Here are some of the many successful and exciting events that we either hosted or sponsored during 2012!
For our current and upcoming events schedule, please see the Upcoming Events page!
January 25, 2012 – Former NFL player Wade Davis speaks at the Monmouth County Library
When: Wednesday, January 25, 2012 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm
Where: Monmouth County Library main branch at 125 Symmes Drive in Manalapan, NJ
Former NFL player Wade Davis will be speaking at the next in a series of events hosted by the Monmouth County Library called Connecting Programs and Educational Forums for LGBT Teens. Mr. Davis played for the National Football League from 2000 to 2004, first with the Tennessee Titans, and later with the Seattle Seahawks and the Washington Redskins. He is now involved in GLSEN’s (Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network) Sports Project “Changing The Game” which is an initiative designed to combat homophobia in K-12 sports by opening conversations in schools and on teams about the issue.
There will be a question and discussion period following Mr. Davis’s presentation. For more information on Wade Davis, please visit http://nomoredownlow.tv/?p=1305.
You can also see the library’s flyer for this event here.
February 4, 2012 – NJ GSA Forum – Eighth Annual Conference for Gay-Straight Alliances
When: Saturday, February 4th, 2012, starting at 9 AM
Where: Long Branch High School at 404 Indiana Avenue, Long Branch, NJ
GLSEN’s (Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network) central New Jersey chapter is once again teaming up with HiTOPS (a Princeton-based organization promoting adolescent health and well-being) to present the Eighth Annual NJ GSA Forum, a conference for Gay-Straight Alliances. Pat Griffin, director of The GLSEN Sports Project: Changing the Game, will be the keynote speaker and will be joined by LGBT and ally student and alumni athletes to enhance safe and respectful sports in schools.
Students, advisors, and supporters are invited to attend and encouraged to bring ally athletes to join in the event. The Forum will take place on Saturday, February 4, 2012, at Long Branch High School, 404 Indiana Avenue, Long Branch, New Jersey. Registration, exhibits, networking and a light breakfast will open at 9:00 am and the formal program takes place from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
In addition to providing strategies for addressing homophobia and transphobia in school-based athletic and physical education programs, the Forum will offer the ever-popular workshops on coming out, knowing your rights, being an ally, dynamic activities for Gay Straight Alliances to foster respectful school climate and more. See www.njgsaforum.com for details of the Forum program.
Professional development certificates will be available for educators. The registration fee is $10.00 for students and $25.00 for adults. Scholarships to cover student registration costs are available based on need. Morning snack and lunch are provided. Further information about the Forum can be found by contacting cnj@njglsen.org, or by calling 609-448-5215.
Be sure to check out the flyer for the GSA Forum online here.
March 8, 2012 – Bullying and Bias Prevention event at Monmouth County Library
When: Thursday, March 8, 2012 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm
Where: Monmouth County Library main branch at 125 Symmes Drive in Manalapan, NJ
What do you do if you witness bullying? Find out how to become an active bystander. What should you do if you are bullied? Learn how to build respect with knowledge and understanding. This is an informative program you won’t want to miss. Presented by diversity educator Paula C. Rodriguez-Rust, PhD.
View the flyer for this event here
March 17-18, 2012 – 19th Annual GLBT Expo at the Javits Center in New York City
After 18 successful years, the GLBT Expo has become a staple of the LGBT community. It has proven to be a great economic driver for New York City and is an entertainment and educational vehicle for the entire LGBT community. The Expo has introduced corporate America to a very loyal LGBT community and proves year after year to be one of NYC’s largest events. To learn more about the show, for example who’s exhibiting, who’s entertaining and who’s giving seminars, visit the Expo’s website at www.OriginalGLBTExpo.com.
Click here to see a flyer for the event and a coupon to get $5 off your ticket.
March 30 to April 1, 2012 – 17th Annual Northeast LGBT Conference in Troy, NY
The Sage Colleges, a small liberal-arts institution with two campuses located in Albany and Troy, New York, is excited to host the 17th Annual Northeast LGBT Conference in 2012. The Conference will bring 400 students from across the Northeast to celebrate, educate, and empower LGBT and Ally student leaders to become agents of change. The 2012 event will also feature a professional track in the form of an Advisor Conference for 100 faculty, staff, administrators, and other professionals who currently work with LGBT students.
Along with breakout sessions, workshops, caucuses and roundtables, students and advisors will be able to enjoy all of the amenities The Sage Colleges has to offer as well as theatrical performances, a gallery exhibit, specially prepared international cuisine dinner, keynote by political humorist and comedian Kate Clinton, starlit Hudson River cruise, late-night talent show and trivia, and much, much more!
For further details and information about registering, please visit the Northeast LGBT Conference website at NELGBTC.com
April 11, 2012 – Guest Speaker/Performer Ryan Cassata at our Ocean County LGBT support meeting
Ryan Cassata, an 18-year-old transgender male songwriter/musician and activist will be speaking about life as a transgender teen, his school and home life, his surgery, and his musical ambitions. He will also be playing some of his songs for us. There will be a question and answer period following his presentation.
We encourage attendees of all 3 of our support meetings to join us for this event! His message and music is truly inspirational! For more information about Ryan, please visit his website RyanCassata.com.
April 16, 2012 – Guest Speaker/Performer Ryan Cassata at our Transgender support meeting
Ryan Cassata, an 18-year-old transgender male songwriter/musician and activist will be speaking about life as a transgender teen, his school and home life, his surgery, and his musical ambitions. He will also be playing some of his songs for us. There will be a question and answer period following his presentation.
We encourage attendees of all 3 of our support meetings to join us for this event! His message and music is truly inspirational! For more information about Ryan, please visit his website RyanCassata.com.
April 22 and 23, 2012 – Screenings of the documentary Gen Silent about older LGBT adults
Sunday, April 22nd at the Trinity Church is Asbury Park
Monday, April 23rd at Monmouth University
Gen Silent is a documentary film about how difficult life can be for LGBT older adults (nursing homes, senior centers, medical care), and how they fought so hard to be out and accepted while younger only to find themselves having to go back in the closet to survive from bullying, harassment, and discrimination. This is a public event and is free.
View the trailer for Gen Silent on Vimeo.com
View the movie poster/flyer for Gen Silent here
April 26, 2012 – The American Conference on Diversity’s Dining for Diversity Awards Dinner – Jersey Shore PFLAG will receive the Humanitarian Award
Jersey Shore PFLAG is honored to be the recipient of a Humanitarian Award given by the Jersey Shore Chapter of the American Conference on Diversity! We will be presented with the award at their annual Dining for Diversity Awards Dinner held on April 26th at the Jumping Brook Country Club in Neptune, New Jersey. You can find out more about the American Conference on Diversity or make a donation to their organization on their website AmericanConferenceOnDiversity.org.
April 26, 2012 – GSA Poetry Slam at Raritan High School
When: Thursday, April 26th at 6:30 PM
Where: Raritan High School, 419 Middle Road, Hazlet, NJ 07730
Do you smell French bread and see the Eiffel Tower in the distance? You must be longing for another Poetry Slam! With a Parisian theme, Raritan High School’s 2012 Slam is shaping up to be another relaxing, inspiring night of words and meaning. The Gay Straight Alliance is sponsoring this popular event for their third year on April 26th at 6:30 in the Raritan High School cafeteria.
You can find the flyer for the GSA Poetry Slam here.
May 2, 2012 – Welcoming the Business Community: Diversity in the Workplace – Breakfast Seminar
When: Wednesday, May 2nd, 2012 from 8 to 10 AM
Where: Ocean County College in the Technology Building (Building #113) Auditorium (Room #115)
Jersey Shore PFLAG is co-sponsoring a Diversity in the Workplace breakfast seminar at Ocean County College on May 2nd. The Ocean County Human Relations Commission, in conjunction with the Jersey Shore Chapter of the American Conference on Diversity, will be hosting the event in which you will hear about the advantages and obligations of a diverse workforce and how to benefit from it. This event is free of charge and a continental breakfast will be served.
Speakers during the breakfast will include Francis A. Polito, Chief Administrative Judge of the Philadelphia District Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and Linda Tondow, Vice President and Associate Executive Director of the American Conference on Diversity.
Please RSVP to 732-255-0440 extension 2026 if you would like to attend.
You can view the flyer for this event here.
May 4, 2012 – 2nd Annual Monmouth County GSA Prom
When: Friday, May 4, 2012 from 7 to 10 PM
Where: Middletown High School South at 900 Nut Swamp Road in Middletown, NJ 07748
The second annual Make it Better 4 Youth GSA Prom is being held on Friday, May 4th from 7 to 10 PM. This year, Middletown High School South will be hosting the event, which will be complete with food, music and fun! It was a huge success last year with well over 100 attendees, and we hope to make this year’s prom even better! Please email prom@makeitbetter4youth.org to receive updates for your GSA, organization, or individuals who are interested in participating.
Tickets are $15 per person, payable at the door. All students participating will need to register in advance using the student contract (available on the Make it Better 4 Youth website here) and return the form to Mr. Koumoulis at Middletown South. Submit the form through your GSA adviser. Advisers: please submit all forms ASAP as stated above.