your group process
researching the issue and designing an effective campaign

Anti-LGBT name-calling, derogatory and homophobic remarks in the classroom, taunts, and actual threats against students have a serious impact on the entire community. The focus of your campaign will be to bring campus awareness to this issue.

After completing the research component of this WebQuest listed on the resources page, your group will have the option of choosing your own direction and products for your media campaign. You will have two weeks to complete this group project.

As a group, select two of the following options below.
  • Poster (approximate size 18” x 24” or larger) to display at various locations throughout campus
  • PSA (public service announcement) video (between 45 sec. to 2 min. in length)
  • Brochure to hand out in the quad during “Student Club and Organization Day”
  • Creation of a GSA on your campus
  • campus participation in one of the following events:
Tips and Tools for Organizing an Action Campaign:
Click here to download the 17 page PDF (2.55 MB) and learn the basics of strategizing, creating a timeline, framing your message and creating an action plan.

Poster:
Graphically design and create the compelling text copy for a captivating poster – to be displayed for all students, faculty, staff, and visitors on campus. Take advantage of your previous skills using the graphics applications in our computer lab. In addition, you have permission to print out 10 copies of your final product poster on the lab’s large format color printer for campus distribution.

PSA TV Commercial:
Create a video public service announcement (PSA) between 45 seconds to 2 minutes in length. You may use storyboard tools, music, graphics, actors, sets, campus locations to create this product. Video camcorders, editing software, Lab AV tutors, and all necessary equipment is available for checkout in the computer lab.

Brochures:
Graphically design and create the compelling text copy for a captivating color brochure or flyer (either 8.5” x 11” or 8.5” x 14”) – to be made available to all students, faculty, staff, and visitors on campus and distributed in the school’s weekly paper and placed in kiosks on campus. Take advantage of your previous skills using the graphics applications in our computer lab. In addition, you have permission to print out 1000 color copies of your final product for campus distribution.

Creation of a Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) on campus:
Click here to download the 46 page PDF (4.34 MB) – a jump-start guide created by GLSEN with step-by-step assistance for students interested in forming a GSA on their campus.

Participation in one of various national campaigns on campus:
Follow the links listed above to explore the possibility of organizing campus participation in any one of these powerful national events.

(Click to view the 1 min 50 sec. video below)

Breaking News: On July 24, 2009, the U.S. Senate passed the Defense Department authorization bill on which the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act is attached as an amendment. The bill now goes to a Conference Committee to work out differences between the House and Senate versions of the legislation.


speak
(photo from the mandela day media awareness display at grand central station, new york, in july 2009)