Today's Out Spotlight is Project 10, the nation’s first school-based support program for gay and lesbian students, taking the organization’s name from the 10% of the population estimated by the Kinsey surveys to be gay or lesbian.
Project 10 is a Los Angeles Unified School District onsite support program for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) youth. Founded by Dr.Virginia Uribe in 1984 it came from her research for her Ph.D were she concluded there were issues that LGBT youth in schools face as well their unmet needs as out . It came from her research for her Ph.D. in psychology. A survey of the 10 largest school districts in the United States revealed a startling lack of support services for this target population.Not long after, she noted that an openly gay student at Fairfax High School named Chris had dropped out after he was continually harassed by fellow students. Further investigation showed that Chris had been kicked out of his home at age 14 after telling his parents he was gay. Fairfax was the fourth high school he had left after sexual harassment proved too much for him.
It wasn't until October 1999 California Governor Gray Davis signed AB 537, which added sexual orientation to the list of protected categories in the California Education code. Now, along with victims of discrimination based on race, ethnicity, gender, and religion, gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender students have a procedure for filing complaints of discrimination based on their sexual orientation and gender identity. For 15 years Project 10 was there for LGBTQ youth in California until California caught up to them.
Project 10's mission is to ensure safe, supportive and welcoming campuses free from discrimination and harassment for sexual minority youth. Its services include on-campus support groups that are safe zones for LGBT students, services to help district personnel implement policies affecting LGBT students, and support for school district staff who address the needs of at-risk youth.
They focus on dropout and suicide prevention, substance abuse education, student empowerment, reduction of verbal and physical abuse, and accurate HIV/AIDS information. Project 10 is made up of seven elements: A district resource center and program adviser; Workshops to train administrators, counselors, teachers, and other staff members on the issues of institutional prejudice and the special needs of LGBT youth; Development of onsite student support groups led by trained facilitators; Assistance to school librarians in developing fiction and nonfiction materials on LGBT subjects; Assist schools to be in compliance with nondiscrimination policies, Title IX sexual harassment provisions, and the Equal Access Act regarding the formation of Gay-Straight Alliances; Advocacy for LGBT student rights through task forces, parent groups, and community outreach programs; and Networking with community agencies, parents, educational organizations, and teacher unions.
Project 10 provides workshops, and events throughout the year for the LGBTQ youth in the LA School District. One event is Models of Pride. The 17th annual Models of Pride Conference was just held on October 17th. The one day conference is free and open to lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and queer (LGBTQ) youth, and allies, ages 14 to 23.
It was created in 1993 as a means of providing a safe and positive environment where LGBTQ youth could network with each other and expose themselves to new ideas and information. The conference is day long gathering of workshops, entertainment, a resource fair, food, networking opportunities, live music, and a dance party finale.This year 35 different workshops for students to choose.
Project 10 also sponsors the Models of Excellence scholarships. Which are given annually for LGBTQ youth and allies who are currently graduating from a Southern California senior high school (private, public, or parochial). Another activity Project 10 sponsors is a LGBTQ Youth prom for kids 14-23 in the LA area.
"As long as I have a breath in me, I will continue to fight for the rights of gay and lesbian students." Dr. Virginia Uribe (Project 10 Video, 1989)
Project 10
Models of Pride
