Safe Schools Legislation Advances in the Legislature!

Safe Schools Legislation Advances in the Legislature!

The California Assembly's Education Committee passed AB 606 (The Safe Place to Learn Act) last Wednesday afternoon. AB 606, which youth will be lobbying for on Queer Youth Advocacy Day on March 6, seeks to make it clearer to schools what steps they should take to protect LGBTQ students from harassment and discrimination.

To read the press release about last week's vote: http://www.eqca.org/site/apps/nl/content2.asp?c=9oINKWMCF&b=40337&ct=1787297

AB 606's passage is a key first step. What's important now is for the full Assembly to vote on and pass the bill before the end of January before it passes to the Senate for further consideration.

How can you help? Read below to find out how to get involved.

1. Write Letters!
2. Make a visit!
3. Become an Advocacy Day sponsor!
4. Register for Queer Youth Advocacy Day!
5. Be a Leader!

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1. Write Letters! You and your GSA can take steps to ensure that AB 606 passes the Assembly, and you can get started today! Organize a letter-writing party and mail your concerns directly to the office of your Assemblymember. Share your stories and tell them what you need to feel safer and more supported in your school and encourage them to vote YES on AB 606!

To read about AB 606: http://www.gsanetwork.org/qyad

To find out who your Assemblymember is: http://www.assembly.ca.gov
To download an example of a support letter: http://www.gsanetwork.org/qyad

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2. Make a visit! GSA Network is looking for youth to speak during lobbying visits at the district offices of several Southern CA and Central Valley Assemblymembers who have been identified as important swing votes on AB 606.
If you are a LGBTQ youth from one of the following counties who is willing to share your experiences about being harassed and/or discriminated against at your school, please contact Advocacy Coordinator Lai-San Seto immediately at 415-552-4229 or mailto:advocacy [at] gsanetwork.org

Fresno
Orange
San Bernardino
San Diego
Los Angeles (particularly South LA, Compton, Inglewood, and Northridge/Granada Hills)


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3. Become an Advocacy Day Sponsor! If you are a local organization or community group that wants to help ensure Queer Youth Advocacy Day is open and accessible to as many youth as possible, please consider becoming a sponsor for this event and help subsidize meals and transportation for youth traveling to Sacramento on March 6.

To become a sponsor, please call Lai-San @ 415-552-4229 or email mailto:advocacy [at] gsanetwork.org.

You can download the sponsorship letter & form by visiting http://www.gsanetwork.org/qyad.
Many thanks to the San Jose/Peninsula chapter of PFLAG, the very first CA organization to agree to sponsor Queer Youth Advocacy Day, for their generous $1000 pledge. This donation will help 50 youth get to Sacramento on March 6th!

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4. Register for QYAD! You must register online in order to participate in Queer Youth Advocacy Day. Signing up ensures that we know you're coming and a space is held for you.

The deadline for registration is February 13.

To sign up: http://www.eqca.org/advocacyday
Download the required permission slip at: http://www.gsanetwork.org/qyad

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5. Be a Leader! GSA Network is looking for 80 Advocacy Day Leaders to step up and lead the way on March 6. After receiving a full-day intensive training in Sacramento on Sunday, March 5, Advocacy Day Leaders will help teach participants at Queer Youth Advocacy Day on Monday, March 6th how to advocate for safe schools and lobby lawmakers. Advocacy Day Leaders will facilitate youth participants during lobbying visits with Assemblymembers and Senators. By being an Advocacy Day Leader, you will help facilitate dialogues between elected officials and youth. You will make sure young people's voices get heard!

Deadline for application is January 27. Everyone will be notified of the final selection by February 5.

All Advocacy Day Leaders must attend the day-long training on March 5. Arrangements will be made for Leaders who need assistance with travel and housing in Sacramento.

To apply to become an Advocacy Day Leader: http://www.gsanetwork.org/qyad

Or for more information please contact Lai-San @ 415-552-4229 or email mailto:advocacy [at] gsanetwork.org.
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