GSA (Gay Straight Alliance) Mission Statement: The goal of the Gay Straight Alliance is to promote awareness and harmony between all students of all sexual orientations. We strive to create a non-threatening environment that allows all students to have a voice and not be intimidated or judged because of their views. This club is open to any student who can abide by the simple rule that all people are created equal. Why do we need a GSA? o According to recent studies LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) youth face a unique set of safety concerns each day in schools across the nation. Over 85% report being harassed because of their sexual or gender identity or their perceived sexual or gender identity. The suicide rate for LGBT youth is shocking, approximately 3-4 times higher than their straight peers. (Souce: http://nepc.colorado.edu/files/Biegel_LGBT.pdf) Who started the first GSA? o The first GSA was formed in 1988 when a straight student wanted to do something to educate fellow students about anti-LGBT bullying and harassment. She went to her history teacher, GLSEN founder Kevin Jennings, and proposed a club: "You're gay and I'm straight, so let's call it a GayStraight Alliance." Found in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and U.S. military bases, GSAs have become one of the fastest-growing student clubs in the country. (Source: http://www.glsen.org/cgi-bin/iowa/all/library/record/2336.html) Who can participate? o Any student can participate in Guyer's GSA. We work for a common goal to ensure safety and educational opportunities for everyone. Students will not be asked to explain their sexual orientation or gender identity, although they are welcome to do so at appropriate times. What are the goals of the GSA? o To work together with our peers, teachers, administrators, families and community to make Guyer High School a place where all students feel safe. o To create a place on campus where people feel accepted for who they are. How are GSAs granted equal access on public school campuses ? o In 1984, Congress passed and President Ronald Reagan signed into law the Equal Access Act, requiring public secondary schools to provide equal access for extracurricular clubs. Rooted in principles of equal treatment and freedom of expression, the Act protects student initiated groups of all types. The then United States Secretary of Education, Richard W. Riley pointed out in guidance concerning the Equal Access Act and religious clubs more than a decade ago, we “protect our own freedoms by respecting the freedom of others who differ from us.” By allowing students to discuss difficult issues openly and honestly, in a civil manner, our schools become forums for combating ignorance, bigotry, hatred and discrimination. The following statistics come from the 2009 National School Climate Survey. The sample consisted of 7,261 students from all 50 states and 2,783 unique school districts. These are some of the findings: The problem 88.9 % of students heard “gay” used in a negative way, and 86.5% reported that they felt distressed to some degree by this language. 84.6% were verbally harassed at school because of their sexual orientation and 63.7% because of their gender expression. LGBT students were 3+ times likelier to have missed classes and 4+ times likelier to have missed at least one day of school in the past month because they felt unsafe or uncomfortable. The solution Students in schools with a GSA heard fewer homophobic remarks Students with a GSA in their school were more likely to report that school personnel intervened when hearing homophobic remarks. Students with a GSA had a greater sense of connectedness to their community than schools without a GSA The primary message is that all students deserve a safe, supportive school environment free of biasedbased behavior. Addressing anti-LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer) bias in schools makes schools safer for all students, regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity/expression. Definition of important terms: Sexual orientation – the inner feelings of who we are attracted or oriented to sexually and emotionally. Gender identity/expression – an individual’s physical characteristics, behaviors and presentation that are linked, traditionally, to either masculinity or femininity, such as: appearance, dress, mannerisms, speech patterns and social interactions. Lesbian/Gay – sexual orientation of a person who is attracted to some other members of the same sex. Bisexual – a sexual orientation and/or identity of a person who is sexually attracted to some females and some males. Gender non conforming – an identity of a person who has gender characteristics and/or behaviors that do not conform to traditional or societal gender expectations. Transgender – an identity of a person whose gender identity is not aligned with their sex assigned at birth and/or whose gender expression is non conforming. Queer – an umbrella term used to describe a sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression that does not conform to heteronormative society.