Leading Legal and Youth Experts to Provide Community Members with Tools to Prevent Bullying

(Delano, CA, May 12, 2011)—This Saturday, May 14, 2011, a one-day community conference will be held to address the harm caused by the widespread harassment and bullying of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth in schools and communities.

Called Cultivating Power and Pride, the conference is designed to provide community members with the resources and tools they need to address bullying, and help prevent its toll on youth. Many students and families from California’s Central Valley, like those in other communities across the country, have experienced the harmful impact of bullying.

The conference will teach community members how to address the problem through a series of workshops, with topics that include starting the conversation about bullying, tragedy prevention, and students’ legal rights on campuses across the state. Speakers at the conference will include counselors, government and non-profit attorneys, as well as community representatives.

WHAT: “Cultivating Power and Pride” conference to address to problem of bullying of LGBTQ youth in California’s Central Valley (it will be presented in both English and Spanish)

WHEN: 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, May 14, 2011

WHERE: 40 Acres, 30172 Garces Hwy, Delano

REGISTER: Community members can register by contacting Angeles Jimenez of the California Rural Legal Assistance at 831.757.5221

COST: Free (Includes a light breakfast and lunch)

The conference is organized by California Rural Legal Assistance (CRLA), the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR), ACLU’s California Affiliates, The Trevor Project, and Gay-Straight Alliance Network (GSA Network).