Gay straight alliance in high schools

Now many of these alliances are typically youth-led, while adult advisors serve in a supportive role. Gay-Straight Alliances (GSAs) are student-led, school-based clubs that aim to provide a safe environment in the school context for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) students, as well as their straight allies.

More broadly, in recognition of the many intersecting sociocultural identities of students e. Understanding Gay/Queer-Straight Alliances What is a Gay/Queer-Straight Alliance (G-QSA)? Or they may focus on promoting inclusive school policies e.

GSAs are school-based extracurricular groups that provide a setting for LGBTQ students and their peer allies to receive support, socialize with one another, learn about LGBTQ issues, and advocate for equity and justice in schools. A gay–straight alliance, gender–sexuality alliance (GSA) or queer–straight alliance (QSA) is a student-led or community-based organization, found in middle schools, high schools, colleges, and universities.

Youth program models and positive youth development models inform the various aims and functions of GSAs. These efforts seek to improve both the experiences of students who are not GSA members and the climate of the whole school.

Next, it reviews findings that show GSAs are tied to positive student outcomes, highlights some of the ways GSAs promote well-being, and offers suggestions for how they can benefit youth from many different backgrounds. They may also provide students with LGBTQ-specific resources, such as referring them to supportive community agencies or hosting workshops on mental health and self-care.

This article begins with an overview of GSAs and how they operate. As GSAs become increasingly present in middle gay high schools across the United States, 6 it is important to understand how they can be most effective. The present study examines.

Notably, some research suggests that GSAs may also school those students who are not members. Other studies have recorded feedback from GSA members who attribute instances of personal growth and empowerment, e621 gay comic well as a range of other positive experiences, to their GSA involvement.

Many GSAs now integrate advocacy efforts into their activities as well. rientation or gender-identity/ expression. M any students participate in a wide range of school- or community-based extracurricular programs. As with many extracurricular programs, GSAs enable students to socialize and make new friends.

GSAs embody these qualities in many of their functions—for example, providing a supportive setting for members and, for those that use the student-led and advisor-supported approach, allowing students to take on more leadership roles and greater ownership of their GSA.

As part of the continuing evolution of GSAs, some have begun to rebrand themselves as Gender-Sexuality Alliances to better convey their inclusive aspiration. These models highlight several qualities that are essential for programs to be effective:. Although there is strong evidence such programs promote healthy development e.

In doing so, they have worked to build coalitions with other groups to address multiple systems of oppression e. Generally, they were started and led by school counselors or teachers and operated largely as groups in which LGBTQ students could receive social and emotional support.

These are primarily in the United States and Canada. Gay–straight alliances intend to provide a safe and supportive environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and all. G-QSAs provide a supportive environ-ment for alliance, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students, as well as those who are perceived as LGBT, questioning of the.

Since that time, the aims and functions of GSAs have expanded and evolved to meet a growing range of student needs and interests. The article concludes by noting how GSAs can partner with other school-based efforts to promote the well-being of LGBTQ students and contribute to better social and academic experiences for all students.

Also, their efforts aim to benefit not only immediate members but straight the larger school community. GSAs Support School Communities There are 3 different types of GSAs—all of which can directly impact LGBTQ+ youth: Gather, Support, and Activist.

A Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA), Genders and Sexualities Alliance (GSA), Queer-Straight Alliance (QSA), Sexuality and Gender Acceptance (SAGA), Queer Intersectional Alliance (QIA), Rainbow Club, or Pride Club is a student-run club which provides a safe place for both LGBTQIA2S+ and straight allied students to meet, support each other, talk about.

Students in schools with GSAs report lower mental and physical health concerns, greater overall well-being, less drug use, less truancy, and greater perceived school safety than students in schools without GSAs. For example, GSAs may plan awareness-raising campaigns to draw attention to and counteract high discrimination e.

How to Start a GSA From Gay-Straight Alliance to Genders & Sexualities Alliance, check out our press release on why we changed our name.