Saturday, November 19, 2016 Mission High School San Francisco, CA ...

0 downloads 156 Views 547KB Size Report
Nov 19, 2016 - Northern California, selected the theme of "Resiliency at the. Intersections. .... at your school, the be
Saturday, November 19, 2016 Mission High School San Francisco, CA www.gsanetwork.org

@GSANetworkCA #GSAs4Justice #TQYouthPower #YES2016 GSA NorCal

WELCOME! Welcome to the 12th Annual Youth Empowerment Summit (YES)! YES is brought to you by GSA Network with the support of partner organizations. GSA Network is a nextgeneration LGBTQ racial and gender justice organization that empowers and trains queer, trans and allied youth leaders to advocate, organize, and mobilize an intersectional movement for safer schools and healthier communities. Youth-planned and youth-led, YES is a free annual conference for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ) and ally youth activists who are dedicated to racial, economic, and educational justice for trans and queer youth. We hope you will leave here feeling empowered to use the skills you learn today to make changes in your schools and communities.

Community Agreements: ●

Participate Fully: Let go of all the other things you need to be doing and keep your focus here. If you need to go to the bathroom, make an important call, or stretch, go ahead. Be aware of how you learn and process information. Avoid interruptions.



Intent & Impact: Many times, there can be a difference between your perceived meaning and the understanding and impact on the listener. It is possible to be well intentioned AND still say and do hurtful things. We are responsible for both our intentions and our impact on others.



Self-Focus: Use “I” statements. Pay attention to what you are feeling and thinking. Ask questions of self and others. Instead of jumping to conclusions, check out your assumptions.



Take Space/Make Space: Some of us might feel more comfortable speaking in public, answering questions, or sharing our experiences than others. If we’ve been sharing too much, MAKE SPACE and turn the stage over to someone else who hasn’t had a chance to shine yet. If you haven’t been participating very much or at all, then TAKE SPACE and take the stage.



It’s Okay to Disagree: Disagreement is a necessary part of accepting differences. It is not okay to blame, shame, or attack self or others (which can happen on a verbal or nonverbal level).





One Diva, One Mic: Just like you wouldn’t interrupt Beyoncé at her concert, don’t interrupt trainers, staff, and other participants when they’re speaking. Remember this is about respecting one another. Try On: Try on new processes, ideas, and perspectives before automatically rejecting them because they are different than your experience, be willing to step outside your comfort zone.



Hugs, High-Fives, or Handshakes: People have different comfort levels with touch. Before assuming you can hug or touch someone, ask first, “Hug, High-Five or Handshake?” and then respect their choice. Remember to ask on an ongoing basis.



Respect the Space: We are lucky to be able to host such a fabulous event in this space. Please do not eat or drink in the classrooms, and pick up after yourself. Please do not police

people’s genders in the bathrooms. ●

No Booty On Duty: We encourage you to make safe and healthy decisions about your body. Any decision to use substances or to have sex should be made after the conference. No sex or drugs are allowed at this event. If you are caught using drugs or having sex, you will be asked to leave.



Vegas Rule/Confidentiality: Anything said of a personal nature cannot be shared outside of this room without the person’s permission. If you want to talk to someone about what they said, ask permission. They can say yes, no, or maybe later. Remember: what’s said here, stays here. There are some major exceptions to confidentiality – if you are or might be hurting yourself, someone is or might be hurting you, or you are or might be hurting someone else – then GSA Network staff must report that to the appropriate authority. We will talk with you before we do that.

Conference Schedule 9:00am to 9:45am Registration & Breakfast - Entrance & Cafeteria 10:00am to 11:15am Opening - Auditorium 11:30am to 12:30pm Workshop Session One - Classrooms 12:45pm to 2:15pm Lunch/Resource Fair - Cafeteria & 1st Floor Hallways 2:30pm to 3:30pm Workshop Session Two - Classrooms 3:45pm to 4:45pm Workshop Session Three - Classrooms 5:00pm to 5:30pm Closing - Auditorium 5:30pm to 8:30pm Youth Dance - Cafeteria Remember to turn in your evaluation form to get into the dance!

KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Juniper Xiomara Cordova-Goff Juniper Xiomara CordovaGoff is your local grassroots activist chingona, calling upon her roots and ancestors to push forward in the movements of liberation. Originally from Azusa, CA, she is a third year transfer student at UC Berkeley who has built her experience challenging institutions through intersectional social work, prioritizing the lives of queer/trans, low/no-income folks, and communities of color. She currently is the national trans youth justice organizer in partnership with GSA Network and the Transgender Law Center. As a young person who experienced homelessness for almost six years, she values the knowledge gained from having navigated living on the streets of the San Gabriel Valley while also brown, queer, and trans. Over the past few years, she has also advocated for the inclusion of trans and gender nonconforming youth of color to remain at the table of discussion regarding policy changing and organizing, especially in a time of white domination in social justice media. As a non-binary trans femme of color, Juniper intends to major in political science and social welfare, directing her career path into ground-shaking positions. She acknowledges that her role within TRUTH--a national trans and gender nonconforming youth storytelling program that aims to build empathy, understanding, and a movement for youth to share their stories in their own words and in their own way--reflects the mentorship roles older individuals held in her activist upbringing, fostering the next generation of radical minds and groundshakers.

¡Sí se puede!

Resource Fair Organizations Asexuality SF Chinese Progressive Association - Gender and Sexuality Diversities Program Community Climates Project, UC Santa Cruz Daly City Youth Health Center Destiny Arts Center Disability Rights California eQuality Scholarship Collaborative Forward Together Frameline Gay Prom Hayward/Project Eden, a program of Horizon Services Females Against Violence Horizons Unlimited Huckleberry Youth Programs Larkin Street Youth Services Our Space: where it is safe to be yourself PFLAG San Francisco Planned Parenthood of Northern California QTY Treehouse Rainbow Community Center of Contra Costa County SF LGBT Center

YES 2016 Theme: "Resiliency at the Intersections" The NorCal Youth Council, comprised of GSA youth leaders in Northern California, selected the theme of "Resiliency at the Intersections." They wanted to center and bring visibility to trans and queer people of color, prevent the erasure of intersectional identities, and to fight for racial justice within the LGBTQ community. In light of the Pulse tragedy in Orlando and the continual violence against our communities, they wanted to lift up the resiliency and power of trans/queer people of color at YES 2016.

Self-Care Process GSA Network staff, adult allies and volunteers support and want to ensure a safe space for all. If you are in need of a break to take care of yourself, please check-in with any member of the GSA Network staff. Support will be provided. We will see how we can get your needs met whether it is quiet time, someone to talk with, or an accompanied walk around the block.

Art Space We have created an art space on the first floor where you can write affirmations to yourself. Affirmations are positive thoughts of self-empowerment. Our intention behind this art space is so that youth can process their emotions, feelings, and thoughts in an interactive way. These affirmations function as a form of resiliency through art. This art space will be available all day throughout YES.

GSA Network defines youth as young folks under 24 years old, and adults as those that are 24 years or older. In order to maintain the youth focus of this conference, we ask adult participants to please respect youth only workshops. We’ve designated workshops for Youth Only or Adults/Youth in the workshop descriptions and workshop schedule. Adult allies, please attend only workshops marked for adults. If you have any questions about whether a workshop is open to adults, please ask workshop presenters.

SESSION ONE WORKSHOPS 11:30am – 12:30pm The Art of Self-Care

Youth Only - Rm. 209 Presenter: Rexy Amaral Tapia, GSA Network Intern This workshop is designed to help you learn about self-care methods that work for you in uncomfortable situations. This will be a space where we get to decompress and let it all out.

CA's Juvenile Justice System: Youth in Solitary Confinement Youth/Adult - Rm. 208 Presenters: Jennifer Kim & Joel Reyes, Ella Baker Center for Human Rights This workshop will provide an overview of California’s juvenile justice system and will focus on the practice of solitary confinement and its disproportionate use against youth of color, LGBTQ youth, gender nonconforming youth, and woman. The discussion will include the impacts of isolation, changes in the law that can help, and what you can do to help stop this harmful practice.

Coping with Mental Illness

Youth Only - Rm. 201 Presenter: Xora Love, The Diversity Center of Santa Cruz Many people in the LGBT+ community face discrimination based on the intersectionality of their identity and mental illnesses/disabilities. In this workshop, attendees will learn coping mechanisms for a wide variety of mental illnesses and disabilities (ADHD, autism, anxiety, depression, personality disorders, and psychosis) through group discussion.

Does It ‘Get Better'?

Youth Only - Rm. 224 Presenters: SF Speakers Bureau When younger and older folks in our queer community talk together it’s a rare, valuable opportunity to learn about each other's experiences. Be part of intergenerational-dialogue: find out what our experiences were in school - and what life’s been like since. Did it 'get better'? What can YOU do to MAKE it better?

SESSION ONE WORKSHOPS 11:30am – 12:30pm Healthy vs. Unhealthy Relationships Youth Only - Rm. 202 Presenters: Females Against Violence How healthy is your relationship? What are your relationship boundaries and rights? What are the warning signs for an unhealthy relationship, and who can help? Join the Females Against Violence Peer Educators to begin answering these questions and gaining tools to build healthy relationships.

Intersectionality & Oppression

Youth/Adult - Rm. 206 Presenter: Hailey Howard, The Diversity Center of Santa Cruz In this workshop, we will explore how intersectionality impacts the way people experience oppression. This will be an interactive and engaging space so come ready to participate!

Liberating Ourselves Artfully

Youth Only - Rm. 203 Presenters: Kentaja English, Jennifer Garcia-Palma, Bárbara Ochoa, & Shawn Simon, HIFY Is identity important to you? Want to learn how to affirm and empower our beautifully different bodies through art? In this workshop, learn how to challenge social issues that affect you and your community through creative resistance. In the midst of racism, homophobia, and gender policing, we hope to build relationships by sharing experiences and creating positive imagery together. All art supplies are provided.

Family Acceptance: Cultivating Advocates Youth/Adult - Rm. 220 Presenter: Tomás Rodriguez, GSA Network Safe and Supportive Schools Project Families and caregivers have a profound impact on our mental health and well-being. Oftentime trans and queer people are their own advocate and an educator to others at the expense of our health. This workshop will discuss how to “come out” to our families, setting boundaries, practicing open direct communication, and envisioning what family champions look like.

SESSION ONE WORKSHOPS 11:30am – 12:30pm Navigating Relationships, Consent, and Safe Sex Youth Only - Rm. 207 Presenters: Hana Afra, Elis Herman, Antonia Landels & EB Troast, Planned Parenthood Maintaining healthy relationships can be super rewarding and sometimes challenging. Whether we’re trying to communicate better with a friend, or want to ask the person we’re dating what makes them feel good, join us as we hope on a carousel to explore healthy relationships, consent, and safer sex.

Rapid HIV Testing Youth Only - Rm. 228 Larkin Street Youth Services HIV tests involve a finger prick. Results are ready after 15 minutes. We can test anyone between the ages of 12-24 and provide harm reduction-based counseling around HIV risk factors such as sexual activity and drug use. All test counselors have been trained and certified by the San Francisco Department of Public Health (DPH) and have ongoing regular experience testing and counseling youth. Tests are confidential, meaning we report results to the DPH but do not give them the identities of who we test.

SESSION TWO WORKSHOPS 2:30pm – 3:30pm Artivism: How to Use Art to Create Change in the Queer and Trans Community Youth Only - Rm. 211 Presenter: Tacy Prins Woodlief, GSA Network NorCal Youth Council This workshop is an exploration of “Artivism.” You will learn what artivism is and how it can be used to create change. We will discuss the legacy of artivism, how we can send a message with our art, and work on a basic poster to communicate a message.

Constructing Queer and/or Trans SWANA (Southwest Asian and North African) Identity Youth/Adult - Rm. 201 Presenters: Kian Martin & Ava Rakhsha, UC Berkeley This workshop aims to create space to explore the identities and hxstories of queer and/or trans identified Southwest Asian and Northern African people. We hope to cultivate collective knowledge and work to dismantle dominant white, orientalist narratives of race, gender, and sexuality. Healthy Relationships 101: Identifying Healthy, Unhealthy, and Abusive Relationships Youth Only - Rm. 209 Presenters: Team Stronger Than You Think & SAVE The Healthy Relationships 101 workshop educates participants on teen dating. Participants will learn about the cycle of violence, power and control, how to recognize warning signs of abuse, and will be encouraged to think about the things that are important to them in a partner. Resources will be provided. How to Have a Kick Ass Campaign Youth Only - Rm. 220 Presenters: Rami KD & Niq Muldrow, GSA Network NorCal Youth Council Learn exactly what is a campaign, how to start a campaign at your school, the best tools and strategies, and how strengthen your activism. This workshop hopes to walk you through the steps of a campaign to successfully organize for racial and gender justice and fight against transphobia and homophobia in schools through your GSA.

SESSION TWO WORKSHOPS 2:30pm – 3:30pm LGBT History Lesson Youth/Adult - Rm. 218 Presenter: Max Brandt, The Diversity Center of Santa Cruz Come join us for a lesson on the rich and often overlooked history of LGBT people. We will cover major events with an emphasis on American events, including: the Compton Cafeteria Riots, the Stonewall Riots, Harvey Milk’s Assassination, the White Night Riots, and many more events. Open Floor Movement Practice Youth Only - Rm. 202 Presenter: Joseph Machado, San Francisco Unified School District Open Floor is an inquiry and resource based movement and dance meditation practice for building muscular and emotional intelligence, mindfulness, and soulfulness. We cultivate the forces that fuel our creativity, our connections, and our ability to change, which we all know is the only constant in life. No experience needed. Recovering from Spiritual Abuse and Spiritual Trauma Presenter: Kelsey Pacha Youth/Adult - Rm. 224 This workshop will explore two emerging concepts in theological and psychological discourse--spiritual abuse and spiritual trauma--breaking down common anti-LGBTQQ theological messages (primarily Christian-based) and discussing their mental health effects on individuals. Attendees will share their experiences, explore ways to heal, and participate in a communal healing ritual that honors their holistic self--gender, sexuality, and spirituality.

SESSION TWO WORKSHOPS 2:30pm – 3:30pm Sex Make It Right For You Youth Only - Rm. 216 Presenters: Jessica Linares & Ashley Rojas, Huckleberry Youth Programs A sex positive space for young people to explore their own boundaries, communication style, and interests in establishing healthy sexual experiences. Youth will have an opportunity to challenge stigma and shame while getting hands on experience with barrier methods and lubrication. Sharing Stories Across Generations Youth/Adult - Rm. 203 Presenters: Maritza Martinez & Laurin Mayeno, Somos Familia What’s it like to be the parent of an LGBTQ person? What’s it like to be an LGBTQ young person? Learn by listening, telling stories, and dialogue. Explore how our stories can be used to heal, build connection, and advocate for social justice. Rapid HIV Testing Youth Only - Rm. 228 Larkin Street Youth Services HIV tests involve a finger prick. Results are ready after 15 minutes. We can test anyone between the ages of 12-24 and provide harm reduction-based counseling around HIV risk factors such as sexual activity and drug use. All test counselors have been trained and certified by the San Francisco Department of Public Health (DPH) and have ongoing regular experience testing and counseling youth. Tests are confidential, meaning we report results to the DPH but do not give them the identities of who we test.

SESSION THREE WORKSHOPS 3:45pm – 4:45pm

DACA and Immigrants Rights Youth/Adult - Rm. 211 Presenter: Mark Silverman, Immigrant Legal Resource Center In light of the 2016 elections, what do you need to know about immigrant rights? Join ILRC senior staff attorney Mark Silverman for a workshop that will cover what you need to know about deferred action for childhood arrivals (DACA). Undocumented folks, come with your questions ready.

Dismantling the School-to-Prison/Deportation Pipeline Youth Only - Rm. 220 Presenters: Malia Knapps & Niq Muldrow, GSA Network NorCal Youth Council What is the school-to-prison/deportation pipeline? Learn about what this is, who it impacts, and what has been done to fight against it. This workshop will teach you how students of color, LGBTQ youth, and those with intersecting identities are being criminalized in and pushed out of schools. Does It ‘Get Better'? Youth Only - Rm. 224 Presenters: SF Speakers Bureau When younger and older folks in our queer community talk together it’s a rare, valuable opportunity to learn about each other's experiences. Be part of intergenerationaldialogue: find out what our experiences were in school and what life’s been like since. Did it 'get better'? What can YOU do to MAKE it better?

SESSION THREE WORKSHOPS 3:45pm – 4:45pm Healthy Relationships 101: Identifying Healthy, Unhealthy, and Abusive Relationships Youth Only - Rm. 209 Presenters: Team Stronger Than You Think & SAVE The Healthy Relationships 101 workshop educates participants on teen dating. Participants will learn about the cycle of violence, power and control, how to recognize warning signs of abuse, and will be encouraged to think about the things that are important to them in a partner. Resources will be provided.

Open Floor Movement Practice Youth Only - Rm. 202 Presenter: Joseph Machado, San Francisco Unified School District Open Floor is an inquiry and resource based movement and dance meditation practice for building muscular and emotional intelligence, mindfulness, and soulfulness. We cultivate the forces that fuel our creativity, our connections and our ability to change, which we all know is the only constant in life. No experience needed. Queerness and Spirituality Youth/Adult - Rm. 208 Presenter: Rev. Rhina Ramos, GSA Network Staff Expressing our faith and our spiritual beliefs is a human right. This workshop will explore the benefits of meditating as a spiritual practice. We will discuss how to reclaim inclusivity from a Christian perspective and how Christianity is inclusive and embracing of any LGBTQ person.

SESSION THREE WORKSHOPS 3:45pm – 4:45pm Talking to Queer Youth about Sex and Sexuality Presenters: Hana Afra, Elis Herman, Antonia Landels & EB Troast, Planned Parenthood Youth/Adult - 207 Talking with youth about sexuality can be fun, exciting, and at times challenging. In this interactive workshop we will learn about how to talk to youth about sexuality topics in a way that is relevant for all folks! This will be a safe space to practice talking about sexuality. Rapid HIV Testing Youth Only - Rm. 228 Larkin Street Youth Services HIV tests involve a finger prick. Results are ready after 15 minutes. We can test anyone between the ages of 12-24 and provide harm reduction-based counseling around HIV risk factors such as sexual activity and drug use. All test counselors have been trained and certified by the San Francisco Department of Public Health (DPH) and have ongoing regular experience testing and counseling youth. Tests are confidential, meaning we report results to the DPH but do not give them the identities of who we test.

ABOUT WORKSHOP PRESENTERS Rexy Amaral Tapia is a former GSA Network NorCal Youth Council member and youth trainer. She is a Latina transwoman, who is fighting for a reform in the school system. She has been a drag performer for 5 years and uses her drag as a way to empower feminine people. Hana Afra has been a sexual health educator for 7 years and loves facilitating youth-led conversations in the classroom. Before joining the Planned Parenthood education team last year, she completed an MA program in Sexuality Studies. On weekends she’s either binge watching terrible reality TV or at music concerts or both! She is excited to be back at YES! Max Brandt is a 17-year-old queer trans boy. He is a senior at Harbor High School in Santa Cruz, CA. He has previous experience with presenting on gender and sexuality. Kentaja English is a senior at Castlemont High School and an advocate for her peers. Her passions include education reform, LGBTQIQ identities, and civil rights. She is currently applying for college and is excited to take the next step in her life. Females Against Violence peer educators are young folks from San Francisco, CA, that identify as women. They are trained on different forms of gendered violence, like teen domestic violence. Part of their role in the community is to develop youth-led educational workshops and presentations on what they learn during their 50-hour training at the Females Against Violence Program at Horizons Unlimited of San Francisco, Inc. Jennifer Garcia-Palma is an active member of the Sexuality and Gender Alliance (SAGA) at Life Academy in Oakland, CA. Her commitment to queer and trans folk can be seen through her activism and dedication to community engagement.

Elis Herman is passionate about justice, liberation, and sexual health. Elis has a BA in Sociology and Women’s Studies and has a background in organizing and educating around queer, transgender, and other social justice issues. When Elis is not teaching sex ed, Elis can usually be found farming or hanging out with Buttermilk, an angelic one-eyed cat. Hailey Howard is a dedicated youth activist for LGBTQ+ communities. She lives in Santa Cruz County and has been the leader of her high school’s SAGA Club for the past two years. Hailey has experienced mental health issues, which empowers her to be an advocate against injustice! Rami KD attends the Oakland School of the Arts and is a community activist. They are a member of the GSA Network NorCal Youth Council. Jennifer Kim is an attorney and the Director of Programs at the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights, an organization committed to ending mass incarceration and mass criminalization through Truth and Reinvestment. Prior to joining the Ella Baker Center, she worked for the San Francisco Board of Supervisors as a policy fellow. Jennifer graduated from UCLA with a B.A. in English and a B.A. in Korean, and holds a J.D. from the University of San Francisco, School of Law. Malia Knapps is an activist and photographer. They are involved in the GSA Network NorCal Youth Council. Through this, they want to create safe spaces for LGBTQ+ people of color, and aspire to become someone who holds a platform in activism and the arts. Please look forward to their work in the future! Antonia Landels has been a sexual health educator for over 20 years! She started her career as a sex educator in high school as a peer educator and has been teaching about sex ever since. Antonia brings enthusiastic, positive, creative, and larger-than-life personality to all of her classes-- which is probably because she was raised by drag queens.

Jessica Linares is a health educator at Huckleberry Youth Health Center, who is committed to advocating for young people’s health. Her work includes collaborating with CBO’s, middle and high schools in San Francisco, CA, to provide comprehensive sexual health education to students. Xora Love is a young LGBT+ activist and educator. She has experience working with organizations such as Gender Spectrum and the Diversity Center of Santa Cruz. In the past, she has presented and hosted discussions, provoking positive thought talks about LGBT+ issues. Joseph Machado, M.A., is a somatic therapist and teacher at Independence High School in San Francisco. He believes it is important to cultivate curiosity in our daily lives and understands the transformative potential of living an embodied life. Kian Martin is a mixed Iranian-American nonbinary trans femme organizer and abolitionist from San Jose, California. Their work aims to simultaneously abolish the oppressive systems in which we live and create a new world in which we are all free. Kian is currently studying and organizing at UC Berkeley. Maritza Martinez is the Director of Somos Familia, where she works with a grassroots team of volunteers to support families with children who identify as LGBTQ and conduct community education to create community spaces that welcome and celebrate LGBTQ people and their families. As a queer Latina, a nonprofit professional, leader, and an activist, her work with Somos Familia is deeply personal and she strongly believes that change comes from family leadership within the community she serves. Laurin Mayeno is a mother of a gay son, founder of Out Proud Families, and Co-Founder of Somos Familia. She works to build acceptance of LGBTQ and gender-expansive children and youth within families and communities. She also wrote a children’s book, One of a Kind Like Me/Único como yo, about a child named Danny who wants to be a princess in the school parade.

Isa Moreno is a Watsonville High School senior. She is the president of her school's GSA, called SAGA, and a member of the GSA Network NorCal Youth Council. She volunteers weekly after school teaching drama to elementary school kids, and she loves girls. She’s addicted to Instagram and, recently, Ruby Rose liked her post. Niq Muldrow is a GSA Network NorCal Youth Council member. A senior at San Ramon Valley High School, he is an active member of their school's leadership, GSA, as well as the cofounder and co-president of their school's Feminism Club. Niq wishes to take his role as an activist even further by pursuing an intersectional feminist education path as well as bringing his activism further into the community with a career as a community organizer and an advocate for others. Kelsey Pacha is in his final year at Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, CA, expecting to graduate in May 2017 with a MA in Religion and Psychology, a Master of Divinity, and a Certificate in Sexuality and Religion. He is a transman who has worked with LGBT people for 10 years in non-profit settings as a case manager and direct service worker. His academic work focuses on the spiritual needs of LGBTQ service providers and clients in non-profit organizational settings. He also serves on the board of Trans* Bodies, Trans* Selves, a resource guide by and for the trans*, genderqueer, and gender-nonconforming communities modeled after the feminist health resource Our Bodies, Ourselves. Ava Rakhsha is a queer Iranian woman who was born and raised in Tehran, Iran. She moved to the Bay Area at 13 and is now studying Sociology at UC Berkeley. Her heart aches to hold space with other QTPOC, especially those who share her backgrounds in immigration, Islam, and Farsi. She believes that by coming together and validating our experiences we not only heal but also resist. She aims to bring different narratives of navigating queerness than what is mainstream.

Joel Reyes is a self-identified chess geek who is pursuing music and philosophy majors at Laney College, and hoping to finish up his undergrad at UC Berkeley. He is a member of the Determination's Men's Group and Urban Peace Movement as well as an intern at the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights. Throughout his life, he has explored mediums of jazz and soul music and is a founding member of the Future Beats Band "ESP." Rev. Rhina Ramos is a Latinx immigrant lesbian who was ordained as a minister by the United Church of Christ in 2012. She leads a Latinx UCC Congregation in Oakland, CA, that is open and affirming to LGBTQ Latinx. She also works at GSA Network as the Director of California Programs. Tomás Rodriguez is the Project Coordinator for GSA Network’s Safe & Supportive Schools, a CDC funded project focused on creating LGBTQ affirming schools across the country. Tomás earned a BA in Sociology and minor in Queer Studies from San Francisco State University with an interest in centering the experiences of trans and queer youth of color. Ashley Rojas is a sex positive educator committed to providing youth with social justice centered comprehensive, inclusive, and compassionate sex education. She has had the privilege to serve the youth of the San Francisco Bay Area for the past ten years. Mark Silverman is a Senior Staff Attorney based in San Francisco and has been with the Immigrant Legal Resource Center since 1983. Mark has collaborated with immigrantbased community groups, especially those engaged in bringing about more just immigration policies. He earned his law degree from the New College of Law in San Francisco and is a graduate of Stanford.

Shawn Simon and Bárbara Alexandra are co-coordinators of the QTY Treehouse in West Oakland. Both fall under the queer and trans spectrum and love to play video games. They hope to start a QTPOC YouTube channel called “thisisBS” someday. SF Speakers Bureau is a group of diverse group of individuals-from a wide variety of racial, class, educational, family, and professional backgrounds--who believe that by personalizing the realities of LGBTQ people, we help break down stereotypes which might otherwise lead to ongoing marginalization and violence against members of our communities. Team Stronger Than You Think is a youth-empowerment group based in Fremont, CA, which strives to educate, raise awareness, and promote healthy relationships in our community. We wish to stress the characteristics of both healthy and unhealthy relationships, the prevalence of abusive relationships in today’s society, and the various types of relationship abuse that take place. We emphasize that in every relationship, people should be treated with respect.

EB Troast loves her job as a sexuality educator. EB is passionate about creating sex ed spaces that are inclusive and respectful to all learners. EB has been providing sex education to folks of all ages in the Bay Area for the last 12 years and recently completed an MPH with a focus in community health education. EB’s house in SF is full of cuteness with a cat named Thor and a puppy named Bear. Tacy Prins Woodlief is a youth organizer from Berkeley, California. She is passionate about art, design, activism, and self-expression. Tacy is an artist, activist, and a GSA Network NorCal Youth Council member.

A special thanks goes out to the incredible GSA Network NorCal Youth Council members who planned this entire conference, our amazing emcees (Malia Knapps, Isa Moreno, & Niq Muldrow), workshop presenters, partner organizations, and committed volunteers. Thank you Mission High School for hosting us, including supportive Principal Eric Guthertz, dedicated custodians, and GSA Network staff.

Check out the 2016-2017 GSA Resource Packet, GSA Advisor Handbook and ACLU Know Your Rights Packet at:

gsanetwork.org/yearstart

This conference is possible thanks to the generosity our sponsors, including: Presenting Sponsors:

Silver Sponsor:

Community Sponsors: