GSAs can be vital for queer youth. The students leading them bear an immense responsibility.
“You’re not leading a club, you’re leading a community.”
By Jorge Martinez for LGBTQ Nation –
As right-wing attacks on LGBTQ+ discussions in schools continue to spread across the country, gay-straight alliances, (GSAs) have become more and more vulnerable. GSA’s, also called gender and sexuality alliances, are often headed by a faculty advisor and have a range of missions: Some want to provide a safe space for queer students and allies, while others also engage in local advocacy.
Studies have shown that GSAs improve mental health outcomes for queer students and lead to an overall healthier school climate for all. As a safe space, GSAs play a big role in the lives of queer youth and serve as a general plus for any school community.
As such, the relentless right-wing vendetta against LGBTQ+ youth has made GSAs more important than ever. But for students looking to start them, it can feel pretty overwhelming. The internet is host to plenty of resources on this topic but most are written from the perspective of a faculty or attorney — not the people who are day-in and day-out running these clubs.
As a former GSA leader and queer young person myself, I understand the immense responsibility that comes with running these clubs. I spoke with one young leader about what she keeps in mind to ensure her members feel safe, supported, and happy, as well as some of the challenges they have come to expect along the way.
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