|
Frequently Asked Questions about GSA Network
What is Gay-Straight Alliance Network?
Gay-Straight Alliance Network is a youth-led non-profit organization that works
to empower youth activists to end harassment and discrimination in schools based
on sexual orientation and gender identity.
What is a Gay-Straight Alliance?
A Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) is a student-initiated and student-run club in a
public or private school. The goal of a GSA is to provide a safe, supportive
environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning (LGBTQ) and
straight ally youth to meet and discuss sexual orientation and gender identity
issues, and to work to create a school environment free of discrimination,
harassment, and intolerance.
Who are the members of GSA Network?
Members of GSA Network are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, and
straight ally youth, school personnel, and supportive community members who care
about stopping homophobia in schools. GSA clubs are also registered as group
members of GSA Network.
Why do straight youth become members of GSAs?
Straight youth are often members of GSAs because they have lesbian, gay,
bisexual, or transgender (LGBT) family or friends. Straight youth who have been
perceived as LGBT join to help stop harassment and intolerance in school. Some
straight youth are involved because they see ending homophobia as an important
civil rights and human rights issue.
How many straight youth are involved with GSAs?
The number of straight youth involved with GSAs varies from club to club. In
some cases, straight ally youth comprise the majority of a club. Most clubs do
not require student members to label or identify themselves, so it is difficult
to estimate.
Does GSA Network start or sponsor GSAs in schools?
No. Gay-Straight Alliance clubs in schools are student-initiated and
student-run. GSA Network offers support, technical assistance, training, and
networking opportunities to students and advisors involved with GSAs and efforts
to end homophobia in schools. GSA Network also sponsors non-school-based
Gay-Straight Alliance clubs for youth in areas (e.g. rural areas) where there
are few GSAs established in schools.
Can GSA student clubs be banned from schools?
No. GSAs cannot be banned if other non-curricular student clubs are
allowed to exist at the school. The Federal Equal Access Act and the First
Amendment of the US Constitution establish the requirement of equal treatment
for all non-curriculum related clubs regardless of the content of speech at the
club meetings.
Is homophobia a widespread problem in schools?
22.2% of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender youth skip school each
month, because they fear for their safety on the school grounds. Source: 1997
Massachusetts Youth Risk Behavior Study, which is conducted every two years by
the Massachusetts Department of Education with funding from the Center for
Disease Control and Prevention.
In 1998 a national survey found that there had been a 34 percent increase in
anti-gay violence at public schools and colleges. Attacks against heterosexual
youth perceived to be gay also increased by 36 percent. Source: National
Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs, "Anti-Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and
Transgendered Violence in 1997."
In a national survey, 69 percent of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender youth
experienced some form of harassment or violence at school because of their
sexual orientation or gender identity. Source: "GLSEN’s National School Climate
Survey: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual And Transgender Students And Their Experiences In
School" 1999.
What impact do GSAs have on school climate?
Anecdotal evidence indicates that GSAs can greatly improve the school climate
for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning students and their allies.
GSAs that conduct student and teacher sensitivity trainings typically see a
decrease in slurs, name-calling, and harassment following their advocacy
efforts. GSAs also create safe spaces for students to meet and socialize in a
harassment-free environment.
Why is it important to prohibit discrimination on the basis of gender?
Much of the harassment that occurs in schools, such as name-calling, is
the result of gender non-conformity. For example, a female may get called a
"dyke" or "lesbo" not because of her actual sexual orientation but because she
wears boyish clothing or likes to play sports. Similarly, a male may get called
a "fag" or "homo" because his mannerisms are perceived as "effeminate" or he is
in a dance class. Students who are transgender-identified also get harassed in
schools.
Courtesy of the
California GSA Network
|
