GSBA Scholarship Volunteers Wanted

The 2008 GSBA Scholarship applications have been sent out and now it is time for us to start putting together our scholarship selection teams. If you have wanted to learn more about our scholarship program, or have always wanted to become more involved with the program, we encourage you to become part of this amazing process.

Volunteers will need to be available for training sessions, team meetings, and the day-long final interview process. Although there is a significant time commitment involved, the personal rewards of being part of this team are incredible.

If you are interested in becoming part of this year’s scholarship team, please contact Kirsten Weiss or Mary Ann Bailey for more information or a application packet.

The deadline for volunteer applications is FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 30TH. So sign up today!

Thanks, and we look forward to working with you.

Kirsten Weiss – Scholarship Committee Chair
kirwei@safeco.com
206-925-1864 or 206-473-5931

Mary Ann Bailey – Scholarship Manager
maryann@thegsba.org
206-760-0478

2008 GSBA Scholarship Applications Now Available

The 2008 GSBA and Pride Scholarship applications are now available on our newly updated GSBA Scholarship web site. Applications are due on Friday, January 25, 2008. There will be workshops held in the Seattle area for anyone who wants help in filling out the application. The first workshop will be at Antioch University on November 1st at 6:30pm. The times and dates of other workshops will be posted as soon as they are scheduled. For more information about the application process call Mary Ann Bailey at 206-760-0478.

News Update from GLSEN Washington State

Our Washington State GSA, (Gay/Straight Alliance), Network in one of the largest in the nation with nearly 300 GSA members across the state. Through on-going support, regional summits and annual events, we nurture these life-saving student clubs. Research shows that LGBT students do better when they attend a school with a GSA.

A new research brief from GLSEN National, released today, found…

** Students in schools with GSAs are less likely to hear homophobic remarks such as "faggot" or "dyke" in school on a daily basis than students without a GSA (57% compared to 75%).

** LGBT students in schools with GSAs are less likely to miss school because they feel unsafe compared to other students: a quarter (26%) of students in schools with GSAs missed school in the past month because they felt unsafe compared to a third (32%) of students at schools without GSAs.

** Students in schools with a GSA are more likely to report that school faculty, staff and administrators are supportive of lesbian, gay and bisexual students (52% compared to 32%).

We also launched our Transgender Youth Awareness Program, which seeks to increase the delivery of culturally competent service to transgender youth and reduce the incidence of bullying, harassment and discrimination they may experience. Check out our new website for additional details. http://transgenderyouth.org./.

GLSEN Washington State: http://glsenwa.org/.

Kristen Ericson Reports in From Kenya

Hi everyone! I have been in Kenya this summer doing HIV education and teaching English in primary schools in a village on Lake Victoria. I also was working in a daycare for orphans and partial orphans whose parents have died of AIDS. It has been an amazing experience, and I can hardly believe the summer is already over. I get home in a few days and I will write more about my experience once I get settled. Thanks, and I will be in touch.
Kristen Ericson
2007 GSBA Scholar

A Fun Day at Volunteer Park

A small, but enthusiastic group of GSBA scholars, members, friends, and family gathered at Volunteer Park yesterday for the First Annual “Back to School Scholarship Picnic”. The weather cooperated in a timely fashion with the sun breaking out just as the picnic got under way. Participants of all ages enjoyed great food, a little Frisbee, some Whiffle Ball, and lively conversation.

John Otto Takes Position with the National Center for Transgender Equality

I recently moved to Washington DC to take a position with the National Center for Transgender Equality. Founded in 2003, NCTE is a national social justice organization devoted to ending discrimination and violence against transgender people through education and advocacy on national issues of importance to transgender people.

I am filling the newly created Privacy and Documentation Program Manager position at NCTE . Translated, that means I am working on information privacy and identity document issues, such as drivers licenses, passports, Social Security records, and medical record privacy, plus federal legislation and policy that affects transgender people. Sometimes these policies intentionally affect transgender people; sometimes they are unintended consequences of legislation meant to do other things, such as the REAL ID Act.

I am thrilled to be doing this work and it is a dream come true to have employment that combines my undergraduate work in transgender studies--for which I was supported by GSBA with a scholarship--and my Master of Library and Information Science degree. It's as if this job was tailor-made for me. This job also allows me to "change the way people think" (as I told the GSBA scholarship interview committee I wanted to do) and to change the world in some very practical ways. I seriously think that without my scholarship from GSBA, that the chain of events leading me to this job would never have happened. Thanks to you and everyone at GSBA, and all of the funders, for being part of me doing this work!

best,
John Otto
2003 GSBA Scholar

Bryce McKibben – Student Lobbyist for UW Undergraduates

I have been involved with leadership roles in student government since 2005. In my work with the Associated Students of the University of Washington (ASUW), I have focused my efforts on queer activism and political and legislative issues. I am currently entering my second year of employment as the “student lobbyist” for UW undergraduates.

As the Director of Government Relations for the ASUW, I represent our 30,000 undergraduate students in the educational policy deliberations of our state legislature and in Washington D.C. This winter I had the unique opportunity to live in the state capitol of Olympia, write legislation that was passed into law, lobby for policy and budgetary allocations, and to witness the historic passage of the Domestic Partnership legislation.

My experience in Olympia was truly remarkable; I participated in the passage of at least five pieces of legislation, including the capping of tuition increases, an effort to reduce the cost of textbooks, allow for voter registration to be done online, and make the State Need Grant available to part-time students. I also supported a state operating budget that included a total of $79 million in new financial aid to students in our state.

With the success of this year carrying forward, I was elected to the position of President of the Washington Student Lobby in April of this year. In this new role, I have joined other student leaders from around the country in lobbying on a national level with the United States Student Association. We are currently celebrating the impending reauthorization of the Higher Education Act, which will make the greatest investment in financial aid in the U.S. since the G.I Bill passed in 1944.

I extend my thoughtful thanks for your support of my leadership activities and education and of the whole GSBA Scholarship Program. I extend special thanks to Louise Chernin and Mona Smith, who have always been so supportive and helpful to me. And to the hundreds of other Board members, donors, and volunteers – THANK YOU for all that you do!
Bryce McKibben
2005 & 2007 Scholarship Recipient