#gsa network

On Sept. 16-17, TLC, GSA Network and Trans Youth - Truth Project will host a two-day organizing workshop for transgender and gender nonconforming youth of color (14-21) in the East Bay Area.

We’ll have in this virtual town hall up tomorrow during Drop-In Hours. The time is 4:00 central.

The Trump administration has rescinded a guidance on transgender students.

GSA Network and Transgender Law Center are bringing together trans youth leaders, community leaders, legal experts and allies from across the country to discuss what this means and what’s next for trans youth advocacy.

Hi! First off, sorry for the delay. I’m so bad at asks.

Second, I’d recommend looking at the resources from GSA Network and GLSEN for solid advice on starting a GSA. The basic steps are to find an advisor, find members, start having meetings, and decide on your priority project(s) for the year, whether that’s introducing gender-neutral bathrooms at your school, advocating for a local nondiscrimination ordinance, or providing a safe place for LGBT+ students at your school to find support. That can be a lot for the beginning, though, and you don’t have to tackle it all at once. So, starting off with finding an advisor, members and a meeting time is plenty! 

I’m not sure what to say for what *not* to do besides the obvious – don’t be mean. Make your GSA safe for everyone, no matter how many identities or experiences someone is bringing into the space. Assume everyone is there for a good reason. If something happens that makes someone feel unsafe or unsupported, address it and fix it. And enjoy yourselves – GSA should be fun! 

ICYMI: This year, Sons And Brothers is honoring the heroes and hundreds of individuals that have fought and continue to fight the injustices faced by our communities. As we transition from Asian Pacific American Heritage Month and into Pride Month and Immigrant Heritage Month, we recognize their journeys, heritage, intersectionality, and the ways in which they have made TODAY possible and are working to create a more just FUTURE.

Young people of color growing up in today’s society face struggles that begin or end with just the color of their skin. White supremacy is just one of many systems of oppression that are interconnected. One person that understands this intersectionality and the critical need to view all our struggles as intertwined is youth activist Geoffrey Winder.

A former high school activist, Winder has been involved in community change efforts since his time as a youth council leader in 1999 and brings over 15 years of social justice youth organizing experience to his work. Winder served as a governing board member from 2001 to 2005 and was GSA Network’s Board Co-Chair in 2004. He joined GSA Network’s full time staff in 2008 and most recently served as the organization’s Sr. Manager of the Racial and Economic Justice program, a program he developed and led since its inception in 2011. Under his leadership, it has developed into a signature program raising GSA Network’s national profile, by building intersectional collaborations that connected the experiences of LGBTQ youth to the school to prison pipeline and leading the work to change the narrative on punitive policies to bullying. Winder has lifted up the issues facing LGBTQ youth of color in schools and on panels about school discipline hosted by the White House, Ford Foundation, Gill Foundation, The California Endowment, and in federal hearings by DOE’s Office of Civil Rights. He became Co-Executive Director in 2015 and currently supports GSA Network’s California and National program teams in ensuring all LGBTQ youth access to quality education. He has his BA from New York University's Gallatin School in Change Theory and Globalization. When discussing his new leadership position, Winder said, "As a queer, multi-racial man of color, I am excited by the shifting landscape of youth organizing and activism, in which LGBTQ youth of color are leading many different social movements for change. Along with Ginna, one of my first priorities will be to ensure GSA Network is able to support the emerging organizing efforts of young trans and queer activists at the forefront of these movements across the country." Winder is truly a champion and we are honored to be able to witness your greatness and leadership.