Pride Foundation

Washington State University Students Sponsor Gender-Neutral Bathroom Week

Gender Neutral Bathroom Week at WSU Vancouver is Apri 2-6

Janae Teal and Meredith Williams, Pride Foundation Scholars and student organizers of Gender-Neutral Bathroom Week, are starting a conversation locally to tell the campus and the broader community that no matter how someone expresses their gender, they deserve to pee in peace.

Students at Washington State University (WSU) Vancouver have organized Gender-Neutral Bathroom Week, April 2 – 6, as a way to educate the campus community about gender issues, including diversity of gender identities and expressions. Throughout the week, one set of bathrooms in each of seven buildings will be designated “gender neutral,” meaning the facilities will be available for use to anyone, no matter their gender identity or expression.

Gender-Neutral Bathroom Week brings awareness to the community and support to students who have felt uncomfortable and have been questioned or harassed using public restrooms both on and off campus because they do not meet society’s stereotypical notions for male or female.

Campuses throughout the nation are currently grappling with how to best meet the needs of all students and are exploring policies for gender-neutral housing and other public facilities.

“I sometimes hear people are afraid of gender-neutral facilities. Believing that anyone who is masculine is automatically a threat or unclean is disrespectful to men. Believing that anyone who is feminine is a potential victim or needs protection is disrespectful to women. Assuming we need to be kept in separate rooms to go the bathroom is based on outdated, limiting stereotypes of what men and women should look or act like. This is not just an issue for the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender communities—this impacts anyone who does not express themselves in stereotypically gendered ways,” said Teal.

If members of the WSU Vancouver community do not wish to use the gender-neutral bathrooms, there will be signs to gender-segregated alternatives in each of the participating buildings.

“The great thing about this plan is that people who are not comfortable using a gender-neutral bathroom can step a few feet out of their way to find a gender-segregated bathroom. For that few seconds, they get to experience what it is like for gender non-conformers who often have to go out of their way, and sometimes have to ‘hold it,’ if they don’t want to be harassed in the bathroom,” said Williams.

Throughout Gender-Neutral Bathroom Week, student, staff and faculty volunteers will act as “toilet trainers” to help the event run smoothly. They will be stationed outside of each gender-neutral bathroom to answer questions, direct traffic and raise awareness of the reasons for the event.

Members of the WSU Vancouver community and the public are invited to debrief the event at a Town Hall Meeting on Monday, April 9 in Room 129 the Administration Building from 5-6pm.

Gender-Neutral Bathroom Week was made possible by funding from the WSU Vancouver Diversity Council. Additional information is available at www.wsuvgenderdiversity.wordpress.com.

Uma Rao is Pride Foundation’s Regional Development Organizer in Western Washington. Email Uma.

PFLAG WA State: “We are many, we are united…and we are voting in November”

Earlier this month, the Washington State PFLAG Council organized several community members to make the following videos to send a strong message to voters in Washington State. They each feature an out LGBTQ person, and display the many people who support them and will vote in favor of marriage equality.

You can view the videos here, and here.

According to Northwest PFLAG Regional Director Kathy Reim, “We are now depending on you to pass along the word that we love our families and will be voting, sign the pledge cards with Washington United for Marriage, the coalition that is working for marriage equality, and have the conversations as to why you care about this. If you are a straight ally, your voice is critical in all of this to move the 20 percent who do not know it is important and to shelter all the people we love whom the opposition will try to denigrate.”

Uma is Pride Foundation’s Regional Development Organizer in Western Washington. Email Uma. To get more involved in the campaign, contact Washington United for Marriage.

Skagit County: Youth Suicide Prevention and Intervention Session

The Youth Suicide Prevention Program’s OUTLoud Project Presents…

Safe and Accepted: LGBTQ Youth Suicide Prevention and Intervention

Come join the OUTLoud Project March 8 from 4-7 pmfor a 3-hour event focused on increasing support for LGBTQ youth in your home, school, or organization thereby reducing their risk for suicide, self harm, and depression.

The first, 2-hour session objectives are:

• “Best practices” for providers, schools, families, and individuals to increase support for LGBTQ youth
• Heightened awareness of the warning signs for clinical depression & suicide
• Learn the steps for intervening with a youth you are concerned about

Followed by multiple one-hour sessions covering:

• Faith and the LGBTQ Community
• Family Acceptance Project findings & best practices
• Courageous Communication

Location: Central United Methodist Church
1013 Polte Road
Sedro-Woolley, WA 98284
(360) 856-6412
[email protected]

To register, go to https://yspp.wufoo.com/forms/safe-and-accepted-skagit-county/

For more information please contact

Heather Carter
OUTLoud Project Manager
Youth Suicide Prevention Program
206 297 5922 ext. 116
[email protected]

Brought to you free by a grant from Pride Foundation and in partnership with Skagit PFLAG and the YMCA Oasis Teen Shelter

Homeless Teen Shelter Begins New Program for LGBTQ Youth

Justin Krupa, Oasis Shelter Director

The YMCA Oasis Teen Shelter, a current Pride Foundation grantee, is a shelter for runaway and homeless youth ages 13-17.  The Shelter has been in existence since 1997 (formerly known as Skagit Homeless Youth) and is a program of the Skagit Valley Family YMCA. It functions as the only shelter for runaway and homeless youth in Skagit County.  They are one of only two shelters for runaway and homeless youth between the Canadian border to Everett, WA.  Needless to say, they not only serve Skagit Valley Youth, but youth from all over the state.  Justin Krupa, Director of the Oasis Shelter said that in 2011, the Shelter served 91 different youth for 641 bed nights and served over 1,280 warm meals; the most youth in the shelter’s history.

To become more inclusive of LGBTQ youth, Oasis will launch a new afterschool program for LGBTQ youth including drop-in hours exclusive to LGBTQ youth. According to Justin, the new afterschool program will be the only one of its kind in Skagit county.  Young people who live further away from the shelter will get bus passes to ensure their attendance. The Shelter is also working with other youth agencies, Gay-Straight Alliances, and Skagit PFLAG to develop the program that best suits the needs of local youth.  “This program will be one of expression, of equality, of self betterment, and of a kindred belief that falls under the basic foundation of personal freedom.  It is designed to both help LGBTQ youth and to work with youth to avoid falling into the state of homelessness. [For example] Oasis has a sound lab where young people can create music in a variety of ways –live instruments, sing, drum machine, keyboard etc—we have art projects and video equipment too.”

Additionally, Oasis Shelter started working with Youth Suicide Prevention Project’s OUTLoud program to help the Oasis staff understandbullying and subsequent issues that LGBTQ youth face. Heather Carter, the OUTLoud Program Manager, says  “I think the best way to look at this is:  It takes a village. Justin and the YMCA have seen an unmet need and are willing to do what they can to fill it by providing a much needed support to a population that often goes without that support. The more we all work together the better served these youth are. ”

Justin Krupa says, “Being that we are in a rural community, LGBTQ youth face additional obstacles for reaching the support they may need.  Whether it be due to family ‘values’–that always gets me riled up!– or transportation for example, our LGBTQ youth need somewhere, not necessarily within a traditional school environment, to be able to speak freely and express themselves without fear of any kind.  This is what the YMCA Oasis Teen Shelter has, and will always provide.”

Despite the energy at the Oasis Shelter to develop this program, it’s not all smooth sailing. “Not all school districts are necessarily always on board with our agenda, “ says Justin, who points out the tricky nature of confidentiality in youth culture, and the consistent need for funding. Still, he reminds us “We are here because for one reason or another, someone else is not…Rarely will we ever know what has happened to the youth we served on any given day.  But the very fact that we are here to listen, we are here to care, and we are here to do what it takes to support our youth in the challenges that life presents them, is our success. “

Do you live in or near Skagit Valley and want to get involved? Start with informing yourself  about suicide prevention. Attend a FREE training on March 8 or email Pride Foundation’s Regional Development Organizer in Washington, Uma Rao at [email protected].

New Scholarship: “It’s All About Love”

Bill & Steve

Steve Parsons met Bill McKnight eighteen years ago and the friendship was instant. They met through what was then called Seattle AIDS Support Group (now Compassion & Choices of Washington), when they were both grieving the loss of people in their lives due to AIDS. Steve and Bill decided to meet up for coffee, to know each other better and to work through their grief together. What started out as a valuable friendship became a story of true romance.

Bill McKnight had a successful career as an artist and designer for architecture firms and even large companies such as Nordstrom. He ended his career with his own business—bill mcknight design—based on Bainbridge Island and run by Steve. They were successful and worked with many families on the Island, even though he says Bainbridge wasn’t always as gay-friendly as it is today. Bill encouraged Steve to found OutKitsap, a former grantee of Pride Foundation that supported the LGBTQ community in Kitsap County. OutKitsap promoted visibility and inspired many projects and programs since then, continuing to benefit the community.

“When people are in love,” Steve says, “there is a respect and integrity between people—straight, gay, black, white, whatever. People could see that in us, and they wanted to be around us.” Bill McKnight passed away from cancer four years ago.

Through his grief, Steve Parsons decided to start a scholarship fund with Pride Foundation in honor of Bill. “The bill mcknight Legacy Scholarship for Arts and Humanities,” he says proudly. “He was so gentle and shy…yet he had many words when it came to talking about design, poetry, art…he was passionate about art.”

Steve has invited their family and friends to contribute to the scholarship fund. “I just describe it to someone and they immediately say ‘sign me up!’”, he explains with surprise, “people want to honor him. When they give freely, it’s a validation of our relationship and how much they adore him…actually, it’s not about me it’s about him…it’s a part of our love story… It’s all about love.”

SnoGLOBE presents Snohomish County’s first LGBTQ Film Festival!

The one-day SnowGLOBE Eqaulity Alliance 2012 Winter Film Festival takes place Sunday, January 29 at Everett PUD Theatre starting at 1pm. The festival includes regional favorites like Drew Emery’s “InLaws & OutLaws” and a locally produced documentary featuring LGBTQ youth from Snohomish County.

“We are excited to provide this opportunity to come together to celebrate the lives of our LGBTQ community members and our allies,” says Brenda Newell, a volunteer leader with SnowGLOBE Equality Alliance, a Pride Foundation grantee.

“This film festival is a significant step in helping us reach our mission to create and affirming, equal, just, and unified community.”

Get your tickets now to support visibility and leadership in Western Washington’s LGBTQ community!

POSTPONED: NW Washington Grantee Celebration

Due to weather conditions the Northwest Washington Grantee Celebration planned for Saturday, January 21 had been postponed. Skagit Valley College (our venue) is closed for operations today and may not be open tomorrow. We are also aware that the roads are still not completely safe to travel on.

A rescheduled event will be announced as soon as possible because we are very excited to celebrate the amazing work of our grantees in Northwest Washington! (In the meantime, you can explore our Northwest Washington grantees’ websites below.)

Please stay tuned—and we hope to see you soon at our rescheduled event.

Northwest Washington Grantees

GLOBE

PFLAG Sedro-Woolley/Skagit Valley

Skagit Valley Family YMCA – Oasis Teen Youth Shelter

SnoGLOBE Equality Alliance

Youth Suicide Prevention Project

Should you have any questions, please contact Uma Rao, Regional Development Organizer for Western Washington.

“LGBTQ band geeks need their own scholarship fund”

The Big Check for band geeks!

The Rainbow City Band (RCB) worked for five years to raise $25,000 to start a scholarship fund at the Pride Foundation. This year will be the first time the scholarship will be given out – the online application deadline is January 31 at 5pm PST. Betsy Smith, Pride Foundation supporter and proud “band geek” encourages anyone who is interested in starting a scholarship fund to do it! Here are some of her thoughts:

Why is this “band geek” scholarship so important?

The private sector has to step up and help make college affordable for those who have the skill and desire to attend. Students are leaving college mired in debt with poor employment prospects. As a society we need to do all we can to help alleviate that collar of debt so our future leaders can focus on leading, not just earning money to pay their debt down. LGBTQ students often face the added burden of not having family support based on their sexual orientation. Scholarships through Pride Foundation help to level the playing field. Hopefully the Rainbow City Band Scholarship will help keep an LGBTQ musician engaged in music study beyond their high school band.

What motivated you to work on this project?

As a middle school student in suburban Cleveland, OH in the late ‘60s I knew I was different, I just couldn’t put a name to the difference. When I picked up a flute for the first time in 5^th grade I was transported away from my differences. I lived and breathed for band. I couldn’t wait for my band classes to come. By the time I was in high school in rural Virginia I still didn’t know what to call my “difference” but I knew that I was a band geek. Being in the school band helped me get through high school when my family moved in the middle of my Junior year to suburban Milwaukee where I talked with a pretty good accent and didn’t fit it.

It was in this high school where I first was called “lesbo” by a group of “jocks.” I wasn’t a radical, I wasn’t an LGBTQ activist, and I wasn’t even sure what they meant! There was no internet to connect with other kids. But, my band geek family was there. They didn’t necessarily know or want to know that some in my school considered me a “lesbo” but they lifted me up when I was down. They focused on helping me see that the music transcended all labels, all taunts and all the negative emotions that might be happening to any of us in the band. In short, Band Geeks are a special group of people.

Fast forward to 2000. I realized I missed making music and sought out a place to do so. I found Rainbow City Band and found a music family. As my time in the band progressed, I took on leadership roles and when I was president I thought it was time for this wonderful LGBTQ family to give back to the community in a BIG way. I thought that LGBTQ band geeks needed their own scholarship fund where their unique personalities and qualities are recognized. I thought that perhaps, if the “Rainbow City Band” scholarship had been one of the scholarships I saw in the guidance counselor’s office when I was checking out which scholarships to apply to, maybe I would have put a name to my own “difference” sooner.

How might you advise others in their efforts to start a scholarship fund?

Talk to the folks at the Pride Foundation about the scholarship program. Learn all you can about the need for the scholarship you envision. The information you gather will help you convince others to donate to your scholarship fund. Remember that it does not all have to be raised in a single event. It took RCB 5 years to raise the funds, but we did it! A bunch of “band geeks” raised $25,000 doing what they do best – making music!

Contact Anthony Papini or Jody Waits if you have questions about starting a scholarship fund.

By Uma Rao and Caitlin Copple

Scholarship workshops in Western Washington

Calling all students! Do you know that Pride Foundation has scholarships for you? I’m sure you do, but do you know that we are hosting workshops to help you write the best application that you can? Join us.

Saturday, December 10
Whatcom Community College
2-4pm
Syre Building 107/108

Monday, December 12
Skagit Valley College, Mt Vernon Campus.
4-6pm
Angst Hall, Roomm 135

Tuesday, December 20
Vancouver
4-6pm
Triple Point (1112 Columbia Ave, Vancouver, WA)

Tuesday, January 10
Olympia
4-6pm
Stonewall Youth (317 4th Ave East)

Thursday, January 12
Tacoma
6-8pm
Pacific Lutheran University UC 171

Pride Foundation provides post-secondary educational scholarships to current and future lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and straight-ally leaders and role models from Alaska, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and Washington. In collaboration with our scholarship partners at the GSBA, we are proud to support LGBTQ and straight ally students! Together, we offer nearly 50 different scholarships, but only one application to complete. Pride Foundation’s LGBTQ and straight ally scholarship program is one of the largest of its kind in the country.

Contact Uma with questions or to RSVP.

Understanding LGBTQ parenting issues in Washington (Video)

Guest writer David Ward is Legal & Legislative Council at Legal Voice and is also a Board Member at QLAW.

QLaw Foundation recently sponsored a panel to help LGBTQ parents understand legal protections available for their families. With the support of a Pride Foundation grant, and the Access to Justice Institute at Seattle University School of Law, a video of the panel is now available online for families all throughout Washington to have access to information to protect their families. Check out this video of “LGBT Parents and the Law:  What You Need to Know to Protect Your Family”.

The event featured presentations by three of Washington’s leading legal experts on LGBTQ family law. Raegen Rasnic began the evening by discussing how to start or grow a family through adoption, assisted productive technology, or surrogacy. Next, Janet Helson explained how LGBTQ parents can legally establish and protect their parental rights. Finally, Patricia Novotny covered options for parents and children if a relationship ends.  The event was moderated by Jennie Laird, QLaw Foundation’s incoming President.

After their presentations, the panelists took questions from the nearly 60 community members in the audience. Questions ranged widely and included how to complete a second-parent adoption, what documents parents should keep with them to protect their rights when they travel, and how to make sure both partners are included on a child’s birth certificate.

Some key takeaways from the event:

- Take Legal Steps Now To Protect Your Family: The law’s treatment of LGBTQ parents is complicated, rapidly changing, and varies widely from state-to-state. As a result, it’s critically important for LGBTQ parents to plan ahead and to take legal steps to protect the rights of both parents. To protect your children and to avoid the emotional and financial drain if there is ever a parenting dispute, take these legal steps at the front end of your relationship.  “I’m too busy” is not an excuse.

- Second-Parent Adoptions Are Still Strongly Recommended for LGBTQ Parents: A recent change in Washington’s Uniform Parentage Act now makes it clear that when couples in a state-registered domestic partnership have a child together, both partners are legally presumed to be the child’s parents under Washington state law. This is a very important change, and will help protect parent-child relationships in Washington. But because other states may not recognize Washington’s law, LGBTQ couples are still strongly advised to complete a second-parent adoption to protect the rights of the non-biological parent throughout the country.

- Let’s Play Fair With Each Other:   When LGBTQ couples have custody disputes, we need to keep in mind that any case that goes to court can establish bad law for countless other families.  If couples have a dispute, don’t support those who try to “ex out”another parent from their child’s life by making homophobic arguments, or by trying to take advantage of the law’s often unequal treatment of same-sexparents.

Co-sponsors include Legal Voice, who also played a major role in assisting with organization and publicity; the ACLU of Washington, Lambda Legal, and Equal Rights Washington.

This panel was the second of three community education events that the QLaw Foundation is presenting with the support of Pride Foundation. Look for more information soon about a presentation on the legal issues impacting the LGBTQ community as we grow older, planned for early January. To view a video of QLaw Foundation’s first panel on bullying in Washington public schools, please click here and scroll to the February 22, 2011 event: Bullying in Washington Schools.