The Oregon Student Association (OSA) has been developing Oregon’s student leaders since 1975, but their first MRG grant is to support the Oregon Student Equal Rights Alliance, a project that engages LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Queer) students as leaders in addressing issues of equality and safety on Oregon’s college campuses.

Sadly, harassment of LGBTQ students in high school can deter those youth from pursuing a college education. Those LGBTQ students who do go on to college face harassment and the threat of violence. In 2008, OSERA conducted a survey of over 3,500 students on Oregon college campuses to gauge the most pressing problems for LGBTQ students. You can read the results in the Campus Climate Report (link goes directly to a PDF document, requires Acrobat Reader). 

But none of these students have to remain victims of homophobia. OSA is hiring an organizer for the Oregon Student Equal Rights Alliance to develop LGBTQ student leaders. The students will work on specific LGBTQ projects as well as participate in other broader student campaigns, such as the successful February 2010 effort to expand Oregon's Opportunity Grants (the photo above is of a student leader, Kate Burns, hosting an event at the Oregon Capitol as part of OSA's student lobby day during the 2010 Oregon legislative session).

In 2010, with the organizer in place, these student leaders will focus on campaigns such as a Gender Inclusive Spaces Initiative. They’ll engage LGBTQ students in improving their school communities for everyone.

Learn more about their work: www.orstudents.org/osera