Gay-straight alliance

Encyclopedia : G : GA : GAY : Gay-straight alliance

The pride flag, news articles, and flyers for social events on this high school bulletin board represent the diverse support and advocacy purposes that GSAs serve.

Gay-straight alliances are student organizations, found primarily in North American high schools and universities, that are intended to provide a safe and supportive environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered (LGBT) youth and their straight allies (LGBTA).

Most, if not all, gay-straight alliances are aimed at making schools a safe place for all students, no matter their sexual orientation or identity. Many participate in national campaigns to raise awareness, such as the Day of Silence, National Coming Out Day, and [No Name Calling Week]. Many GSAs work with local chapters of the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, commonly called GLSEN.

A common misconception among the student body and the parents of those students is that GSAs are simply dating services, or places where the "gay kids" can get together. In actuality the diversity of a GSA's membership varies widely. Some GSAs find that their members are mostly straight, while some memberships are completely gay. Some GSAs change their name to place less emphasis on the word "gay," resulting in creative alternatives such as "Project Rainbow," "Pride Alliance," "Spectrum," or even the "Straight-Gay Alliance."

Some students face opposition from school administrations, elected school boards, or local communities in starting a school GSA. For example, in 1999 the Orange County, California school board voted unanimously to prohibit the formation of a GSA at El Modena High School. The students sued the school board, claiming that their rights under the First Amendment and the 1984 Equal Access Act had been violated. In the first-ever ruling of its kind, U.S. District Judge David O. Carter issued a preliminary injunction ordering the school to allow the GSA to meet. The suit was eventually resolved in a settlement whereby the board is now required to recognize the GSA. Many other public high schools have used similar tactics to protect their GSAs.

Although rulings have made it possible for GSAs to legally meet at public schools, many of the groups are placed into a "non-school sponsored" status by their school boards or schools, thereby making it difficult for the students to officially form a GSA or have their concerns seen or heard on campus. For example, in the [Winston-Salem/Forsyth County School System] of North Carolina, GSAs are allowed to meet but are considered non–school sponsored; the groups aren't allowed to use the school's intercom system for announcements like other student clubs, to be portrayed as a school club in the yearbook, to have their club funds held in school accounts, to participate in school activities in which sponsored clubs are allowed, or to be a part of the student organization component of each school's Student Government. The Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools Policy on Student-Initiated, Non-School Sponsored Clubs serves as an example of other such policies nation-wide ([WSFCS Policy 6146]). The first GSA was started in Concord, Massachusetts by Kevin Jennings, the creator and head of the Gay Lesbian Straight Education Network GLSEN, who also happens to be a native of Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The first public school gay-straight alliance was started at Newton South High School (Newton Centre, Massachusetts) by teacher Robert Parlin.

Worldwide Gay Straight Alliances aren't as popular as they are in the United States but are beginning to take-off slowly. In the UK there has always been more of an emphasis on stand alone Lesbian and Gay Youth 'Groups' that take place outside of the school setting, often funded by the local health authority or education service. The first GSA in the UK was founded by Charlotte Lester at Putney High School for Girls. The Gay-Straight Alliance at Putney High School was not forced to close down at the school itself, but it was forced to remove its website and any links to other queer youth groups, and to restrict its access to students over the age of sixteen.

Despite this setback Charlotte's efforts were combined with those of gay rights activist David Henry in Manchester and together they formed the Queer Youth Alliance in 1999. The Queer Youth Alliance is now supporting the formation of GSA and related LGBT youth groups all over the UK.

Canadian GSA

Located in mid-Saskatchewan, Carlton Comprehensive High School houses one of the first GSA movements in the city of Prince Albert. Started in 2005, it continues to evolve and grow, providing a safe haven for those who feel it is time to come out.

This is the album cover of the GSA CD made in April 2006 to help fund the club. The CD contains numerous songs in support of gay rights from around the world. Some artists featured on the CD include Billy Bragg, Leftõver Crack, Anti-Flag, and Bad Religion.

External links

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