The GSA at ERHS is very active and inclusive even for a GSA, they accept students from outside of the school and even outside of the district. They’re having an event next Thursday at 3:00 in the afternoon it’s called The Gay Gatsby the president of the club will be doing a presentation about how the main narrator Nick Carraway was gay or at least Bisexual, and they are accepting anyone who wants to join. GSA is also having a presentation from the ACLU on Thursday, November 19 at 3:00, this presentation will be all about LGBTQ+ rights in school, including virtual school. I did a survey of the GSA and some people answered me back, this survey is completely anonymous.

One question I asked these students was, “What did GSA mean to them?” One participant said that it was a safe space for them where they could come and use their real name, and be themselves without having to worry about being judged for who they are. Another participant said “A safe space and another family that I know that I can be safe with,” all of the answers were different but one thing that they all had in common was that they said GSA felt like a second home or a safe space that they could be themselves in.

I asked them if every school should have a GSA and the unanimous decision was Yes every school should have a GSA. Then I asked, “Do you think GSA is important?” They all said yes But their reasons why really struck home. One participant said “Gsa is very important because it provides a safe space where lgbtq+ youth can meet others, find support, and be themselves with no negative consequences,” another said, “It’s really important since it provides people without a safe space here at GSA and like an additional family.”

One participant stated this “Yes it is important because it provides people like me, with unaccepting households, to be able to have their identities respected,” and the reason this stood out to me is that this happens a lot, to young people everywhere all over the world. We can change the way that they feel at school by starting this club everywhere.

A participant wanted to say this “GSA is a nice safe space for those who are still in the closet or already out of the closet but don’t have a safe space. GSA is also has a safe and family type feel for those without a safe space.”

Another participant wanted to thank the leaders and members of the GSA for making a “safe space for our Mustangs” and that GSA is accepting members with open arms anyone who wants to join is able to, their next meeting is on Thursday, November 5 at 3:00. You can get the information through their Instagram (@gsaerhs) or their remind (text @gsaerhs to 81010).

These young people inspire me, they are strong and brave, for being who they are, and showing their true selves.