstanding university interns. Their tireless efforts included
programming, organizing volunteers, support groups, developing a
resource guide, work in the schools, grant writing, landscaping, and
house painting.
Clockwise from lower
left, Julia Dauenhauer (UT, MSW), Lindsey
Archuletta (TSU, BSW), Kymberlie
Quong Charles (UT, MSW), Ryan
Smith (UT, HDFS), Anjali
Fleury (UT, BSW). They were
a terrific team, they'll be very much missed, and we wish them the best!
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For Painless
Fundraising
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- Set your browser
to Goodsearch and select Out
Youth.
- Shop at Randalls and
remember the Out Youth Good Neighbor number: 2546.
- Host an Out Youth
fundraising house party. We can help you help us.
- Become a monthly donor.
-
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Out
Youth
Wish List
Let us save you the
trouble of
selling those treasures on e-bay while you help us make the Out Youth
space safer, more inviting, and user-friendly for all youth.
| kitchen
remodeling |
patio
roofing
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coffee
supplies
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porch
chairs
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tool
rack for garage
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chimenea
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solar
landscape lights
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Frys
gift certficate
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IKEA
gift certificates
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large
gas grill
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| Guitar
Hero |
Wii
Playstation or Playstation
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Ongoing
wish list: sodas, snacks, drinks for drop-in & satellites, paper
towels, toilet paper and plastic ware, paper plates, cleaning supplies
bbq supplies.
If you can
help
with any of these items, please contact us
or give us a call at 512.419.1233.
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We hope
that
you have enjoyed this issue of Inside Out Youth. If there is anything
you would like to see added or changed, please don't hesitate to email us your suggestions. Thank
you for your support. Remember:
There is only one YOU for all time -- fearlessly be yourself!
Please
use the
button below as often as possible to make secure online donations to
Out Youth using Pay Pal!
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Out
Youth
909 East 49 1/2 Street
Austin, Texas 78751
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