I wanted to make a quick note in reference to the article about the conference at Arcadia University (“Arcadia to host safe-schools discussion,” March 22-28), specifically in regard to the conference chair’s comment. She stated that “there was no place for educators, families and youth [to] get together to talk about these issues.” I would like to point out that is tremendous misinformation to our PGN readers.
Rather, it highlights how elitist universities can be and how disconnected they are from the work local community organizations do every day. The annual LEAD Conference is taking place this year at Science Leadership Academy on April 6, organized by Mazzoni Center. This is a daylong conference filled with workshops for youth and adults who are active or wish to be involved in the GSA (gay-straight alliance) network. It is a conference that actively creates a space for educators, youth, adults and families to discuss ways to keep schools safe for all. I would also like to point out that the conference at Arcadia charged $15 for youth to attend and $50 for adults; the LEAD Conference is free and has always been free.
I write this not to diminish the work that the university attempts to accomplish; they should be commended for doing so. Rather, I write to highlight the amazing work that is already being done. I didn’t like how the article/university implied that this work isn’t happening. It demonstrates once again how local community-based organizations are often overshadowed by the monopoly that is institutions like universities.
For more information about the LEAD Conference, feel free to contact Louie Ortiz at 215-563-0652 or [email protected].
— Nikki López MPACT youth coordinator, GALAEI