GSA Support
We know that creating a GSA is not easy. It takes time, effort and dedication to build an effective GSA that everyone is happy with. Our goal in creating this page is to provide GSA advisors and student members with the tools and materials necessary to make it as easy as possible to move forward with creating and maintaining a GSA that is safe, fun, trans inclusive, and action-oriented. If you would like additional support, or just someone to bounce ideas off of, please contact BPS' GSA Support Coordinator, Elijah Oyenuga, at: ooyenuga@bostonpublicschools.org.
What is a GSA?
GSAs Build Power
A Genders & Sexualities Alliance (GSA) is a student-run club, typically in a high school or middle school, which provides a safe place for students to meet, support each other, talk about issues related to sexual orientation and gender identity and expression, and work to end homophobia and transphobia.
GSA clubs, or GSAs for short, are student-run organizations that unite LGBTQ+ and allied youth to build community and organize around issues impacting them in their schools and communities. GSAs have evolved beyond their traditional role to serve as safe spaces for LGBTQ+ youth in middle schools and high schools, and have emerged as vehicles for deep social change related to racial, gender, and educational justice.
Through GSA organizing, young people are able to launch campaigns on a variety of issues that affect all students across the country. Check out our step-by-step guide for starting a GSA!
Why Have a GSA?
LGBTQ+ students can suffer from harassment, bullying and discrimination in school from peers and staff members. Being misunderstood and without any space to breathe freely, LGBTQ+ students can end up feeling isolated, defeated and depressed.
According to GLSEN, "research indicates that GSAs improve school climate, individual well-being and educational outcomes for LGBTQ youth. Participation in GSAs is related to stronger school connectedness and improved academic achievement for LGBTQ youth, and regardless of whether LGBTQ students themselves participate in their school’s GSA, just having a GSA in their school can create a more positive school climate for LGBTQ students."
What Do GSAs Do?
GSAs Support School Communities
There are 3 different types of GSAs, all of which can directly impact LGBTQ+ youth. Every GSA can create its own mission and goals to meet the needs of its members and their individual school climates.
Social GSAs
A social GSA places emphasis on creating a fun and safe space for students to meeting other LGBTQ+ students and allies, make friends and celebrate being LGBTQ+ and recognize allyship.
Support GSAs
A support GSA focuses its energy on creating a safe space for LGBTQ+ students to talk about their feelings, questions, and issues they are facing at home, at school and in their everyday lives.
Education/Activist GSAs
An activist GSA cares about advocating for safer and more accepting schools for LGBTQ+ students by changing rules and policies and training staff and students to stop harassment and discrimination.
While there are many different things you can do with your GSA, never feel like you have to limit yourself. The most effective GSAs mix all three kinds of GSAs together to address the needs of its members and their school climate. The important thing is to come together and work to build the type of space that will make everyone feel safe, supported and happy.
Check the pages below to further educate yourself on starting your GSA and running it in a way that incorporates the needs of all members.