The ACLU’s LGBT working group has established a statewide conference, “Campus Connection,” a gathering of college Gay/Straight Alliances (GSAs) and other groups that promote respect and equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons. Networking conferences have been held in Cleveland and Dayton to give LGBT students the tools to effectively program on campus, as well as provide a springboard for future collaborations. Breakout sessions on educational event planning, fundraising, lobbying, and forming campus safe spaces are typically offered.

Campus Connection 2007 - University of Akron - Saturday, March 3
This year's conference was our best yet with more schools and students represented, and a lineup of 18 presenters. There were 83 students from 15 schools -- Wright State University, Youngstown State University, Kent State University, Cleveland State University, Ohio State University, Case Western Reserve University, Tiffin University, Oberlin College, Mount Union College, Ohio University, Bowling Green University, Marietta College, University of Findlay, Muskingham College, and the University of Akron. There were an additional 20 participants from PFLAG and other LGBT supportive community organizations.

Thanks for All Your Hard Work…

• Akron LGBTU students, especially president Katie Herrnstein and members Scott Slocum and Kayden Healy
• Akron LGBTU club adviser Shelle Davis
• ACLU Working Group members Rob Starr, Alan and Margot Cohen, Matt Massena, and Calvin Rydbom
• Equality Ohio staff member Andrea Wood
• PFLAG Akron for staffing the Hugs Room (a BIG hit)
   

Special Thanks for Financial Support from …

• The Hermes Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio. The Hermes Foundation exists to support the charitable activities of its founding trustees.  It affirms a compassionate response to an actively racist, sexist, genderist, classist, ageist, and heterocentrist society through grants that support community building, education, civil rights, healing, cultural development, and the arts.
• Harry Jackson
• Equality Ohio
• PFLAG Cleveland and Akron Chapters
   

Click here for pictures from Campus Connection 2007

Resources from Presenters

• Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network (GLSEN)
• LGBT Family Law Issues (Courtesy of Joan Burda, attorney)
• Transgender Resources (Courtesy of Meral Crane M.A., L.P.C.C)
   
  

Campus Connection 2006 Highlights
Campus Connection 2006 was held at Wright State University in Dayton on Saturday, March 11. There were 70 participants from 10 schools, Capital University, Wright State, Ohio Northern, Ohio University, Shawnee State, Ohio State, Ohio Dominican, Gannon College (PA), University of Akron, and Michigan Tech.
Our keynote speakers were Nichole Wicks from the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Education (GLAAD), and Lynne Bowman from Equality Ohio. There was lots of networking and program sharing among participants. Breakout sessions included topics on media and campus activism, transgenderism, LGBT health care, lobbying, religion, and organizing a club.
 

Campus Connection 2005 Highlights
Sixty students and faculty from 11 school attended Ohio's first LGBTcollege student conference on Saturday, April 9, at the Cleveland LGBT Center.

The participating schools were Akron University, Baldwin-Wallace College, Bowling Green State University, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland State University, Cuyahoga Community College, Hiram College, John Carroll University, Mount Union College, University of Toledo, and Youngstown State University.

The conference began with an overview of national and Ohio LGBT rights movement from Carrie Davis, ACLU of Ohio staff attorney. Ohio congresswoman Stephanie-Tubbs Jones, 11th District, was the keynote speaker. The day continued with eight workshops and networking.

ACLU of OHIO : Max Wohl Civil Liberties Center : 4506 Chester Avenue : Cleveland, OH 44103

P (216) 472-2200 F (216) 472-2210 E contact@acluohio.org