WORKSHOPS FOR THE 2012 FORUM

(see bottom of page for directions to Long Branch HS)

Schedule

9:15 – 10:00   Registration , review exhibits, morning snack, workshop sign-ups

10:00-10:30    Welcome, opening activity

10:30 – 11:15 Keynote, Pat Griffin with Kye Allums

11:25 – 12:25 First session includes workshop by Pat Griffin and 5 additional workshops

12:25 – 1:15   Lunchtime groups at identified topic tables

1:25 – 2:25     Second session: 6 choices.  some repeats from earlier

2:30 – 3:30     Third session, 6 workshops

3:35 – 4:00     Closing session: Pandora and spoken word ensemble, wrap up, evaluations, farewell

Workshop session 1: 11:25 – 12:25, See room  locations on worksheet

Time Out for Respect: Making School Sports Teams and PE Classes Great
Presenters: Pat Griffin and Kye Allums, The GLSEN Sports Project
Students on athletic teams and in physical education classes often hear anti-gay name-calling
or are subjected to bullying and harassment that is accepted as "part of the game." Participants
in this workshop will talk about sports and physical education in their schools and identify specific
resources, strategies and initiatives from the GLSEN Sports Project to make school sports safe,
respectful and inclusive for LGBT students.

Bridges of Respect *

Presenters – Long Branch High School Teen PEP

Sexual orientation is a topic that few people have the opportunity to discuss in an honest,
factual, and respectful way.  This workshop uses skits and small group discussions to explore
homosexuality and homophobia in order to promote understanding while appreciating differences.
Long Branch High School Teen PEP is a group of students trained in leadership and sexuality
issues. 

*Indicates this workshop is led or co-led by youth

GSA Advisors Roundtable

Facilitators—Alex Lawrence, West Windsor-Plainsboro HS South

& Steve Benoit, The Solebury School

Join GSA facilitators, teachers and supporters for an informative discussion.  Learn from the
veterans how to be more effective in your GSA, specific ideasfor events throughout the year that
will help keep the club active, and suggestions about interacting with resistant administrators.

Scholarship Strategies - Finding and Winning the Money You Need

Presenter: Jean Fedora, Connections 101

Description:  A Dynamic interactive program from Connections 101 that will cover scholarship 
myths and misconceptions, how and where to find scholarships, scholarship scams and 
scholarship essay tips.

Bias, Prejudice, Stereotypes: How They Affect Us

Presenter: Detective Dave D’Amico, Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office

In this workshop Detective D’Amico will discuss identification of bias incidents and bias crimes.   Participant will learn how to react, respond and report bias incidents and bias crimes.

My Coming Out Journey – A Roller-coaster Ride to Sanity

Presenter – Paul Zilber, student, Middlesex Community College

This workshop is dedicated to those who are or have been brought down by their environment. 
I will share my journey in the coming out process, the abuse which accompanied it, and what I
did to take this negativity and turn it into the ability to fight for LGBT rights and work on behalf of LGBT youth.

Workshop session 2:  1:25 – 2:25

Days of Action: Creating Change in Your School Climate

Presenter: Kiwi Grady, GLSEN, Community Initiatives Associate

Check out the Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network (GLSEN) national Days of Action
that happen throughout the school year: Ally Week, TransAction!, MLK Organizing Weekend,
and Day of Silence.  Learn about resources for each Day of Action that will help you take powerful
steps in your school toward a positive climate welcoming to all regardless of sexual orientation or
gender identity/expression.

Keeping the Faith: Maintaining LGBT Authenticity in Religions Settings

Presenter: Al Cunningham, Program Manager, Liberation  in Truth Social Justice Center

Bring your individual experiences, interests and issues surrounding homosexuality and religion,
and let's discuss both resources and strategies for coping with and/or avoiding homophobia in
faith-based settings.

You don’t LOOK gay…Being queer MY OWN way

Presenter : Don Dyson, PhD, Program in Human Sexuality, Widener University,
AASECT Schiller Award recipient

Description: You’re out…and now you are supposed to look, act, think, and feel in
particular ways, so you can be what a queer person should be.  WRONG!  Lots of people,
including folks in queer communities, expect lgb&t folks to look and act in certain ways. 
The reality is there are many different communities of queerness to which you can belong.
This workshop explores the challenges of being put into boxes so others feel more comfortable. 
Come engage in building an identity that feels JUST LIKE YOU and not what others expect you to be!

Understanding the Trans Experience—Talk with Christine

Presenter: Christine Hamlett, Educator, Supervisor Newark Public Schools

Bring your questions, bring your experiences.  This is an opportunity to talk about a cutting
edge concern and learn ways to include everyone regardless of gender identity or expression
in the safe school environment. Are there health concerns?  Are there human rights concerns
protecting transgender people? What issues or concerns are you facing at school, home or in
any other social situation?  Talk and Share with Christine in a safe and nurturing environment

The Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights, Part 1, What are your rights under the law?

Presenters: Paula Rodriguez Rust, Spectrum Diversity and GLSEN CNJ, Rich Wilson, 
New Jersey Education Association

The Anti Bullying Bill of Rights was written to protect all students and to create safe schools. 
Learn about the nuts and bolts of the law and those things your school should be doing to
protect you and all students.  This is intended to prepare you for the conversations that will
take place in part two.  Please plan to attend both halves.

Scholarship Strategies - Finding and Winning the Money You Need

Presenter: Jean Fedora, Connections 101

Description:  A Dynamic interactive program from Connections 101 that will cover 
scholarship myths and misconceptions, how and where to find scholarships, scholarship 
scams and scholarship essay tips.

Workshop session 3: 2:30 – 3:30

Making our voices heard

Presenter: Pandora Scooter, Spoken Word Artist
Join premier spoken word artist Pandora Scooter and your fellow GSA'ers to help create (through writing and or performing) the finale of our great conference.  Each participant will be given the chance to write and/or perform as part of a piece that we'll be performing at the end of the conference.  Speak out!   Make the message clear that we are all about C-h-a-n-g-i-n-g the G-a-m-e.

Coming Out at Home: Telling Your Parents (Or Not!)

Presenter – Michael C. LaSala, Ph.D, LCSW, Director of MSW Program/Assoc Professor, School of Social Work, Rutgers University

Sometimes it’s a good idea to come out to your parents, other times it might not be.  This workshop will help you learn some guidelines that can help you decide.  If you are ready to take the plunge, you will learn what to expect and how to maximize the possibility of success.  If you are already out, learn how to help your parents adjust and also how to strengthen your family relationships.  Family issues are often difficult - so come and discuss your experiences, and learn some helpful pointers.

LGBTQ & People of Color

Presenter: Tyree Oredein, MPH, Hudson Pride Center

There are definite challenges when you are lesbian, gay, bisexual &/or transgendered. There are definite challenges when you are a person of color. What happens, when you are both?  This workshop will focus on  issues facing people of color who also identify as LGBT. Topics include, but are not limited to stereotypes; internal, interpersonal and institutional homophobia and racism; family and cultural issues; and potential ways to include and support LGBTQ youth of color.

The Anti Bullying Bill of Right,s Part 2, How well is it working for you?

Presenters: Paula Rodriguez Rust, Spectrum Diversity and GLSEN CNJ, Rich Wilson, New Jersey Education Association

Join a conversation about the Anti Bullying Bill of Rights and give your feedback about what works and what needs fixing.  This workshop is intended to be a continuation of Part 1.  Please plan to attend Part 1 so you can participate in the discussion.

Experiences of athletes – LGBTQ and allies

Presenters: Anna Aagenes, GLSEN Sports Project Game Changer and Jessica Davis, member of GLSEN CNJ Training Committee

Two former high school/college athletes discuss their experiences being LGBT on the field and off the court.  There will be a chance to share your experiences, dispel stereotypes, and plan strategies for teaming together.

Parents, Families & Friends Roundtable—When a child, sibling, parent comes out as LGBT

Presenters: Jersey Shore PFLAG members

Directions to Long Branch High School

Directions to Long Branch High School, 404 Indiana Ave., Long Branch, NJ

# From Garden State Parkway North or South:

>>>Take Exit 105 that will flow into Route 36 East.

Stay on Route 36 East till it ends at Ocean Avenue. (5.7 miles)

Right onto Ocean Avenue to Bath Avenue. (1.7 miles)

Right onto Bath Ave. (just under. ½ mile)

Just past RR tracks, make immediate Left onto Indiana Avenue.

Go past first school  (Long Branch Middle School) to next school which is Long Branch High School.

Enter second set of doors on left side of building.

#From the west: Take Route I195 east toward the Garden State Parkway.  Go north on the GSP to exit 105 and follow >>>

#From Burlington/Camden area.  Turnpike or I295 north to I295 and east to Garden State Parkway.  North on GSP to exit 105 and follow >>>

From the Long Branch Train Station: (It’s a few blocks walking distance.) Leave station heading toward Fine Fair supermarket. Turn right on Bath Ave. and left on Indiana Ave where you will pass the Middle School going toward Long Branch High School on the right. Enter second set of doors on left side of building.