It's almost time for camp! I'm headed back, this time as a Pride Leader, and... well, here's what's up:

See you soon, campers! More fantastic Campus Pride updates soon :D

Hello again Campus Queens,

First, I must tell you all that I'm thrilled to now be on FACEBOOK! Please, won't you be my friend?

OK. Onto my advice column. I’ve received many fascinating questions over these past two months, making it difficult for yours truly to choose what to blog about next. However, there was a question that kept popping up more than any other, so I think it’s best if I answer it next. One version said it quite perfectly:

Dear Peaches,

I’m a freshman at UNLV and a Film Studies major. Unfortunately my film department, though fantastic in many ways, doesn’t offer a course in LGBT film history. I was reading about your history at Penn State and also about your new film coming out soon and I was inspired to write to you about my own dreams of becoming a filmmaker.

There are many books out now about gay film history, which gay movies to see, which are essential viewing, etc. I wanted to know your thoughts on this subject, and if you had your own list of films “every gay man should see”.

Thanks,

Vince

Well Vincent, let me first say that I’m shocked and appalled that a town like Las Vegas, the home of Showgirls and Siegfried & Roy, has no Queer Film Studies course in its main university’s cinema department. But seriously, I’d be glad to help a fellow queer filmmaker out. I remember what it was like those many moons ago when I myself was in film school – it wasn’t easy to find my own story represented up on those classroom movie screens.

Campus Pride works so hard every year to put together an awesome camp for LGBT & Ally college students from across the nation. This year (the third year) we had over 50 students in attendance and 20 faculty/student leader volunteers. Plus, we had a dozen student ambassadors from our camp host Towson University. So amazing, so much work! So much FUN!

As you might imagine, I am exhausted from a week of learning, action and friendships. Plus, I forget how uncomfortable a residence hall bed can be for five nights. So for now I am just going to share some pictures below.

Thank you to everyone who made camp possible this year – our stellar volunteers, corporate sponsors, individual donors, faculty, pride leaders, planning team and staff of Towson University – GO CAMP! Learn more online at www.campuspride.org/camp.asp

So, it's begun.

The 3rd annual Campus Pride Summer Leadership Camp has started, and what a whirlwind it's already been! I will never be able to explain how fantastic Camp is in words (it's something you MUST experience to understand), but I'm going to try my best here. My name is David, and I am from Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, MI - yes, just like the song "I've Got A Gal In Kalamazoo". I am the President of my LGBTQA campus group there (OUTspoken) and I worked with Campus Pride this past year as a Campus Q Team blogger. I have now returned for my second year of camp as a Pride Leader - that means I have volunteered my time to help facilitate a glorious week of intense, emotional, beautiful, revealing events. And despite the fact that my flight here on Monday was at 7:00 am, I am not regretting it at all!

Camp began today bright and early at 10:30 AM (I know that's not very early, but it's still in the morning so I am calling it early) with check-in for all the campers. Our wonderful Ambassadors from Towson University took care of our campers, gave them their room keys, and sent them off to their rooms so they could unpack and prep for the day. Camp proper began at 4:00 PM with the most fabulous kick-off event you could imagine. Some Pride Leaders and the wonderful 3rd-time faculty member CM Hall got together to introduce campers to our most FAVORITE thing here at camp - CHEERS! So you can all follow along at home, the first one is:

Awesome Cheer #1:
2, 4, 6, 8, Campus Pride is super great! Campus Pride YAY!
Awesome Cheer #2:
When I say Campus, you say Pride!
Cheerleader: CAMPUS!
Campers: PRIDE!
Cheerleader: CAMPUS!
Campers: PRIDE!

See? Don't you wish you were here so you could see these amazing cheers in action? I know you do, even if you aren't thinking it right now.

We have lots of exciting events going on all week and, we'll be sharing them with you in numerous ways.

First - Stay tuned here at www.campusprideblog.org for regular posts from folks here at camp.

Second - Follow us on twitter! Follow @CampusPride

Third - Stay tuned to our youtube channel. http://www.youtube.com/CampusPride

We will be posting on all of these sites throughout the week and each should point back here to the blog. Check back often for more!

~Brad

Third Annual Campus Pride Summer Leadership Camp Starts Today

50+ student leaders attend national LGBT and ally leadership training from colleges and universities across the U.S.; Blog with Campers this week online at CampusPrideBlog.org

(Baltimore, MD – July 21, 2009) – Over 50 student leaders from colleges and universities across the United States will participate in the third annual Campus Pride Summer Leadership Camp for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) and ally college students. The five day long leadership camp from July 21-26, 2009 will be hosted on the campus of Towson University in Towson, Maryland. Blog every day with camper starting today at http://www.campusprideblog.org

Campus Pride Camp, the only one of its kind in the nation, is a five-day camp experience for LGBT and ally college students. The camp blends traditional camp activities with a core curriculum of skill building in leadership development, social justice and civic involvement. Campers will also have a field trip to Washington, D.C. to meet with congressional leaders including out lesbian Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin and other leaders of national LGBT and ally organizations and social justice groups. The mission of Campus Pride and camp is to give “voice and action” to young adult leaders and to build future leaders in our movement for equality.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, June 15, 2009

PRESS INQUIRIES:
Campus Pride
704-277-6710 or info@campuspride.org

This July Campus Pride to Award “Campys” for Distinguished Service to LGBT & Ally Youth

Shelly Weiss of OUTmedia & Branding Guru Patrick Davis among honorees to receive first-ever Campys along with Campus Pride volunteers Bylone, Hall, Pettitt, Shutt & Simmons

(Baltimore, MD – Monday, June 15, 2009) — This July 21-26, Campus Pride will host its third annual Campus Pride Summer Leadership Camp geared toward lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) and ally student leaders from colleges and universities across the United States. The five day long leadership camp, is the only national program of its kind, and will take place on the campus of Towson University in Towson, Maryland. Registration is available online at http://www.CampusPride.org.

Campus Pride announced today that it will bestow a new award at Camp called surprisingly a “Campy.” This award recognizes special individuals and organizations that have demonstrated outstanding service and contributions to Campus Pride. This summer Shelly Weiss of OUTmedia and Patrick Davis of Patrick Davis Partners will receive a Campy recognizing their unique roles supporting the Campus Pride mission to give “voice and action” to LGBT and ally youth. In addition, five longstanding Campus Pride volunteers will be recognized for their ongoing support of camp: Christopher Bylone, CM Hall, Jessica Pettitt, Michael Shutt & Lisa Simmons.

Shelly Weiss is the owner and founder of OUTmedia, a leading queer cultural activist organization and social enterprise. Weiss has influenced queer arts for decades at colleges and universities across the country and has been a leader in promoting positive visibility and inclusive multiculturalism in entertainment.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, May 26, 2009

PRESS INQUIRIES:
Shane Windmeyer, Campus Pride
704-277-6710 or shane@campuspride.org

Campus Pride Summer Leadership Camp in Full Swing for this July

National Speakers & Artists Announced featuring Judy Shepard, Mitchell Gold, Dr. Rev. Jamie Washington among others

[Baltimore, MD May 26, 2009] – Campus Pride announced today the list of national speakers and artists to be featured at its third annual summer leadership camp, affectionately known as “Pride Camp.” The camp is the first-ever for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) and ally college students from colleges and universities across the country. The camp will take place from July 21 to 26, 2009 and will be hosted on the campus of Towson University in Towson, Maryland. Registration is available online at http://www.CampusPride.org/camp.asp.

Keynote highlights will include Judy Shepard, mother of Matthew Shepard; Mitchell Gold, editor of the new book CRISIS: Growing Up Gay in America; Rev. Dr. Jamie Washington, President and Founder of the Washington Consulting Group; Cuc Vu, Human Rights Campaign Chief Diversity Officer; Patrick Davis, Chief Executive Officer of Patrick Davis Partners; Mara Kiessling, National Center for Transgender Equality President; Jessica Pettitt, Social Justice I am Trainer and Consultant; and Shane Windmeyer, Best-Selling Author and Executive Director of Campus Pride. Artists and entertainers booked for camp include national slam master and author Emanuel Xavier, acclaimed singer/songwriter Randi Driscoll, and southern camp drag diva Buff Faye All You Can Eat among others. Wolf Video will also sponsor a special movie night screening of the critically acclaimed, multi-award winning film “Were the World Mine.”

Today’s blog is about a person who I think is absolutely wonderful. Her name is Jessica Pettitt. I first met her this past summer at Campus Pride’s Summer Leadership Camp. She was actually the first camp related person that I met. I was excited to meet a fellow Californian. Ironically the next time I saw her was at Creating Change in Denver. We have yet to see each other in the state that we both live in. Anyway, getting back on topic. Let me tell you a little about why Jessica is so amazing. On May 3rd, Jessica did something great for Campus Pride. Specifically for the Summer Leadership Camp. She participated in a half marathon called The Avenue of the Giants, which she completed in 4 hours and 2 minutes. She did this as a fundraiser for the camp. She set up a facebook group as well as contacted people through other methods and was able to raise a lot of money for camp. I know that that money will be used very well at camp. I had such an amazing experience there. It changed my life. I highly recommend you to attend it if you can. My fellow bloggers David and John were also at camp, and I know they enjoyed it as well. That’s why we are all still involved with Campus Pride. I learned so much at camp, it was amazing. I also made great connections and friends. There is so much that happens at camp, I am not really sure how to narrow it down here, but there was entertainment every night, tons of guest speakers and even a trip to Washington DC to see some wonderful leaders of the movement. A huge thank you to Jess for bringing in not only money but also awareness about Campus Pride and the Summer Leadership Camp. She even wore the lovely bright orange Happy Camper t-shirt!