San Francisco Youth Commission/Student Advisory Council
Hearing Mintutes
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
6:30-8:30pm
Board of Supervisors’ Legislative Chamber
City Hall, Room 250
There will be public comment on each item.
1. Call to Order
Chair LaCroix called the meeting to order at 6:48pm.
Commissioners present: Sun, Perez, Fierro, Hirano, Beaulac, Nauer, Yang, Benezra, Chan, LaCroix.
Staff present: Yedidia, Jay.
Student Advisory Council staff present: Steele.
Supervisor David Campos then provided some prepared introductory remarks, explaining why he had introduced a resolution to the Board of Supervisors in the wake of the suicide of Rutgers University freshman Tyler Clementi calling on the City to reaffirm its commitment to support services for LGBTQQ youth. Supervisor Campos drew on voluminous data regarding the social and emotional trauma faced by so many LGBTQQ youth.
The Supervisor went on by acknowledging the relatively robust infrastructure supporting LGBTQQ youth in San Francisco—from community organizations to the school district to the city. He called on the Youth Commission and the assembled members of the public and the City as a whole to reaffirm and redouble their commitment to the physical, social and emotional health of LGBTQQ youth.
2. Approval of Agenda (Action Item)
The agenda was not officially approved.
3. New Business (Discussion and Possible Action)
A. Hearing to consider issues affecting Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Questioning youth in San Francisco—in the San Francisco Unified School District, in private and parochial schools, and those not in school (see document A)
Mr. Kevin Gogin and Ms. Ilsa Bertolini, school disctrict Student Support Services staff, then offered a Powerpoint presentation. Drawing on data from the federal Youth Risk Behavior Survey and the local School Climate Survey, they described LGBTQQ young people’s higher risk for behavioral health dangers.
Public Comment:
Amanda from Washing High School’s GSA offered many words of encourage to all present.
Jezra Anderson, a Balboa HS junior talked about his peer resources class and sensitivity to anti-LGBTQ language. The data just presented was really sad and mind-boggling.
Stephanie Rhoda from Washington HS, President of theGSA there. Across the board, there’s not enough LGBTQ information out there. You’ve got to find that one special teacher. I had to seek out the elective classroom LGBTQ issues at
Mio T Much offered personal reflections of the need to be supported by the City.
Erik Martinez, Youth Program Corindator at the Center.Worked with James Lick, Civic Center, Downtown…worked with SFUSD to create LGBTQ studies
There was no official action taken.
3. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 8:09pm.
Supplemental documents for agenda items are available for review at City Hall Room 345. Minutes are also available on the Youth Commission Website at www.sfgov.org/youth_commission.
ACCESSIBLE MEETING POLICY
The Youth Commission meeting will be held in City Hall, Room 250. The formal address of City Hall is 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, San Francisco, CA. The closest accessible BART station is the Civic Center Station at the United Nations Plaza and Market Street. Accessible MUNI lines serving this location are: MUNI Metro Lines J-Church, K-Ingleside, L-Taraval, M-Oceanview, N-Judah, and T-Third Street at Van Ness and Civic Center Stations; 9-San Bruno, 19-Polk, 47-VanNess, and 71-Haight Noriega. For information about MUNI accessible services call 923-6142.
The Commission meeting room is wheelchair accessible. Accessible curbside parking spaces have been designated on the corners of McAllister and Polk, and Grove and Polk. There is accessible parking available within the Civic Center Underground Parking Garage at the corner of McAllister and Polk Streets, and within the Performing Arts Parking Garage at Grove and Franklin Streets.
If you require the use of an American sign language interpreter, a sound enhancement system, or a reader during the meeting, calendars and minutes of the meeting in alternative formats; such arrangements can be made by calling Mario Yedidia at (415) 554-6446, at least 72 hours prior to the meeting. Late requests will be honored if possible.
Individuals with severe allergies, environmental illness, multiple chemical sensitivity or related disabilities should call our accessibility hotline at (415) 554-8925 to discuss meeting accessibility. In order to assist the City’s efforts to accommodate such people, attendees at public meetings are reminded that other attendees may be sensitive to various chemical based products. Please help the City to accommodate these individuals.
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS UNDER THE SUNSHINE ORDINANCE
(Chapter 67 of the San Francisco Administrative Code)
Government’s duty is to serve the public, reaching its decisions in full view of the public. Commissions, boards, councils and other agencies of the City and County exist to conduct the people’s business. This ordinance assures that deliberations are conducted before the people and that City operations are open to the people’s review.
For more information on your rights under the Sunshine Ordinance, or to report a violation of the ordinance, contact by mail: Administrator, Sunshine Ordinance Task Force, City Hall Room 224, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, San Francisco, CA 94102; by phone at (415) 554-7724; by fax at (415) 554-7854; or by e-mail at sotf@sfgov.org.
Citizens interested in obtaining a free copy of the Sunshine Ordinance can request a copy from the Administrator, Sunshine Ordinance Task Force or by printing Chapter 67 of the San Francisco Administrative Code on the internet, at http://www.sfbos.org/index.aspx?page=4459.
The ringing of and use of cell phones, pagers, and similar sound-producing electronic devices are prohibited at this meeting. Please be advised that the Chair may order the removal from the meeting room of any person(s) responsible for the ringing or use of a cell phone, pager, or other similar sound-producing electronic device. (Admin. Code § 67A.1).
In order to assist the City’s efforts to accommodate persons with severe allergies, environmental illnesses, multiple chemical sensitivity or related disabilities, attendees at public meetings are reminded that other attendees may be sensitive to various chemical- based products. Please help the City accommodate these individuals.