MSSC’s very own Ashley J. shares her opinions with CNN on the film Pariah and how it plays out in her own life. Check out her post “I will support as many ‘Pariahs’ as I can” on CNN.com by visiting – http://inamerica.blogs.cnn.com/2012/01/12/opinion-i-will-support-as-many-pariahs-as-i-can/
Are you interested in working in schools? With LGBT youth? Want to get more involved than you already are? Would you like to be part of something great? Why not apply to be a part of the Queer Youth Advisory Board (or QYAB)? MSSC is now accepting applications to be a part of the leadership board which drives the work of the Mississippi Safe Schools Coalition.
Why should you apply? By joining QYAB you will gain valuable leadership experience, learn new skills, and have access to travel opportunities. At the moment MSSC is applying for its own 501c3 which means if you get on QYAB you will a board member for a nonprofit!
Applications turned in before the priority deadline will be considered first. While we will accept applications after this date, they may not be considered for this year’s application process.
For more information on the current QYAB check out our Leadership page.
On November 9th, MSSC was asked to help co-present to the Mississippi Department of Human Services in partnership with The University of Southern Mississippi’s Gay/Straight Alliance, who coordinated the event. Anna of MSSC, Matthew of MSSC and USM’s GSA, and Daniel Cook of USM’s GSA presented at what became a mandatory meeting for social workers working in the DHS’s Gulfport office. Overall, Cook said it was a successful event particularly since the group was immediately asked back to do further trainings with other agencies in the area. To view a PDF version of their 30 minute presentation click to the left.
Additional materials presented to the social workers and case workers included the following materials from OutHealth.net:
Are you interested in working in schools? With LGBT youth? Want to get more involved than you already are? Would you like to be part of something great? Why not apply to be a part of the Queer Youth Advisory Board (or QYAB)? MSSC is now accepting applications to be a part of the leadership board which drives the work of the Mississippi Safe Schools Coalition.
Why should you apply? By joining QYAB you will gain valuable leadership experience, learn new skills, and have access to travel opportunities. At the moment MSSC is applying for its own 501c3 which means if you get on QYAB you will a board member for a nonprofit!
Applications turned in before the priority deadline will be considered first. While we will accept applications after this date, they may not be considered for this year’s application process.
For more information on the current QYAB check out our Leadership page.
This year MSSC has been asked to conduct workshops on LGBT Youth in Mississippi at numerous conferences across the state. Tuesday November 8th, MSSC will be participating in the The Mississippi Transitional Outreach Project’s “Integrity in Services and Supports for LGBTQI2-S Youth: Dispelling Myths, Creating Safe Environments” conference in Jackson, MS. Some of the topics to be discussed include: LGBT Competency for Service Providers, Long Term Implications of Being a Gay Foster Youth, LGBT Wellness and Accessing Services and Supports in Mississippi. MSSC will be presenting on LGBT youth in schools specifically bullying and creating safer spaces on campuses.
From the Mississippi Department of Mental Health:
November 7-8, 2011
Jackson, MS
Integrity in Services & Supports for LGBTQ12-S Youth: Dispelling Myths, Creating Safe Environments
CE: This training has been awarded 10.0 hours for the following disciplines: Mental Health Therapist (DMH), Licensed DMH Administrator (DMH), Case Management Professional (DMH), Addiction Counselor (DMH), Social Worker (NASW), which includes 10.0 hours of SW Diversity and 1.0 hour of SW Ethics, Counselor/LPC (NBCC), Alcohol & Drug Counselor (NAADAC), and Psychologist (APA).
Planning Forms have been submitted for the review for Nurse (MS Foundation) & University CEUs (JSU).
Registration Contact: Jackie Chatmon (601.359.6216) or click here
Continuing Education Contact: DMH, Division of Professional Development 601.359.1288
Click here to download the flyer for the training workshop.
The Victory Congressional Internship is accepting applications for Spring 2012.
The Gay & Lesbian Leadership Institute will bring outstanding LGBTQ college students to Washington, D.C., for an intensive leadership program, including a Congressional internship with an LGBT-friendly member of Congress.
The program includes a generous stipend, placement in a congressional internship and travel to/from Washington, D.C., as well as travel and registration to the International Gay & Lesbian Leadership Conference in Long Beach, California, in December 2012.
Applications for Spring 2012 are due Monday, November 7 – find out more and apply now at www.glli.org/vci (applications for Summer 2012 will be due February 6).
The Victory Congressional Internship is open to current undergraduate students of all genders, orientations, abilities, races, and political affiliations, including people with majors other than political science.
MSSC’s 4th Annual Q&A Summit was packed with a range of workshops facilitated by folks from the east coast, west coast and gulf coast. Topics included dismantling the school-to-prison pipeline, anti-racism, arts as a tool for activism, sex ed, and much more. If you came to the event, thanks for making it another successful event and if you missed it we’ll see you next year!
To read more about the summit from a presenter’s view, check out Geoffrey’s blog post on the GSANetwork page – https://www.gsanetwork.org/news/blog/mississippi-hotbed-gsa-activism/10/21/11
picture courtesy of Geoffrey Winder
Two members of the Queer Youth Advisory Board (QYAB) took part in GSA Network’s National Gathering held in Washington, DC. According to the GSA Network website,”The goal of the National Gathering is to support the GSA movement across the country and expand it to include even more states, cities and towns.” While attending National Gathering, QYAB members Audri Ingram and Anna C. Davis attended workshops ranging on topics including: the School-to-Prison Pipeline, Racial and Economic Justice, and Strategic Planning. Audri and Anna also facilitated a workshop on Gender Identity and Gender Expression. In the coming months, MSSC will be working more closely with GSA Network on a number of topics in Mississippi.
For more information on National Gathering and GSA Network please visit their website at http://www.gsanetwork.org/
from the GSA Network site:
“The National Gathering welcomes 55 to 75 participants each year. About two-thirds of all participants are youth leaders. Skilled youth trainers facilitate the majority of the workshops at the National Gathering. Staff from various states also lead trainings.
GSA activists from states with organizational members in the National Association of GSA Networks are welcome to apply, as part of the GSA network in that state. Check the National Directory to find out if your state has an organizational member. If your state does not have a member, you can Start a GSA Network in your state. Please contact us. You may be eligible to attend.”
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.
Join youth from around the state of Mississippi for a two-day summit focusing on youth justice! Workshops on social justice and hip hop culture will help shape the Mississippi Youth Demand for Justice Movement! For more information contact Nancy Kohsin-Kintigh at nkohsinkintigh@aclu-ms.org, 601-354-3408.
The event will be held at Jackson State University from July 9, 8:30 a.m. until July 10, 5:00 p.m. It is free and open to youth ages 10 to 22.
