Campus Pride and OUTmedia are proud to give you this little sneak peek into an exciting campaign we'll launch at this year's National Gay and Lesbian Task Force annual Creating Change conference in Minneapolis, Minn.

The Queer it Up! campaign, to be launched at Creating Change's 2nd annual MasQueerAde Ball on Saturday, Feb. 5 (read more below), is designed to give LGBT and allied youth and student leaders the resources, tools, tips and tricks they need to take action, organize and create change on their campuses, in their communities and for the nation and world!

Each Friday, the Campus Pride Blog team will bring you Take Action alerts, tools and resources and feature special resources like campus speakers from the Campus Pride HOT LIST!, a list of the Top 25 LGBT Favorite speakers, performers, artists and poets.

So, get ready, get set and go! And, be prepared to learn some kick-ass, jump-starting lessons for taking action and creating change in YOUR world.

MasQueerAde Ball: Kit Yan and Ben Lerman

Campus Pride teams up this year with the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force and their Creating Change conference; OUTmedia; Campus Progress; the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Ally Programs Office of the University of Minnesota; District 202; and Shades of Yellow to present this year's 2nd annual MasQueerAde Ball, Creating Change's special Saturday night dance party for youth under the age of 24.

The event includes special performances from OUTmedia ukulele comedian Ben Lerman and spoken word artist Kit Yan.

For more information and to RSVP, check out the event listing on Facebook or visit:
campusprogress.org/events/the_masqueerade_ball_at_the_creating_change_2011_conference/

Campus Pride executive director Shane Windmeyer spoke to Campus Progress writer Jessica Strong last week, following the introduction of the Tyler Clementi Higher Education Anti-Harassment Act, a bill submitted Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.) and Rep. Rush Holt (D-N.J.) that would require colleges and universities receiving federal aid to institute LGBT-inclusive non-discrimination and anti-harassment policies.

Windmeyer's remarks to Campus Progress:

“A lot of times, people believe that the issue of bullying is limited to only the experiences of high school students and when you get to college, things get better and you’re in this space of acceptance and tolerance,” says Shane Windmeyer, executive director of Campus Pride. “But it doesn’t get better."

Windmeyer says that the proposed measure will certainly have a positive impact on getting colleges and universities to address the issue of LGBTQ harassment and discrimination while providing campuses with campus safety and inclusion measures.

Still, he and many others know there is still a long way to go.

“This act is a bold step for Congress and our nation’s colleges to create that welcoming space, but we really have to make sure that programs that further acceptance and have the ability to actualize a climate that is safe and welcoming for everyone are actually implemented,” Windmeyer says. “For a number of years Campus Pride has worked to push past obstacles through our programs and resources online, our Stop the Hate campaign and our Summer Leadership Camp—all in the name of creating policies to address this issue.”

Read Strong's entire piece:
www.campusprogress.org/articles/tyler_clementi_act_introduced_into_congress_includes_cyberbullying/

Last Thursday, Campus Pride was proud to join with Campus Progress and the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus to present a special Capitol Hill policy briefing on our new report, The 2010 State of Higher Education for LGBT People.

The report, authored by Campus Pride’s Q Research Institute for Higher Education (Rankin, Blumenfeld, Weber & Frazer), gathers data on the experiences of over 5,000 respondents, uncovering the persistent harassment and discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and queer (LGBQ) students, faculty, and staff on college campuses across the United States, and pointing to the need for more inclusive campus policies, programs and practices. At the briefing, a panel of academics, national leaders and students will discuss the findings of the report and offer national policy solutions to address these critical findings.

Some photos, news round-up and transcript of the event after the jump...

It's not too late to join in! Information below...

The 2010 State of Higher Education for LGBT College Students

Date: Thursday, September 23, 2010
Time: 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Place: Capitol Visitor Center, Room 215
United States Capitol
E Capitol NE & 1st St NW
Washington, DC 20001

Washington, DC – This Thursday, Campus Pride joins Campus Progress and the U.S. Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus in a briefing to share the outcomes of a ground-breaking new report, "The 2010 State of Higher Education for LGBT People," to be released publically this week.

The report, authored by Campus Pride’s Q Research Institute for Higher Education (Rankin, Blumenfeld, Weber & Frazer), gathers data on the experiences of over 5,000 respondents, uncovering the persistent harassment and discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and queer (LGBQ) students, faculty, and staff on college campuses across the United States, and pointing to the need for more inclusive campus policies, programs and practices. At the briefing, a panel of academics, national leaders and students will discuss the findings of the report and offer national policy solutions to address these critical findings.

Members of the press must RSVP to attend this event. To RSVP, please click here or contact Katie Andriulli at kandriulli@americanprogress.org / 202-481-8238.

To receive information on the report or speak to experts, please contact Campus Pride at info@campuspride.org / (704) 277-6710.

Capitol Hill briefing, Thursday, Sept. 23

Tomorrow, Campus Pride will join Campus Progress and the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus for a special Capitol Hill briefing on our new report, The 2010 State of Higher Education for LGBT People.

Date: Thursday, September 23, 2010
Time: 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Place: Capitol Visitor Center, Room 215
United States Capitol
E Capitol NE & 1st St NW
Washington, DC 20001

Members of the press must RSVP to attend this event. To RSVP, contact Katie Andriulli at kandriulli@americanprogress.org or 202-481-8238.

To receive information on the report or speak to experts, please contact Campus Pride at info@campuspride.org or 704-277-6710.

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The Good and the Very Bad

The Advocate, Sept. 20, 2010
Campus Pride's Shane L. Windmeyer says his organization's State of Higher Education for LGBT People report finally gives a voice to the experiences of LGBT student, faculty, and staff. Read more...

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Study Reveals High Level of Hardships for LGBT Students, Faculty & Staff at U.S. Colleges & Universities

GLAAD Blog, Sept. 21, 2010
In The 2010 State of Higher Education for LGBT People, a landmark research study being released today, it is revealed that one-third of LGBT students, faculty, and staff seriously consider leaving institutions of higher learning due to a climate that interferes with their ability to successfully work, live, and learn on campus. Read more...

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LGBT harassment increases on campuses nationwide, survey finds

The Daily Free Press, Boston University, Sept. 22, 2010
About one-quarter of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students and university employees have been harassed on college campuses across the country because of their sexual orientations, according to a new survey. Read more...

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Virginia Tech LGBT campus climate reviewed

Collegiate Times, Virginia Tech, Sept. 21, 2010
Virginia Tech’s campus climate for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students was under review Tuesday as advocacy group Equality Virginia stopped in Blacksburg to discuss campus policies. ... Tech earned 3.5 out of five stars in the Campus Climate Index, a ranking system developed by Campus Pride, a national LGBT organization. The index ranks college campuses on the quality of life provided for LGBT students and helps set standards for LGBT-friendly policies. Read more...

Tuesday, September 21, 2010
National Webinar
Time: Noon & 3 PM EST Zone
Register online at www.campuspride.org/webinarseries.asp

Thursday, September 23, 2010
Capitol Hill Briefing
Time: 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Place: Capitol Visitor Center, Room 215
United States Capitol
E Capitol NE & 1st St NW
Washington, DC 20001
Open to General Public

Washington, DC – This Tuesday, Campus Pride presents a special, live webinar to discuss it’s groundbreaking new report, "The 2010 State of Higher Education for LGBT People," to be released publicly this week at a U.S. Congressional briefing on Capitol Hill.  Then on Thursday, Campus Pride joins Campus Progress and the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus in a briefing to share the outcomes of the new report and discuss the policy recommendations contained therein.

The report, authored by Campus Pride’s Q Research Institute for Higher Education (Rankin, Blumenfeld, Weber & Frazer), gathers data on the experiences of over 5,000 respondents, uncovering the persistent harassment and discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students, faculty, and staff on college campuses across the United States, and pointing to the need for more inclusive campus policies, programs and practices. At the briefing, a panel of academics, national leaders, and students will discuss the findings of the report and offer national policy solutions to address these critical findings.

Read the executive summary online at CampusPride.org.

Some key report findings:

• One quarter (23%) of LGBQ staff, faculty, and students reported experiencing harassment (defined as any conduct that has interfered with your ability to work or learn). Almost all identified sexual identity as the basis of the harassment (83%).  An even greater percentage of transgender students, faculty, & staff reported experiencing harassment (39%) with 87% identifying their gender identity/expression as the basis for the harassment. The form of the harassment experiences by transgender people was more overt and blatant.

• One-third of LGBQ (33%) and transgender (38%) students, faculty, and staff have seriously considered leaving their institution due to the challenging climate.

• More than half of all faculty, students, & staff hide their sexual identity (43%) or gender identity (63%) to avoid intimidation.

• More than a third of all transgender students, faculty, & staff (43%) and 13% of LGBQ respondents feared for their physical safety. This finding was more salient for LGBQ students and for LGBQ and/or Transgender People ofColor.

Capitol Hill Briefing speakers include: Shane L. Windmeyer, Executive Director/Founder, Campus Pride; Angela Peoples, Policy and Advocacy Manager, Campus Progress; Sue Rankin (Lead Researcher), Associate Professor, College Student Affairs and Higher Education, Pennsylvania State University; and Dr. John H. Oberg, Policy Advisor to the Undersecretary of Education, Department of Education

Members of the press must RSVP to attend this event. To RSVP, please contact Katie Andriulli at kandriulli@americanprogress.org or 202-481-8238.

To receive information on the report or speak to experts, please contact Campus Pride at info@campuspride.org or (704) 277-6710.

###

Campus Pride is the leading national nonprofit organization 501(c)(3) for student leaders and campus organizations working to create safer, more LGBT-friendly colleges and universities. It exists to give "voice and action" in building future LGBT and ally leaders. Campus Pride coalition partners include: ACPA-College Student Educators International, Campuspeak, Campus Progress, Consortium of Higher Education LGBT Resource Professionals, Gamma Mu Foundation, Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, Human Rights Campaign, Matthew Shepard Foundation, NASPA Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education, National Gay& Lesbian Task Force, National Youth Advocacy Coalition and Sedgwick, Detert, Moran & Arnold, LLP. Learn more at Campuspride.org.

The 2010 State of Higher Education for LGBT People reveals “chilly” campus climate toward LGBT people, high rates of harassment and lack of safety, inclusiveness in policies, programs and practices across the country

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Today, Campus Pride, a national non-profit working to create safer, more LGBT-inclusive colleges, announced the release of a landmark research study. The most comprehensive national research of its kind to date, The 2010 State of Higher Education for LGBT People documents the experiences of nearly 6,000 students, faculty, staff and administrators who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) at colleges and universities across the United States. The results point to significant harassment of LGBT students and a lack of safety and inclusiveness that exists on campuses across the country.

“National research has consistently shown that LGBT youth in kindergarten through high school encounter alarming rates of harassment, discrimination and bullying. There has never been a comprehensive national study to document what happens when these youth go to college – until now, “ said Shane Windmeyer, Campus Pride’s executive director.

Written by Campus Pride’s Q Research Institute for Higher Education (Sue Rankin, Ph.D., Dr. Warren J. Blumenfeld, Ed.D., Genevieve N. Weber, Ph.D., LMHC and Somjen Frazer, MS, Ed.), and with a foreword by George Kuh, Ph.D., The 2010 State of Higher Education for LGBT People is a clarion call to action for college and university administrators, educators, student leaders and elected officials.

Some key findings:
• Lesbian, gay, bisexual and queer (LGBQ) respondents experienced significantly greater harassment and discrimination than their heterosexual allies, and those who identified as transmasculine, transfeminine, and gender non-conforming (GNC) experienced significantly higher rates of harassment than men and women

• LGBQ students were more likely than heterosexual students to have seriously considered leaving their institution as a result of harassment and discrimination.

• LGBQ Respondents of Color were more likely than their LGBQ White counterparts to indicate race as the basis for harassment, and were significantly less likely than LGBQ White respondents to feel very comfortable or comfortable in their classes (60%, 65%, respectively).

• Respondents who identified as transmasculine, transfeminine, and gender non-conforming have more negative perceptions of campus climate when compared with those who identify within the gender binary.

Dr. Susan Rankin, an Associate Professor of Education at Pennsylvania State University and lead author of the report said: “Unequivocally, The 2010 State of Higher Education for LGBT People demonstrates that LGBTQQ students, faculty and staff experience a ‘chilly’ campus climate of harassment and far less than welcoming campus communities. This comprehensive report provides substantive research and the necessary recommendations to assist administrators, educators, advocates, activists, student leaders and elected officials in making university and college campuses safer and more accepting for all of its community members.”

Windmeyer added, “Now is the time to act. It is shocking that it is 2010 and less than eight percent of accredited colleges and universities in the country have LGBT inclusive policies. Colleges and universities have the responsibility to create safe learning environments for everyone, regardless of sexual identity or gender identity.”

Report findings and recommendations will be presented in a National Webinar Release on Sept. 21, and a National Congressional Policy Briefing, hosted by Campus Pride, Campus Progress and the Congressional LGBT Caucus, on Sept. 23 at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. More details will be announced in the coming days.

For more information about the webinar or the policy briefing, please contact Campus Pride at (704) 277-6710 or info@campuspride.org, or visit www.campuspride.org/research.

# # #

Campus Pride is the leading national nonprofit organization 501(c)(3) for student leaders and campus organizations working to create safer, more LGBT-friendly colleges and universities. It exists to give "voice and action" in building future LGBT and ally leaders. DONATE TODAY online at www.campuspride.org.

Campus Pride coalition partners include: ACPA-College Student Educators International, Campuspeak, Campus Progress, Consortium of Higher Education LGBT Resource Professionals, Gamma Mu Foundation, Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, Human Rights Campaign, Matthew Shepard Foundation, NASPA – Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education, National Gay & Lesbian Task Force, National Youth Advocacy Coalition and Sedgwick, Detert, Moran & Arnold, LLP.

Campus Pride hosted fourth annual LGBT & Ally Summer Leadership Camp, July 20-25, 2010 at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN
National LGBT & ally college nonprofit recognizes Keissling of National Center for Transgender Equality with national leadership award as well as Driscoll, Topping, Barth, Thomison, Burks, D’Allaird, Graving, Brown & Feldman with “Campys” for distinguished volunteer service

(Charlotte, NC) -- Campus Pride hosted its fourth annual Campus Pride Summer Leadership Camp from July 20-25, 2010 on the campus of Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN. The camp is the only one of its kind geared toward mobilizing lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) and ally student leaders from colleges and universities across the United States.

Nearly sixty college student leaders attended the five day camp from over thirty-five colleges and universities. Featured camp keynotes included Campus Pride founder/executive director Shane Windmeyer as well as Mara Keissling from the National Center for Transgender Equality, Dr. John Corvino of Wayne State University and writer of 365gay.com, out gay athlete Brian Sims who is also on the board chair of EqualityPA, Dr. Marisa Richmond of Tennessee Equality Project, national bisexual advocate and author Robyn Ochs and D’Arcy Meyer of the National Gay & Lesbian Law Association.

Campus Pride also bestowed its National Voice & Action Leadership Award to Mara Keissling of the National Center for Transgender Equality. The award recognizes a national leader in the LGBT and ally movement who believes in the Campus Pride mission to build future leaders and create awareness, safety and visibility for LGBT students on campus.

Read more after the jump...

Fourth Annual Campus Pride Summer Leadership Camp Kicks Off at Vanderbilt University for LGBT and Ally Students this week July 20-25
Nearly 60 LGBT and ally college students from across the country; Campus Pride Organizes Leaders for Grassroots Change at Colleges & Universities

(Nashville, TN) -- Campus Pride kicks off the fourth annual summer leadership camp for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) and ally college students from colleges and universities across the country. The camp begins July 20 to 25, 2010 and will be hosted for the first time on the campus of Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN.

Though summer is often a slow time of year for student organizers working for LGBT equality, today nearly sixty LGBT and ally college student leaders from all over the country came together for a week of planning, networking and training. Touted as the “only camp of its kind for LGBT advocacy and social justice,” the five-day camp experience blends traditional camp activities like arts and crafts with a core curriculum of skill building in leadership development, social justice and civic involvement. The camp mission is straightforward: “At the heart of a remarkable leader is a passion and a vision for change.” Camp training and activities underscore the camp mission and engage campers to explore the unique challenges faced as LGBT and ally campus leaders.

Shane Windmeyer, Executive Director of Campus Pride and author of The Advocate College Guide for LGBT Students profiling the “100 Best LGBT-Friendly Campuses,” stated “It is our responsibility to build the future leaders who will continue the fight for equality at home, at work, at places of worship, at all levels of community. Those future leaders are on our college campuses today. The camp makes an investment for the future and will play a key role in training the next generation of leaders in the movement for LGBT rights.”

Saturday, February 6, 2010
8:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m.

Sheraton Dallas Ball Room
400 North Olive Street
Dallas, TX 75201

The 2010 Creating Change Youth Hospitality Subcommittee Presents Mas-Queer-Ade Ball headlining Vidur Kapur and Kit Yan. OUTmedia honors your activism and brings you: international comedy sensation, Vidur Kapur and internationally renowned trans slam poet Kit Yan. Vidur's credits include MTV LOGO, NBC's Stand Up for Diversity. Vidur has moved South Asians and LGBTQ students from the margins and into the campus core. Kit is a Curve Magazine favorite, OUTmusician of the Year nominee, and a speaker at the National Equality March.

Kit will premiere OUTmedia's "Be Queer Buy Queer!" national video contest. Bring your cameras and be the first to enter!

The event will also feature local queer youth artists, singers, and dancers. This is an alcohol and drug free event for all ages. A dance party for guests under age 24 will follow the performance.

Creating Change is the nation's pre-eminent political leadership and skills-building conference for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) social justice movement.

This event is free and open to the public. RSVP here for the event.

Click here to register for the Creating Change Conference.