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Vermonters
to California!!
National Association of GSA Networks - National Gathering, July 31-August
3, 2006
by Anja Pfeffer
Kate Jerman (Co-Executive Director
of Outright Vermont): “Would you like to go to San Francisco?”
Anja Pfeffer (Faculty Advisor of Glow-Up, Mt. Anthony Union High School,
Bennington): “Excuse me????”
Kate: “There is the 1st National GSA Network Conference in San Francisco
and we need you to go. Also, do you have a student whom you could take
along? They are sponsoring one adult and one youth from each state!”
Now, seriously. Who in their
right mind would answer: “Umm, you know, Kate, I do not find San
Francisco enticing at all, do not want to meet new people, and who needs
GSAs anyway??”
Anja: “You mean you are asking me whether I want to go to San Francisco
and meet members and advisors from other GSAs?? OF COURSE!!”
Kate: “Do you have a student to go with you?”
Anja: “Yes! Aaron Webb! He was the one who originally contacted
the administration asking for a GSA. He is not only one of our most active
Glow-Up members but is also fortunate enough to have a very supportive
mother.”
Kate: “Great! I will send you all the necessary info.”
No, this is not some sort of
dream or hallucination. This is exactly how it came about that Aaron and
I did, in fact, travel all the way across the country to participate in
the 1st National GSA Network Conference. Neither he nor I had ever been
to California. Needless to say, we were very excited about this amazing
opportunity. Our task at hand was clear and seemed simple enough: we were
to bring the Vermont perspective to this gathering where statewide and
regional gaystraight alliance networks from around the U.S. were coming
together to learn from each other, as well as talk about the future of
a National GSA Association.
After a trip that took just
about as long as my flight to Germany earlier this summer, we arrived
safely in the hotel where we got together with 63 other people attending
the conference. One look at the schedule showed us that we would be on
our toes from 8 am to 5 pm every day. The workshops were meant to allow
time for skills building, peer exchange, and learning about key issues
facing GSA networks like fundraising, policy advocacy, leadership programs,
and organizational development. As part of the program we were also to
focus on exploring youth leadership models for GSA networks and sharing
our best practices regarding the youth organizing GSA movement. Anyone
who had any energy left after that was free to explore the city.
The GSA Network did a wonderful job
in planning and preparing this conference. All workshops and discussions
were engaging and inspiring. We usually left them with a feeling of empowerment,
as well as new ideas for our particular situation in Vermont. There were,
however, also several times when both Aaron and I could hardly hide our
feeling of surprise: the level on which several of the talks were held
was quite overwhelming since it was as though networks in other states
seemed so well-established, while we are still battling with grassroots
work here in Vermont. GSA Network in California, for instance, began working
with 40 GSA clubs in the San Francisco Bay Area in 1998 and in 8 years
has helped to accelerate the growth of GSAs in California to now more
than 545 clubs (representing more than 40 percent of the state’s
high schools).
Almost all of the people at the conference,
in fact, represented state networks or specific state organizations. We
therefore did receive a great insight into the collaboration that is already
happening between some states and potentially could happen all around
the country. It was fascinating to meet people from as many as 18 U.S.
states (Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, Washington, D.C.; plus Virginia,
North Carolina, Indiana, Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Florida, New Mexico,
Arizona, California, Oregon, Washington, and Missouri), have Canada represented
with 2 people from British Columbia, and to even get to know one of the
staff members from the Matthew Shepard Foundation.
Hearing people’s stories, talking
about common struggles, brainstorming strategies to overcome the hurdles
that are thrown into our path day in day out, making connections, and
building community - those were the gifts that Aaron and I brought back
with us to Vermont. We are not only incredibly grateful to Outright for
sending us on this trip but also inspired to share this new knowledge
and energy. With that in our minds and hearts we are now calling out to
you: Students and teachers out there! If you could see tomorrow, would
you change today? WHAT would you change? If you are outraged by the homophobia
and transphobia at your school, if you want to create political and cultural
change in your community, if you hope to erase harassment and discrimination
that silences people’s voices everywhere - let us make a difference.
It is time that we come together and join hands. We have a lot of work
to do!!
Anja Pfeffer can be reached at apfeffer@svsu.org
Outright Vermont can be reached at 865-9677, or at outrightvt.org
Reaching
Out
an
advice column by Will Holden
Dear William,
I have been seeing someone now
for over four
months, and for a while, everything was fine. We
got along great, and her family was very supportive
to our relationship. The reason I write is because,
about a month ago, we had sex for the first time.
after that I noticed that she seemed to want to have
sex all the time. At first it didn’t really bother me, but
after a while it was apparent that she only came over
to see me because we’d have sex. I don’t know what
to do. I don’t want to end a relationship that was
once very meaningful. What should I do about this
skewing romance?
— 19/F/Springfield
In Response:
I’m sorry that your relationship
isn’t going the way
it was, and that your girlfriend seems to only want
you for sex. Before you think about ending this
relationship, think about the alternatives. Try inviting
her over, and having her sit somewhere to talk (like
across from you at a kitchen table). Try talking to her
about how you feel. It doesn’t sound like the whole
relationship was like this, but only the last month.
Before then, you sound like you had a wonderful
relationship. Again, the easiest way to deal with
this problem is simply to talk it out. If the first three
months of the relationship meant anything, then this
approach should do just fine.
Note about when you talk to her though.
Try
using the simple “I” messages (though old, they do
work). How you feel, when she seems to only want to
sleep with you, and you feel that because you need
… it’s a handy little tool, and hopefully will help you
out. I hope that I was of service, and give another
letter to update us when you do talk to her.
If anyone else has a question to ask me, e-mail me
at wholden7@aol.com, or call me at 1-802-683-6072.