8th Annual NJ Gay-Straight Alliance Forum This Saturday!
NJ GSA’s “CHANGE THE GAME” at 8th ANNUAL GSA FORUM
GLSEN, the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, Central New Jersey Chapter, once again teams with HiTOPS, the Princeton-based organization promoting adolescent health and well-being, to present the Eighth Annual NJ GSA Forum on Saturday, February 4th 2012, a conference for Gay-Straight Alliances. Pat Griffin, Director of The GLSEN Sports Project: Changing the Game will be the keynote speaker and will be joined by LGBT and ally student and alumni athletes to enhance safe and respectful sports in schools.
Students, advisors, and all supporters are invited to attend and encouraged to bring ally athletes to join in the event. The Forum will take place on Saturday, February 4, 2012, at Long Branch High School, 404 Indiana Avenue, Long Branch, New Jersey. Registration (fees apply), exhibits, networking and a light breakfast will open at 9:00 am and the formal program takes place from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm. Further information about the Forum can be found by contacting cnj@njglsen.org, by calling 609-448-5215, or visiting www.njgsaforum.com .
In addition to providing strategies for addressing homophobia and transphobia in school-based athletic and physical education programs, the Forum will offer the ever-popular workshops on coming out, knowing your rights, being an ally, dynamic activities for Gay Straight Alliances to foster respectful school climate and more. This year’s workshops include Time Out for Respect: Making School Sports Teams and Gym Class Great and Scholarship Strategies: Finding and Winning the Money You Need. Carol Watchler, GLSEN Central Jersey co-chair says that “students can expect to take home a wealth of ideas for strengthening their Gay Straight Alliances and generating respectful environments for everybody regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity or gender expression.”
GLSEN is the leading national education organization focused on ensuring safe schools for ALL students. GLSEN strives to assure that each member of every school community is valued and respected regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression. HiTOPS is a 501(c)3 organization located in Mercer County, New Jersey whose mission is to promote adolescent health and well-being. HiTOPS helps adolescents clarify their values and make responsible decisions regarding their health and actions, and gives parents, teachers and caregivers of adolescents the tools they need to best support and guide the young people they nurture.
Reporters are invited to cover the event, but will be asked to sign an agreement of conduct and ethics regarding the topics, confidentiality, and sensitivity due to children being involved.