Education & Statewide Advocacy – what does that mean?!? Well, it means that I (that’s me over there ?, oh an apparently I really am excited by pens! I mean, there is nothing like a good writing instrument, right?) am working all over the state of Vermont to help students change the climate in their schools. A lot of my work involves listening to youth – what they need, what they don’t need, what is working, what isn’t working – and then helping each of them figure out what the next steps are. I’ve been working with Outright and with the youth across the state for a few months now and am amazed by all of the good things that people across the state want to do to be allies, advocates, and superheroes! Everyone – LGBTQQ youth and allies alike – are ready to do the heavy lifting to make change across the state!

So, how might our paths cross? Well, maybe I could come and visit with the Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) at your school and see what you all are up to and how Outright can support your group. Or…maybe you don’t have a GSA at your school and you are interested in starting one – we could talk about what steps you might take to get this moving forward. Perhaps you think that your school could benefit from having me come in and do an anti-bullying and harassment presentation – let’s talk about it. The bottom line is that I am here for you – wherever you are – in the state of Vermont – to provide support and assistance where you might need it to help you change the climate at your schools. Our goal is to have Vermont schools be the safest and most supportive schools in the country for LGBTQQ youth!

At the end of 2009, we will have visited over 2,700 youth across the state in 29 schools! More and more schools are looking for ways to support their LGBTQQ youth and we have been happy to be a part of the good work that schools – youth, teachers, staff, administration, and community members – are doing! So, let’s make 2010 another great year for LGBTQQ youth across the state!

So let’s chat. Via phone: 802-865-9677 ext. 4#. Via email: saben@outrightvt.org. Via person-to-person: 241 North Winooski Ave, Burlington, VT 05401 (or I can travel to you!)