The annual Camp Pride Summer Leadership Program for LGBT and ally student leaders is quickly approaching! We're extending the early-bird registration from May 1 to May 30! Get on board today for this fabulous, one-of-a-kind social justice leadership development program!

Click here to learn more about and register to attend the 2012 Camp Pride Summer Leadership Program, July 17-22, at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn.

Camp Pride 2012 is promising to be the BEST CAMP EVER! Just take a look at some of the exciting announcements about this year's camp and some of the brilliant things we've got planned...

• YouTube Sensation Zach Wahls will keynote and receive national award at Camp!
• NBC Fashion Star Kara Laricks will also be on hand!
• Nationally-acclaimed trans, spoken-word icon Kit Yan is our official Artist-in-Residence!
• Other nationally-respected LGBT and civil rights leaders will be on hand to help lead Camp, including National Center for Transgender Equality's Mara Keisling, EveryoneIsGay.com's Kristin Russo and Dannielle Owens-Reid, and many, many more!

What they're saying...

“Campus Pride provides a safe, open space for new student leaders and for more experienced leaders alike. It is an extraordinary way to learn the basics of campus organizing as well as new strategies to create change.”
–21 year-old, gay male

“Campus Pride rocks! When I first searched the website, I was amazed that everything I needed as a LGBT student leader was there. I go back often to find what’s new and improved…”
–18 year-old, bisexual female

“I no longer feel alone. Campus Pride helped me meet others who share the same issues, challenges and frustrations as a leader. I feel more empowered, now than ever.”
–19 year-old, bisexual female

“I have been to almost a dozen LGBT conferences and events over the years. Never did I feel more welcome and included as a trans-identified, gender queer person than in the dialogue shared and tools provided during this program. Thank you.”
–22 year-old, M toF transgender

Don't miss out on scholarship opportunities and early-bird registration! Spread the word!

Early-bird registration runs through May 30, 2012 ($815 before May 30; $945 afterward)! The first-priority deadline for scholarship applications has already passed, but applications are still being accepted. Don't wait! Register or apply for scholarships today, and spread the word! Forward this email on to your friends and peers at your school or alma mater or those involved with your campus' LGBTQA student organization. Or, take a moment to talk to your peers on campus about your past Camp Pride experiences and encourage them to register for Camp today at www.campuspride.org/camppride/!

In July, 60 LGBT and ally students from across the nation will gather at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., for the 2012 Camp Pride Summer Leadership Camp, Campus Pride's annual summer leadership development program for LGBT college and university students and faculty. Waiting for them when they arrive will be a stellar line-up of speakers, activists and entertainers to boost their spirits, impart their knowledge and help build up the current and future leaders of our LGBT movement!

Campus Pride recently announced that spoken word and slam poetry artist Kit Yan will be Camp Pride's artist-in-residence. In addition to Yan's appearance, Kara Laricks of NBC's "Fashion Star" will also be on hand.

Zach Wahls, affectionately known as "That Kid From YouTube," whose passionate testimony in front of the Iowa General Assembly defending his lesbian parents and family was named YouTube's Top Political Video of 2011 will keynote the annual leadership development experience. While at Camp Pride, Wahls will be presented an honorary Campus Pride Voice & Action National Leadership Award.

Nationally-respected LGBT movement leaders and speakers will also be at Camp, sharing their wisdom, knowledge and insights to help young LGBT and ally student leaders learn the skills they need to create positive, LGBT-inclusive social justice change on their campuses and in their communities.

Speakers confirmed for Camp Pride thus far include:

• Mara Keisling, executive director of the National Center for Transgender Equality, reknown for her indepth policy knowledge and experience in LGB and transgender inclusion efforts.
• Caitlin Ryan, director of the Family Acceptance Project and San Francisco State University, whose work on LGBT health and mental health since the 1970s has had a defining impact on how communities work with LGBT youth and families.
• Robyn Ochs, a bisexual speaker, teacher, writer and activist, who has made significant contributions to the national LGBT equality movement while raising awareness of bisexuality, pansexuality and other underserved and marginalized people within the LGBT community.
• Cathy Renna, a nationally-respected communications strategist known for her media relations expertise and work with LGBT non-profits and other clients for nearly 20 years.
• Sue Rankin, associate professor of College Student Affairs and Higher Education and research associate at the Center for the Study of Higher Education at Pennsylvania State University, who serves on the research staff of Campus Pride's Q Research Institute for Higher Education and helped author Campus Pride's landmark report, The 2010 State of Higher Education for LGBT People.
• Marisa Richmond, president of the Tennessee Transgender Political Coalition, known for her extensive work on LGB and transgender inclusion efforts at local, state and national levels.
• Kristin Russo and Dannielle Owens-Reid of EveryOneisGay.com, an advice site for those who are "confused about sexuality, gender-identity, dating, falling in love, or even dressing up like Super Woman." Kristin and Dannielle also tour high schools and colleges nationwide.

Other speakers, artists and leaders will also attend Camp Pride and will be announced in the coming weeks.

In addition to our speakers and entertainers, Camp Pride is excited to welcome a phenomenal team of Camp Pride faculty, staff and student leaders.

Serving as Camp Pride Faculty this year are: Marcia "Ma" Purdy, Robyn Ochs, Nikita Burks, Robbie Powers (William Paterson University), Ash Wickell (Friends University, Wichita State University) and Jake Christensen (The University of Iowa). Service as staff are: Lisa Simmons-Barth (Towson University), Katie Simmons-Barth (Towson University), Laura Graving (Alumni Network Coordinator) and Shane Windmeyer (Campus Pride). Advisor Boot Camp Coordinators are: Annmarie Vacaro (University of Rhode Island) and Vin Porifirio (Sage College of Albany). Pride Leaders are students who have previously attended Camp Pride who have returned to help mentor and lead their peers. This year's Pride Leaders include: Alethia England (Vanderbilt University), Jennie Rokakis (Eastern Michigan University), Jess McDonald (Elon University), Spencer Whalen (Occidental College), Mack H. Lewis II (Northern Illinois University) and Nicolas Daily (Oregan State University).

Camp Pride is a one-of-kind leadership experience that brings together over 60 LGBT 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. The summer leadership program will be featured in the May 5, 2012, TV premiere of the documentary “Legalize Gay: The Civil Rights Movement of a Generation” on the national TV network Logo. Campus Pride is the nation’s leading non-profit organization for LGBT and allied college and university students.

Registration for the sixth annual Camp Pride is now open. An early discounted rate of $815 is available through May 1. Scholarships for free registration are also available. The cost of registration includes educational curriculum, all program materials, accommodations for five nights and meals as well as entertainment and activities. A special “Advisor Bootcamp” track for LGBT and ally faculty advisors is also available. Students and advisors can register online or learn more about scholarship opportunities at www.campuspride.org/camppride/.

Campus Pride is excited to welcome spoken word and slam poetry artist Kit Yan as our official artist-in-residence for the 2012 Camp Pride Summer Leadership Camp, the annual summer leadership development program for LGBT college and university students and faculty held this year July 17-22, 2012 at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn.

Kit, who was featured in the HBO documentary "Asians Aloud,"tells stories through slam poetry from the lens of a queer and transgender Asian American from Hawaii who travels all over the world on tour. Through touching love poems, coming out storie, and comedic tales of his childhood he provides transformational impact.

This spring, Kit embarks on a 20+ campus tour with Sister Spit. Read more about the tour and see the full schedule. Kit also appears in the video "I AM: Trans People Speak," previewing a new project from the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD). Watch the trailer here.

Kit’s work has been taught at universities all over the world from Singapore to San Francisco State to Harvard. Kit is on Campus Pride's Top 25 LGBT college campus speakers and artists hot list and is dedicated to creating positive social change. He is a graduate of Babson College with a major in entrepreneurship studies.

In 2011, Kit was the headline talent at the Department of Justice's first-ever LGBT Pride event and received boundless praise. In 2010, Kit appeared in a U.S. Census public service announcement focusing on same-sex couples and people of color, and was the voice of OUTmedia and Campus Pride's "Be Queer, Buy Queer!" video campaign and contest for LGBTQQIA youth around the planet. Kit also spoke to over 200,000 from the stage of the 2009 National Equality March, performed on the 2009 San Francisco Pride main stage and earned a top three spot at the 2010 National Queer Slam.

Camp Pride, Campus Pride’s Summer Leadership Program, is a one-of-kind leadership experience that brings together over 60 LGBT 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. The summer leadership program will be featured in the May 5, 2012, TV premiere of the documentary “Legalize Gay: The Civil Rights Movement of a Generation” on the national TV network Logo. Campus Pride is the nation’s leading non-profit organization for LGBT and allied college and university students.

Registration for the sixth annual Camp Pride, July 17-22, 2012, is now open. An early discounted rate of $815 is available through May 1. Scholarships for free registration are also available. The cost of registration includes educational curriculum, all program materials, accommodations for five nights and meals as well as entertainment and activities. A special “Advisor Bootcamp” track for LGBT and ally faculty advisors is also available. Students and advisors can register online or learn more about scholarship opportunities at www.campuspride.org/camppride/.

Kit's appearance at Camp Pride is made possible in part by a sponsorship from OUTmedia, a leading queer cultural activist organization and social enterprise. OUTmedia's mission is to increase the positive visibility of LGBTQQIA people and promote inclusive multiculturalism through the arts. OUTmedia has sponsored the Campus Pride Summer Leadership Camp for the past six years and has supported for the fifth year Campus Pride's National Voice & Action Leadership Award. Learn more at outmedia.org.

Celebrate National Coming Out Day with our "Top 25" Best of the Best LGBT Favorites! These artists, entertainers, speakers educate, enlighten and entertain at colleges and universities across the country.

Campus Pride officially releases the 2011 HOT LIST! The list represents our "Top 25 LGBT Favorites" -- lecturers, comedians, musicians. poets, artists, researchers, activists and more. Every year Campus Pride picks the most diverse, provocative, inspiring and enlightening artists/speakers as a resource for your LGBT student organization. The purpose is to provide a recommendation of the BEST OF THE BEST in planning your campus events and activities.

The artists/speakers listed are not only our SIZZLING HOT PICKS but they also rate highly among recommendations from LGBT young adults at colleges and universities across the country. If you want to create change -- PICK FROM OUR TOP 25 LGBT FAVORITES!

Sir Ari Gold 
Mia Mingus
Ben Cohen, MBE
Lava Love Dance
Divas of Diversity
Randi Driscoll
Vidur Kapur
Sue Rankin, Ph.D.
Jonathan D. Lovitz
Kit Yan
Hudson Taylor
Judy Shepard
BeBe Zahara Benet
LZ Granderson
Ben Lerman
Brian Sims
Shane L. Windmeyer
Robyn Ochs
Mara Kiessling
Geri Jewell
Cathy Renna
Michael Holtz
Emanuel Xavier 
Daniel Hernandez Jr.
Rev. Dr. Jamie Washington

More information online at www.CampusPride.org/HotList

60+ college student leaders and advisors come together from across the United States;

National nonprofit for LGBT college youth plans to award at camp national leadership award to Daniel Hernandez Jr. and names annual "Campy" distinguished service awards and LGBT campus commitment honors.

Today Campus Pride kicks off its fifth annual Campus Pride Summer Leadership Camp aptly called “Camp Pride.” The five day long leadership camp, the only national program of its kind, is geared toward lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) and ally student leaders from colleges and universities across the United States. This year’s camp is hosted on the campus of Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN.

The Camp Pride curriculum is based on the Social Change Model of Leadership Development and includes campus organizing techniques, conflict management, social justice advocacy, diversity education and more. In addition to the 60+ LGBT and ally young people, the camp also has a new Advisor’s Bootcamp to train individuals on how to support LGBT youth organizing and activism on campus.

This year Campus Pride will bestow its National Voice & Action Leadership Award to Daniel Hernandez, Jr., the student intern credited with saving the life of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.) after the Jan. 8 shooting attack in Tucson, AZ. The award is the only honor of its kind, focused on the work of undergraduate college students who are creating positive change for LGBT and ally issues within their communities.

Early-bird discount registration is open until May 25; Scholarships and financial assistance are available until June 1, 2011

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[Nashville, TN] – Campus Pride announced today the list of national speakers and artists to be featured at its fifth annual summer leadership camp, affectionately known as “Camp Pride.” Among the list is the nationally ranked slam poet Kit Yan who will be a featured entertainer for the second year sponsored by OUTmedia.

Kit can be seen on the HBO Documentary "Asians Aloud" and has received numerous accolades for his gender blending slam poetry from the lens of a transgender Asian American. Kit’s work has been featured coast to coast, from San Francisco State to Harvard. He has been seen speaking at the National Equality March, performing on the San Francisco Pride main stage, and Creating Change. Kit is also the reigning Mr. Transman 2010. This June Kit has been invited to the first-ever U.S. Department of Justice LGBT celebration titled "Justice Through Visibility". He has been seen on PBS’ Asian in America, MYX TV, Autostraddle, and has received glowing reviews from New York Magazine, Bitch Magazine, and Curve Magazine. To learn more about Kit, please visit http://www.kityanpoet.com/ and http://www.OUTmedia.org.

Camp Pride is the only leadership camp of its kind for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) and ally college students from colleges and universities across the country. The camp will take place from July 19 to 24, 2011 and will be hosted on the campus of Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN. Registration is available online at http://www.CampusPride.org/CampPride. Early-bird discounted registration has been extended to May 25, 2011.

Early-bird discount registration is open until May 25; Scholarships and financial assistance are available until June 1, 2011.

[Nashville, TN] – Campus Pride announced today the list of national speakers and artists to be featured at its fifth annual summer leadership camp, affectionately known as “Camp Pride.” Among the list is the “Next Drag Superstar” winner of Season 1 of Logo’s hit show RuPaul’s Drag Race Bebe Zahara Benet. Her appearance is being sponsored as part of Divas of Diversity from Hope’s Voice just confirmed today.

Camp Pride is the only one of its kind for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) and ally college students from colleges and universities across the country. The camp will take place from July 19 to 24, 2011 and will be hosted on the campus of Vanderbilt University in Nashville,TN. Registration is available online at http://www.CampusPride.org/CampPride. Early-bird discounted registration has been extended to May 25, 2011.

Keynote highlights will include Daniel Hernandez, Jr.,the young gay college student credited for saving U.S. Representative Gabriel Giffords life in Arizona shooting; Dr. Sue Rankin, nationally-known LGBT campus climate researcher, Bleu Copas, an Arabic translator discharged in 2006 from the U.S. Army under Don’t Ask Don’t Tell; T. J. Jourian, as seen on Logo’s show “TransGeneration,” Mara Kiessling, President of the National Center for Transgender Equality; Shane Windmeyer, best-selling national author and Executive Director of Campus Pride; and Robyn Ochs, Bi-Activist, Trans Advocate & National Public Speaker.

Saturday was a blast here at Creating Change -- another day of phenomenal workshops, coalition building and friend-making.

Campus Pride presented our 2010 State of Higher Education for LGBT People yesterday, too. About 40 folks gathered to hear the presentation from Campus Pride Executive Director Shane Windmeyer and Chicora Martin, Assistant Dean of Students and Director, LGBTESSP, at the University of Oregon. Both Shane and Chicora did great in the absence of lead researcher Sue Rankin. Though Sue wasn't able to make it to the conference this weekend, her wonderful PowerPoint really made the presentation work.

There was good info and stats for any person working in higher ed, a very interested and engaged audience (including even undergrad students), and folks who definitely wanted to learn more and broaden the scope of the already-existing data Campus Pride has gathered. We love building new coalitions and relationships and welcome those who want to work with us to get our report into more hands on campuses and in communities. We really believe data is vital: Use it to back up your claims and support your initiatives on campus. Administrators love numbers, and the State of Higher Ed report's are hard to argue with.

Last but not least was the MasQueerAde Ball. Hundreds of young people and students gathered at the Hilton Minneapolis ballroom to hear performances by comedian Ben Lerman and spoken word artist Kit Yan. We couldn't have asked for a better end to our night!

We're so excited! Queer It Up launches in less than a week! Miss our first Queer It Up! Friday? See it here.

Campus Pride and OUTmedia are proud to give you this little sneak peek into an exciting campaign we'll launch at this year's National Gay and Lesbian Task Force annual Creating Change conference in Minneapolis, Minn.

The Queer it Up! campaign, to be launched at Creating Change's 2nd annual MasQueerAde Ball on Saturday, Feb. 5 (read more below), is designed to give LGBT and allied youth and student leaders the resources, tools, tips and tricks they need to take action, organize and create change on their campuses, in their communities and for the nation and world!

Each Friday, the Campus Pride Blog team will bring you Take Action alerts, tools and resources and feature special resources like campus speakers from the Campus Pride HOT LIST!, a list of the Top 25 LGBT Favorite speakers, performers, artists and poets.

So, get ready, get set and go! And, be prepared to learn some kick-ass, jump-starting lessons for taking action and creating change in YOUR world.

MasQueerAde Ball: Kit Yan and Ben Lerman

Campus Pride teams up this year with the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force and their Creating Change conference; OUTmedia; Campus Progress; the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Ally Programs Office of the University of Minnesota; District 202; and Shades of Yellow to present this year's 2nd annual MasQueerAde Ball, Creating Change's special Saturday night dance party for youth under the age of 24.

The event includes special performances from OUTmedia ukulele comedian Ben Lerman and spoken word artist Kit Yan.

For more information and to RSVP, check out the event listing on Facebook or visit:
campusprogress.org/events/the_masqueerade_ball_at_the_creating_change_2011_conference/