#gsan

[sizzlingzombieturtle]

did some more sketches in drawpile today and im super hecking proud of how they turned out. ESSPECIALY FRISK OMG THEY ARE SO CUTE 

[laqueerstorian-blog]

The first PROUD festival in Downtown Los Angeles, August 7, 2016, took place  at the famous Persian Square Park on Hill and 5th street. Many thanks to all the organizers who worked to make DTLA PROUD FEST an incredible experience. I look back and feel extremely honored to have been given the opportunity by the youth organizers, to document the Youth Pavillon: The future of LGBTQ advocacy. Jonathan Azterbum, a youth organizer currently attending Pitzer college, contact me to document the even via photography with the hopes of creating images that will carry on the legacy of trans and queer youth leaders.

IMAGES BY EVE MORENO. 

[goldlionlife]

G'San & E-Stro last Friday at Underground Rising. Don't miss them turning up the crow at the next UR @ The Airlinet 12/4 when they co-headline with R-Mean. G'San will be celebrating his birthday and the release of his album "This Is Me." #gsan #estro #thisisme #afterours (at The Airliner Nightclub)

[cataloguesf]

[avalenia]

I had a really emotional time at activist camp, and a lot of triggering things, but I also had a lot of support coming in, and really great people from all over central valley and SoCal as well. I loved the support, and especially from the mentors and participants. I've grown so much and cannot wait to see them all throughout other GSAN events. Down with stereotypes!! Also, I really loved the fact that trans* issues were mostly on top of patriarchy workshops, it was like super support for me, because wounds are fresh. ❤

[avalenia]

EQCA-Backed Statewide Audit Will Hold Schools Accountable For Protecting All Students

Prompted by recent reports of bullying and harassment against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students, Equality California and the Gay Straight Alliance Network have partnered with Assemblymembers Ricardo Lara (D-Bell Gardens) and Betsy Butler (D-Los Angeles) will ask the Joint Legislative Audit Committee on Wednesday, August 8 to authorize an audit of California school districts and to report on the level of compliance with laws that protect students from discrimination, bullying and harassment.  Between 2003 and 2011, Equality California, together with its partners, successfully sponsored five bills related to school safety for LGBT students: AB 1250 (2003) Bias Prevention Training for Teachers; AB 394 (2007) Safe Place To Learn Act; SB 777 (2007) Student Civil Rights Act; AB 9 (2011) Seth's Law; and SB 48 (2011) Fair Education Act. While all schools are required to implement these laws, reports from students show a patchwork in which some school districts provide ample protection and others ignore or subvert the law. The audit is the first step in identifying non-complying districts and providing a pathway to compliance. 

YOU GUYS. I GET TO TESTIFY IN FRONT OF ALL OF THESE PEOPLE. OMFG. And it's all because of all of those people who've bullied me, pushed me around, and harrassed me from the moment I came out. If I hadn't looked for any resources online, I would have never even dreamed I would be doing this. A year ago last week, I was debating whether I would follow through with suicide, or continuing and living my high school life (aka HELL). Now, I'm on the Board of Directors, speaking to assembly members, and training other teens on the rights I never knew I had. 

This is proof that any small voice, is a big difference. Never be afraid to speak out. Be the change.

[avalenia]

Today was our final trainer practice with Victoria ever. It's really amazing how one person can change your entire life around, via email, via phone call... She encouraged me to attend GAYLA/QYAD this year, and since then, the central valley youth trainers and I, along with victoria, have gotten a lot closer than I ever have with most people in my area..they gave me hope and courage to come out as pansexual to my mom, as well as to come out about my gender and be proud about who I am... Today after practice, she took us on the tour of downtown Fresno, and how it was once the hot spot of Fresno in the 1960's...we also talked about the privilege we have, how you have to make less than a certain amount of money to even be considered to love in the projects, how those requirements and systems work to keep you "where you belong"...going through all of this, and me talking about my experience growing up in the ghetto totally changed my point of view.. I shouldn't ever have to be ashamed of my dad being a farm worker, or my stepdad speaking to me only in Spanish even though he knows English. Going around Fresno today totally helped me check my privilege. Not all folks HAVE the opportunity to be a leader, to be bilingual, to have people help you focus and support you through disabilities. I shouldn't ever have to be ashamed of sharing a 2 bedroom apartment with 11 people, or being a welfare kid, or having a disabled mom. Not a lot of people have a caring parent, or parent a all...not everybody has the support from their family when they come out... Today was a reminder of my raíces and where I come from.

[avalenia]

My hectic week before school starts:

August 6th:

get my crap ready and head out to Sacramento

August 7th:

7 am: head out to State Capitol

9 am: present speech to State Legislature

12 pm: head home

6-7pm: get home, get gift for little sister and celebrate her birthday

August 8th:

(TBA) <-----Also known as sleep all day, or freak out before camp starts.

August 9th-12th:

Head out to USC and train at Activist Camp for GSAN

Make new friends

Embarrass myself in front of a lot of people

Lose all sleep and freak out about school

August 13th:

School starts and so does hell for the rest of the year

Needless to say, I am more than blessed to even have this opportunity! I can't wait to be stressed and be tired. It makes me feel accomplished.