Queer-kid civics

As an openly gay male, Lance Chih didn’t feel safe in high school. In the bathroom, during his sophomore year, someone tossed a glass bottle into his stall, yelled an anti-gay slur and threatened to kill him. Two weeks later, a classmate threw a rock at his head. During health class, two students taunted him with lurid questions about his sexual history and the teacher didn’t even intervene.

“It got to the point where I wouldn’t eat lunch because I’d be afraid of being occupied doing something,” said the tall, dark-haired Chih, 19, who graduated from Folsom High School in 2006. “I couldn’t let down my guard.”

After filing complaints that went nowhere, Chih decided he’d had enough. He started a gay-straight alliance to create a safe supportive space for LGBTQ students on campus.

On March 26, Chih will join an estimated 500 youth from across the state for a day of lobbying and advocacy training at the state Capitol. The second annual Queer Youth Advocacy Day mobilizes students around the issues of discrimination and personal safety, giving queer youth a hands-on civics lesson while drawing legislative attention to the issues that affect them.

“I want to partake in my right to address my lawmakers,” said Chih, one of 80 youth who will train as advocacy leaders for the event.

Leaders will work in pairs with assigned groups to represent each of the 40 Senate districts. Each group will speak with a senator and two Assembly members, advocating for Senate Bill 777, a civil-rights bill introduced by Senator Sheila Kuehl that creates uniform nondiscrimination standards and clarifies protections for students in public schools.

“It’s enormously empowering to be together with other young people and realize you’re not alone. You may be isolated and alone at your own school, but with this event you see you’re shaping history,” said Carolyn Laub, executive director of the Gay-Straight Alliance Network, one of the event sponsors.

During last year’s event, participants lobbied for an anti-bullying bill that would have required school districts to publicize their non-discrimination policies. The Safe Place to Learn Act also would have penalized districts that didn’t protect students from harassment and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

A survey conducted by the California Safe Schools Coalition found that queer students are more than three times as likely to report missing at least one day of school in the last 30 days due to feeling unsafe, and are twice as likely to report depression and to consider suicide. They are more likely to have low grades, be victims of violence and use illegal substances, and three times more likely to carry a weapon to school.

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed the Safe Place to Learn Act last September, which left queer youth enraged, said Wendy Rae Hill, chairwoman of the Sacramento planning committee for this year’s event.

In recent years, LGBTQ activism has become more youth-empowered. When the Gay-Straight Alliance Network formed in 1998, there were only 40 GSAs in the state. Now there are more than 600 clubs, representing more than 45 percent of public high schools, with an estimated 10,000 student members. There are 27 clubs in Sacramento County.

“GSA gave me an outlet to direct my energy to, instead of engaging in self-destructive activities,” Chih said.

Mi-Mi Saunders, 17, a straight ally, helped revive the club at Cordova High School after growing frustrated with the discrimination she witnessed against her queer classmates. She will train as a leader for advocacy day.

“It’s important for legislators to see who the laws are affecting,” said Saunders. “I want to let other youth know they aren’t alone in their struggle.”

Hill, 32, attended a similar event 11 years ago and was motivated to do what she does today, working as a lobbyist for the National Association of Social Workers.

“I hope the youth come away from this saying ‘I can make a career at activism. I can do this, I can make change,’” Hill said.

She also hopes the youth don’t let anything discourage them. Last year, about 350 anti-gay protesters attempted to keep participants off Capitol grounds, even though they had a permit. Hill is working with volunteers and law enforcement to prepare for similar disruptions this year. Ultimately, she said, queer youth know how to protect themselves because it’s something they do every day in school and out on the streets.

Last year’s advocacy day reinforced Chih’s decision to pursue a career in politics. SB 777 may not directly benefit him, but he’s not doing it for himself. He wants to give other queer youth the chance to attend high school without the fear, hostility and harassment he experienced.

“This day gives us the chance to tell our legislators that this is what’s happening in your districts, what are you going to do about it?” said Chih. “They need to start answering to us.”