Springtime is Prom-time! Save the Date: May 4th
Get out your calendars! Friday, May 4th will be the second annual Make it Better 4 Youth GSA Prom. This year, Middletown South will be hosting the event, complete with food, music and fun from 7-10pm. Tickets are $15 per person, payable at the door.
All students participating will need to register in advance using the student contract and return the form to Mr. Koumoulis at Middletown South. Submit the form through your GSA adviser. Advisers: please submit all forms ASAP as stated above.
Still have questions? Email prom@makeitbetter4youth.org
Please email prom@makeitbetter4youth.org to receive updates for your GSA, organization, or individuals who are interested in participating.
The RFH Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) is hosting an evening with transgender activist, motivational speaker, and singer-songwriter Ryan Cassata on Friday evening, April 13. Ryan, who is from Long Island, NY, began speaking publicly at the age of 14, and by the age of 18 had successfully cut two records, booked and went on several tours, won the Harvey Milk Memorial Award and appeared on National & International TV several times. Ryan plays guitar, piano, harmonica, and sings.
Ryan Cassata is a strong advocate for the Transgender community and has appeared on The Larry King Live Show (2009) and the Tyra Banks Show (2010) talking about ‘trans’ topics. He travels the US speaking at high schools, colleges and conferences sharing his story with a mission to educate and end ignorance around the transgender community.
Ryan has been invited by the RFH GSA to speak as part of a week of events they are holding at the high school. Co-sponsored by Make it Better for Youth, the Monmouth County Consortium on LGBT Youth, the evening will have informational available from PFLAG (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) and include a Q&A session after the performance. The performance is at 7pm, and is open to the public. There is a suggested donation of $5 for the evening, but no one will be turned away due to lack of funds.
Do you smell French bread and see the Eiffel Tower in the distance? You must be longing for another Poetry Slam! With a Parisian theme, this year’s Slam is shaping up to be another relaxing, inspiring night of words and meaning. The Gay Straight Alliance is sponsoring this popular event for their third year on April 26th at 6:30 in the Raritan High School cafeteria. Tickets are $6 at the door and all are welcome. Bring a friend!
For more information, contact Ms. Skop, GSA Advisor, at lskop@hazlet.org
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.
Thursday, October 20th, the Monmouth County Library in Manalapan will be hosting “It Gets Better”, an evening for LGBT teens and their allies. The documentary Bullied will be shown, and Paul Zilber, local activist and speaker will be talking with the attendees.
The event is free, and will also feature local LGBT organizations and supporters. Questions and information can be obtained by contacting Veronica Stevens, Coordinator of Young Adult Programming at the Monmouth County Library Headquarters; 125 Symmes Drive, Manalapan, NJ 07726, 732-451-7253
