IGNITE YOUTH News - Windy City Times

llinois Youth PrideStatewide Outreach

Rainbow Youth Outreach sponsors a statewide event for LGBTQ youth and their allies ages 14-24 to network and socialize. The Illinois Youth Pride day includes speakers, discussion groups, games, art, food, pride merchandise and more. Sat., July 19, 10:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m., Jubilee College State Historic Site, Brimfield (near Peoria), (309) 673-7954, e-mail them at rainbowyo@yahoo.com, or see the Web site www.rainbowyouth.org

PFLAG Scholarships

Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays reports that it received a bequest from a private donor that will fully fund the first round of its first-ever PFLAG National GLBT Scholarship Program. The program was established to recognize the courage and leadership of GLBT youth and their peer allies in secondary schools. The unique program includes five specific awards, including the Esera Tuaola Scholarship/Athlete Scholarship, which honors the former National Football League player for his courageous stand as a gay athlete/role model for the nation’s youth.

An advisory committee of nationally recognized PFLAG parent-educators will administer the scholarship program. The first cycle of scholarship awards will be announced this fall, coinciding with the thirtieth anniversary of the founding of PFLAG.For more information contact Alice Leeds, PFLAG Communications, 202-467-8180 ext. 228 or via email at Aleeds@pflag.org.

Lambda Backs Lubbock Students

Lambda Legal is suing Lubbock Independent School District for barring students from forming a Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) on campus and recognizing it as a legtimate school club.

Ricky Waite, 18, who graduated from Lubbock High School in May, began to organize the GSA in the fall of 2002. The group’s purpose is to provide support for gay and straight students and promote equality in the school system and community. Mirah Curzer, 16, a straight member of the group and plaintiff in the case, joined to support her friends and to show other straight students that fairness is important to everyone. After constructing a number of procedural roadblocks to try to prevent the GSA from forming, school officials formally denied the group’s application.

‘This is about treating students equally,’ said Waite. ‘My friends deserve the same right to form a school group as any other student here.’

‘When it struck down Texas’ ‘Homosexual Conduct’ law, the Supreme Court called for gay people to be given full respect, equality and dignity from government institutions. Lubbock High School runs afoul of that by treating this group differently simply because it supports gay students,’ said Brian Chase, a Dallas-based Lambda Legal attorney on the case.

EventsQYC GOLF ‘OUT’INGSaturday, July 26, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.Sugar Creek Golf Course500 East Van Buren, Villa Park, IL$45 per person includes: 9 Holes of Golf, Food, Beer, Wine & PopMore Info Email Lori at: Lorig1963@aol.comProceeds to benefit the youth drop in centers in Naperville, Aurora, Glen Ellyn, DeKalb & Crystal LakeHunters Hunks!Thursday, July 17thHunters Video & Dance Bar Elk Grove Village5 Hunters Hunks

With a Special Silent Auction of Dancer Items! Framed Photos, Autograph G-Strings, photos and much more. Proceeds To Go To The Questioning Youth Center.

MUST BE OVER 21

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