GLSEN Youth Summit a Success
BY ANDREW DAVIS
More than 100 Chicago-area youths, educators, and community members met at the University of Chicago-Illinois campus Nov. 13 for the Fall 2004 Youth Leadership Summit hosted by the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network ( GLSEN ) of Chicago.
The summit featured 14 sessions from which attendees could choose. Among the workshops/presentations were How to Start a Gay-Straight Alliance Club and How to be a Great Straight Ally. The day also featured 'InsideOUT,' a performance by About Face Youth Theatre that was based on actual experiences of youths. In addition, the audience saw 'A Fish ( Almost ) Eaten by a Shark,' a short film by Zaida Sanabia.
Session leaders included representatives from GLSEN's national office as well as people from Howard Brown Health Center, the Center on Halsted, and Columbia College. High school and college who had been through GLSEN's leadership seminars also attended the summit.
Hilary Marsh, the public relations chair of GLSEN Chicago, felt that the summit went very well. 'There was a good variety of hands-on activities, creative things, and opportunities for youth to exhibit their leadership abilities,' she told Windy City Times. 'The About Face Youth Theatre [ showing ] was very popular but, then again, people liked everything. Attendees kept talking about how much they learned and enjoyed everything.'
The next summit will be held in March.
Study: Teens with Gay Parents Show No Diff.
Adolescents who have two moms as parents are no different from teens growing up with a mother and a father, according to a new study published in Forbes. On measures of psychosocial well-being, school functioning, and romantic relationships and behaviors, the teens with same-sex parents were as well adjusted as their peers with opposite-sex parents. The authors found very few differences between the two groups. A more important predictor of teens' psychological and social adjustment, they found, is the quality of the relationships they have with their parents.
Youth Poets Wanted
Teen artists ages 8 to 18 are needed for a youth poetry slam in Chicago. The 2004 Wordsjam Poetry Slam, a youth slam with a cash prize of $100 for the best youth slammer will take place Dec. 15 in West Humboldt Park. Also included in the activities is a publishing workshop.
Call Pam Osbey at Youth Service Project, Inc. ( 773 ) 772-6270 ext. 132.
TYRA Grand
Re-Opening Celebration
TYRA ( Transgender Youth Resource and Advocacy ) has moved to their new location at the Broadway Youth Center. TYRA is a drop-in support group for transgender young people 24 and under. The grand re-opening is Wed., Dec. 15, 6 p.m. Presented by Illinois Gender Advocates & Howard Brown Health Center
Transitions: Story Telling Group for Trans Youth
Transitions is a group developed for transgendered youth to share the stories of what they've been through. It's strictly supportive and facilitated by trained professionals.
Transitions is a 10-week group that meets every Tuesday night from 6-8 p.m. at Broadway Youth Center, 3179 N. Broadway. Call Robert Matzelle at ( 773 ) 388-1600 ext. 3348; Dr. Lisa Goldman at ( 773 ) 935-3151 ex. 222 or Dr. Dakota Cimo, ( 773 ) 388-8903.
Trans Teens Tool Kit
In honor of Transgender Day of Remembrance, a coalition of lesbian, gay and transgender rights advocates hosted a news conference at a San Francisco high school to announce the official launch of a new publication called Beyond the Binary: A Tool Kit for Gender Identity Activism in Schools.
See the National Center for Lesbian Rights Web site at www.NCLRights.org .
Movie Nights
Youth Movie Nights: Wed. Nov. 24, 6 p.m., Chicago Gay Youth and Gerber/Hart Library host a free movie night for LGBT youth 23 and under ( $1 for others ) . Doors open at 6 and close at 6:45. A concession stand is available. Movie starts promptly at 6:45. Next movie night is Dec. 1.
Chicago Youth Dance
Synergy, a drug and drama free dance party for LGBTQ youth and their friends hosts their next event Dec. 11, 8-11:30 p.m., Ann Sather Restaurant, 929 W. Belmont. There's a suggested $5 donation to help support the dance. Contact synergy@howardbrown.org or call ( 773 ) 388-1600 ext 3367.
National Spring Break Event in Chicago
In March of 2005, the Chicago Gay Youth Center ( CGY ) and BBlyss Productions along with 16 LGBT Youth centers from around the nation, travel agencies and hotel administrators will come together to host Gay Spring Break Chicago 2005.
CGY is inviting the entire LGBT community in Chicago to participate. Applications are being accepted at cgycenter@hotmail.com .
See groups.msn.com/ChicagoGayYouth.
Young Playwrights Event
Pegasus Players Theater and Borders present the second in a new series of in-store events geared to theater lovers at Borders, 4718 N. Broadway. The two present a special chance to see live scenes from Pegasus Players 19th Annual Young Playwrights Festival, weeks before the production opens in January for its inaugural performance at The Chicago Cultural Center. This free, theatre lovers' event takes place on Saturday, Dec. 4, 2004 at 2:00 p.m. at Borders Uptown.
Gay/Lesbian Skate Jam
CGY and a host of LGBT organizations present a Gay/Lesbian Skate Jam for all age, 'Breathe, Stretch, Skate' Dec. 1 at MLK Family Entertainment Center, 1219 W. 76th Street. $12 admission includes skate rental and parking ( this is a heavily secured event, inside and out ) . Sounds pumped by two of Chicago's Hottest DJ's. Raffle Prizes. For tickets call Keith at ( 773 ) 989-9400 x236. Proceeds benefit TPAN and Chicago Gay Youth Center.
LGBT Volunteer/Intern Fair
The Chicago Gay Youth Center is now recruiting/training volunteers for the upcoming year. If you are 24 and older ( or turning 23 in early 2005 ) and want to work with LGBT youth, this is the place for you. CGYC puts on events/activities for youth 23 years of age and under. In 2005 it CGY will host 'Gay Spring Break Chicago' and 'Odyssey '05: Gay Youth Fest'. CGYC also has volunteer administrative positions available as well. You must RSVP for these sessions at cgycenter@hotmail.com .
