LGBTQ+ culture includes new (to some) use of pronouns\, understanding of acronyms and the significance of community. \; Learn from our panelists about the acronyms and the respectful use of pronouns\, and hear from local voices what inclusivity looks like toda y.
\nLGBTQ+ Terminologies and Gender Identity\, Gor don Sauer and Sue Henderson
\nPronouns\, Sherri Ras e
\nWhy Pronouns Are Important to My Child\, Debbie Russ
\nThe Legal Rights of LGBTQ+ Youth in New Jersey\, Chris Zegar and Amy Gallagher
\nPlease respect my pron ouns. \; This is what inclusivity looks like today\, Students from Mendham High School GSA
\nModerator\, Bob DeF illippo
\nAmy Gallagher is the Director of Special Services for the Roxbury School District. \; Her preferred pronouns ar e she/her/hers. \; Her priority in the Roxbury School District is to e nsure that students from all walks of life are fairly represented and are provided with the support that they need to be successful. As a profession al in the school setting\, Ms. Gallagher works to ensure that the school a nd larger community are aware of the legal rights of LGBTQ+ youth. \; As an ally\, she promotes understanding\, support\, and affirmation for al l within the LGBTQ+ community.
\nSue Henderson (She \, Hers)\, is a retired Health and Physical Education teacher and school c ounselor. Sue is currently Co-Chair of GLSEN Central NJ -- an organization which promotes safe and inclusive schools by providing resources and staf f training as well as an annual GSA forum for students.
\nTh e Mendham High School GSA\, which stands for Gender-Sexuality All iance\, was formed in February of 2021 by Maddie A. in an attempt to give the LGBTQIA+ community a more prominent voice in the school. Within the fi rst year of its formation\, the GSA grew to over 60 members on the Google Classroom page as well as accomplishing many major achievements. The Mendh am GSA reinstated the national Day of Silence run by the organization GLSE N. The GSA just held its second annual Day of Silence on Friday\, April 8t h and had a great &ldquo\;Breaking of the Silence&rdquo\; ceremony where a group of parents and community members stood outside of the school in sup port due to pushback the GSA faced for hosting the event at our school. We were also able to get Mendham Borough\, Township\, and Chester Township t o officially proclaim June Pride Month. The GSA is a safe space for all pe ople no matter their gender identity or sexual orientation to meet and hel p support each other with their different points of view as well as be a a dvocacy group to help raise awareness around the school and community. In the coming years\, we hope to become more involved in charity work as well as make Mendham High School a more accepting place for everyone.
\nSherri Rase is an award-winning activist who has voluntee red with GAAMC since 1994 serving also as a board member and part of the E xecutive Team. \; Sherri is also a founding board member and Special E vents Director of Jersey Pride\, Inc.\, \; NJ's statewide Pride organi zation.  She has been training and facilitating groups in the LGBTQI A+ Community and at-large for more than 20 years.  Volunteer and pro fessional environments have different needs\, but it is possible to discov er the aspects common to both for positive outcomes.  Taking a momen t to breathe and assess a circumstance can make the difference that provid es success in bridging different worlds to bring best practices to light.& nbsp\;
\nDebbie Russ is a mother of a transgender d aughter and a long time resident of Mt. Olive. She is a Social Worker with an LSW and an advocate for mental health in adolescents. \; She has d one other speaking events at Morristown Memorial Hospital\, and multiple p rivate schools throughout the area. She is here as a parent to share her o ngoing journey as a parent of a transgender youth. \;
\nGordon Sauer (He\, His) is a retired NJ educator with over 40 yea rs of experience\, and works with a number of LGBTQ+ organizations includi ng GLSEN (A national organization dedicated to making schools safe for LGB TQ+ students)\, SAGE (A national organization which supports LGBTQ+ older adults) and GAAMC (NJ&rsquo\;s Oldest LGBT organization). He lives with hi s husband of 27 years and enjoys music\, being outdoors and having fun.
\nDr. Christopher Zegar is Assistant Principal of the Lincoln Roosevelt School in the Roxbury School District. His preferred pr onouns are he/his/his. He believes that schools should create a culture th at makes students feel safe and ready to learn. Mr. Zegar in previous role s in the district has worked to ensure that the district administration is aware of the legal rights of LGBTQ+ youth.
\nModerator: Roxbury Tow n Councilman Bob DeFillippo has more than 40 years of sen ior leadership experience in corporate communications\, journalism\, gover nment and public policy. \; As the Chief Communications Officer for Pr udential Financial\, Inc.\, he led the Global Communications Department an d oversaw Prudential&rsquo\;s public relations and internal communications around the world. During that time\, Bob led communications for the compa ny&rsquo\;s historic transition from a mutual to a public company &ndash\; one of the largest IPOs in the insurance industry. He also served as exec utive sponsor to Eagles -- Prudential's LGBTQ+ employee resource group\, w hich introduced the company's first Ally program. \; Bob currently ser ves as an adjunct professor at NYU's School of Professional Studies\, wher e he lectures graduate students on Strategic Communications\, Crisis Commu nications\, and Critical Business Skills for Communicators. \; \;< /p>\n
This program is in partnership with the Gay Activist Allia nce of Morris County. \; GAAMC is a not-for-profit volunteer- run organization that provides social\, educational\, and outreach program s. GAAMC also offers opportunities for individuals to become politically a ctive on issues related to the GLBTI community. Our intent is to maintain a positive\, healthy\, respectful and supportive environment in a safe spa ce.
\nRegister online or by calling the library at 973 584-2400.
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