(NAME-MCE) Rainbow Families Conference--Educator Invitation!

[Paul C.Gorski]

 EDUCATORS TAKING ACTION
Building a safe learning environment for children with lesbian, gay,
bisexual, and transgender parents.

REGISTER TODAY!

CEU's available for teachers and social workers.

EDUCATORS ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THE 12th ANNUAL RAINBOW FAMILIES CONFERENCE

The largest event of its kind in the country, with more than 1,100 adults
and children

in attendance in 2006. It's an exciting day for the whole community-lesbian,
gay,

bisexual, transgender (LGBT) parents and their children, prospective
parents,

extended family, friends, educators, and those serving the LGBT community.

THREE WAYS TO REGISTER:

ONLINE: at www.rainbowfamilies.org.

BY MAIL: complete the form below and mail to: Rainbow Families,

711 W Lake Street, #210, Minneapolis, MN 55408

IN PERSON: Registration for adults will be available at the door on

the day of conference, on a space available basis.

A SELECT SET OF WORKSHOPS-BY AND FOR E-12 EDUCATORS,

ADMINISTRATORS, AND SCHOOL PROFESSIONALS

Homophobia is a pervasive problem in our schools, yet many educators have
not been given the tools

needed to address it. When schools remain silent about these issues, LGBT
families, students, and

staff continue to feel invisible-and homophobia thrives. But when educators
are provided with tools

that guide them in talking about LGBT issues in age-appropriate ways, they
are able to overcome their

reluctance to address the subject. Talking openly and respectfully with
students about LGBT people

creates a safer, more inclusive learning environment for children with LGBT
parents, LGBT youth, and

LGBT staff.

Participants attending the workshops for educators will:

. Gain a greater understanding of homophobia and heterosexism in our
schools.

. Develop strategies for creating a classroom environment that is safe and
inclusive for children with one or

more LGBT parents, and for LGBT students.

. Learn strategies for integrating LGBT issues into curricula.

. Learn how to speak and work effectively with those who may be reluctant to
address LGBT issues.

. Learn how to intervene when hearing homophobic comments.

CUE's available for teachers and social workers.

Presenters include:

Phil Duran, Legal & Policy Analyst, OutFront Minnesota; Mark French,
Principal, Osseo Area Schools;

Dr. Heather Hackman, professor of multicultural education, St. Cloud State
University; Alex Luizzi, codirector/

teacher, River Heights Charter School; Jill Madsen, early childhood and
primary teacher with

emphasis on social justice; Barbara Mauk, retired media specialist,
Roseville Area School District (and

mother of the keynote speaker); Lyn Mitchell, "aMaze" co-founder; Kim
Westheimer, educator and

consultant with "Welcoming Schools" Program, Boston; a panel of LGBT parents
with school-age children;

and a panel of students from Gay Straight Alliances.

RAINBOW FAMILIES CONFERENCE

Conference registration includes day-long education, lunch, coffee,

resource fair, and community gathering. If you are interested in bringing

other family members to the conference, please use the general

conference registration form that can be found at

www.rainbowfamilies.org.

Special rate for E-12 Educators or School

Professionals: $10

Please Print - all lines are required

Name: _______________________________________________

Email: _______________________________________________

Address: _____________________________________________

City, ST, ZIP: __________________________________________

Name of School: _______________________________________

School District: _________________________________________

Payment Method

KEYNOTE SPEAKER: ABIGAIL GARNER

Abigail Garner is the creator of the website FamiliesLikeMine.com, and
author of Families

Like Mine: Children of Gay Parents Tell It Like It Is. For over a decade
Garner has been

on the forefront of nurturing dialogue and increasing visibility for LGBT
families in both

queer and mainstream communities. New York Times Magazine described the
influential

weight of Families Like Mine by comparing it to the cultural impact of The
Feminine

Mystique. The daughter of gay dads, she is known for offering insight that
challenges

LGBT families while simultaneously debunking anti-gay family sensationalism.

___ My $10 check payable to Rainbow Families is enclosed.

___ Please charge my credit card (we cannot accept debit cards.)

VISA/MC/AmEx card number:

_________________________________________________________

Expiration Date: ____________________________

MASTER OF CEREMONIES: T. MYCHAEL RAMBO

Acclaimed actor, singer, educator, and speaker, T. Mychael Rambo is familiar
to Minnesota

audiences for performances in Penumbra Theatre's Black Nativity, as well as
numerous

performances at Mixed Blood, The Ordway Center for Performing Arts, The
Guthrie

Theater, Illusions, and many other venues. A residency artist/educator in
Theatre Arts and

Dance at the University of Minnesota, he is internationally respected for
his jazz recordings.

Name as it appears on card: __________________________________

Signature: ________________________________________________

LEARN MORE AT:

www.rainbowfamilies.org

612-827-7731

SITE: Anwatin/Bryn Mawr Schools, 256 Upton Avenue S, Minneapolis, MN

Wheelchair accessible. ASL at Community Gathering and Keynote. Call early to
arrange other ASL services.

CONFERENCE SCHEDULE:

8:30-3:00 Resource Fair and coffee

8:30-9:00 Registration

9:15-10:30 Workshop I

10:45-12:00 Community Gathering and Keynote

12:00-1:00 Lunch

1:15-2:30 Workshop II

2:45-4:00 Workshop III

4:00 Celebration

QUESTIONS?

Call 612-827-7731 or

go to www.rainbowfamilies.org

 

Johanna Eager, Coordinator
Office of Equity & Integration
Roseville Area Schools
1910 County Road B West
Roseville, MN 55113
(651)604-3748/office
(651)604-3501/fax

"Tradition is very often an excuse word for people who don't want to
change."     --Red Baber


 

 
This email and any attachments may contain confidential and privileged
information. If you are not the intended recipient, please notify the sender
immediately by return email, delete this email and destroy any copies. Any
views or opinions presented in this email are solely those of the author and
might not represent those of Roseville Area School District.