April 25, 2012 (Sacramento):  Nationally recognized bullying expert Dr. Elizabeth J. Meyer, author of “Gender, Bullying and Harassment,” will give the keynote address at Sacramento City Unified School District’s “No Time to Lose” LGBTQ youth conference this Friday.

The conference is a key component of SCUSD’s comprehensive approach to combating bullying in schools and in cyberspace. SCUSD is the first public K-12 district in the region to pass a tough new anti-bullying policy – ahead of current state efforts to adopt similar legislation – and the first to employ a full-time Bullying Prevention Specialist.

A professor at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, Dr. Meyer was recently a guest on National Public Radio’s “Talk of the Nation” during a discussion of whether teachers can be reprimanded for posting opinions – or information about their private lives – online. Her comments in Sacramento on Friday will cover strategies for ending homophobia and sexism in schools.

“We cannot pretend that bullying is an acceptable part of a boy or girl’s childhood experience – that it’s simply something that everyone goes through,” said SCUSD Superintendent Jonathan Raymond. “Bullying is destructive and dangerous, for students who are targets and students engaged in bullying behavior.”

As part of the conference, student leaders of SCUSD high school Gay-Straight Alliance Clubs will discuss relevant issues at 12:15 p.m. Workshops will cover how to teach LGBTQ history in classrooms and state and federal policies that affect LGBTQ youth and families.

“SCUSD is excited to host this very important conference and hope that participants come away informed and empowered to make positive changes in our community,” said SCUSD Bullying Prevention Specialist Sheila Self.

“We are so happy that an expert of Dr. Meyer’s caliber can join us for this potentially groundbreaking event,” Self added. “SCUSD is dedicated to doing whatever we can to make our schools safe, secure and welcoming for all of our students and we look forward to learning from Dr. Meyer and all of our featured speakers.”

Both Self and Dr. Meyers can be available for interviews prior to the conference’s 8 a.m. start time.

WHAT:                 “No Time to Lose: A Professional Conference to Activate Change for LGBTQ Youth”
WHEN:                 Conference begins at 8 a.m. on Friday, April 27; Dr. Elizabeth Meyer is scheduled to                                                                         speak at 8:45 a.m.
WHERE:               SCUSD Serna Center
                                5735 47th Ave.
                                Sacramento, CA 95824