Student Constitutional Rights InstituteExploring the Role of Law in the Lives of LGBTQ People Our Mission• To educate students about the Constitutional and civil rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) people • To foster understanding of both the justice system and the history of LGBTQ civil rights in the United States • To empower students to become advocates for equal rights. HistoryThe SCRI is a collaboration of the ACLU of Pennsylvania, The Bryson Institute, The Mazzoni Center, David M. Hall Asscociates, and LEAP-Kids. The project is modeled after a successful North Penn High School GSA field trip, which brought students from North Penn’s Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) and Amnesty Chapter to the Federal Court and the National Constitution Center. The Field Trip• SCRI will invite high school GSA and other student organizations to come together in a single day (May 8, 2007) with the purpose of exploring federal, local, and other laws that grant or limit LGBTQ rights. • During the first half of this all-day outing, judges and clerks at the Federal Courthouse will engage students in an interactive mock Supreme Court argument regarding a LGBTQ civil rights litigation. • After the mock argument, students will gather for lunch, workshops, and discussions of current LGBTQ rights issues. Logistics• Our outreach plan includes contacting GSA members, social studies classes, teachers, school administrators, and board members. 140 students from Philadelphia-area urban and suburban schools will be invited to attend. • This will be an all day event: buses depart and return to school of origin within the time constraints of participating schools. • Transportation, lunch, registration, entrance fee, and written materials will be provided. Long Term Objectives• Encourage schools to create a supportive and inclusive atmosphere for LGBTQ youth, faculty, staff and administration. • Establish substantive curriculum that represents the lives of LGBTQ people. • Through mini-grants, provide participating schools with developmental funds for related student projects and/or in-service trainings for students. • Provide participating students with networking opportunities, organizing and advocacy skills, and a greater understanding of the legal and legislative contexts that affect the rights of LGBTQ people. FundingThe ACLU Foundation of PA, a 501(c),(3), has provided fiscal sponsorship for SCRI. SCRI seeks support from participating sponsors, institutional funders, corporations and private donors. To donate, please visit our online donations page and check the box marked "SCRI." Planning Committee • ACLU of Pennsylvania • The Bryson Institute of The Attic Youth Center • The Mazzoni Center • David M. Hall Associates • LEAP-Kids Sponsors • Equality Advocates PA • The Gay & Lesbian Rights Committee of the Pennsylvania Bar Association • PennCORD For more information, contact: Jessica Levy, Community Organizer: jlevy@aclupa.org, 215.592.1513 x123 Amy Hollaman, LGBTQ and Youth Organizing Intern: amyhollaman@hotmail.com Volunteer to help with SCRI on May 8! Download a volunteer letter.Registered schools & youth organizations: Download the SCRI registration packet 2007 (516k)
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