The Gay-Straight Alliance club has been in existence here at CVHS since 2006. But what many people do not know is how this club came to be at CV, who started it, and what they do? In general, they do not know what the club is all about?
The club came to be at CV when Amaris Cano, a senior this year, and Ms. Keri Gill, English teacher, founded the club in 2006. What inspired Amaris to form this club, she says, was “realizing that gays, lesbians, transgender and straight youth face discrimination on a daily basis. I decided to find a way to create a means of providing a sanctuary for those who felt harassed and unsafe, while also creating a way to educate people about the injustices occurring in society.”
When Ms. Gill was asked to be the club adviser, she did not hesitate to say yes. “I think it is important to have a GSA, we need a voice on campus and a place where all students feel safe. I’m very supportive of gays, lesbians, and bisexuals,” says Ms. Gill.
Amaris and Ms. Gill researched the GSA Network which provided a lot of information. What they learned encouraged the establishment of the club. Gay-Straight Alliance is group of student organizations in high schools and universities across the nation, with the purpose of providing a safe and supportive environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) youth and their straight allies. According to the GSA’s website, the first chapter was established in 1988 and was based on the belief “that every student deserved an education free of bullying and harassment, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity or that of their friends and family and loved ones.”
In 1997, the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) was formed. GLSEN is a national organization that is focused on ensuring safe schools for all students regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. The network currently has more than 3,500 GSA’s throughout the nation and also brings together student leaders, educators, chapter leaders, and activists in national conferences.
The GSA Club is the first of its kind at CV and in the beginning, people were shocked. “They misinterpreted what the club was; they thought it was a gay club,” says Amaris Cano. When they found out what the club was about they warmed up to it.” The biggest challenge for Ms. Gill has been “making sure that everyone feels welcome, the club is not only for gays, lesbians, and bisexuals.” Now, the Gay-Straight Alliance club has 40 members and any one interested in joining is welcome to do so.
What goes on at the meetings? “We talk about how to get along better in the world, also about getting to know each other. The club is also like a support group,” Ms. Gill explained. Members also discuss social issues that affect youth are happening around the community, as well as ways to educate the community about gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgenders.
As for community involvement, club members attended the Palm Springs Pride Parade and are planning to visit the Museum of Tolerance. The Gay–Straight Alliance club also does fundraising. Their next fundraiser will be a booth at Springfest on May 9. “We put the all the money to good use by attending the Pride Parade and other events.”
The club has served its purpose here at CV by helping young adults be more open about accepting themselves and others. The club has also helped students connect with those who share the same beliefs they do. “I will remember all the great new friends I made and all the good times we had together. Also, trying to make a difference in our school,” says junior Krystin Santana