GSA Day from BARK BARK on Vimeo.

It is, perhaps, somewhat fitting that today's first-ever National Gay-Straight Alliance Day (www.gsaday.org or www.facebook.com/gsaday) should fall in the middle of the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN)-sponsored No Name Calling Week. For years, LGBT young people have been at the forefront of anti-bullying efforts in their middle schools, high schools and colleges. The work these young people are doing is breathtaking. From working with teachers or administrators to collaborating with their peers, student leaders are helping to shape the future.

There even seems to be a breath of fresh air in some of the most ardently anti-gay organizations. Eagle Scout Bryan Wendell, the senior editor of the official Boy Scouts of America Scouting magazine blogged on Monday about No Name Calling Week. That the Boy Scouts, who still hold virulently anti-gay policies that prohibit openly gay or bisexual youth and young men from membership and leadership roles, would openly discuss and promote an anti-bullying event sponsored by an LGBT organization is a sure sign of progress. Young people -- no doubt influenced by their many peers organizing in high school or college LGBT student organizations -- are making strides to make their communities, organizations and, ultimately, our nation a better place.

Campus Pride's executive director, Shane Windmeyer, hit the issue right on the head in a press release today about National Gay-Straight Alliance Day.

“In many ways, Campus Pride has seen how high school GSA leaders continue activism into college and then on into the workplace and their communities,” Shane said (you can read the full release after the jump). “It is immeasurable the positive impact that our LGBT and ally youth leaders have had over the years. We're excited to finally have a national event to acknowledge these students and campus LGBT and ally groups."

Many of my friends and I serve today as examples of the kind of leadership students can start to learn and develop while in early, secondary and higher education. Like Scouting magazine's Bryan Wendell, I was a Boy Scout -- and a proud one, to boot. The organization taught me lessons and principles that are invaluable. And, like many of the student leaders shepherding change in secondary and higher education-level LGBT student organizations, I, too, was a leader of my high school's and college's gay-straight alliances. Looking back over more than 10 years of my life since, it's hard to imagine that my career in LGBT advocacy really did get a start in as simple of places as a high school gay-straight alliance and the Boy Scouts.

I hope you'll join with Campus Pride, Iowa Pride Network, GSA Network, GLSEN and the many, many others in taking time today to celebrate all of the young student leaders making a difference on their campuses and in their communities. Send out a special thank you and keep them in your thoughts. The youth of today are the leaders of tomorrow.

Read the full press release about today's National Gay-Straight Alliance Day after the jump...

Announcing The Official Release Of
American Heroes Coming Out From Behind The Badge
Stories From Police, Fire and EMS Professionals "Out" On the Job

January 11, 2011 - Santa Rosa, California. Author Greg Miraglia announced today the official release of his second book, "American Heroes coming Out From Behind The Badge - Stories from police, fire, and EMS Professionals "Out" on the job."

The stories contained in this book were written by real police officers, firefighters, and EMS Professionals about their own coming out journeys. Each story is unique, but shares the common experience of coming out while working as a public safety professional. These courageous people are truly role models who have demonstrated that you can be "out" on the job and still be successful. All of them are doing their part to combat the unofficial "don't ask, don't tell" policy that exits in many police departments, fire departments, and EMS agencies.

"It's truly an honor to share with the world the stories of some special and amazing police officers, firefighters, and EMS Professionals from around the United States who are currently serving communities just like the one you live in. What makes these dedicated public servants extra special is that they happen to be gay, lesbian, bi-sexual or transgender. They also happen to be "out" despite the homophobia that still exists in within all three of these public safety professions," said Miraglia.

In his first book, Mr. Miraglia told his own coming out story after working for three different law enforcement agencies and rising to the rank of deputy chief. In addition to the new stories in this new book, Mr. Miraglia offers more advice based on what he has learned since coming out in 2004.

Outbeat Youth airs next on Sunday, August 22, 2010 at 8PM (PST) only on KRCB Radio FM 91 streaming at www.krcb.org. This month members of the Sonoma County Peer Outreach Coalition join us to talk about their work in promoting mental health online. While this program is located in Sonoma County, anyone with access to the Internet is welcome to learn more about substance abuse, depression, sexuality, physical health, and much more. One of the major goals of this group is to support LGBT youth.

We will also be talking about our special "National Coming Out Day" show that will air on Monday, October 11, 2010. We are giving the mic to anyone who wants to come out or to share their coming out story with the world. You can share your truth for the first time or to a special group of people in your life. We invite you to share your coming out story with the hope of inspiring others to leave the closet and to start living their lives in the truth. We can record your coming out ahead of time or arrange for you to be on the show live in person or by telephone. For more information on how to be part of this special show, email greg@outbeatyouth.com

Remember, you can listen and download our shows on our website or from iTunes. Follow us all month long on Facebook, MySpace, or Twitter. Links are available on our website at www.outbeatyouth.com.

I should've seen it coming. For six years I've been in school-based LGBTQA organizations, and it always, always happens at this time of year. That's right, the second semester slump.

I've always taken it upon myself to work through it, get members back. But for some reason it's just a dead zone for clubs. OPEN meetings have halved. Participation is a fraction of what it was. We still have the same number of events, but the enthusiasm isn't there.

Does anyone have any suggestions for exciting and encouraging membership at this time of year? We have had some seriously great events, to no avail. Maybe I should just take a step back for a few weeks, and let people catch up their work. That'll be a tough one.