What does the gay straight alliance do
Elements of a GSA
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The purpose of this outing is to debate the different roles a Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) can engage and to support students identify which activities and events they may desire to plan over a given timeframe. By identifying what “kind” of GSA you have, this activity can also help the collective identify a mission statement for the club.
To begin: Draw the following Venn diagram on a whiteboard or immense sheet of paper. Note: Some will choose to separate “social” and “support”, using four overlapping circles. Use whatever picture works optimal for you.
Explain that this picture is meant to illustrate some of the common “elements” of a Gay-Straight Alliance. While every GSA is unique, many clubs plan activities that are social, educational and/or activist in nature. It’s important to locate a balance that best fits your club, so that all the members’ needs are organism met. If your club only works on big activism events like Diurnal of Silence, students who are simply looking for a safe space to talk about LGBT issues might be discouraged from joining the GSA. On the flipside, a club where students only talk might not be
Overview
Gay-straight alliances (GSAs) and queer-straight alliances (QSAs) are peer support networks run by students and supported by school staff and would be grounded in the principles of promoting:
- equity for sexual and gender minority students
- safe, caring and inclusive spaces for all students
- healthy, respectful environments and relationships to prevent or eliminate bullying and discrimination
As peer support networks, GSAs/QSAs help LGBTQ2S+ students overcome feelings of isolation and alienation that are a result of homophobic and transphobic bullying. They allow students as they develop a sense of belonging in their school. GSAs/QSAs also help interested students become allies for their LGBTQ peers and provide a safe place to help comprehend and learn how to give support.
Supporting GSAs
The Education Act (Section 35.1) outlines the roles and responsibilities of school authorities and principals around supporting GSAs and QSAs - so that students can get the support they need - when they depend on it.
The act:
- requires school authorities to create welcoming, caring and respectful policies and make them publicly available
- protects the establishment of GSAs and
Supporting a Gay-Straight Alliance in Middle School
As teachers, counselors, and administrators, we listen the words of bullies reported, comfort the bruises of victims, and view 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). Tall schools across the region have answered the question to provide safe and supportive spaces for children. Slower to move, however, are middle schools.
Why a GSA in Middle School?
It’s crucial 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 Plan reports several troubling statistics. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual , or queer (LGBTQ) youths are “more than four times as likely 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 institution 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, same-sex attracted, bisexual, transgender, and gender non-conforming (LGBTQ) students, as adv as those who are perceived by others to be LGBTQ, are questioning their identity, own LGBTQ friends or family members, or just care about LGBTQ issues.
Why should I start a GSA at my school?
GSAs help produce schools safer for all students by providing support, educating others in your school about LGBTQ issues, and engaging in awareness activities like the national Day of Silence. GSAs also consent LGBTQ and direct students to perform together to seize on issues that affect all students, including harassment and discrimination based on sexual orientation, gende