3.17.14

How do we react when confronted with ignorance?

• being out in Russia -- if you stand up for yourself, you can get arrested or hurt; so, how can we be true to our beliefs/ethics but not internalize hatred (of ourselves, of others)?
• American Baptist Church
• there are times when it is appropriate to stand up, but other times we must be aware of the risks (physical and emotional safety) -- when we don't speak up for what we believe is right, how do we feel?  Very negative feeling, so we must learn how to handle it and cope with it
• What are some outlets? Channeling our frustration through actions (political, outreach, etc), have empathy toward others, deal with it with humor, use our creative outlets (art, music, exercise, meditation)

3.7.14

Meeting session led by Ronaldo!

"Pray your gay away."

• what do we think about this phrase? if we saw it on a sign, would we feel offended? [whip-around share out]
• we can infer that this quote is saying that being gay is both a problem and not normal, and it could be fixed
• maybe all religious people don't approve of LGBTQ, and makes people who are religious look bad
• "my uncle has been praying his gay away for 20 years, and he's still as gay as they come"
• if we base ourselves on stereotypes, 
• when people say that when homosexuality is accepted, it will be the end of the world...they said the same thing when women got the right to vote, they said the same thing when segregation ended...basically, we have always been on the brink of the end of the world
• the motif of the movie Prayers for Bobby (also, But I'm a Cheerleader)
• what if heterosexuality was the sin? (reference short film about it) 
• calling them breeders...it's like reverse racism, when POC hate white people
• CONSTANT WAR AGAINST DIFFERENCE -- we should band together 

Is being gay that something you are born with?

• nature versus nurture
• genetics
• influenced by things that happen to us...trauma, relationships that we've had (or lacked)

T-shirts:

• finalize what we want it to look like (it's like asking someone to correct our homework when we are still working on it)

T-shirt Vote

T-Shirt Voting Form

2.24.14

Finally making t-shirts happen!

Name of club, and symbol on front.  Quotes should go on the back.
It must be 100% cotton, either black or white.
We will bring our own shirts, with ten dollars, so that we can pay for our design.
What font do we want?
What quotes do we want?  SUBMISSION FORM HERE

Everyone needs to have a t-shirt and money by March 14, 2014. 

2.10.14

Pizza and movie night:

• Pariah
• A Girl Like Me
• Prayers for Bobby
• RENT

Opportunity to involve the mainstream student body -- invite them, and hold discussion/Q&A afterward, so that kids can share misconceptions and questions

Quotes submissions for t-shirts

Play more interactive games -- sharing, in order to feel vulnerable and safe!

GSA Powerpoint for Friday, February 14th

1.27.14

Billy DeFrank LGBT Community Center

Out 'n' About at San Jose Repertory Theatre:  Make a Donors Choose account if we want to o

GSA Network Community Directory

Thoughts about collaboration with other LPS GSAs?

The Grammy's: Same Love!  (Ms. G cried)

1.10.14

LGBTQ Book List

LGBTQ Movie List

Media Resources

Laverne Cox and Carmen Carrera school Katie Couric

"Why do people care about trans issues?  It's their body that they have to live in, not ours."

First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out--
Because I was not a Socialist.

Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out-- 
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out-- 
Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me--and there was no one left to speak for me.

-- Niemöller