May 30, 2013 (Sacramento):  State Senator Mark Leno (D-San Francisco) will speak about the landmark legislation he authored that ensures gays and lesbians are included in school history lessons at SCUSD’s second annual LGBTQ conference on Monday (June 3).

Other speakers include Carolyn Laub, founder and executive director of the Gay-Straight Alliance Network, and Joel Baum, director of education and training for Gender Spectrum. Carmichael mom Lisa Ford-Berry, who founded BRAVE (Bullies Really Are Violating Everyone) in the wake of her son’s suicide, will participate in a panel discussion on preventing bullying in schools.

Leno’s FAIR Education Act, which was signed into law by Governor Brown, guarantees that the historical contributions of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people are accurately and fairly portrayed in instructional materials. He will deliver a speech on Monday titled “How Teaching LGBT History is Good for All Students.”

Leno’s speech will be followed by workshops for teachers, administrators, students, parents and others on such topics as LGBTQ youth and faith communities and supporting LGBTQ children who live in foster care.

“I am proud of Sacramento City Unified’s role as a regional leader dedicated to bringing the education community together to support this vulnerable student population,” said Superintendent Jonathan Raymond. “We are excited to host this very important conference and hope that participants come away informed and empowered to make positive changes.”

SCUSD’s “No time to Lose” conference is a key component of the district’s comprehensive approach to creating safer, healthier learning environments for children. The goals of the conference include reducing the stigma associated with the LGBTQ student population and supporting their needs – social, emotional and academic. SCUSD is the first public K-12 district in the region to pass a tough anti-bullying policy – ahead of current state efforts to adopt similar legislation – and the first to employ a full-time Bullying Prevention Specialist. It is one of only eight districts nationwide participating in a NoVo Foundation-funded Social and Emotional Learning initiative.

WHAT:  “No Time to Lose: A Professional Conference to Activate Change for LGBTQ Youth”
WHEN: Conference begins at 8 a.m. on Monday, June 3; Senator Leno is scheduled to speak at 10:30 a.m.
WHERE: SCUSD Serna Center
                 5735 47th Ave.
                 Sacramento, CA 95824