Update (March 20, 9:25 a.m. EDT): You can watch the White House conference today live via the White House's website starting at 9:30 a.m. EDT. Tune in here...

The White House is hosting its third LGBT Conference today at the University of Texas-Arlington. The event will feature U.S. Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. and White House Senior Advisor Valerie B. Jarrett and focus on safe schools and communities.

From Dallas Voice:

The next White House LGBT Conference will be at the University of Texas at Arlington on March 20 and will focus on safe schools and communities, according to an announcement from the White House this afternoon.

The event is the third conference in a series of several the White House launched in February. It will be hosted by the U.S. Department of Justice in partnership with UTA’s College of Liberal Arts Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice and the College of Education and Health Professions.

U.S. Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. and Valerie B. Jarrett, senior advisor to the president, will speak at the event, according to a White House release.

“The White House LGBT Conference on Safe Schools & Communities will provide advocates, community leaders, and members of the public an opportunity to engage with the Obama Administration on efforts to ensure safety and security for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people in schools and communities throughout the country,” the release states.

Read Dallas Voice's full article here, and be sure to follow them (@dallasvoice) and the #WHLGBT hashtag on Twitter for live updates throughout the day.

In preparation for the event, two national organizations have released supporting material to the public.

The National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE) released a preview of its Safe and Supportive Schools chapter from its upcoming publication, "A Blueprint for Equality: A Federal Agenda for Transgender People." Read more about the release and download the chapter here.

Additionally, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) released an issues brief detailing the work of the Obama Administration on safe schools issues and some of the work HRC has been doing to aid in the process of creating safer schools.

Campus Pride congratulates those who will be participating in the conference today and thanks President Barack Obama and his administration for their continued efforts to raise awareness on issues important to the health and needs of the LGBT community and, in particular of LGBT young people. Healthy schools and learning environments-- from primary and secondary education to higher education -- are crucial to the well-being of LGBT youth.

In 2011 the staff of Campus Pride decided that another level of recognition was to be added to the National Voice & Action Leadership Award. The staff felt that there were too many amazing student leaders creating positive change on their respective campuses to only give recognition to the final recipients of the ward. This was the main reason the Top 12 Leaders in Action recognition was created. This year was another example of just that! All of the committee members agree that the applicants who applied and the work they have done is the very reason Campus Pride developed this national honor. These students are on the front lines of the movement creating positive change every day. We should be proud and thankful of all the work they do.

Just before the New Year, Campus Pride finished its review and selected the Top 12 Leaders in Action. These 12 students will also be forwarded on to the final review process. This final review process will result in the selection of the National Voice & Action Award Recipient(s).

Now please let us introduce you to the Top 12 Leaders in Action (listed in alphabetical order by first name); Ande Stone – University of Georgia, Anthony Wagner – University of Michigan-Dearborn, Derrick Clifton – Northwestern University, Eric Highers – Albion College, Giovanni Correale – Florida International University, Jacob Tobia – Duke University, Julie Champion – Georgia Tech, Kevin Claybren – University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Ky Kubitz – University of Oregon, Marco Flores – University of California-Berkeley, Matthew Troy – Greensboro College, Tovah Leibowitz – New York University.

Learn more about these Top 12 Leaders after the jump!

National award recognizes outstanding contributions of college student leaders across the country; Application process opens now until November 16, 2011

CHARLOTTE, NC; September 12, 2011 – Today Campus Pride (www.campuspride.org) releases its official call for the Voice & Action National Leadership Award, an honorary recognition highlighting the extraordinary contributions of young adult leaders at colleges and universities across the United States. For the fourth year, the national award is the only one nationally focused on the work of undergraduate college students who are creating positive change for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) and ally issues. The application process officially opened today until November 16, 2011.

“Young adults have always been a force locally in communities and on college campuses creating systemic, long term change -- but seldom are they recognized for their efforts nationally,” said Shane Windmeyer, Executive Director of Campus Pride. “The Voice & Action Award gives ongoing visible national recognition where it has long been overdue.”

This year are you READY to QUEER IT UP?

Colleges across the country have the opportunity to book Kit Yan as part of the Queer It Up Tour 2011-12 to create change and spark dialogue on campus! Bring Campus Pride and Kit to your campus for National Coming Out Day, Trans awareness events, Pride celebrations, or other Spoken word and energizing events all year to Queer It Up!

Learn more about Kit online, click here. You may also contact OUTmedia or call 718.789.1776.

WATCH THE QUEER IT UP VIDEO
FEATURING KIT YAN
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLdRBnc-RV4

Queer It Up
by Kit Yan

Campus Pride, All Rights Reserved.

Your hands are a door knock, your fingertips an email, your voice a phone call,
Your tongue a conversation,
You are a nation that can change the every day,

You are a door knock at a dean’s office,
A thunderous demand for the status quo bend and break,
To right every policy mistake,
To take action for equal benefits,
For the dollars they promised from your fees,
In this office, from behind that desk, they will hear us.

You are an email passed on to tens of thousands,
Starting in a dorm room, a petition for new bathrooms,
New buildings, library shelves stocking our stories,
You are a brand new club,
You can hit send on the campus you’ve dreamed of,
Let each key stroke be a battle cry in a quest for justice.

You are a phone call,
A dial to a queer alumni to come back and speak, ,

Charlotte-based National Gay Rights Advocate Speaks Out After Horrific Rock Hill Attack

ROCK HILL -- The brutal beating of a gay man has prompted local representatives to re-introduce a hate crime bill when the state Legislature reconvenes next week, but those intentions are being met with resistance.

The measure, led by SC state Rep. John King, D-Rock Hill, was prompted by the beating of Joshua Esskew at a convience store, which was caught on the store's video tape.

King's hate crime bill, which went nowhere in the General Assembly when first introduced last year, is expected again to be met with opposition. A spokesman for Gov. Nikki Haley told a reporter from the Rock Hill Herald that the newly elected governor does not support state hate crime laws.

Shane Windmeyer,
Campus Pride Executive Director
"Individuals who believe that a crime is a crime is a crime do not understand the definition of a hate crime or the unique impact a hate crime has on an entire targeted community," says Shane Windmeyer, Executive Director of Campus Pride, a national, Charlotte-based nonprofit for student leaders and campus organizations working to create safer, more LGBT-friendly colleges and universities.

Registration opens for 5th annual Camp Pride for LGBTQ college students, expands trainings for LGBTQA faculty advisors, offers new Unsung Heroes Scholarship to remember Frances A. McDaniel.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Campus Pride, the nation’s only nonprofit organization serving LGBTQ and allied college and university students, has announced open registration for its fifth annual Camp Pride (www.campuspride.org/camppride/), held July 19-24, 2011 at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn. A special Happy Camper discount rate of $795 (regular: $895) is available through April 16. Registration is limited.  Register online at www.campuspride.org/camppride.

Campus Pride’s one-of-a-kind Summer Leadership Camp brings together over 60 LGBTQ and allied young people from across the country for five days of student leadership development, campus organizing techniques, conflict management, social justice advocacy, diversity education and more. This year’s Camp Pride will also offer an exciting expansion, offering for the first time ever a special professional workshop track, the Advisor Bootcamp. This track is designed specifically for faculty advisors of LGBTQA student organizations.

“Faculty advisors for LGBTQA student clubs and organizations face unique challenges and opportunities when building awareness on their campuses,” said Shane Windmeyer, executive director of Campus Pride. “Advisors play special roles: they teach students, manage conflict, act as liaisons between clubs and university administration and more. Such tasks often require support and our new Advisor Bootcamp aims to give advisors the tools they need to better their campuses and the lives of their student leaders.”

This year, students will also be able to apply for Campus Pride’s new Unsung Heroes Scholarship honoring Frances A. McDaniel. The scholarship, which covers the cost of Camp Pride registration, will be presented to students who show exemplary service and leadership on their campuses. The annual award recognizes the late Frances McDaniel, director of the Bucknell University (Lewisburg, Penn.) Office of LGBT Awareness, who passed away in January.

“Fran’s passing left a void in the hearts of many Bucknell faculty, staff and students, as well as other higher education professionals across the nation,” Windmeyer said. “We are saddened by her loss but hope her memory, passion and work toward greater LGBTQ equality will live on through the students who will benefit from this award. Fran will be missed dearly.”

Students and advisors can register online for Camp Pride or learn more about the Unsung Heroes Scholarship and other award opportunities at www.campuspride.org/camppride/register.html.

The year is coming to a close, and with it we have time to reflect upon this year's wonderful successes, growth and achievements for Campus Pride.

Summer Leadership Camp
This year, college students, faculty and staff gathered at Vanderbilt University for summer camp like none other. Our phenomenal and inspiring staff led great workshops, sessions and trainings. We can hardly wait until 2011's camp.

The 2010 State of Higher Education for LGBT People
This year's most exciting happening was Campus Pride's release of its landmark 2010 State of Higher Education for LGBT People. Months of research and work culminated in a national release that brought much-needed attention to the need for safer and more welcoming learning, living and working environments for LGBT college and university students, faculty and staff.

The report, released in September at a special Capitol Hill briefing in Washington, D.C., is the first and only of its kind. Our hope is that it will be used to inform and inspire change on college campuses around the world.

Responding to tragedy
As Campus Pride was releasing its 2010 State of Higher Education report, we were saddened to learn of the tragic series of gay teen suicides by high school and college students around the country. More than half a dozen young gay men and lesbian women took their lives this fall. Campus Pride responded quickly and thoroughly, attempting to bring attention to the plight of LGBT high school and college students. With our report, our Stop the Hate trainings, college fairs and other work, we hope LGBT teens will one day be granted and ensured the right to go to school, learn and grow in safe and inclusive environments.

Supporting student leaders
Several times this year, Campus Pride had the unique opportunity to support LGBT and straight ally student leaders on campuses across the country. In particular, we are especially proud of LGBT and straight ally student leaders at the University of Rhode Island. Their action this fall to raise awareness of campus climate and inclusion issues was received well by students on their campus and members of the surrounding community. We're happy the students' efforts have been met with some positive responses from the university's administration.

LGBT-Friendly College Fairs
Last but not least... We can't forget this year's series of LGBT-Friendly College Fairs. We particularly proud of this years' college fair events, as we expanded the program to first-ever and one-of-a-kind events in the Southeast and Pacific Northwest. Both the Charlotte, N.C., and Portland, Ore., fairs drew phenomenal student and parent participation. Fairs in Boston, New York City and Los Angeles were equally as successful.

Thanks
This year's magnificent work wouldn't have been possible without the generous support of young people and students, parents, teachers, college faculty and staff, and, of course, our grant funders, donors and sponsors like AFFA, Cargill, Gamma Mu Foundation, OUTmedia and Food Lion, among others.

This year the staff of Campus Pride decided that another level of recognition was to be added in this year’s National Voice & Action Leadership Award. The staff felt that there were too many amazing student leaders creating positive change on their respective campuses to only give recognition to the final recipients of the award. This was the main reason the Top 12 Leaders in Action recognition was created. All of the committee members agree that the 40 applicants who applied and the work they have done is the very reason Campus Pride developed this national honor. These students are on the front lines of the movement creating positive change every day. We should be proud and thankful of all the work they do.

Last week the Campus Pride Youth Advisory Board finished its review and selected the Top 12 Leaders in Action. These 12 students will also be forwarded on to the final review process. This final review process will result in the selection of the National Voice & Action Award Recipient(s).

Now please let us introduce you to the Top 12 Leaders in Action (listed in alphabetical order by first name); Daniel Weidel, Bentley University; David Anderson, Eastern Kentucky University; Evan Gallo, Salve Regina University; Hillary Montague-Asp, University of Colorado at Boulder; Jason Goodman, University of Pennsylvania; JeShawna Wholley, Spelman College; Lee Friedlander, University at Albany - SUNY; Masha Makhyagina, McDaniel College; Nicholas Pfost, Michigan State University; Olivia Tai, Cornell University; Samuel Brinton, Kansas State University; and Yvette Lerma, The Pennsylvania State University.

Learn more about these Top 12 Leaders after the jump!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sept. 22, 2010

Media Contact:
Brian Stack 413-949-6227 [email protected]
http://www.uri.edu/glbt

Midnight Tonight: Students Protest LGBT Campus Safety at University of Rhode Island

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender students stand united and demand campus administrators enact inclusive safety and climate measures

KINGSTON, R.I. – Student leaders with the University of Rhode Island’s GLBT Center and Gay-Straight Alliance will participate in a nonviolent, direct action protest to demand University administration take immediate steps to ensure the safety and inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) students, faculty and staff.

Tonight at 12:01 a.m., University of Rhode Island students will occupy the 24-hour room in the University Library and are vigilant in remaining there until their requests for LGBT institutional support are met by college administrators.

On-campus harassment in learning spaces, common areas, residence halls and elsewhere is among several issues being protested by the students. They allege that some staff and students who have spoken out against the harassment have been intimidated into submission by the University administration.

“We have had students throwing used condoms into students’ rooms, drawing offensive images on people’s doors, and an epidemic of people yelling ‘faggots’ as they drive by the GLBT Center,” says Brian Stack, a junior and protest organizer, whose concerns are echoed by other students.

Says sophomore Justin Willner, a staff member at the GLBT Center: “The atmosphere on the Kingston campus makes it clear I am second rate and my wellbeing is not valued.”

Student leaders representing the LGBT community have met with University administrators, including Vice President for Student Affairs Tom Dougan, to discuss and implement solutions. Despite having ample time to do so, there has been little concrete progress to ensure the safety and equality of LGBT students, faulty and staff, and Dougan admits he has failed the LGBT community.

Among the students' demands are a new GLBT Center to replace the inadequate and unsafe facility currently housed in a freshman residence hall. Students also say they want an increased budget for LGBT programming – the GLBT Center finds itself understaffed, undercompensated, and without the resources needed to serve its growing community or offer workplace and sensitivity training for faculty, staff, and students.

The students’ direct action protest is peaceful and nonviolent. At all times, a door will be left open for access in and out of the room. Members of the University community, family members and the press are invited to join in the protest. Student organizers encourage other students, faculty and staff to skip their classes in protest and join them in the 24-hour room until the college administration addresses the protest concerns.

Note: One of the protest organizers Brian Stack is a graduate of the Campus Pride Summer Leadership Camp. The camp was held this past July on the campus of Vanderbilt University. http://www.campuspride.org/camp.asp

It's almost time for camp! I'm headed back, this time as a Pride Leader, and... well, here's what's up:

See you soon, campers! More fantastic Campus Pride updates soon :D