I am trying to start a GSA at my new school

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finally a student came to me about this. Yay. Ok so I was asked to write a short thing about the purpose of the GSA. Here is what I wrote. Please give advice or edits etc.

The main purpose of a gay straight alliance is to provide for both LGBT students and their allies a place to sustain themselves and help educate the broader community. Many LGBT students don’t have the support at home to effectively sustain themselves in the identities that they are discovering while attending our schools. To that end, a GSA would do the following:


Inward activities
Provide a place for LGBT students and their allies to discuss issues at school such as bullying, dealing with teachers who may not be fully understanding, learning to advocate for themselves and their allies.

Educate students on LGBT history and contributions to culture.
Discussing issues outside of school, how or when to come out, how to deal with parents who may not understand.

Letting students know it does get better. Making sure they don’t self harm (LGBT are vastly more likely to try to commit suicide).

Outward activities
Educating staff on the proper ettiquitte in terms of LGBT (especially T) students. (at a beginning of the year staff development)

Educating students on the proper ettiquite in terms of LGBT (maybe through a one-time use of PGC or assembly)

Letting students who may be afraid to come forward know there is a safe space for them if they wish to do so.

It should be noted that the students would be tweaking and further developing this. They may add things to this or take things from this.

The PGC is a group of older students who go into the freshman homerooms and help aclimate them to the school.

[lunasun]

1. engage the PGC + see if it can become one of the std practices for new students coming in to include

GSA , etiquette etc. info. once your group is up and active at the school
That way goals with liaisons are established, and in place for future students after the original group graduates
BEST TO YOU !

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2. thanks for advice

and wishes.

[coffeenap]

3. HiI have been a GSA sponsor at an Illinois HS for 8 years

Please feel free to pm me—I just saw your post. I will be away from devices until late tonight, but would be glad to discuss your efforts. Congratulations on doing this—it means so much to have a GSA in a school.

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4. thanks

I was the adviser at my old school but this school is in a more backward area. I am already getting some push back from administration.