LGBT history will never be kept hidden in California now that three public colleges in the state are set to offer students an accredited LGBT Studies Program. City College of San Francisco was actually the first public college in the country to begin offering an LGBT Studies curriculum way back in 1978. The program evolved into a two-year degree program, approved just this year, with over 25 different electives. Students can study almost every aspect of the LGBT community from literature to the biology of HIV/AIDS. There are courses focusing on LGBT people in specific nationalities and ethnicities as well as courses that study specific periods of history. You aren't likely to find a more comprehensive course of study at any other college.

This fall, Napa Valley College, located just one-hour north of San Francisco, developed the first LGBT Studies Certificate Program in a unique partnership with City College. Students from both colleges will be able to transfer to San Diego State University's brand new four-year degree program in LGBT Studies. LGBT Studies Programs have been available at only a couple private colleges and a handful of colleges in California have offered related courses in LGBT Studies.

SIGN THE PETITION:

On November 19, 2011, Florida A&M University student Robert Champion Jr. was found unresponsive aboard a band bus after the school's biggest game of the year. Police ruled the death a homicide from hazing; furthermore, the parents of Mr. Champion, a 26-year-old drum major in the university’s famed marching band, have recently revealed that Mr. Champion was gay. The National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC), the nation’s largest Black LGBT civil rights organization, is urging the U.S. Department of Justice’s Community Relations Service (CRS) and Civil Rights Division, in addition to the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, to launch an immediate investigation into Mr. Champion’s death as a potential anti-gay hate crime. You can help by signing our petition.

The loss of Mr. Champion is an unfortunate reminder of the need for proactive measures that foster inclusive environments for all students, regardless of their perceived or actual sexual orientation or gender identity, and that address the severe issue of hazing at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) across the country—Florida A&M being one of the nation’s oldest and largest HBCUs.

Who is Mary Emma Woolley?

"Oh! My dear little girl, do you not know, can you not understand, that you do just as much for me as I can possibly do for you? I want to be what you think I am, Jeannette - The fact that I love you makes me wish to be more in the world."

This letter written in April of 1900, by Mary Emma Woolley, who would soon be appointed President of Mount Holyoke College, to her lover Jeannette Marks, who would soon join the college’s English faculty, is indicative not only of the passion between the women, but hints at a certain modesty on Woolley’s part. She was without question – more than most women of her time – very much “in the world.” Indeed, not only was Woolley a prominent scholar and an administrator as well as a renowned public figure, but three decades later, in 1931, Good Housekeeping named her – along with feminist activists Carrie Chapman Catt and Jane Addams – "one of the twelve greatest living women in America." Along with being at the forefront of American education – and specifically in creating new, and groundbreaking opportunities for women – Woolley was also deeply involved in social justice movements in the United States and around the world.

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!

There are three scolarship opportunities listed for ucpoming events such as the HRC Carolinas Dinner, the East Coast Stop The Hate Campus Bias & Hate Prevention Training and, as featured on Logo, the annual Camp Pride Summer Leadership Academy. All three have different deadlines -- go online to http://www.CampusPride.org/LeadwithPride

Apply online to get a free ticket to the
Human Rights Campaign Carolina Gala
& the Campus Pride Leaders In Action Summit
Deadline to Apply: January 31, 2011 ** EXTENDED **

Apply online to participate in the
Stop The Hate Bias & Hate Crime Prevention Training
Deadline to Apply: March 1, 2012

Apply online to get a free registration to attend the
Camp Pride LGBT & Ally Summer Leadership Academy
Deadline to Apply: April 1, 2012

LEARN MORE & ASK QUESTIONS
http://www.CampusPride.org/LeadwithPride
[email protected]

Special thanks to the Human Rights Campaign, the Charlote Lesbian & Gay Community Center and the Charlotte Lesbian & Gay Fund for their help in partially funding these scholarships.

Timely book chronicles the struggles of LGBT youth and offers strategies for support
“SAFE SPACES: Making Schools and Communities Welcoming to LGBT Youth” (ISBN 9780313393686) by authors Annemarie Vaccaro, Gerri August, and Megan S. Kennedy, presents a multifaceted look at contemporary climates encountered by LGBT youth.

Recent studies find that LGBT youth face bullying at a much higher rate than their straight peers and gender conforming peers, and are at increased risk for suicide. Without support, LGBT youth struggle interpersonally and academically. The authors illuminate these challenges as well as the triumphs of LGBT youth through compelling personal narratives from more than 100 LGBT individuals and allies. “SAFE SPACES” chronicles the lives of LGBT youth of all ages, weaving together recent news stories, research studies and public policy trends. Action Steps and Reflection Points are embedded throughout, offering readers positive and tangible ways to make their own homes, schools and communities more inclusive and welcoming of LGBT people.

“SAFE SPACES” points readers to a host of community and national LGBT resources, and includes a bibliography of academic, policy and news material related to LGBT issues. Readers will learn creative ways to support LGBT friendly teachers, coaches, community leaders and family members, and to challenge those that are not.

“SAFE SPACES: Making Schools and Communities Welcoming to LGBT Youth” is available for sale online at [email protected] and Amazon.com

About the Authors

Registration opens for CAMP PRIDE & ADVISOR BOOTCAMP

Today Campus Pride announced registration has officially opened for the annual LGBT and ally summer leadership camp, aptly called CAMP PRIDE. The organization also hosts the Advisor Bootcamp which is a LGBT Professional Academy for Advisors in coordination with the camp. Discounted early registration rates are availabe until May 1, 2012. Individuals may also apply for scholarships online.

REGISTER NOW

In addition, Campus Pride is seeking volunteers to fill vacancies in the Camp Pride faculty and Pride Leader positions. These individuals plan and implement the educational curriculum of camp. Interested individuals can learn more about the volunteer opportunity online. The deadline to apply is January 13, 2012.

APPLY TO BECOME CAMP FACULTY

APPLY TO BECOME PRIDE LEADER

Learn more online at www.CampusPride.org/CampPride

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Legalize Gay: The Civil Rights Movement of a Generation

Part of Proceeds benefit Camp Pride for LGBT Youth Activism; Schedule Your Screening of "Legalize Gay"

November 29, 2011 -- Campus Pride is offering a special opportunity to preview an incredibly inspiring film that captures the courage and conviction of a new generation of activists determined to close the deal on full equality for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community.

Director Christopher Hines has just completed a new film “Legalize Gay - The Civil Rights Movement of a Generation,” set to premiere on Logo later next year. However, Hines has joined with Campus Pride for exclusive advanced screenings, accompanied by an educational guide designed by Campus Pride to encourage more activism in the campaign for LGBT equality.

“Campus Pride is already doing so much in the struggle for LGBT equality at universities and colleges across the country. I hope “Legalize Gay” can help in that effort,” Hines said. “The young people in the film are so inspiring.”

Campus Pride Executive Director Shane Windmeyer said “Legalize Gay” is “not only though-provoking and inspirational, but very entertaining.”

“We are very fortunate to have this opportunity to preview the film,” Windmeyer said. “It will definitely promote a lot of discussion on campus.”

Also featured in the film is “Camp Pride,” an annual event sponsored by Campus Pride, aimed at giving a new generation of LGBT activists the skills and support they need to flourish at their universities and colleges.

“It was so much fun and impressive to film such a diverse group of young people working together for a common cause - equality,” Hines said. “I hope we can get hundreds of students attending Camp Pride every year.”

The Ben Cohen StandUp Foundation has announced that the 14th of November each year will mark StandUp Day.

Stand up with Ben on StandUp Day - 14th November

Wear your StandUp T Shirt or wristband
Change your profile picture to the StandUp logo
Introduce as many people as possible to StandUp
Post the StandUp website on your Facebook/Twitter with messages of support
Send us your stories/pictures for us to repost - [email protected]

Chairman of the Foundation, Ben Cohen said

"We will be asking everyone to do something to 'stand up' on the 14th November this year. We are starting a powerful movement that is going to make a difference across the planet.

When we stand together we stand a bit taller. The message we are giving out is that it is time to stop the bullying. Young people's lives are being ruined and all it takes is the right person at the right time to stand beside them when it matters most to make the difference.

The 14th of November marks the death of my father, Pete, who although he is no longer here, has been a massive influence on my life and one of the reasons that I felt compelled to start StandUp.

My Dad was set upon by a group of men outside a nightclub that we owned in Northampton in 2000. He was standing up for an employee who was being picked on by the same group. The attack on my Dad was brutal and he died a month later from his injuries.

Our aim is to bring awareness to the average person on the street who may not realise the harm that is being caused by bullying. By becoming aware, they may just be able to notice when something is not right and so stand up when needed before it is too late. The concept is simple, but very powerful.