Creating a Gay SFE at Your School

 

The United States Department of Education is a big supporter of gay-straight alliance (GSA) clubs in public schools. The GSA is a student-led organization that aims to create a safe and inclusive environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students, as well as those who are straight. In many cases, GSAs have been responsible for creating safer spaces and improving the health and well-being of all students. A good place to start is to find out if your school has a GSA and how you can help them succeed. If your school doesn't already have one, there are a number of ways you can help make it happen.

A well-designed GSA may be one of the best ways for students to advocate for themselves, allowing them to better understand what it means to be an LGBTQ person. Additionally, students feel safer in a supportive environment, and they are less likely to suffer from harassment. Furthermore, they are likely to see a reduction in homophobic remarks. It's also worth noting that many schools have a faculty advisor who can serve as a liaison between the GSA and the rest of the school.

As you may have guessed, the most important function of a GSA is to foster community. However, students who join a GSA are likely to participate in other activities, such as fundraising efforts or attending social functions. Many GSAs include their own events, such as a Gay-Straight Alliance Day of Silence. Some GSAs even hold meetings with the local law enforcement agencies, aiming to educate the broader community about sexual diversity. This can be a great way to reduce harassment in the community and provide a positive outlet for LGBT students.

Despite the best intentions, a number of schools are GAY SFE still struggling to create a positive school climate. One example of this is the lack of anti-discrimination laws. Fortunately, this is a problem that can be addressed through the use of legal measures, such as the Equal Access Act, a federal statute passed in 2008. Ultimately, though, it is up to each individual school to create a safe and inclusive environment for all students.

The Department of Education has also put forth a handful of other resources that could be used to support or enhance a GSA program. For example, the department's Office for Civil Rights and Title IX Office has a comprehensive list of resources that could prove helpful in the formation of an effective GSA program. There are also a number of articles, videos, and other resources on the internet devoted to the topic.

Another useful resource is the CDC's website Protective Factors for LGBTQ Youth. This webpage summarizes a range of research that identifies how the various factors affect the health of LGBTQ youth. You can also find a PowerPoint presentation on this topic. Lastly, there's the 'Equality Wheel', a chart of measurable statistics on the state of the LGBTQ equality movement in the U.S. Using this chart, you can better understand how your state or city ranks in terms of LGBTQ acceptance.