Action Alert: Just two more days for Governor to decide on AB 606!

Operation Talk Back to the Governor continues as youth activists across the state wait for Governor's decision on AB 606

Just two more days and counting!!! Governor Schwarzenegger has just two more days to decide whether or not he will sign or veto AB 606 (Safe Place to Learn Act) and do his part to help make schools safer and more supportive for LGBTQ students and straight allies.

What you can do:
You and your GSA can still reach out and speak out to the Governor and his staff about why you think it's important that school districts have specific guidelines on how to protect students from harassment and discrimination. The Governor has until September 30 (Saturday) to make his final decision, and we need to flood his office with calls and visits.

Participate in Operation Talk Back to the Governor:

1. Call the Governor's district office closest to you (a list is provided below) & share your support for AB 606 and ask the Governor for his! Make sure you let who ever you talk to know you are a local student.
2. Drop in or schedule a visit at the district office closest to you and share your opinions IN PERSON. Tell a personal story that will illustrate why this bill is needed so much.
3. Call the Governor's office in Sacramento (916-445-2841) where the outgoing message allows to press "1" to show that you are an AB 606 supporter. Ask your friends, parents, teachers, and GSA members to call!

What's happened already:

This past Monday in San Francisco, 10 students from El Camino High School and Ida B Wells High School kicked off the Operation Talk Back to the Governor Week of Action with two kickass events. First, students made signs, created chants and a song, and showed up bright and early in the morning to rally outside of a Schwarzenegger fundraiser to chant and cheer for AB 606. The students stood in solidarity with the California Nurses Association who had planned the rally to protest the Governor on other issues.

The El Camino High GSA members even made up an awesome song they sang as they waved their signs and stood strong:

"Oh I wish I were in Schwarzenegger's office
That is really where I'd truly like to be
Cause if I were in Schwarzenegger's office
Maybe then he'd finally listen to me!!!!"

(Sung to the tune of the Oscar Mayer wiener song)


Later that same day, the same students met up at the Governor's district office in San Francisco and dropped in for a lobbying visit with a member of the Governor's staff. There they expressed their disappointment in the Governor's recent veto of The Bias-Free Curriculum Bill (SB 1437) and their hope that the Governor will sign AB 606 into law. Students spoke eloquently and shared personal stories about harassment and discrimination they had seen or been victims of in their own schools.

The Week of Action is not over yet! You can still make calls to the Governor's offices. It is still crucial to write letters, schedule visits, and send emails! Every voice counts!!! Go to http://www.myspace.com/youthsavinghistory or http://www.myspace.com/queeryouthadvocacyday and click on the latest Week of Action blog for more information on how you can participate!

What about the future?
Whatever the Governor decides during the next couple or days, GSA Network will be here to notify you and pass along suggestions for how you and your club members can respond to the Governor's decision. If you or other members of your GSA have a great idea on how to celebrate or speak out after the decision, please email it to advocacy [at] gsanetwork.org or call Lai-San Seto at 415-552-4229. We'll blast out your suggestions and report on what some of y'all are doing in upcoming messages.

Keep checking your email inboxes for up to the minute updates!!
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Governor's Offices:

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger_
State Capitol Building
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 916-445-2841
Fax: 916-445-4633


Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
2550 Mariposa Mall #3013
Fresno, CA 93721
Phone: 559-445-5295
Fax: 559-445-5328

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
300 South Spring Street, Suite 16701
Los Angeles, CA 90013
Phone: 213-897-0322
Fax: 213-897-0319

Governor Schwarzenegger
3737 Main Street #201
Riverside, CA 92501
Phone: 951-680-6860
Fax: 951-680-6863

Governor Schwarzenegger_
1350 Front Street, Suite 6054
San Diego, CA 92101_
Phone: 619-525-4641_
Fax: 619-525-4640

Governor Schwarzenegger
455 Golden Gate Avenue, Suite 14000
San Francisco, CA 94102
Phone: 415-703-2218
Fax: 415-703-2803


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empowering youth activists to fight homophobia and transphobia in schools

Lai-San Seto
Advocacy Coordinator
Gay-Straight Alliance Network
1550 Bryant Street, Ste. 800
San Francisco, CA 94103
ph: (415) 552-4229
fax: (415) 552-4729
lai-san [at] gsanetwork.org
http://www.gsanetwork.org/
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