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Discovering

What is a GSA? 
Where are they? 
What do they do?
Here's information to help you discover the 
youth resource known as a Gay-Straight Alliance.

First of all, what is a Gay-Straight Alliance? GSAs are student-initiated and student-run clubs in public and private schools, typically high schools. A GSA provides a safe, supportive place 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.

There are thousands of GSAs across the country. Many GSAs function as a support group and provide safety and confidentiality to students struggling with their gender or sexual identity. In addition to support, some GSAs work on educating themselves and the broader school community about sexual orientation and gender identity issues.

Southern Arizona has twenty-six GSAs chartered or forming in its public high schools. These groups operate on threadbare budgets, and would love to be able to sponsor events, send students to national conferences, and raise awareness of LGBTQ issues.

Source:

GSA Network

For more information on GSAs and queer youth, see:

Arizona Star

Coming Out Day (Oct. 11, 2002) (search the archives)

Teens Coming Out (Aug. 19, 2003)

3 generations attest to progress in gay rights (Nov. 29, 2003)

GSAs Rise to 21 (May 8, 2005)

Tucson Citizen 

Climate for young gays improving (Nov. 30, 2005)

Gay teens have growing web of support (Nov. 30, 2005)

Internet helping gay teens fight the isolation many face (Nov. 30, 2005)

Other

Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, & Questioning Teens — Tucson Arizona

GSA Network's Imagine Project Supports Local Youth (Wingspan Newsletter, Q4/05, p.5)

Gay, Lesbian support groups growing in number (KVOA News, Mar. 1, 2006)

GLSEN Tucson

Other Links

This page last updated on Tuesday, December 05, 2006