Tuesday, June 20, 2006

Youth Page

Eugene/Springfield PFLAG Scholarship 2009


-------------Please distribute widely!------------------


The Eugene/Springfield Chapter of PFLAG is proud to announce it will sponsor two LGBTQ local PFLAG Scholarships in the amount of $1,000 each for two Lane County High School seniors graduating in 2009.



To view or download a copy of the application, go to:

http://epud.net/~bears/E-S_Scholarship_2009.doc (MICROSOFT WORD)

or

http://epud.net/~bears/E-S_Scholarship_2009.pdf (PDF)



Cyber Bullying

With more youth coming out in early high school and even middle school, PFLAG chapters are seeing issues many of us have not encountered before. One of those issues is cyber bullying. Chapters should be prepared with information and resources if a parent or youth encounters this new form of bullying.

Cyber bullying has been defined by the Center for Safe and Responsible Internet Use to mean, "being cruel to others by sending or posting harmful material using the Internet or a cell phone."

New technologies have revolutionized communication and information, particularly for young people, and although the cyber world has been a great friend to the LGBT community by helping students gain access to information and support, it has also created new opportunities for bullying and harassment.

Cyber bullying may seem like the same old behavior using different means, but because this form of bullying can be done anonymously, it can take on very different qualities. Perpetrators, victims and bystanders have somewhat different roles in the process. The ability to resend emails and text messages create confusion about what has happened.

Terminology you should know:

  • Flaming- online verbal attacks or fights via electronic messages, (e.g., in chat rooms) and using hostile and vulgar language.
  • Harassment- repeated messages of an offensive or derogatory nature directed to a target.
  • Cyber stalking- repeated messages of an intimidating character that make a person feel afraid for his or her physical safety.
  • Denigration- online "put-downs," including sending or posting hurtful gossip or rumors to cause the target embarrassment.
  • Impersonation- using someone's email account to send out messages, supposedly from the account holder, that reflect badly on that person and may cause trouble, shame, or embarrassment.
  • Outing and Trickery- disclosure of someone's private information online, sending or posting embarrassing images, or deceptions leading another person to reveal personal details about him or herself.
  • Exclusion- deliberately keeping someone out of an online group such as a buddy list or game.

Although much of the education can and should be done at home (or in your chapter!) there is also a role for schools to play. Find out what your school policy is and what they do to educate students on appropriate behavior.

According to Pew Research, about one-third (32 percent) of all teenagers who use the internet say they have been targets of some form of cyber bullying that ranged from receiving threatening messages, having their private emails or text messages forwarded, to having an embarrassing picture posted or rumors about them spread online.

The cyber world is not going to go away so let's make sure it brings more benefit than harm into our kids' lives.

What schools should do:

  • Add cyber bullying to existing anti-harassment or bullying policies.
  • Provide training and education for students, teachers and parents.
  • Take cyber bullying seriously.

Here are some resources to get more information on cyber bullying:

Youth resources

Our weekly drop-in group for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning youth ages 13 - 18 meets Fridays from 4 - 6 p.m. at Amazon Community Center, 2700 Hilyard in Eugene.

It's a great opportunity to talk, make friends, get information and support, and have fun. The group is confidential, free of charge, and adult-led.

For more information, please call 684-3466. Or, if you're a GLBTQ teen, drop in!

But what about right now?

We do have a help line, which is the number to the top right of your screen. But if it would help to talk with someone supportive right now, call one of these free numbers -- they answer 24/7:
  • National hotline for GLBTQ youth: toll free 1 800 850-8078
  • In Eugene: White Bird (GLBT-friendly counselors): 687-4000
  • In Eugene: Looking Glass Station 7 (crisis help & housing): 689-3111
Your parents may also wish to call the helpline. There is a parents-only support group!

Over 40 Scholarships, 1 application to complete

Pride Foundation and GSBA have over 40 different types of scholarships available, but students only need to fill out one application. Many of the scholarships available at Pride Foundation have criteria that are determined by the donor who creates the particular scholarship. For this reason, the scholarships cover a diverse range of educational interests, types of student, and geographic regions. [MORE].

GSA grant program

Do you have a GSA (Gay Straight Alliance)? In Lane County? Need funding? PFLAG Eugene/Springfield provides grants.

Active with a local human rights nonprofit?

Be aware that PFLAG may be able to help you with your human rights program. See our general grant application form.

Websites to visit:

Great Books to Read:

For youth, parents, and teachers -- For teachers and counselors --

PFLAG scholarship programs

PFLAG Scholarships provide an important, positive statement to a group of young people that is coping amazingly well in an often adverse school environment. They are marginalized and subjected to harassment and discrimination in many parts of the country, not only at school but also often in their own families. We have found many of them to be articulate, accomplished scholars with great promise for future contribution to our society in general and to the cause of rights and recognition for GLBT people in particular.

Scholarships are available at the national level and are awarded by many of the local chapters. Youth can receive both awards if eligible.

Click here for information about the PFLAG National Scholarships Program, or here for a list of scholarships available from local chapters. If you are an employee of Dow Chemical and would like to donate to the Dow Scholarships, click here.

For more information or if you have questions, please contact the scholarships administrator.

updated 6/12/08 risa b
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