Starting/Tweaking a Gay-Straight Alliance:
What's interesting about GSA's is that they have become so prevalent within schools. Now more then ever, they are popping up all across the United States and are essential to creating a positive and inclusive environment within schools.
Now, more than 3,500 GSAs are improving school climate across the country.
Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students feel safer at school, skip school less and have a greater sense of belonging when their school has a GSA, according to GLSEN’s 2005 National School Climate Survey of 1,732 LGBT students.
Students whose school had a GSA were less likely to feel unsafe because of their sexual orientation (60.8%) and their gender expression (38.2%) compared to those students without GSAs (67.5% and 43.4%, respectively).
Students whose school had a GSA were less likely to miss school because they felt unsafe. About a third of students whose school did not have a GSA missed at least one day of school in the past month (32%) compared to a quarter of students whose school had a GSA (25%).(GLSN.org)
Now, more than 3,500 GSAs are improving school climate across the country.
Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students feel safer at school, skip school less and have a greater sense of belonging when their school has a GSA, according to GLSEN’s 2005 National School Climate Survey of 1,732 LGBT students.
Students whose school had a GSA were less likely to feel unsafe because of their sexual orientation (60.8%) and their gender expression (38.2%) compared to those students without GSAs (67.5% and 43.4%, respectively).
Students whose school had a GSA were less likely to miss school because they felt unsafe. About a third of students whose school did not have a GSA missed at least one day of school in the past month (32%) compared to a quarter of students whose school had a GSA (25%).(GLSN.org)
Resources:
GLSN provides downloadable ideas and instructions for those interested in starting a Gay Straight Alliance in their own school.
GSA for Safe Schools is a public benefit organization committed to safe middle schools and high schools for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender youths and all students.
GSA for Safe Schools is a public benefit organization committed to safe middle schools and high schools for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender youths and all students.
