What is a gay straight alliance club
Supporting a Gay-Straight Alliance in Middle School
As teachers, counselors, and administrators, we listento the words of bullies reported, comfort the bruises of victims, and spot the bigger picture of prejudice that spans from classroom to soccer field to hallway. Too many times, episodes of bullying are based around students’ perceived sexuality or identities, and as research proves, our young people are suffering.
One way schools can combat these attacks is to host a Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA). Lofty schools across the territory have answered the test to provide safe and supportive spaces for children. Slower to move, however, are middle schools.
Why a GSA in Middle School?
It’s vital to note that the tween years extend from ages 10 to 15. That spans upper elementary school into high university, with the majority being the middle school years. This is a key period for lesbian, gay, and multi-attracted students: The children in one survey reported being “attracted to another person of the same gender at about age 10.”
The Trevor Proposal reports several troubling statistics. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, or queer (LGBTQ) youths are “more than four times as likely t
Only 3 states have a gay-straight alliance in more than half of their high schools
GSAs are educational facility clubs led by students, with support from faculty sponsors, in which students can talk, learn about, and educate others on sexual orientation, gender self, and some of the issues that surround them. There are currently at least 4,000 GSAs across the country. Organizations such as GSA Network and GLSEN have programs to register GSAs and give resources for students and faculty advisors.
In a recent review of LGBT-focused college policies and practices, researchers noted that, of all reviewed interventions, GSAs are supported by the most consistent evidence showing that they improve school climate and academic outcomes for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual , and queer/questioning (LGBTQ) youth. Specifically, the researchers identified several studies that documented reduced homophobic victimization of lesbian, gay, and fluid students in schools with GSAs. LGBTQ youth who participate in GSAs state that the clubs are a source of collective, a gateway to LGBTQ-friendly resources, and a marker of safety.
There is also evidence that the presence of GSAs is linked with benefit
10 Steps for Starting a Gay-Straight Alliance
Would you like to initiate a Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) at your school, but you’re not sure where to begin? This resource will walk you through the steps to gain one going, and includes some tips on what to do if your school says “no.”
Download a PDF version of this resource here.
1. Do Your Research – Typically, Gay-Straight Alliances (GSAs) are student-led, non-curricular clubs. “Non-curricular” means that the focus of the club is not directly related to a school class, such as French Club or Math Club. Find out if your school has other non-curricular clubs, such as Chess Club or Key Club. Your GSA will have to follow the same steps that those clubs took in command to form. If you’re not sure what the official school policies are for starting a club, ask a teacher or other faculty member.
2. Know Your Reasons – Every successful organization has a mission statement, which is simply a sentence or two that explain the purpose and goals of your group. It might be a good thought for you and the other members of your GSA to think about a mission statement for your club before presenting your idea to your administrators. T
Starting a Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA) in Your School
This content is intended to serve as general information; it is not legal advice nor intended as legal advice.
What is a Gender and Sexuality Alliance?
Genders and Sexualities Alliances (formerly known as Gay-Straight Alliances), or GSAs, are student-led and student-organized educational facility clubs that aim to create a safe, welcoming, and accepting school environment for all youth, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. GSAs provide a supportive environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual, gender nonconforming, and gender non-conforming (LGBTQ) students, as well as those who are perceived by others to be LGBTQ, are questioning their identity, have LGBTQ friends or family members, or just care about LGBTQ issues.
Why should I commence a GSA at my school?
GSAs help make schools safer for all students by providing support, educating others in your college about LGBTQ issues, and engaging in awareness activities like the national Sunlight of Silence. GSAs also allow LGBTQ and vertical students to work together to take on issues that affect all students, including harassment and discrimination based on sexual orientation, gende
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