GSA Network of California youth trainers are going on the road in November and December to hold a series of summits across Southern California for LGBTQ and ally student leaders. The first summit was in Long Beach Nov. 22.
“As a GSA Network youth leader I believe no matter who you are you should be able to freely express yourself at school and be safe while doing it and not have that interfere with your education,” said Diana Torres, a 16-year-old student at Roosevelt High School and youth trainer for GSA Network of California’s #WerkItTour. “I’m excited to unite GSAs across Southern California and build our power as a movement to fight for educational justice for trans and queer youth.”
The #WerkItTour will make further stops in Oceanside and Boyle Heights to build youth leaders’ skills and address key issues affecting LGBTQ middle and high school students. Topics will include understanding our different identities, building coalitions, and organizing GSAs to take action through campaigns against bullying, the school-to-prison/deportation pipeline, and discrimination. Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) clubs are student-led groups that support lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth and work for justice in middle and high schools.
Summits will take place from 9-5:30, with interview and photo opportunities with youth leaders available for media at noon. The schedule of the remaining summits is:
Oceanside Summit: Saturday, Dec. 6 North County LGBTQ Resource Center 510 North Coast Highway Oceanside, CA 92054
Boyle Heights Summit: Saturday, Dec 13 Wellness Center 1200 N State St, Los Angeles, CA 90033
Visit gsanetwork.org/werkittour for more information.
