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A - Show You Care:
Often, suicidal thinking comes from a wish to end deep psychological pain. Death seems like the only way out. But it isn't. Let the person know you really care. Talk about your feelings and ask about his or hers. Listen carefully to what they have to say.
“I'm worried about you, about how you feel.”
”You mean a lot to me. I want to help.”
”I'm here, if you need someone to talk to.”

B - Ask the Question:
Don't hesitate to raise the subject. Talking with young people about suicide won't put the idea in their heads. Chances are, if you've observed any of the warning signs, they're already thinking about it. Be direct in a caring, non-confrontational way. Get the conversation started.
“Are you thinking about suicide?”
”Do you really want to die?”
“Do you want your problems to go away?”

C - Get Help:
Never keep talk of suicide a secret, even if they ask you to. It’s better to risk a friendship than a life. Do not try to handle the situation on your own. You can be the most help by referring your friend to someone with professional skills to provide the help that he or she needs, while you continue to offer support.
“I know where we can get some help.”
”Let's talk to someone who can help...let's call the crisis line,now.”
“I can go with you to get some help.”

Crisis telephone helplines 1-800-273-TALK
GLBTQ Focus 1-866-4-U-Trevor
www.yspp.org

The Point Foundation, the nation's largest scholarship-granting organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) students of merit, has announced the opening of its 2010 application season. Students who will be enrolled in undergraduate or graduate programs for the 2010-11 school year are eligible to apply for the prestigious multiyear scholarships.

Point Foundation's rigorous selection process requires of its candidates demonstrated academic excellence, leadership skills, community involvement, and financial need. Particular attention is paid to students who have lost the financial and social support of their families and/or communities as a result of revealing their sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.

The average amount of annual support devoted to each scholar is between $25,000 and $33,000. A Point Scholarship award includes financial support as well as programmatic support in leadership training, community service, and mentoring.

Individuals selected as Point Scholars agree to maintain a high level of academic performance, attend Point's various leadership forums, participate in press interviews, and give back to the LGBT community through the completion of an individual community service project each year. To better prepare its scholars for success in school and in society, they are matched with mentors from the professional world through Point's Mentoring Program; mentors lend their professional expertise and career guidance and become important role models to scholars.

For information on how to apply for a Point Scholarship, visit the www.PointFoundation.org Website.

PRESS RELEASE

Queer Foundation, 3213 W. Wheeler St., #145, Seattle, WA 98199
Joseph Dial, Ph.D., director
December 12, 2009

For immediate release Contact: Joseph Dial--206.999.8740

Queer Foundation to Offer Three $1,000 College Scholarships for 2010–11 to Top Essayists in Fifth Annual High School Seniors English Essay Contest

To the top essayists in the 2010 high school seniors English essay contest, $1,000 scholarships are available for studies in queer theory or a related field at the U.S. college or university of their choice in 2010–11.
Scholarships are administered by the Queer Foundation, a Washington nonprofit corporation and a 501(c)(3) public charity located in Seattle. Applicants need not be Washington residents.

Recipients' presence on campus will have a positive effect on the conditions of their fellow lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender students and other queer youth.
The scholarships will enable LGBTQA youth, by means of their studies and effective writing, to contribute to building a stable future for queer youth through business/community involvement and self-directed improvement.

Queer Scholars will receive mentoring, academic advising, and tutoring to enable them to succeed in their studies. In return they are required to (a) maintain a suitable grade point average as determined by the college, (b) practice self care, and (c) give back to the community through doing community service, authoring queer studies papers, and/or mentoring high school or other college students.
For more information, a printable flyer, or an application form, please visit http://queerfoundation.org/Documents/essay_contest.html.

Application deadline: February 26
Queer Scholars
* are out, proud, and activist,

Last month, the Alliance hosted the third annual meeting of the National Advisory Council on LGBTQ Homeless Youth in Washington, D.C. The National Advisory Council is comprised of local agency directors and national advocates who focus all or part of their work on meeting the needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer/questioning (LGBTQ) homeless youth. The annual meeting included a review of progress made in 2009 on improving local community services for LGBTQ homeless youth and publication of a national guide entitled, "National Recommended Best Practices for Serving LGBTQ Homeless Youth." The meeting also included a review of current work to expand civil rights, ensure access to health care, and create safer schools for queer youth. For more information about the group and its work, please contact Rich Hooks Wayman at rhookswayman@naeh.org.

See report:
National Recommended Best Practices for Serving LGBT Homeless Youth- http://www.endhomelessness.org/content/article/detail/2239

This policy brief by the National Alliance to End Homelessness, Lambda Legal, the National Network for Youth, and the National Center for Lesbian Rights provides a brief overview of homelessness among LBGT youth. It makes recommendations about improving practice, improving organizational culture, and improving residential services.

Spread the word at schools too!!

Pride Foundation Scholarship workshop at Vista Youth Center Dec 3rd at 6p

http://www.pridefoundation.org/scholarships/overview

Overview
Each year, Pride Foundation provides educational scholarships to current and future lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and straight-ally leaders and role models from Alaska, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and Washington. There are over 50 different types of scholarships offered but only one application to complete. Pride Foundation’s LGBT and straight ally scholarship program is one of the largest of its kind in the country with specific scholarships for:
• Students from various geographic areas in the Northwest
• Students of color
• Students raised by LGBT parents
• Students entering fields such as law, health, social work, business, and art
• Students that participate in athletics
• And many, many more! For a complete list, please see our scholarship fund page
Most of our scholarships cover any accredited post-secondary school. This includes community colleges, 4-year public or private colleges and universities, trade or vocational training, creative studies programs, certificate programs, medical or law schools, or other accredited degree programs.

Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) Leadership Summit
GLSEN Washington State/Washington GSA Network
January 18th, 2010; 8 AM to 2 PM
Kirkland Teen Union Building
348 Kirkland Avenue
Kirkland, WA 98033

You are a vital part of the LGBTQA community! Educate yourself on new and interesting ideas that can help you work with your school, community, or those you come in contact with. GLSEN provides curriculum ideas, sensitivity trainings, and resources for all educators, students, advisors and interested adults.

Join us for the Seventh Annual Washington State Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) Leadership Summit, presented by the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) Washington State.

Learn about opportunities for your GSA, hear new ideas and meet other students in GSA's across Washington State.

**Clock hours available for certificated educators!**

Don't miss the fun! Register today!
www.brownpapertickets.com/event/89894 or www.glsenwa.org
Contact: joe@glsenwa.org for more information or call 206.330.2099 or 877.220.4213

The Equity Project, a collaboration of Legal Services for Children, the National Center for Lesbian Rights, and the National Juvenile Defender Center, is pleased to announce the release of Hidden Injustice: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and
Transgender Youth in Juvenile Courts.

Hidden Injustice is the first comprehensive report to examine the experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) youth in juvenile courts nationwide. LGBT youth comprise a significant portion (up to 13%) of youth in detention, according to a recent study by Ceres Policy Research. Despite this compelling statistic, LGBT youth remain invisible to many juvenile justice professionals and are often treated unfairly and harshly in the justice system. Drawing from first-hand accounts of more than 50 LGBT youth and in-depth interviews of more than 60 juvenile court judges, defense attorneys, prosecutors, probation officers, and detention staff from across the country, this groundbreaking report sheds light on the numerous barriers to fair and effective treatment of court-involved LGBT youth. The report also provides juvenile justice professionals, policymakers, and advocates with detailed practice and policy recommendations to help them address these problems head on.

Hidden Injustice is an invaluable resource for anyone who is committed to pursuing a fair and just juvenile delinquency system in which the constitutional rights of all youth are upheld and all youth are treated with dignity, fairness, and respect.

To order a free hard copy of Hidden Injustice and view a press release about the report, please visit:
http://www.equityproject.org/

An electronic version of the report is available here:
http://www.equityproject.org/pdfs/hidden_injustice.pdf