Student Forms All-Inclusive Club - The Gender Sexuality Alliance

Sophie Brander, Jan 14 2020

Recently, a new group has been formed at HTHS; a GSA. Their goal? Spreading messages of self-acceptance and providing a fun, welcoming space and community for LGBTQ+ students; especially Wednesdays at lunch.

Founded by tenth grade student Hannah Norman, the GSA was inspired by stories of groups of the same name at nearby high schools. She heard from students around her that people often didn't feel as though they fit in with everyone around them, so she decided to take it into her own hands to create a space in which they could feel this way. She has said that after doing some short surveys, the regular attendees and any newcomers hanging around are more often than not just looking to make friends with people like themselves. Another goal of Hannah's is to create an open environment, where you don't need to be gay or straight to participate, just an open social gathering where you can get educated on topics you may not know much about. Politely sharing facts and opinions is one of the most important parts of a group like the GSA.

Initially, the acronym GSA stood for gay-straight-alliance, but it appears as though now it has changed. Now meaning gender-and-sexuality-alliance, it is broader and more inclusive than ever. It opens up the group to not only allied or gay teens, but people who are questioning, trans, or who just want to see what's going on. Much like how LGBT has evolved into LGBTQ and thusly, LGBTQ+, in the realization of different gender identities. Hannah herself likes this new title better, saying that there's so much space on the spectrum of gender and sexual orientation, why try to put just one label on it?

For anyone interested in attending the weekly meetings, they are always open to anyone who wants to stop by and chat or have a snack, but they also have a few scheduled activities you can take part in. Every month the founders and regulars will make a list of their monthly goals, activities, and ambitions. This month has been elected their Board Game Month, so you can be sure to be entertained while getting to know some of your peers. For something more structured, they also have a video discussion every other week, in which they'll gather together to watch a video that has become prominent or may be important to them. After the viewing, an open discussion of the topics addressed takes place. Other events include craft days and student-led PowerPoint Presentations. Of course, snacks are always offered and available and sharing is encouraged as well.

The GSA's leader has shared a few plans for future big events or activities to look forward to, like a bake sale and a poster campaign advertising acceptance and the group itself. She has also expressed an interest in meeting with other local GSAs (or similar organizations) to really draw people in and to gather as many new ideas as possible. If you have any suggestions or ideas, they are always open to new ideas and opinions. They can be contacted on their official Instagram @hthsgsa.2019_2020, where they'll often do polls and surveys and open the floor to questions from members and friends as well as prospective members. You can also reach them by stopping in some time during one of their meetings, just listen to the morning announcements on Wednesdays for information on their location and time.