SAN DIEGO -- This week the Center for Excellence in School Counseling (CESCal) and the Harvey Milk Foundation announced this week that the opening keynote speaker for the 2nd annual international conference for school counselors and educators regarding LGBTQI issues will be Assistant Deputy Secretary of Education, Mr. Kevin Jennings.

The conference, called, "Solutions to a Crisis: Supporting Students ~ Saving Lives" is a three day, one-of-a-kind gathering of experts brought together with one goal in mind; to empower school counselors and other educators to actively advocate and support LGBTQI students on school grounds around the world.

It will be held February 25-27th at the Doubletree Hotel in the Mission Valley area of San Diego.

The Right Man for the Job

Before joining the current administration, Jennings spent his adult life as an advocate himself; he has been an educator, an author, a human rights activist, and an administrator. His appearance at this conference -- and his message to school counselors and educators in attendance -- will make a tremendous impact.

For not only will Jennings be representing the Department of Education, he will also be representing himself and sharing his own personal life experience with the attendees.

A Harvard graduate who lost his father (a Southern Baptist preacher) at age eight, Jennings was bullied and literally beaten in school for being gay and tried to take his own life when he himself realized he was gay. This story has become all too familiar to the national conscience in this past six months.

Many years after leaving those troubling days behind him, Jennings started the nation's very first Gay - Straight Alliance in 1988, while teaching at Concord Academy in the greater Boston area. Under his direction and through his personal dedication, that small group grew and expanded until it finally morphed into what it is today - the Gay & Lesbian Student Education Network (GLSEN).

Jennings remained at the helm for twenty years until finally stepping down in 2008, knowing it was in good hands. The current executive director is Eliza Byard, who will also speak at the conference.

GLSEN seeks to end discrimination, harassment, bullying based on sexual orientation. Country music singer Chely Wright - who had a very public coming out last year - is their national spokesperson. Chely will also be a keynote speaker and sharing her experiences and positive messages about the work she is doing.

In 2009, Jennings was appointed to lead the office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools at the Department of Education, an appointment that has not been without controversy from the religious conservatives. He has written and edited a half-dozen books focusing on LGBT issues in school and at home and is uniquely qualified for his position at the Board of Education as well as his appearance at the conference.

About the Conference

CESCal's "Solutions to a Crisis" conference, which debuted for the first time last February, is leveraging the rash of young suicides this past fall and strengthening their message to the adults who spend large amounts of time with the very kids who need their help.

This three day program will offer the counselors and educators information, resources, personal stories and public testimonials, to empower them to go back to their school districts, open up the lines of communication, take a stand and start advocating for LGBTQI kids.

Highlights of the Conference

• A total of 30 break-out sessions, workshops and panels over two days.
• Special visits by Senator Chris Kehoe, Mayor Jerry Sanders, State Assemblywoman Toni Atkins, and members of the City Council of San Diego.
• 15 gifted and esteemed speakers and panelists.
• Special live performance of "Dear Harvey" a multi-media stage play about the life and times of Harvey Milk, told by those who knew him best.
• Special screening of "Prayers for Bobby" with a special appearance by Executive Producer Daniel Sladek.
• Cultural Plunge - a visit to the San Diego Gay & Lesbian Center and a stroll through Hillcrest.
• Special appearance by award winning country music star Chely Wright.

You Can Make a Difference - Sponsor an Attendee

So many school educators and staff want to attend this conference but can't for various reasons.

Some school districts don't have the money; many educators won't ask their schools for the money; most can't afford using their own personal funds to attend; and ironically, some school districts just won't justify sending an educator to a conference such as this.

However, YOU can send an local attendee for just $249 through the SPONSOR ONE program.

Why send an educator / counselor to this important conference?

• Nine out 10 LGBT youth are harassed at school.
• LGBT youth are four times more likely to commit suicide when compared to their heterosexual peers.
• A surprising 28% of LGBT students will drop out because of discomfort (due to verbal and physical abuse) in the school environment.
• Up to 40% of homeless youth identify as LGBT.

As a result of these very alarming statistics, the goals of this conference are to give school counselors and educators at the K-12 level the:

• Knowledge of the laws and rights of LGBTQIA students and resources available to students and their families;
• Attitudes that will encourage them to take personal responsibility as advocates for LGBTQIA youth;
• Skills to access community resources and to create safe spaces in schools for all LGBTQIA youth.

Even if you are not planning to go yourself - even if you are not an educator yourself - you can still make a difference and sponsor someone's attendance.

Help create change for LGBTQI youth - you just might save a life.

The Long List of Participating Organizations

Support from Educational Associations and Leaders

• The California Association of School Counselors (CASC);
• The President of the California Teacher's Association (CTA);
• The President of the American School outselling Association (ASCA);
• Endorsement from National Education Association (NEA);
• and more.

Leaders from LGBT Organizations

• L. Stuart Milk from the Harvey Milk Foundation
• Executive Director Eliza Byard, of Gay & Lesbian Student Education Network (GLSEN);
• Executive Director Charles Robbins, from The Trevor Project;
• and more.

Workshops provided by LGBT experts

• The American Psychological Association (APA);
• ACLU;
• Campus Pride;
• Faith in America;
• Family Acceptance Project;
• Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD);
• The Gay & Lesbian Student's Education Network (GLSEN);
• The Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) Network;
• Give A Damn Campaign;
• Human Rights Campaign (HRC);
• Lambda Legal;
• The Like Me Foundation;
• Matthew Shepard Foundation;
• Parents & Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG);
• Project 10;
• Stop The Hate Program;
• The Trevor Project;
• and more.

A Real Testament to Change

In only its second year, the CESCal conference on LGBTQI issues has received an overwhelming firestorm of support from the very top levels of every organization focused at "making it better" for these at risk youth.

Co-chairs Trish Hatch, Director of the School Counseling Graduate Program at San Diego State University, and Vincent Pompei, a school counselor himself, are dedicated to this cause. Their work with the conference is strictly on a volunteer basis.

Hatch's graduate students fill in other gaps and are learning valuable real-life skills and lessons as they help plan, promote, coordinate and execute this important conference.

Attendees come from all over the nation - and even the world. If someone you know would benefit from this conference, pass the word.

Morgan M. Hurley is the Copy Editor for SDGLN. She can be reached at (877) 727-5446, ext 710 or via email at morgan@sdgln.com.