Mississippi Safe Schools Coalition

The Mississippi Safe Schools Coalition was the only Mississippi group participating this year. We raised over $500 in just 24 hours. Those funds are going to be used to help further our programs and projects, new ventures, and our internship program.

MSSC greatly depends on generous donations from our supporters. Just last year, our annual Queer Youth & Ally Summit cost just under $100 because of generous non-monetary donations from local businesses and volunteers. We appreciate all methods of giving. For more information on how you can volunteer please fill out our Volunteer Registration.

At the close of the 24 hour period 5,474 people gave $556,400 to LGBT organizations from across the United States. National Give Out Day, powered by Bolder Giving released this statement at 12amEST/11pm CST:

Thank you for being part of the first ever Give OUT Day for the LGBTQ community and making history! Because of your generosity, countless lives will be impacted through your gifts to LGBTQ nonprofit organizations that address our community’s needs in a changing and complex society.

Thank you for uniting to give where you live!

For more information on how you can volunteer please fill out our Volunteer Registration.

On May 9^th, 2013, thousands of people across the country are going to show their support for their favorite LGBTQ nonprofit during Give OUT Day.  On that day, every donation and donor we get will go further to help us claim our share of awards.

We need you to help us with these three things:

1) Mark May 9^th, 2013, on your calendar and add this giving link. http://giveout.razoo.com/story/Mississippi-Safe-Schools-Coalition

2) Follow us on Facebook and Twitter and help build the buzz.

3) Spread the excitement! Tell your friends and family why you think they should help us with their donation. Please be our champion, and help us

For full schedule of events, click here.

The registration deadline is April 5th.  Click Here to Register or for more information!

 

A special thanks to all of you out there who helped to make this year’s prom a success. For those of you who were not able to join us you missed out on some great cake (see right) thanks to Campbell’s Bakery in Fondren and some great music thanks to our DJ and those of you who brought your iPods. This year we set up a Twitterfall so that folks could follow the event throughout the night. If you have ideas and/or suggestions for next year please send those our way. We also want to say thank you to Delta Omega Lambda (DOL) for co-sponsoring this year’s event.

About DOL: Delta Omega Lambda was formed to create unity; not just in the gay and feminist community, but also the entire Mississippi State University community by developing a better understanding of sexuality and gender identity. DOL is an all-inclusive service oriented sorority exemplifying the qualities of tolerance, diversity, unity, and trust, which provides a network of assistance in the areas of scholastic guidance, emotional support, and community service while ultimately developing the lifelong bonds of friendship.

Gene Robinson, who is a Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire, is an out gay man. In this video he offers his encouragement to LGBT students.

Perry explains what he is doing about bullying

Click the link below to watch the video
(more…)

The MSSC along with the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) held a screening of their documentary Bullied last night on the Millsaps College Campus in Jackson, MS. The event had a great turnout and everyone enjoyed both viewing and discussing the film. Today we continue with the 2010 Queer and Ally Summit featuring expert speakers from around the country on a wide range of topics including bullying and gender.

For more information on Bullied please see the Teaching Tolerance website.

Pictures from the screening are available on the MSSC Facebook Fan Page.

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