Campus Pride and the Human Rights Campaign present ‘Leader I Am: Carolinas Leadership & Action Summit’ to teach college student leaders how to organize, activate, advocate

Are you a student leader on your campus? Are you involved in an LGBT student organization or other campus group? Are you wanting to make a difference on your campus and in your community? Campus Pride, the nation’s leading organization for LGBT student leaders, and the Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest LGBT civil rights organization, have partnered to present a free student leadership summit and program Feb. 24-25, 2012, in conjunction with the Human Rights Campaign’s annual Carolinas Gala on Saturday evening, Feb. 25, 2012.

(Photo right: Students from Campus Pride's Carolinas student leadership summit at the 2008 Human Rights Campaign Carolina Gala in Charlotte.)

Taylor Purser, a 21-year-old Winthrop University junior from Rock Hill, S.C., will attend the HRC youth leadership program for the third time this year.

“It was a lot of fun,” Purser said of past HRC Carolinas youth leadership programs. “You get to hear so many personal stories of people and how they are making a difference. I think that is really motivating.”

Students ages 18-25 can apply today to attend the summit by downloading the appropriate scholarship application form at www.campuspride.org/leadwithpride/. The deadline to apply is February 10, 2012.

Those chosen to participate will receive two days of leadership development and training, with opportunities to engage with LGBT and ally national, statewide and local community leaders, hone their organizational, leadership and advocacy skills, as well as develop strategic partnerships with community leaders and other student organizers across the Carolinas. Students also receive a free ticket to attend the HRC Carolinas Gala. Those from outside of the Charlotte area are also provided housing.

“Campus Pride is proud to partner with HRC on this state-wide leadership summit to support LGBT and ally youth in the Carolinas,” said Shane Windmeyer, Campus Pride executive director. “Understanding social justice, activism and leadership are key to educating a generation of new leaders for equality — and the summit will do just that.”

Leader I Am: The Carolinas Leadership & Action Summit is a unique opportunity to learn more about student activism and organizing and for learning ways to create safer, more inclusive environments on your campus and in your community.

Campus Pride heads to Texas next week for the 22nd National Conference on LGBT Equality: Creating Change hosted at the Sheraton Dallas Hotel in Dallas, Texas, Feb. 3 - 7, 2010. Since 1988, Creating Change has been the nation’s pre-eminent political, leadership and skills-building conference for the LGBT social justice movement. Every year, the conference moves across the country and brings a JOLT of activism and thousands of progressive minds together. The timing could not be better frankly (or -- for AT&T it could not be worse!)

So as I was packing my bags and reading the weather reports, I ran across this bit of NEWS from the Dallas Voice titled "Partner denied sick leave by AT&T" from Jan 28, 2010. I am REALLY hoping this is not true. But, if it is, I think it's time for thousands of LGBT and ally -- progressive queers -- to make a SWITCH!

Partner denied sick leave by ATT
By John Wright | News Editor wright@dallasvoice.com
Jan 28, 2010 - 7:14:06 PM
Despite 100% rating from HRC, company won’t allow gay man time off to care for ailing spouse

Bryan Dickenson, left, and Bill Sugg hold hands in Sugg’s room at a rehabilitation facility in Richardson on Wednesday, Jan. 27. (John Wright/Dallas Voice)

RICHARDSON — Bryan Dickenson and Bill Sugg have been together for 30 years. For the last 12 of those years, Dickenson has worked as a communications technician for Dallas-based AT&T.