Mississippi Safe Schools Coalition

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About Us

June 14th, 2010

The Mississippi Safe Schools Coalition is a collaboration of people and organizations who believe that no student should ever feel too afraid to go to school. Harassment, bullying, and unfair school policy can make schools into hostile places for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer youth or young people who are mistakenly perceived to be queer. We train students and allies to make schools safer while fighting for long-term policy change.

Mission

The mission of the Mississippi Safe Schools Coalition is to ensure that all students have a safe learning environment by protecting students’ constitutional rights, ending homophobia, transphobia, sexism, and all forms of discrimination, and fostering acceptance of students regardless of their actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity through public education and advocacy.

Leadership

MSSC believes that it’s impossible to make schools safe without giving young people a voice; for this reason, the coalition is entirely youth led. Our governing body is the Queer Youth Advisory Board (or QYAB). QYAB is made up of diverse high school and college age youth activists from across the state.

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MSSC Now Accepting Registrations for Second Chance Prom

April 26th, 2010

Update: Registration is now closed.

The Mississippi Safe Schools Coalition is excited to announce that the registration form for Second Chance Prom is now available online. Any Mississippi youth or student between the ages of 15 and 23 are welcome to register. Youth and Students can access the registration form at:

Second Chance Prom will be held May 8th at the Bancorp South Arena in Tupelo, MS. The event will last from 5pm until 11pm. There is no cost to attendees.

Space is limited so Register NOW! We will send a confirmation email to let you know that your space has been reserved. (NOTE: You will not receive the confirmation email immediately.)

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Mississippi Safe Schools Coalition, Celebrities to Host Second Chance Prom in Tupelo, MS this Saturday

May 6th, 2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
May 6, 2010

CONTACT:
Matthew Sheffield, Communications Director, MSSC, 601-460-0506, matthew@mssafeschools.org
Jamie Carter, Secretary, MSSC, 601-506-9765, jamie@mssafeschools.org

Tupelo, MS– On Saturday, May 8, 2010 the Mississippi Safe Schools Coalition (MSSC) will host Second Chance Prom in Tupelo, MS at the Bancorp South Arena. The evening will include dinner, a formal program (including awards for outstanding youth), music and dancing. ?uestLove (from The Roots) will DJ, Hey Champ will play and Lance Bass has confirmed that he will appear. A-list event planner Michael Russo, of Roses n Lollipops, has organized the event.

“I am more than thrilled that prom day is finally here,” says Audri Ingram, age 15, Advisory Board Member of the MSSC. “MSSC members worked really hard to help plan this event. I know what it’s like to not be accepted for who I am, so this event is all about making sure people are accepted for who they are.”

This event is made possible through the generous support of funders, both in and out of Mississippi. Major sponsors include Green Day, the American Humanist Association, Iron Chef Cat Cora, Human Rights Campaign, and Lance Bass, who is a Mississippi native and vocal supporter of LGBT rights.

Members of the media are not allowed inside the event when it begins, however the MSSC cordially invites members of the media to the following:

What: Media Walk Through of Arena
Members of the media will get a look at the arena decorated for the prom, and have access to select youth members of MSSC for interviews.
When: Saturday, May 8 2010, 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM
Bancorp South Arena, Tupelo MS

What: Media Press Conference
Members of the media will have access to select event organizers, celebrities and

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Information About Transportation

May 5th, 2010

Hello Everyone!
The Mississippi Safe School’s Coalition’s second annual Second Chance Prom is this Saturday, May 8, 2010! If you need transportation, please read this email for information about the drop off and pick up locations.

There will be four pickup locations: Jackson, Hattiesburg, Southaven, and Oxford. (Please refer to the itineraries below for specific departure times and pickup locations.) All buses will arrive at the BancorpSouth Arena in Tupelo at approximately 4:00 P.M. and leave the arena at 11:30 P.M. to return to their cities of origin.

Transportation back to your individual homes will not be provided, so please prepare to have transportation present at the drop off locations when the buses return.

If you are under 18, you must present a signed parental consent form or you will not be allowed to board the bus. (You can download the form here: http://mssafeschools.org/files/transportation.pdf) Additionally, if you leave on the bus, you must also return to your original pickup location on the bus. Consumption of alcohol or illicit drugs will not be allowed on the buses or at the arena.

Bus Itineraries:

Jackson Bus
12:30 P.M.: Leave Jackson from the parking lot of:
Drury Inn Hotel (610 East County Line Road / Ridgeland, MS 39157).
4:00 P.M.: Arrive in Tupelo at the BancorpSouth Arena.
11:30 P.M.: Leave Tupelo to return to Jackson.
2:30 A.M.: Arrive in Jackson in the parking lot of:
Drury Inn Hotel (610 East County Line Road / Ridgeland, MS 39157).

Hattiesburg Bus
11:00 A.M.: Leave Hattiesburg from the parking lot of:
Roses’s (3720 Hardy Street / Hattiesburg, MS 39402).
4:00 P.M.: Arrive in Tupelo at the BancorpSouth Arena.
11:30 P.M.: Leave Tupelo to return to Hattiesburg.
4:00 A.M.: Return to Hattiesburg.
Roses’s (3720 Hardy Street / Hattiesburg, MS 39402).

Southaven via Oxford Bus
1:15 P.M.: Leave from Southaven from the parking lot of:
Desoto Civic Center (4560 Venture Drive / Southaven, MS 38671).
2:45 P.M.: Leave Oxford from the parking lot of:
Kroger (2013 University Avenue / Oxford, MS 38655)
4:00 P.M.: Arrive in Tupelo at the BancorpSouth Arena.
11:30 P.M.: Leave Tupelo to return to Jackson.
12:30 A.M.: Arrive in Oxford:
Kroger (2013 University Avenue / Oxford, MS 38655)
1:30 A.M.: Arrive in Southaven in the parking lot of:
Desoto Civic Center (4560 Venture Drive / Southaven, MS 38671).
If you will be leaving your cars at the pickup locations, please park in the back of the parking lot.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding transportation to prom, please contact John Yu at john@mssafeschools.org.

Thanks again and see you Saturday!

-MSSC.

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Second Chance Prom Waiver/Parental Consent

May 5th, 2010

Hey Friends,

We are so excited about this weekend, and honored that you will be joining us at Second Chance Prom.

We are wanting to make sure this event if both fun AND safe, and to this end we are requiring that all participants (volunteers and attendees) sign a consent form. It is important that we look out for everyone’s safety, and know who wants to be filmed and who doesn’t.

The link below contains a PDF, which will need to be signed by all attendees. IF YOU ARE UNDER THE AGE OF 18, YOU WILL NEED TO HAVE THIS FORM SIGNED BY A PARENT OR GUARDIAN IN ORDER TO ATTEND THE EVENT. If you are above the age of 18 you can sign this at the door. You are also welcome to print it out and bring it
with you.

http://mssafeschools.org/files/waiver.pdf

See y’all this weekend! If you have any questions please contact info@mssafeschools.org.

MSSC

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