The Benefits of Having a GSA |
by Madeline Holmes (scholar)
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School is difficult. Everyone can agree that high school can be some of the hardest times of adolescence. If you add the stress of not knowing if you'll be accepted for your gender or sexuality, it’s crippling. GSA stands for "Gay-Straight Alliance". This is a student lead club that is open to anyone regardless of sexual orientation. The GSA is a safe place for students apart of the LGBTQ community.
Many students may feel that school is a battleground. Some students who are Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual, Trans and Questioning (LGBTQ) may not feel safe in school. A vast majority of LGBTQ students frequently hear homophobic comments and other types of biased language at school. They may also experience bullying because of their gender identity or sexual orientation. The constant bullying may cause depression, drug use, and falling behind in school. The Family Acceptance Project put out a study that found gay and transgender students in schools with GSAs are less likely to drop out and more likely to succeed in higher education than those who don’t. GSAs are a critical component in creating a safe and inclusive environment for gay and transgender youth. GSAs reduce levels of harassment and thereby help gay and transgender youth focus on their academics and reach their full potential. They also create inclusive environments where gay and transgender youth can simply be true to themselves. Many students don’t have the access to a GSA or gay-inclusive clubs. We are fortunate to have to access the GSA club. Only about 11,000 schools have GSA’s which sounds like a huge number but there are a little over 31,000 schools across the US. It is even harder to get a GSA in southern states which we are again very fortunate to have. I have met my best friends and family in this club, I have seen shy people turn into social butterflies. I hope that soon everyone can a experience the wonders that the GSA has shown me. |