As 2010 turns the corner, Out Youth and the Texas GSA Network are looking forward to a new year with super exciting things ahead. 2011 brings us a tremendous and historical change in staffing: three amazing and empowered youth have been hired!  Although GSA Network Director, Heather Lenox, waves goodbye this month, she accomplished much in her time with the Network and is leaving an incredibly developed program in the hands of radical and ambitious youth leaders.  She will be sorely missed.  To fill her place, we have hired three seasoned Network youth interns:

Andi Gentile, Regional Director
Andi grew up in New York City, and a few years ago put on her cowgirl boots and traded the big city for the better one, making the move to Austin. She has been committed to social justice since her involvement in her own high school’s QSA, and has dedicated herself to social change work, most recently with organizations including Soulforce Q and Domestic Workers United.  Andi served as an intern on the Texas GSA Network’s administrative team since 2009, and is excited to return home to the Network as Regional Director.  Outside of working with the network, you’ll find Andi in her kitchen in a chef’s hat and pajamas, cooking up a storm!

Lena Melinger, Administrative Director
During Lena’s two years as a Network intern she steered the technology committee and fell head-over-heels for GSA support and advocacy.  Lena is currently a senior at the Liberal Arts and Sciences Academy in Austin and is finishing knitting her first sweater.

Gabriel Padilla, Program Director
Gabi is a queer youth community organizer who attends Garza IHS and has been an active member of the Out Youth family for nearly two years. Gabi is a seasoned trainer focusing on educating youth and adult allies about addressing homo/transphobia, GSA development, and building community coalitions in the greater Austin region and across Texas. When not working on queer youth advocacy, Gabi enjoys (real) chai tea, Hip Hop music production and poetry, and as a guilty but oh so wonderful pleasure, squeezes in the additional L-Word (not so real) and Glee. 

Look to us for innovative and visionary developments in 2011 as well as the steady support, advocacy and dynamic programming you rely on us for.  Out Youth would like to extend a warm welcome to our new Texas GSA Network and encourage all of you to meet them in February at our GSA mixer!