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February 2007
YouthResource and GLBTQ Initiative e-News Update
Feature: Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Women in History
March is Women's History month, and in an effort to celebrate the "HerStory" of women, we have decided to honor those lesbian, bisexual and transgender women who have impacted our lives over time. We will take a look at some of the most memorable queer women in our history and their valuable contributions to our culture.
We'wha (1849 - 1896): "She was a remarkable woman, a fine blanket and sash maker, an excellent cook, an adept in all the work of her sex, and yet strange to say, she was a man."
Click here to read more about We'wha.
Barbara Jordan (1936 - 1996): An honors graduate from Texas Southern University, she earned her law degree from Boston University in 1959. Barbara Jordan was the first African American woman elected to the Texas Senate, winning the election in 1966. She also became the first African American to preside over a legislative body in the United States when she was elected president pro-tempore of the Texas Senate in 1972. When she was elected to the United States House of Representatives in 1972, she was the first African American woman to be elected to that body from a Southern state.
Click here to read more about Barbara Jordan.
Gladys Bentley (1907-1960): Gladys Bentley was a popular Blues singer during The Harlem Renaissance. In the 1920s Harlem was an open and accepting place for gays and lesbians. Bentley began singing at "rent parties" (where party guests payed a small entrance fee toward raising rent money for the hosts) in the 1920s. She was famous for reworking the lyrics of popular songs to be raunchier. Bentley eventually began working at the famous speakeasies of the era. She attracted gay, straight, black and white audiences.
Click here to read more about Gladys Bentley.
Del Martin (1921- ): Del met Phyllis Lyon in 1950 in Seattle. In 1952, the two became lovers and have been together ever since. In 1955, with Phyllis and several other women, Del Martin formed Daughters of Bilitis (DOB), the first national organization for lesbians in the United States. DOB was formed because the women felt that their issues were being neglected by the male-dominated gay rights groups of the time. DOB created a space for lesbians to meet outside of the bars and work for equality.
Click here to read more about Del Martin.
Funding Opportunities
Advocates seeks to build the capacity of organizations interested in and committed to improving the sexual health of all young people, including GLBTQ youth of color. In February 2007 Advocates for Youth has launched its Anti-Homophobia Project, to address issues of homophobia within communities of color and to create safe spaces for GLBTQ youth of color.
Through Advocates' Homophobia Project, organizations may receive culturally relevant publications and materials on HIV/STI and teen pregnancy prevention programming for GLBTQ youth; strategic technical assistance and training; and a seed grant in the amount of $7,000.
The goals of the Homophobia Project are to build the capacity of youth-serving professionals to serve GLBTQ youth of color; create safe spaces for GLBTQ youth of color; and redress homophobia within the local community (i.e. school, agencies, etc).
Click here for more information.
The deadline has passed.
Announcements
The Chicago Freedom School is recruiting for its summer 2007 program!
During the summer of 1964, thirty freedom schools were established in towns throughout Mississippi to address racial inequalities in the educational system. The Freedom Schools offered an alternative to programs that ignored nonwhites or taught that the white race was superior. Their curriculum included black history, the philosophy of the Civil Rights Movement, and leadership development, in addition to remedial instruction in reading and arithmetic. The Freedom Schools hoped to draw at least 1000 students that first summer, and ended up with 3000.
Now, activists in Chicago have founded a modern Freedom School. The Chicago Freedom School is a unique intergenerational social change project with a vision to develop and support new generations of critical and independent thinking young people who, through revelations of identity and power, are inspired to use their unique experiences, energy and talents to counteract the staggering effects of repressive social policies and create a just world.
The Chicago Freedom School is recruiting young people ages 14-16 for its inaugural summer program for 2007. The Summer Freedom School gives youth a chance to meet amazing peers and accomplished leaders (like artists, scientists, writers, filmmakers, dancers); to take fun exciting courses; and to develop leadership skills. The Summer Freedom School is about young people, for young people, and run by young people with adult support.
For more information on the Chicago Freedom School Project, go to http://www.chicagofreedomschool.com, email csfs_youth@yahoo.com, or call 630-991-1973.
National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is March 10th.
The second annual National Women and This year's theme is "Taking Action to Save Our Lives".
Women and girls can take action in the fight against HIV/AIDS in a variety of ways, including getting tested for HIV, practicing safe methods to prevent HIV, deciding not to engage in high risk behaviors, talking about HIV prevention with family, friends and colleagues, empowering themselves, and providing support to those living with HIV/AIDS.
For more information, visit the Office of Minority Health.
National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is March 21, 2007. This year marks the first annual National Native (American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian) HIV/AIDS Awareness Day.
The theme is "A Celebration of Life...Protecting Our Future, Protecting Our People!"
This day is an opportunity to increase awareness of the impact of HIV/AIDS on American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians.
HIV/AIDS continues to increase among Native people. Per population, American Indians/Alaska Natives have the third highest rates of HIV/AIDS behind Blacks and Hispanics. Native people are more likely to live in rural areas where there are limited HIV testing services. Stigma about HIV and fear of seeing people they know from their close communities at local health care facilities also act as barriers in preventing people from getting tested.
National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is an opportunity for Native people and others to create greater awareness about the risks of HIV/AIDS to their communities; to remember those who have died from AIDS; to acknowledge those who are infected and affected by HIV/AIDS; to call for increased resources for testing; and to seek support for increasing treatment and care options.
Native communities selected March 21st to commemorate National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day because it marks the start of spring, a time of beginnings and change. In Native cultures, seasons define the cycle and celebration of life. Ceremonies are usually held at the start and end of each season.
Read our new publication on American Indian/Alaska Native Young Women.
For more information, visit:
The Day of Silence is coming up April 18, 2007
The Day of Silence is an annual event held to commemorate and protest anti-LGBT bullying, harassment and discrimination in schools. Students and teachers nationwide will observe the day in silence to call attention to the discrimination LGBT and ally students face everyday. In its 11th year, the Day of Silence is one of the largest student-led actions in the country.
For more information on the Day of Silence, please visit: http://www.dayofsilence.org/
If you or anyone you know are planning any events to honor this day please let Advocates know as we would like to announce upcoming activities in next month's newsletter. Send all announcements to angel@advocatesforyouth.org
New Publications at Advocates
- The Facts: HIV and Young American Indian/Alaska Native Women
Social, economic, and cultural barriers limit the ability of many American Indians/Alaska Natives (AI/AN) young women to receive accurate and adequate information on preventing HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STI)s.
- The Facts: Dating Violence and Adolescents
Dating violence and abuse can lead to negative sexual health outcomes: the rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and pregnancy are higher for young people who have a history of abuse.
You can help Advocates for Youth with a contribution today. To donate, visit http://www.advocatesforyouth.org/about/donatetoday.htm
Read previous issues from the Archive of e-News Updates >>
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