This year are you READY to QUEER IT UP?

Colleges across the country have the opportunity to book Kit Yan as part of the Queer It Up Tour 2011-12 to create change and spark dialogue on campus! Bring Campus Pride and Kit to your campus for National Coming Out Day, Trans awareness events, Pride celebrations, or other Spoken word and energizing events all year to Queer It Up!

Learn more about Kit online, click here. You may also contact OUTmedia or call 718.789.1776.

WATCH THE QUEER IT UP VIDEO
FEATURING KIT YAN
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLdRBnc-RV4

Queer It Up
by Kit Yan

Campus Pride, All Rights Reserved.

Your hands are a door knock, your fingertips an email, your voice a phone call,
Your tongue a conversation,
You are a nation that can change the every day,

You are a door knock at a dean’s office,
A thunderous demand for the status quo bend and break,
To right every policy mistake,
To take action for equal benefits,
For the dollars they promised from your fees,
In this office, from behind that desk, they will hear us.

You are an email passed on to tens of thousands,
Starting in a dorm room, a petition for new bathrooms,
New buildings, library shelves stocking our stories,
You are a brand new club,
You can hit send on the campus you’ve dreamed of,
Let each key stroke be a battle cry in a quest for justice.

You are a phone call,
A dial to a queer alumni to come back and speak, ,

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/

Today, Campus Pride is highlighting our 2011 Voice & Action National Leadership Award winners. Congrats to both JeShawna and Samuel! (Click here to meet Samuel.)

JeShawna Wholley

Spelman College
Class of 2011
Program of Study: Comparative Women’s Studies
Intended Profession: Non-Profit Management
Age: 22
Home: Marietta, GA

“When I awoke to an email with the subject line: “CONGRATULATIONS! You have been selected as a Voice & Action Award Recipient,” my immediate reaction was shock! I couldn’t believe it. My induction into the world of social activism came about because I could never stand by and watch a group of people be marginalized and isolated; I was never concerned with recognition. So, to receive a national award honoring the work that I do out of simple love and dedication to my community is AMAZING! I am so grateful and honored.” ~ JeShawna Wholley

JeShawna Wholley is currently a senior at Spelman College studying Comparative Women’s Studies expecting her Bachelor’s of Arts in May 2011.

At Spelman College, JeShawna is the former president of Afrekete, the LGBTQ group, and with her fellow members they engage their campus community in conversations “against injustices and inequalities, ensuring an inclusive climate.” However her involvement does not stop there, JeShawna served as the Project Coordinator for the Feminist Majority Leadership Alliance and volunteered her time with Choice USA, coordinating a call-in day for safe sex education; as well as the Feminist Majority Foundation, coordinating the national women of color conference at Spelman College. In addition, JeShawna is employeed as an Arcus funded student researcher in the Women’s Research and Resource Center at Spelman College. Her work has not just been noticed by peers and mentors on campus; she has garnered the attention of President Obama which led JeShawna to be invited to the White House to attend the reception in commemoration of the 42nd anniversary of the Stonewall Riot. Most in our communities have been impressed with President Obama’s recognition of our Movement’s efforts; JeShawna has had the great privilege of experiencing this first hand.

The Voice & Action Committee began to learn about JeShawna through her cover letter. She shared with us why she was called into the selfless work of achieving equality for all people. To begin to learn why she is a recipient, here is an excerpt from her cover letter:

“It wasn’t until my Introduction into Women’s Studies course when I finally experienced true intellectual stimulation at Spelman College. Here, I felt empowered and equipped against the forces of patriarchy and social injustices. As I learned about crusaders such as Toni Cade and Barbara Smith I knew that I wanted to politicize my lesbianism. I wanted this identity to be more than just my orientation or preference, but a statement against patriarchy and social norms. I wanted to be a lesbian activist.

"I had no idea that my quest to improve the social climate on my college campus would result in me finding my calling as an activist programmer and organizer. Conceptualizing, planning and executing programs that raised awareness, provided safe and embracing spaces and cultivated a since of community on campus has been an enriching experience that has shaped my path for my future endeavors.”

The committee is sure that her future endeavors will lead to nothing but brining about amazing positive change in any community JeShawna is a part of, we know this by reading her essay on what she views as the greatest challenges facing LGBT persons and our Allies. More importantly it is how these challenges will be met and the role everyone plays in meeting these challenges.

Learn more about JeShawna: www.campuspride.org/voiceandactionjeshawnawholley.asp

Campus Pride announces their 2011 National Voice & Action awardees: JeShawna Wholley (Spellman College), Samuel Brinton (Kansas State University)

(Charlotte, N.C.) – In a time when suicide by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) youth has become so prominent and visible an issue in the media, it is critically important to highlight, recognize and encourage LGBT youth who are making a difference, creating positive change and making it better for others – that’s why Campus Pride, a national, nonprofit organization for student leaders and campus organizations working to create safer, more LGBT-friendly colleges and universities, is proud to announce this year’s Voice & Action National Leadership Awards.

In partnership with Ernst & Young & OUTmedia, the Campus Pride Voice and Action National Leadership Award is an honorary recognition highlighting the outstanding accomplishments of young adult leaders at colleges and universities across the United States. The award is the only honor of its kind, focused on the work of undergraduate college students who are creating positive change for LGBT and ally issues within their campus communities, local communities and region of the country. The award is bestowed upon individuals who use their “voice” to speak up and take “action” to make a difference. The award also acknowledges the vital role nationally that young adult leaders play in the present and for the future of our movement for LGBT fairness and equality.

Campus Pride congratulates this year’s winners:

JeShawna Wholley, senior at Spelman College, majoring in Comparative Women's Studies, current President of Afrekete and the Project Coordinator at Feminist Majority Leadership Alliance.

Samuel Brinton, senior at Kansas State University, doubling majoring with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering with Nuclear Engineering Option & B.A. in Vocal Music Performance, Founding Leader of the Global Zero Chapter at KSU and current President of LGBT and Allies group.

Wholley and Brinton will receive their award at an upcoming regional LGBT and ally college conference of their choice in either the Midwest, Northeast, Northwest or West Coast region. Along with free conference registration, the recipient receives a free OUTmedia artist/entertainer to bring to campus in 2011.

“JeShawna and Samuel represent a growing community of LGBT young adult leaders stepping up to shape their schools, communities, nation and their futures in positive ways -- simply by being who they are, acting bravely,” said Shane Windmeyer, executive director of Campus Pride. “We are proud to name these Voice and Action Award recipients and feel confident in their future endeavors -- indeed they are already changing the world.”

Over 40 applicants were considered for this year’s honor. In addition to Wholley and Brinton, Campus Pride will also honor several award applicants as Top 12 Leaders in Action. This year’s awards committee was comprised of Shane Windmeyer, executive director of Campus Pride; Chris Bylone, Campus Pride volunteer and Voice & Action Award coordinator/chair; Members of the Campus Pride Youth Advisory Board; Shelly Weiss of OUTMedia; Staff Members of Ernst & Young; Dave Reynolds of The Trevor Project; and Vince Garcia of The Point Foundation.

To learn more about the national awards program and individual recipients, visit www.CampusPride.org/voiceandaction.asp or email info@campuspride.org.

This year the staff of Campus Pride decided that another level of recognition was to be added in this year’s National Voice & Action Leadership Award. The staff felt that there were too many amazing student leaders creating positive change on their respective campuses to only give recognition to the final recipients of the award. This was the main reason the Top 12 Leaders in Action recognition was created. All of the committee members agree that the 40 applicants who applied and the work they have done is the very reason Campus Pride developed this national honor. These students are on the front lines of the movement creating positive change every day. We should be proud and thankful of all the work they do.

Last week the Campus Pride Youth Advisory Board finished its review and selected the Top 12 Leaders in Action. These 12 students will also be forwarded on to the final review process. This final review process will result in the selection of the National Voice & Action Award Recipient(s).

Now please let us introduce you to the Top 12 Leaders in Action (listed in alphabetical order by first name); Daniel Weidel, Bentley University; David Anderson, Eastern Kentucky University; Evan Gallo, Salve Regina University; Hillary Montague-Asp, University of Colorado at Boulder; Jason Goodman, University of Pennsylvania; JeShawna Wholley, Spelman College; Lee Friedlander, University at Albany - SUNY; Masha Makhyagina, McDaniel College; Nicholas Pfost, Michigan State University; Olivia Tai, Cornell University; Samuel Brinton, Kansas State University; and Yvette Lerma, The Pennsylvania State University.

Learn more about these Top 12 Leaders after the jump!

In the spring of 2008 the staff of Campus Pride came together to develop the Voice & Action National Leadership Award. This award is for undergraduate student leaders who are creating positive change for LGBT students on college campuses across the country. The staff wanted to create this award because at the time there was no way on the national scale that students were being recognized for the amazing work they do on a daily basis. In just the past three award cycles (including this one) we have seen a huge increase in the awareness of the award as well as the amount of applicants applying each year. This year has raised the bar even higher – we have a total of 40 applicants, which is a 25% increase in the number of applicants from last year. We are also looking at the most diverse applicant pool of the three years this award has been in place.

We need like to publicly thank, Ernst & Young & OUTMedia. These two organizations have offered the financial support to make this award possible. Along with a free registration to attend a regional LGBT College Student Conference, the individual receives the official Voice & Action Award from Campus Pride as well as a free artist/speaker/entertainer to bring to his/her campus from our educational partner OUTmedia.

Before we move onto discussing the 2011 Voice & Action Leadership Award Applicant Pool, I wanted to briefly remind everyone of the past recipients of the award. In 2009 we awarded Justin Hager, UW-Madison; Shawna Scott, University of Georgia; and Celso Perez, Boston College. Than in 2010 we award Stephan Lucas, Pennsylvania State University and George Aumoithe, Jr., Bowdoin College. Please click here to learn about these outstanding leaders.

Now onto the 2011 Voice & Action Leadership Award Applicant Pool

Details are after the jump!

So the school year has finally ended, and I feel like I can honestly say that I’m proud of the work I’ve done with OPEN. Everyone warned me that junior year is the hardest, and those warnings proved true. Besides the boat load of work, I managed to make it out alive with good grades and a successful club. Talk about a job well done. :)

This summer will largely be spent getting in contact with the people OPEN hopes to work with next year. For starters, the first group I’ll be hitting up is the local Boys and Girls Club. A wonderful volunteer and Clark alum started up a program to help eliminate the bullying and homophobia shared by patrons and staff members alike there. I’m hoping to continue the program with OPEN next year as we spread out into the Worcester community.

The club is really excited for a queer prom this upcoming year. I’m not really sure what it will consist of or where it will be held, but hopefully contacting the other LGBTQA groups in the area will start something. Any advice?

I’ll keep you posted over the summer with any developments!

After endless banner making, facebook spamming, and rainbow-ifying, OPEN’s Week of Awareness went off with a minimal number of hitches and horror stories. Alright, well no real horror stories, but the realization that you’re out a sound tech before a benefit concert is mildly gut-wrenching. Ahem, let me recap:

Robyn Ochs, long-time bisexual activist and author, stopped by Clark for her annual visit last week. She’s a wonderful presenter, and we have her every year. This year she presented her workshop Beyond Binaries: Identity and the Sexuality Spectrum, which is a great introduction to sexual fluidity and the spectrum of attraction, and even touches on complicated issues for veterans in this train of thought. Being my second time at this workshop, it was really fun to sit back and watch all the newcomers come to realizations about attraction and continuity. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the workshop; we’re looking forward to having her again next year!