10 Steps Towards Starting a GSA
- in a Public School
The steps listed below are intended for use in public, secondary schools where other non-curricular clubs already exist or are allowed.
Because situations and schools vary, there are no simple 10 steps that are applicable to every school. Please con-tact any of the networks listed on the back for individual help in starting a GSA in your school.
For a more detailed manual on how to start a GSA, please visit Student Pride Online@www.studentprideUSA.org.
Steps
Follow Guidelines
1
Find a Faculty Advisor
2
Establish a GSA the same way you would any other group or club. Look in your Student Handbook for your school’s rules regarding clubs. Some schools require students to go through a process for establishing a club, this could include writing a constitution or showing student interest.
Find teachers or staff members who you think would be supportive or who have already shown themselves to be an ally around sexual orientation and gender identity issues. See your school rules for more information about who can be a club advisor.
Work with a diverse range of students who are interested in such a group. You may check with other existing clubs for students who might have an interest.
Inform administrators of what you are doing right away. It can be very helpful to have them on your side. They can work as liaisons to teachers, parents, community members and the school board. If an administrator opposes the GSA, provide them information about the Federal Equal Access Act (EAA). You can find more information and copies of the EAA by calling Student Pride, or visiting our web.
There are many ways to advertise – think about how you’ve seen other clubs advertise. This could be any combination of using your school bulletin, announcements, flyers, or word-of-mouth. If your flyers are defaced or torn down, do not be discouraged. Plan to have people check on them throughout the day and replace if necessary. Eventually, whoever is tearing them down will give up, or be reprimanded by the school. Besides, advertising your group and having words up such as “gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender” or “end homophobia” can be part of educating
These 10 steps are based on a variety of actual experiences from GSAs. Not every school is the same, so share your experiences with others so they can learn what worked for your group!
Advertise
6
You may wish to find a meeting place within the school that offers some level of privacy, yet is still accessible.
Pick a Meeting Place
5
Inform Administration
4
Find Other Students
3
You may want to start with a discussion about why people feel the group is needed or important. You can also brainstorm what things your club could do this year.
Of course you want to have a good meeting, so plan ahead of time. There are tons of things you can do, from discussions to inviting speakers, workshops to games. Visit Student Pride online for ideas.
Plan Your Meeting
7
Many groups have ground rules in order to ensure that group discussions are safe, confidential and respectful. Many groups have a ground rule that no assumptions or labels are used about a group member’s sexual orientation.
Establish Ground
9
Develop an action plan. Brainstorm activities. Set goals for what you want to work towards. If you haven’t already done so, contact Student Pride so that you may share ideas, resources and information. Also look into local GSA Networks in your
Plan for the Future
1
the school, and can actually make other students feel safer – even if they never attend a single meeting.
Hold Your Meeting!
8 GLSEN Winston-Salem
PO Box 5701
Winston-Salem, NC 27113-5701
JJoyner@glsenwinstonsalem.org
www.glsenwinstonsalem.org
Information About
GSAs
Student Pride, a project of the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN), is a network of over 800 GSAs and other school-based groups across the nation. Student Pride provides resources, materials, education, workshops and a range of other services supporting the work of student organizers and GSAs.
GLSEN is the largest national organization bringing together students, teachers, parents and concerned citizens from all walks of life, working to end anti-LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) bias in schools across the nation.
GLSEN Chapters (over 90 across the nation ) and Gay-Straight Alliances can share resources to make positive change in local school communities across the country.
Networking with other GSAs in your town, city, state or across the nation can provide you with other resources and information. Below are resources you may want to use towards network-ing with other GSAs in your area.
GLSEN Triangle
PO Box 988
Durham, NC 27702
GLSENTriangle@aol.com
www.glsentriangle.org
(919) 682-7257
GLSEN Greensboro
PO Box 41199
Greensboro, NC 27404-1199
336-271-8428 or 800-737-5223 Ext 2243
GSA@GLSENGreensboro.org
www.GLSENGreensboro.org
WHAT IS A GSA?
GLSEN & GSAS
Networking
GREENSBORO, NC
Student Pride – c/o GLSEN
121 West 27th Street, Suite 804
New York, NY 10001
(212) 727-0135 X 134
Studentpride@glsen.org
www.studentprideUSA.org
WINSTON-SALEM, NC
TRIANGLE – NC
Public School Edition
www.studentprideUSA.org
Studentpride@glsen.org
121 W 27th St., Suite 804, NY, NY 10001
(212) 727-0135 / (212) 727-0254 (fax)
NATIONAL
© 2000, Student Pride – GLSEN
Permission to copy in full – please notify GLSEN
10
Steps
Towards
Starting a
Gay-Straight
Alliance In Your High School
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
1
A gay-straight alliance (GSA) is a school-based group organized to end anti-gay bias and homophobia in schools and create positive change, making schools a welcoming and safe place for all students, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. GSAs help eliminate anti-gay bias, discrimination, harassment and violence by educating school communities about homophobia and the lives of youth.
WHAT IS STUDENT PRIDE?
Greensboro 10 Steps Towards Starting a GSA
- in a Public School
The steps listed below are intended for use in public, secondary schools where other non-curricular clubs already exist or are allowed.
Because situations and schools vary, there are no simple 10 steps that are applicable to every school. Please con-tact any of the networks listed on the back for individual help in starting a GSA in your school.
Steps
Follow Guidelines
1
Find a Faculty Advisor
2
Establish a GSA the same way you would any other group or club. Look in your Student Handbook for your school’s rules regarding clubs. Some schools require students to go through a process for establishing a club, this could include writing a constitution or showing student interest.
Find teachers or staff members who you think would be supportive or who have already shown themselves to be an ally around sexual orientation and gender identity issues. See your school rules for more information about who can be a club advisor.
Work with a diverse range of students who are interested in such a group. You may check with other existing clubs for students who might have an interest.
Inform administrators of what you are doing right away. It can be very helpful to have them on your side. They can work as liaisons to teachers, parents, community members and the school board. If an administrator opposes the GSA, provide them information about the Federal Equal Access Act (EAA). You can find more information and copies of the EAA by calling Student Pride, or visiting our web.
There are many ways to advertise – think about how you’ve seen other clubs advertise. This could be any combination of using your school bulletin, announcements, flyers, or word-of-mouth. If your flyers are defaced or torn down, do not be discouraged. Plan to have people check on them throughout the day and replace if necessary. Eventually, whoever is tearing them down will give up, or be reprimanded by the school. Besides, advertising your group and having words up such as “gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender” or “end homophobia” can be part of educating
These 10 steps are based on a variety of actual experiences from GSAs. Not every school is the same, so share your experiences with others so they can learn what worked for your group!
Advertise
6
You may wish to find a meeting place within the school that offers some level of privacy, yet is still accessible.
Pick a Meeting Place
5
Inform Administration
4
Find Other Students
3
You may want to start with a discussion about why people feel the group is needed or important. You can also brainstorm what things your club could do this year.
Of course you want to have a good meeting, so plan ahead of time. There are tons of things you can do, from discussions to inviting speakers, workshops to games. Visit Student Pride online for ideas.
Plan Your Meeting
7
Many groups have ground rules in order to ensure that group discussions are safe, confidential and respectful. Many groups have a ground rule that no assumptions or labels are used about a group member’s sexual orientation.
Establish Ground
9
Develop an action plan. Brainstorm activities. Set goals for what you want to work towards. If you haven’t already done so, contact Student Pride so that you may share ideas, resources and information. Also look into local GSA Networks in your
Plan for the Future
1
the school, and can actually make other students feel safer – even if they never attend a single meeting.
Hold Your Meeting!
8 GLSEN Winston-Salem
PO Box 5701
Winston-Salem, NC 27113-5701
JJoyner@glsenwinstonsalem.org
Information About
GSAs
GLSEN is the largest national organization bringing together students, teachers, parents and concerned citizens from all walks of life, working to end anti-LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) bias in schools across the nation.
GLSEN Chapters (over 70 across the nation ) and Gay-Straight Alliances can share resources to make positive change in local school communities across the country.
Networking with other GSAs in your town, city, state or across the nation can provide you with other resources and information. Below are resources you may want to use towards network-ing with other GSAs in your area.
GLSEN Triangle
PO Box 988
Durham, NC 27702
GLSENTriangle@aol.com
www.glsentriangle.org
(919) 682-7257
GLSEN Greensboro
PO Box 41199
Greensboro, NC 27404-1199
336-271-8428 or 800-737-5223 Ext 2243
GSA@GLSENGreensboro.org
www.GLSENGreensboro.org
WHAT IS A GSA?
GLSEN & GSAS
Networking
GREENSBORO, NC
GLSEN
121 West 27th Street, Suite 804
New York, NY 10001
(212) 727-0135 X 134
ALAMANCE COUNTY, NC
TRIANGLE – NC
Public School Edition
www.studentprideUSA.org
Studentpride@glsen.org
121 W 27th St., Suite 804, NY, NY 10001
(212) 727-0135 / (212) 727-0254 (fax)
NATIONAL
© 2000, Student Pride – GLSEN
Permission to copy in full – please notify GLSEN
10
Steps
Towards
Starting a
Gay-Straight
Alliance In Your High School
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
1
A gay-straight alliance (GSA) is a school-based group organized to end anti-gay bias and homophobia in schools and create positive change, making schools a welcoming and safe place for all students, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. GSAs help eliminate anti-gay bias, discrimination, harassment and violence by educating school communities about homophobia and the lives of youth.
Greensboro
WINSTON-SALEM, NC
GLSEN Alamance
PO Box 714
Elon, NC 27244
336-362-8131
GLSENAlamance@aol.com
