Gender & Sexuality Alliance, or GSA for short, are student-run organizations that unite LGBTQIA+ and allies 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 LGBTQIA+ youth in middle schools and high schools, and have emerged as vehicles for deep social change related to racial, gender, and educational justice.

A growing body of research confirms that the presence of a GSA has a positive and lasting effect on student health, wellness, and academic performance. It lowers suicide rates to have a GSA and at least 5 faculty who are openly affirming. It can also protect students from harassment based on sexual identity/expression, gender identity/expression & improve school climates for all students in the long-term.

General information and support for lgbtq+ individuals:

• https://www.socialworkers.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=jjq0-NcZlU0%3D&portalid=0

• https://www.glsen.org/

• https://www.hrc.org/

• https://www.thetrevorproject.org/

• http://aqueerendeavor.org/

How to be an Ally:

• https://www.hrc.org/resources/being-an-lgbtq-ally

• https://lgbtqia.ucdavis.edu/educated/ally-tips

• https://www.mygwork.com/en/my-g-news/adaptive-financial-consulting-ltd/dos-and-donts-when-being-an-lgbtq-ally?gclid=Cj0KCQiA2sqOBhCGARIsAPuPK0ge8D-XuWB824F6ZEnoSg50mZmhsjU4FrDNWK47X0AFubRfzqRwtoAaAlpdEALw_wcB

• https://www.dosomething.org/us/articles/ally-guide

Pronouns:

• https://www.practicewithpronouns.com/#/?_k=uz4wde

• https://lgbtlifecenter.org/pronouns/

• https://gaycenter.org/pronouns/

• https://www.mypronouns.org/they-them

Transgender and Nonbinary people:

• https://transequality.org/issues/resources/frequently-asked-questions-about-transgender-people

• https://www.hrc.org/resources/understanding-the-transgender-community

• https://www.stonewall.org.uk/about-us/news/10-ways-step-ally-non-binary-people

• https://lgbt.foundation/who-we-help/trans-people/non-binary

Sexuality:

• https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/sexual-orientation/sexual-orientation

• https://jedfoundation.org/resource/understanding-sexual-orientation/

• https://www.asexuality.org/

Homophobia and Transphobia:

• https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/sexual-orientation/sexual-orientation/what-homophobia

• https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/sexual-orientation/sexual-orientation/what-homophobia

https://itgetsbetter.org/

The It Gets Better Project’s mission is to uplift, empower, and connect lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) youth around the globe.