OUTmedia's
"BE QUEER, BUY QUEER!"
INTERNATIONAL VIDEO CONTEST

in partnership with Campus Pride

WIN $10,000
in FREE OUTmedia Entertainment for Your Campus

LEARN MORE

In partnership with Campus Pride, OUTmedia is seeking college students throughout the world to submit original videos on the theme,“Be Queer, Buy Queer!”

Slams,rants, stand up, sketch, music frenzy, spicy splicing are all welcome.We want you to speak boldly, and outrageously on the vision, expressed by OUTmedia’s Founder, Shelly Weiss, “care about where you spend your every dime, invest in the businesses that believe and invest in you.Build your queer vision of your future, with what and where you buy today!”

Submit your own video responding to concept of "Be Queer Buy Queer," with a friend,your LGBTQQIA campus group, or run wild with your entire campus community! Present in video form "What Does Be Queer Buy Queer Mean To You?"

PRIZE: One winner will receive $10,000 in OUTmedia entertainment* and the opportunity to host the First Annual OUTmedia Queer Campus Culture Fest! at their university --hosted by Kit Yan and being developed for TVairing.

An additional prize of a performance by one OUTmedia artist will be given to the school with the most number of registered voters.

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS: Submissions will be accepted through April 15, 2010, voting from April16-29, 2010 -- and the winner announced at the culmination of Diversity Month on April 30, 2010.

I remember being nervous as I sat there with my study abroad advisor. It was our final meeting. After months and months of meeting for advice on figuring out where I wanted to study, looking over final applications for programs and scholarships, helping me to get all of my forms and vaccines in order, it was our final check-in before I would be on an airplane to Tanzania. "There is one last thing," I nervously piped up after we'd gone over all of the checklists. "I...I'm kinda nervous about having a girlfriend while I'm abroad." Holly and I had only gotten back together in the last month of school, and I had only recently started thinking about what it would mean to have a girlfriend in a country that has a language without a word for lesbian and where male homosexuality is illegal--there was even a case of a European man being deported! None of this was going to stop me; I figured that our once-a-week phone calls would be private enough, and that I could pass off the picture of the two of us I kept by my bed as a picture of my "friend." Mostly, I couldn't believe this was a position I was actually in. I felt a lot of anger about having to step into a closet I had never even had to be in for that long. But, I also knew this was just part of the experience, one more opportunity in cross-cultural learning. And in the end, it made me grateful for the ability to be out and proud and makes it only that more important to create safe spaces for LGBTQ people.

The R. Scott Hitt Foundation provides grant funding for college and post-graduate students to receive compensation for skill-building internships at pro-LGBT 501(C) non-profit organizations.

The R. Scott Hitt Foundation is accepting applications for our 2010 internship grants. Additional information is available at www.scotthittfoundation.org Please feel free to contact us directly at scotthittfoundation@gmail.org

PAID LGBT INTERNSHIPS

The R. Scott Hitt Foundation Internships for 2010

The R. Scott Hitt Foundation is offering funding for qualified candidates with the vision to be future leaders in the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) movement.

The pro-LGBT sponsoring organization that you choose apply with will receive funding to compensate your internship position while you strengthen your resume and gain valuable skills towards becoming a leader of the future.

* POST-GRADUATE*
THE SCOTT HITT INTERNSHIP IN LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

Application Deadline: May 7, 2010
Post graduate students with strong academic record
Duration: 7-9 months, 40 hour week - $20,000 Grant
Location: An established 501(c)3 nonprofit with a commitment to the advancement of LGBT equality
Applicant contacts host organization they want to work at and co-develops a successful curriculum encompassing these key elements: communications, fundraising, board development and grassroots policy
2-4 recipients per year

UNDERGRADUATE *
THE A.N.G.L.E. SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA INTERNSHIP

Application Deadline: April 16, 2010

• Current undergraduate students with strong academic record
• Duration: 8 weeks, 40 hour week - $4000 Grant to sponsor 501(c)3

I have something to admit: I have been addicted to following the Prop 8 trial in California, formally called Perry v. Schwarzenegger. For those of you out of the loop, after Proposition 8 passed in California, two same-sex couples and a team of lawyers (including conservative lawyer Ted Olsen who argued and won in Bush v. Gore) decided to take the state to court (hence the Schwarzenegger in Perry v. Schwarzenegger). They're arguing that Prop 8 is contrary to the U. S. Constitution, and very well, I might add.

You should really check it out the Courage Campaign's excellent Prop 8 Trial Tracker. The trial tracker reads like a transcript with some commentary thrown in. If you don't have time to read the entire transcript (and trust me, once you start, it's hard to stop), KQED also has solid coverage that is easier to take in doses that won't make you feel like you can't do anything else until you finish reading every single post. As of right now, all of the testimony has already happened, and they're waiting for the judge to review stuff before making closing arguments. There's at least a month before the closing arguments happen, so you have plenty of time to catch up on the testimony. It's fascinating to see how the lawyers are building the case. A lot of expert witnesses are professors, and reading along is like a series of lessons on the history of marriage, the history of queers, and sociology. I have learned so much from reading this trial, and I think it can't help but think it'll be a powerful read for anyone.

REGISTER NOW

2010 Regional LGBT & Ally College Conferences

Every year thousands of LGBT college students and their allies meetfrom coast to coast to network, learn and celebrate with PRIDE. Choose from several LGBT national events and regional conferences across the United States. REGISTER NOW.

Feb 19-21 -- Midwest BGLTA College Conference
University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI
http://www.mblgtacc.org

Feb19-21 -- Western Regional LGBTQIA Conference
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
http://www.comeoutwest.org

April 2-4 -- Power of One Northwest LGBT Conference
Co-hosted by Washington StateUniversity and University of Idaho
http://www.nwlgbtleadership.wsu.edu/

Apr16-18 -- Northeast LGBT Conference
University at Buffalo – http://www.nelgbtc.com

Campus Pride is a Proud Partner

Believe In -- Campus Pride. Campus Pride is the leading national nonprofit organization 501(c)(3) for student leaders and campus organizations working to create safer, more LGBT-friendly colleges and universities. It exists to give "voice and action" in building future LGBT and ally leaders. More information online at www.campuspride.org

PASS ENDA NOW

Campus Pride Statement to U.S. Members of Congress

I write on behalf of the thousands of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) and ally college students, faculty and staff who are members of Campus Pride, a national nonprofit organization working to create safer, more LGBT-friendly colleges and universities. We strongly support the federal Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) (H.R. 3017/S. 1584), which would prohibit discrimination in the workplace based on sexual orientation and gender identity. We urge your support to ensure that the Employment Non-Discrimination Act becomes law in the near future. Specifically, we urge you to co-sponsor this measure, vote for it, and oppose any efforts to weaken it.

A clear and unambiguous federal law is needed to fully address the continuing problem of discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. While some states and localities have laws in place to prohibit this type of discrimination, the patchwork of laws in this country remains inadequate. Discrimination is a very real problem that affects lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people, leaving them and their families economically vulnerable. For all of these reasons, passage of ENDA remains a top priority for the LGBT community.

In the eighth grade, I “came out” as gay when I professed my love for Billy H. in an invitation to be my date to our homecoming dance. My girl friends celebrated their new gay friend, excited by the prospect of adding a fashionista to their clique; despite owning a closet of jeans and ratty t-shirts, being “gay” evidently meant a lot more than kissing boys. In the tenth grade, I discovered (or rather, finally admitted to myself) that I was also into the female form, breasts no longer simply fun pillows at girls’ night sleepovers. I waited until senior year to come out (again), this time as bisexual.

As a wrestler at 6’4’’, 230 pounds, I don’t conform to mainstream conceptions of the gay/queer/non-straight male. Bisexuals are stereotyped as fence-sitters, straddling the divide between queer and straight culture; instead of trying to pass between the two, I too often clash them together (I love blasting Lady Gaga while practicing my shot with a .222 in the Arizona desert). Bisexuality is about contradictions, simultaneously orthodox and heterodox in its practice of sexuality. I, however, find myself bisexual in most every aspect of my identity: a Democrat in the National Rifle Association, a sexually liberal moral traditionalist, a Christian Darwinist, a romantic sybarite caught between intellectualism and frisson’s appeal. For me, bisexuality is about more than a sexual identity – bisexuality is a philosophy, a method of thought that characterizes how I approach the world and the way in which I lead my life.

National LGBT & Straight-Ally Sorority Charters Fourth Chapter in U.S. at K-State

Gamma Rho Lambda Delta Chapter Makes History being inducted at OUT & GREEK National Conference

November 25, 2009 (Manhattan, Kansas) – A new chapter of Gamma Rho Lambda (GRL) was officially recognized at Kansas State University (K-State) on November 21st. GRL is the first national progressive sorority with a focus on providing a social support system for young college students in the LGBT and straight-ally community. Delta Chapter is the fourth undergraduate chapter recognized by GRL. The chartering occured the same weekend as the Out & Greek National Leadership Conference hosted at K-State this year.

The journey to establishing a chapter at K-State began a year and a half ago when Chelsey Fritch, Chapter President, and seven other students established a colony of Gamma Rho Lambda on campus. As a colony of GRL, young women are given the opportunity to prove to themselves and others that they can form a sustainable group dedicated to the mission of Gamma Rho Lambda. It is a difficult, three-semester process, and the group met both the requirements of the University’s Greek Life Office and Gamma Rho Lambda’s National Council.

“We’re extremely proud of the sisters at K-State,” said Janette Smith, Vice President of Expansion for Gamma Rho Lambda National Sorority. “The group is incredible. They have gone above and beyond the requirements for obtaining their charter, and I look forward to seeing the group continue to flourish.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wed, November 4, 2009

Campus Pride College Fair Comes to New York City to Recruit Out LGBT & Ally Students this Friday, November 6, 2009

Nearly fifty colleges to attend national fair program in partnership with the New York LGBT Community Center

New York, NY, Wed, November 4, 2009 – This Friday Campus Pride (www.campuspride.org) comes to New York City to host its national college fair, the only program in the nation for out lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) and ally students to find LGBT-friendly colleges. The fair will take place on Friday, Nov. 6 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the LGBT Community Center at 208 West 13th Street, New York, NY. The fair is in partnership with the Youth Enrichment Services (YES) Program of the LGBT Community Center. More information available at http://www.campusclimateindex.org/events.

YOU BETTER "WERK"
A House Divided Cannot Stand

LGBTQ PRIDE WEEK -- November 2-6, 2009
"Intersectionality of oppression as it pertains to Black queer and transgender people"

Campus Pride applauds the LGBT and ally students and the campus leadership of Spelman College.

Spelman College, a historically Black college for women based in Atlanta, Georgia is often known as the sister campus of Morehouse College. In reaction to the Morehouse College New Appropriate Attire Policy and the inherent homophobia underlying the policy, Spelman College has dedicated their first annual LGBT Pride Week to the issue. The theme of the entire week is "A House Divided Cannot Stand".

During the week of Nov 2-6, the college through Afrekete - the LGBTQ and allies organization housed at Spelman College in the Women's Research and Resource Center hopes to "raise awareness on campus, debunk a lot of the stigmas and stereotypes surrounding LGBTQIQ individual, and challenge fellow Spelmanites and Morehouse brothers to stand with us in the fight for equality." One of the featured events that bring the week to a close is The Appropriate Dress Attire WERK Fashion Show sponsored by Afrekete and Safe Space.

Campus Pride supports Spelman College in its educational efforts to keep the dialogue alive.

SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE

11/2/09 - Monday
MOVIE NIGHT -
Featuring the documentary "U-PEOPLE". This documentary, taking place in New York, is a depiction of the diversity, community and struggle that you will find in the lesbian community. There will be popcorn served and discussion held after the movie.

11/4/09 - Wednesday