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Gay straight alliance in high schools

Only 3 states acquire a gay-straight alliance in more than half of their high schools

GSAs are school clubs led by students, with support from faculty sponsors, in which students can chat, learn about, and educate others on sexual orientation, gender identity, and some of the issues that surround them. There are currently at least 4,000 GSAs across the country. Organizations such as GSA Network and GLSEN contain programs to register GSAs and give resources for students and faculty advisors.

In a recent review of LGBT-focused institution policies and practices, researchers noted that, of all reviewed interventions, GSAs are supported by the most consistent evidence showing that they improve school climate and academic outcomes for lesbian, homosexual, bisexual, transgender, and queer/questioning (LGBTQ) youth. Specifically, the researchers identified several studies that documented reduced homophobic victimization of lesbian, gay, and bisexual students in schools with GSAs. LGBTQ youth who participate in GSAs report that the clubs are a source of group, a gateway to LGBTQ-friendly resources, and a marker of safety.

There is also evidence that the presence of GSAs is associated with benefit

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Gay-Straight Alliances, or GSAs, are student-led and student-organized school clubs that aim to create a safe, welcoming, and accepting institution environment for all youth, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. GSAs provide a supportive environment for lesbian, gay, pansexual, and transgender (LGBT) students, as well as those who are perceived by others to be LGBT, are questioning their self, have LGBT friends or family members, or just care about LGBT issues.

GSAs help make schools safer for all students by providing support, educating others in their school about LGBT issues, and engaging in awareness activities like the national Day of Silence. GSAs also allow LGBT and straight students to function together to take on issues that affect all students, including harassment and discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. Research has shown that LGBT students hear fewer homophobic slurs, experience less harassment, have better attendance, and perceive safer at schools that include GSAs. Like any club, what a GSA does is up to its members, but it often includes things like pitching in on commun

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 educational facility 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, gay, bisexual, transsexual , and gender non-conforming (LGBTQ) students, as well as those who are perceived by others to be LGBTQ, are questioning their identity, have LGBTQ friends or family members, or just care about LGBTQ issues.

Why should I initiate a GSA at my school?

GSAs help make schools safer for all students by providing support, educating others in your university about LGBTQ issues, and engaging in awareness activities like the national Night of Silence. GSAs also allow LGBTQ and direct students to work together to take on issues that affect all students, including harassment and discrimination based on sexual orientation, gende

GSAs (Gay-Straight Alliances or Gender & Sexuality Alliances) are a great tool to improve school society and create spaces for LGBTQ youth to feel a part of the school. Equality Florida is dedicated to promoting safe schools by helping GSAs form and expand through peer back, leadership development, and student empowerment.

By supporting GSAs, schools will be helping to:

  1. create safe schools where students support each other in a fear-free environment,
  2. educate their school community about homophobia, gender individuality and sexual orientation issues, and
  3. fight discrimination, harassment, and abuse in schools.

What is a GSA?

GSAs are student-led clubs, usually at the upper school or middle school level, that promote respect for all students.

GSAs can be any of the following:

Support Groups
a safe and confidential place for students who are struggling with their identity as queer , lesbian, bisexual, trans person or questioning.

Activist Groups
a group of students working to end homophobia by getting LGBTQ issues represented in the curriculum, LGBTQ comparable books in the library, and evolving non-discrimination policies implemented at a district level.

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