Category Archives: Breaking News

Pitt to Trans Students: Birth Certificate or Bust

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Pitt to Transgender Students: Birth Certificate or Bust

PITTSBURGH– The Pennsylvania Student Equality Coalition (PSEC) is deeply disappointed by the University of Pittsburgh’s unfortunate decision on March 20th to go against the Anti-Discriminatory Policies Committee’s (ADPC) thoughtful recommendation allowing students to occupy bathrooms based on their gender identity.

The decision comes as a shock to ADPC committee members, and draws forth profound discouragement among students who are now forced to use gender-specific bathrooms matching the gender listed on their birth certificates. As a result, students are now exposed to the threat of unwelcoming environments in an area that should be private and free from danger.

The university’s careless stance and lack of public response to these new policies sets a dangerous precedent and leaves PSEC confounded by the allowance of bullying and discrimination to persevere in school environments. Discrimination on the basis of gender identity or expression is currently illegal under Pittsburgh City and Allegheny County laws.

“The university is ignoring their equal access statement by actively discriminating against and creating a hostile environment for transgender students,” PSEC Deputy Director and Pitt student Joy Horner said. “We call on the University to redact this medieval policy – to force transgender students to provide a birth certificate to use the bathroom. We must work on improving the campus for transgender students by adding trans-inclusive policies and providing gender-neutral bathrooms and housing.”

“This policy is highly discriminatory; it doesn’t take into account any of the issues that transgendered people face,” said Jake Tolan, PSEC Coordinating Committee member and student at the University of Pennsylvania. “It’s really backwards – it’s foolish of them to say something like that.”

The University of Pennsylvania set the boldest example for Pennsylvania universities yet on this issue by increasing the campus’ number of gender neutral bathrooms last November and has long allowed transgender students to use bathroom and locker room facilities of their identity. PSEC hopes that the University of Pittsburgh will not only change its stance on this issue, but follow the University of Pennsylvania’s example by considering the needs of its transgender students.

PSEC would like to note the situation which was the impetus for this policy review is not isolated as Pitt has a track record of discriminating against its transgender students on various campuses in this way.

PSEC has been closely monitoring the situation over the past month and applauds the support which has been expressed for transgender students, faculty, and staff through campus forums, programs, and passionate articles in the Pitt News. PSEC will continue to back the efforts of Pitt students to make their campus more accessible and affirming for transgender members of the community.

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The Pennsylvania Student Equality Coalition (PSEC) is PA’s statewide lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth organization working towards safe schools and communities for all.

www.pennsec.org

List of articles about Pitt’s new bathroom policy

Mar 19, 2012: Pitt lacks written policy on transgender showers – The Pitt News (University of Pittsburgh)
Mar 21, 2012: University defines gendered facilities policy – The Pitt News (University of Pittsburgh)
Mar 22, 2012: Pitt’s transgender students stalled – The Duquense Duke (Duquense University)
Mar 22, 2012: Campus Roundtable on Pitt’s Policy Toward Transgender Students – WPTS (The University of Pittsburgh)
Mar 23, 2012: Rainbow Alliance to fight bathroom policy – The Pitt News (University of Pittsburgh)
Mar 26, 2012: Kozlowski: Pitt’s transgender policy necessary – The Pitt News (University of Pittsburgh)
Mar 27, 2012: Through transgender policy, Pitt disregards student opinion – The Pitt News (University of Pittsburgh)
Mar 29, 2012: Letters to the Editor 3/29 – The Pitt News (University of Pittsburgh)
Apr 1, 2012: April Fools: Transgender bathroom policy works – The Pitt News (University of Pittsburgh)
Apr 2, 2012: Pitt’s transgender policy conflicts with city, county policies – The Pitt News (University of Pittsburgh)
Apr 4, 2012: Pitt bathroom policy surprises, outrages transgender faculty, students – The Pittsburgh City Paper
Apr 5, 2012: Transgender Athletes Face a Different Set of Rules – The Pitt News (University of Pittsburgh)
Apr 6, 2012: University Of Pittsburgh Imposes Anti-Trans Bathroom Policy – Think Progress
Apr 6, 2012: U Of Pitt Flushes Plan To Allow Trans Students To Use Bathroom Of Choice – Queerty

East Pennsboro: No GSA Here!

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East Pennsboro School District Votes Down GSA: Violates Federal Equal Access Law

HARRISBURG, PA – Defying federal law, the East Pennsboro Area School District voted down the formation of a Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) at East Pennsboro Area High School yesterday evening. The Federal Equal Access Act of 1984 provides that schools districts must allow for the formation of a GSA just as any other non-curricular student club, or suspend all non-curricular activities entirely. Students at the high school have been meeting informally on LGBT issues for several years as a support group and were now vying to become an official student organization.

There are thousands of student “Gay Straight Alliances” in schools across the nation. They provide safe and supportive environments for students who may identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender (LGBT), or a straight ally. In numerous academic studies, the presence of a GSA is demonstrated to greatly improve the lives in the short and long term of LGBT students.

The Pennsylvania Student Equality Coalition (PSEC), the statewide LGBT youth organization, exists as a coalition of GSAs at high schools and colleges throughout the state. PSEC believes there is no reason to deny the formation of a GSA at East Pennsboro Area High School other than bigotry. Funding is not an issue as there are already multiple non-curricular clubs at the school – and there are several supportive teachers willing to be sponsors of the organization.

PSEC Executive Director and student at the University of Pennsylvania Jason Landau Goodman said “this decision is simply illegal and discriminatory. The East Pennsboro Area School Board has sent a devastating message last night: LGBT students are not welcome here.” Further, Goodman stated that “East Pennsboro Area School District has a wealth of wonderful educators and administrators who want success for all their students – and allowing the formation of a GSA is critical to that mission.”

PSEC Co-Founder and Central PA leader Jason Fluke is a graduate of East Pennsboro Area High School. Jason, the former President of the GSA at Penn State – Harrisburg, reflected that “quite frankly, I am not surprised by my small town rejecting the club. It is a shame because this shows the rest of the nation that even in 2012 people in Central Pennsylvania need to be educated on diversity issues. I find it intriguing that the school board, those whom are entrusted to have the best interests of the students in mind, voted against the GSA to spite some of their most vulnerable youth.”

Recently, two GSAs were denied formation by their school boards in the Lehigh Valley – both decisions were later rescinded.

PSEC calls on the school board to reverse its decision at its next meeting, or the coalition will rally with others to consider legal action. PSEC is in the process of sending letters to the school board detailing the severity of their decision last night and urge them to reconsider.

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The Pennsylvania Student Equality Coalition is PA’s statewide lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth organization working toward safe schools for all.

www.pennsec.org

Pennsylvania Women: 12 for 2012 – Part One

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As we wrap up Women’s History Month 2012, we are reminded to celebrate women in the LGBTQ community today and all throughout the year. PSEC youth have selected 12 women in Pennsylvania who are making it better for LGBTQ youth in our state for this two-part series. Thank you to all of the courageous women below to have made our communities better places for all people!
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Lyndsey Sickler (Pittsburgh)
President of the Pittsburgh Gay and Lesbian Community Center
Director of Youth Services at the PERSAD Center

Lyndsey is the current Board President of the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Pittsburgh. A native of Western Pennsylvania, Lyndsey has become a central heart of the Pittsburgh LGBTQ community. At the GLCC, she oversees all programming, education and advocacy components to the center. In this volunteer position she advocates every day to strengthen LGBTQA Pittsburgh. Lyndsey is also the Director of Youth Services for the PERSAD Center, the region’s first and largest provider of LGBTQ health services. She works with youth daily to improve the welfare of LGBTQ young people.

 

 

Debra McClain (Harrisburg)
President of the Central Pennsylvania Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce

Deb McClain is in the business of getting business done. A veteran business executive, Deb is the new leader of Central PA’s LGBT Chamber of Commerce. In this position she has become a meaningful role model for women business leaders in Central PA. She has helped lead incredible developments with the Chamber in community outreach with LGBTQA-owned businesses, as well as helping have grown the Chamber to even have a member as far as Erie, Pennsylvania. We look forward to the work ahead for Deb in the Chamber. Deb has a positive light which draws those she works with together. We are very thankful for her leadership and support in Central PA!

 

 

Roxanne Hitchcock (Oil City)
Main subject in Out in the Silence
Proprietor of the Latonia Ballroom and Event Center

Taking her journey into the public sphere, Roxanne is one of the central characters in the groundbreaking 2009 documentary “Out in the Silence.” The film captures her life being an out lesbian and has been shared with thousands of people on PBS and film screenings across the nation and around the world. She continues to be the main proprietor of the Latonia Ballroom and Event Center. Her dedication to supporting the rural NWPA LGBTQ community shows through her leadership of LBT Women of Erie and various programming in the region, including events through the Latonia. She is a community force for good and supports youth in her work.

 

 

Carrie Jacobs (Philadelphia)
Founding Executive Director of the Attic Youth Center

Carrie is the founding Executive Director of the Attic Youth Center, Philadelphia’s LGBTQ youth community center. Carrie has been instrumental in improving the lives of thousands of LGBTQ youth throughout the city. She helped create a safe space for queer youth in an ‘attic’ nearly 20 years ago and has since led the Attic Youth Center to become one of the most comprehensive LGBTQ youth centers in the nation. For those of us who have met Carrie, we know she is incredibly modest about her work. We must commend her for helping so many of us youth through her groundbreaking support with the Attic. While the journey to make it better for LGBTQ youth continues, we are ever thankful and proud that Carrie is at the helm at the Attic.

 

 

Jeanine Rusham and Kristy Snow (Central PA)
President and Vice-President of TransCentral PA

Jeanine and Kristy are the President and Vice-President of TransCentral PA. The regional organization is a nexus of support and community for transgender people in Central PA and their allies. Through their many programs, meetings and outreach efforts, TransCentral PA has become a national model of regional support for transgender and gender-variant people. TransCentral PA annually hosts an International Transgender Day of Remember event on the steps of the Pennsylvania capitol and the Keystone Conference in Harrisburg, which has become the third largest transgender focused conference in the nation. The Keystone Conference is currently underway in Harrisburg! They have a strong commitment to supporting transgender youth including outreach for the Keystone Conference and their events throughout the year.

 

Gloria Casarez (Philadelphia)
Director of LGBT Affairs for the City of Philadelphia

Gloria Casarez is the first Director of LGBT Affairs for the City of Philadelphia. A highly effective community leader – she represents LGBTQA Philadelphians in the Mayor’s office with outreach and policy. Before her appointment to the Mayor’s administration, Gloria was the Executive Director of the Gay and Lesbian Latino AIDS Education Initiative (GALAEI), a founding organizer of the Philadelphia Dyke March, a former Co-Chair of the Board of Directors of Prevention Point Philadelphia, and currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Bread and Roses Community Fund. She regularly speaks to young people across the city about the importance of advocacy, community, and empowerment through multiple identities. Gloria is a person who we believe represents the best of Philadelphia in our government and is a true inspiration to so many of us youth. We are proud of Gloria for her leadership in City Hall!

HB 1434: Marriage *Protection Amendment

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Tomorrow, March 13, 2012, the Pennsylvania House State Government Committee will vote on HB 1434. This bill would make a constituional ban on marriage equality. The committee has 25 members, with the head of the Republican State Government Committee, Rep. Daryl Metcalfe (R-Butler), being the lead sponsor of the bill. If this bill passes the committee tomorrow, it will head to the full Pennsylvania House of Representatives.

There are 15 Republicans and 10 Democrats on this committee.

There are 9 Representatives on the committee who are co-sponsors of HB 1434: Rep. Daryl Metcalfe (R-Butler), Rep. Jim Cox (R-Berks), Rep. Matt Gabler (R-Clearfield, Elk), Rep. Rob W. Kauffman (R-Cumberland, Franklin), Rep. Jerry Knowles (R-Berks, Schuylkill), Rep. Timothy Krieger (R-Westmoreland), Rep. Mark Mustio (R-Allegheny), Rep. Brad Roae (R-Crawford), Rep. Jerry Stern (R-Blair).

There are 6 key swing votes who could defeat the bill in committee: Rep. Seth Grove (R-York), Rep. Lynda Culver (R-Northumberland, Synder), Rep. George Dunbar (R-Westmoreland), Rep. Eli Evankovich (R-Armstrong, Westmoreland), Rep. Glen R. Grell (R-Cumberland), Rep. Marcia M. Hahn (R-Northampton).

The letter below was delivered today on behalf of PSEC to all the Representatives on the State Government Committee.

From Pennsylvania Youth
TO: House State Government Committee Members
FROM: Jason Landau Goodman, Executive Director – The Pennsylvania Student Equality Coalition
DATE: March 12, 2012
RE: State Government Committee Voting Meeting

Dear Representatives,

Tomorrow you will be voting on HB 1434 which would implement a constitutional ban on marriage equality in our commonwealth. As a coalition representing thousands of young Pennsylvanians across our state from over 30 student organizations, I am writing to you on behalf of the Pennsylvania Student Equality Coalition (PSEC) to urge you not to support this bill. We believe amending our state’s most sacred document with discrimination does not represent the best interests of Pennsylvanians.

When our legislators introduce bills with the specific purpose of denying certain people equal rights it sends a message to us youth that some lives are worth less than others. If we are to consider that we are all created in God’s image (Genesis 1:26-28), then respectfully we must ask: what would be the message the Pennsylvania legislature wants to send its citizens following tomorrow’s vote?

We ask you as our legislators to focus on substantive issues we are facing every day in Pennsylvania including job creation and public safety. Legislating negative social policy has the potential to only hurt hard working Pennsylvanians. We believe this is especially true given that same-sex marriage is already not legal in Pennsylvania and there has been an overwhelming statewide decrease in support for this legislation since 2006.

We work with many of you already regarding safe schools issues. PSEC was founded last April to unite youth throughout the state to work on supporting anti-bullying efforts. Concerns about marriage equality are not part of our platform. However, legislative discussions regarding equal access to government toward any population by our elected officials directly impact the self-worth of Pennsylvania youth.

Tomorrow, you will be in effect discussing the human value of your neighbors, colleagues, friends, and family who may identify as gay or lesbian. Eventually, any negative statements that may be given tomorrow will be heard by a lonely middle school student contemplating hurting herself, or a teenager in rural Pennsylvania considering taking his own life. Your discussions tomorrow will influence our school-yard bullies and those who would incite violence against a person because of who they love.

I hope tomorrow you will not vote in favor of HB 1434 to show that love and respect can triumph over hatred, that the light can always overcome the darkness.

Sincerely,

Jason Landau Goodman
Executive Director, The Pennsylvania Student Equality Coalition