Gay middle schools
Middle Schools, Gay-Straight Alliances (GSAs), & Academy Staff Experiences: Creating Safe Spaces and Providing Supportive Resources for Trans* Youth
This exploratory pilot study examines how middle school staff in North County San Diego perceive and utilize LGBTQ-supportive resources for trans*students despite personal and school-wide barriers they face. Current literature on trans* youth primary focuses on trans* identity politics, familial support, and school climate issues. Queer theory and Dean Spade’s “administering gender” concepts are used to communicate my findings. Seven semi-structured interviews were conducted with middle school staff around North County San Diego who identified as LGBTQ allies, revealing their perceptions of gender persona and how they support trans* students at their schools. Findings showed that participants acted as voluntary advocates by starting GSAs, gathering information from local workshops, organizations, and conferences to grasp about LGBTQ learning and rights. They used safe room stickers and posters to promote their status as “allies”, allowing for trans* students to sense safe and supported in their corporation or classroom
GSAs Build Power
Genders & Sexualities Alliances, or GSAs for limited, are student-run organizations that unite Homosexual and allied youth to build group and organize around issues impacting them in their schools and communities. GSAs have evolved beyond their traditional role to serve as safe spaces for LGBTQ+ youth in middle schools and high schools, and have emerged as vehicles for serious social change comparable to racial, gender, and educational justice.
A growing body of research confirms that the presence of a GSA has a positive and lasting consequence on student health, wellness, and academic performance. It can also protect students from harassment based on sexual orientation or gender persona, and improve educational facility climates for all students in the long-term.
In March 2020, schools across the country closed down and shifted into a virtual territory due to the COVID-19 global health crisis. Many university activities and clubs were discontinued and unable to persist the move into a digital planet. As trans and queer youth looked to ways to stay connected and continue to systematize in a virtual setting, we created a Virtual GSAs in Action page to support them in taking their school-b
Supporting a Gay-Straight Alliance in Middle School
As teachers, counselors, and administrators, we perceive the words of bullies reported, comfort the bruises of victims, and witness 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 nation have answered the disagree 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 educational facility, 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 Undertaking reports several troubling statistics. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, gender diverse, or queer (LGBTQ) youths are “more than four times as likely t
Middle School Gay-Straight Alliance Allowed To Pursue Equal Access Claims
Carver Middle Sch. Gay-Straight Alliance v. Sch. Bd. of Lake Cnty. Fla., 842 F.3d 1324 (11 Cir., Dec. 6, 2016): A Federal Appellate Court held that a Florida middle college met the definition of a secondary school under the Identical Access Act, and therefore claims against the school by an extracurricular club, the Gay-Straight Alliance, could go forward.
SUMMARY AND FACTUAL BACKGROUND
Students at Carver Middle College (“Carver”) applied for approval of the Carver Middle School Gay-Straight Alliance, an extracurricular student club. The application described the monitoring purposes and goals of the club:
(1) to create a secure, supportive environment at school for students to discuss experiences, challenges and successes of LGBT students and their allies
(2) to construct and execute strategies to confront and work to end bullying, discrimination, and harassment against all students, including LGBT students
(3) to promote critical thinking by discussing how to address bullying and other issues confronting students at Carver Middle School.
School District administrators den