Start a Gay Straight Alliance Club

 Setting the scene:

A teacher I know told me a story recently about her lanyard.

She grew up in a conservative area and was married with children. She was “in the club”. Then, she fell in love with a woman. She got kicked out of “the club”. She moved to another area and became a substitute teacher. While substituting, she noticed a teacher had a rainbow lanyard with the words “ALLY”, and quietly asked about it. She knew there was a policy protecting LGBTQ faculty in that school district, but wearing a rainbow lanyard was different. It was an outward expression of inclusion and support. She learned another faculty member had started the rainbow lanyard initiative to let LGBTQ youth know if a teacher was “safe” to talk to. Now, my teacher friend has stopped substituting, and started teaching full time in that school district. Every day she puts the lanyard on as a signal to those who may need it.

Image source: Amazon.

Another LGBTQ teacher friend of mine warned me of the “loud and proud” method. He said that method is sometimes the fastest way to get shut down. He offered an alternative solution to show support. He said that being an asset to a team and leveraging leadership positions has helped enforce inclusive environments for him. Also, in his curriculum he utilizes intersectional thinking, like learning about genetics to distinguish gender and biological sex, as well as the variances in chromosome types and diversity within nature. Nonetheless, counselors and social workers on campus know that his classroom is a safe space and will share that information with students if they need it.

Safe spaces and small signals to show acceptance and inclusivity can be life savers for LGBTQ students. The organization ‘Stop Bullying’ provides some great resources, including tips on building safe environments. They say that schools can “establish a culture of inclusion and respect that welcomes all students” as an act to prevent bullying (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, n.d.). This is why Gay-Straight Alliances (GSA) in educational environments can be important. GSA’s are after school, student-run organizations that build community, serve as safe spaces, and motivate social change through education and advocacy (GSA Network, n.d.). (GSA’s are sometimes referred to as Gender Sexuality Alliances, as well [Oakley, 2018]). Here’s the data about educational environments that have GSA clubs. Researchers found that 52% of students were less likely to hear homophobic remarks. 36% were less likely to be fearful of their personal safety. 30% of students were less likely to experience bullying, harassment, and discrimination (Marx & Hensman Kettrey, 2016). The following video highlights how a student utilized their GSA to change gender binary language during their school’s graduation. It shows how students participate and utilize GSA resources. Starting a GSA helps create safer spaces, and therefore saves lives.

Video Source: (GSA Network, 2012).

The Principles We Value

The video below highlights an individual and his support systems of family, teachers, and community members who demonstrate the core values of this movement. Aaron is a senior in a small town of Cheney, Kansas. Over three years, Aaron has tried to start a GSA club at his high school, only to be shot down by his school administration. Aaron shows the value resiliency. The GSA demonstrates the values of inclusivity, safety, and equality. His teachers and community exemplify courage by supporting LGBTQ youth even when meeting opposition from administration and others in the community. In the video, Aaron’s mom Jessica says, “Being an advocate is taking a risk. Don’t stop getting uncomfortable. Have those uncomfortable conversations” (Oakley, 2018, 8:00). Furthermore, Aaron shows the values of planning and action. Despite meeting resistance, Aaron plans two GSA events outside of school, enlisting others to join. Aaron then delegates and shares the responsibilities of forward planning with his community, stewarding them to work towards a shared vision for equality and inclusivity (Oakley, 2018).

Video Source: (Tyler Oakley, 2018).

What's at stake?

LGBTQ students may come from a variety of family circumstances. Some families may be accepting of their LGBTQ children. Some families may completely reject them. Some LGBTQ students may be closeted to their family, fearing rejection. Student safety is the biggest priority, and coming out should never happen unless the student feels safe and ready to come out. Furthermore, providing them resources, like a GSA club, can help them determine where they are on that journey. GSA’s have been challenged by some communities, though. It’s reported that some parents are afraid that their local GSA’s were distractions and conversion programs (Brasher, 2016). In fact, the opposite is true. GSA’s provide a support system at school where empathy, honesty, community, and safety (from the Wheel of Needs) are nurtured. When 2 in 5 LGBTQ youth in the last year have seriously considered suicide, it becomes clear that GSA’s can help create safer spaces and decrease that statistic (Fitzsimons, 2020).

First Things First

The Texas GSA Network provides some extraordinary toolkits, including, “Starting a GSA”. They recommend:

1. Follow school’s guidelines. Check the student handbook for rules. You will likely need to find a faculty member as a sponsor and to write a constitution.

2. Find a faculty Advisor and work on acquiring a regular meeting space.

3. Let your administration know your plans. It’s best when administrators are on your side. Share research that shows GSA’s create safe spaces. Inform your administration that forming a GSA is protected under the Federal Equal Access Act.

4. Let school counselors know you’re starting a GSA. They likely know students who may benefit from this group and could let them know about it.

5. Advertise through bulletin boards, social media, and school announcements.

6. Hold your inaugural meeting. Address what your GSA wants to accomplish. Establish some ground rules, as well. For example, don’t have any assumptions about someone’s identity– this will help attract allies, closeted LGBTQ youth, and those questioning their identity. Plan for the future, and regularly hold meetings. Delegate responsibilities to younger students so they can take stewardship of the club after graduation.

7. Register your GSA with the GSA Network. This can provide resources and ideas with other GSA's across your state and country (Texas GSA Network, 2019).

What are ways teachers and faculty can signal support to LGBTQ youth? Can using those signals tokenize the LGBTQ community?

References

Brasher, J. (2016, July 25). LGBTQ students feel safer at schools with gay-straight alliances. Vanderbilt University. Retrieved from https://news.vanderbilt.edu/2016/07/25/lgbtq-students-feel-safer-at-schools-with-gay-straight-alliances/

Fitzsimons, T. (2020, July 15). 40 percent of LGBTQ youth 'seriously considered' suicide in past year, survey finds. NBC News. Retrieved January 18 2021, from https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/40-percent-lgbtq-youth-seriously-considered-suicide-past-year-survey-n1233832

GSA Network. [Username]. (2012, May 23). Highlight: Campaign for a gender-inclusive graduation! [video]. YouTube. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sk1lhQ55MGw&feature=youtu.be

GSA Network. (n.d.). What is a GSA club? GSA Network. Retrieved from https://gsanetwork.org/what-is-a-gsa/

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). Build a safe environment. Stop Bullying. Retrieved from https://www.stopbullying.gov/prevention/build-safe-environment

Marx, R., & Hensman Kettrey, H. (2016, May 24). Gay-Straight Alliances are associated with lower levels of school-based victimization of LGBTQ+ youth: A systemic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Youth and Adolescence. (45) 1269-1282. Retrieved from https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10964-016-0501-7

Oakley, T. [Tyler Oakley]. (2018, June 26). Growing up gay in rural America: creating a GSA in Kansas. [video]. YouTube. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DnCqaiji64

Texas GSA Network. (2019, Februrary 25). Toolkits for starting a GSA, for active clubs, and for advisors. TXGSA. Retrieved from https://www.txgsa.org/toolkits