Page 20 - JUNE 16, 2016 - martensville messenger
GSA Clubs a Positive Addition to Local High Schools
Lacie Munholland,
Martensville Messenger
High schools in both
Martensville and Warman
are
supporting
their
students by having GayStraight Alliance (GSA)
groups. These groups
support inclusiveness and
diversity among students,
ultimately advocating for a
safer learning community.
GSAs are a controversial
topic for some, but at their
core, these clubs promote
inclusivity among students.
GSAs provide a safe
space for LGBTQI2S and
ally students to celebrate
diversity and dialogue
about the struggles of
identity and sexuality as a
teenager.
The acronym LGBTQI2S
refers to the diverse
identities
recognized
within the community:
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual,
Transgender, Questioning,
Intersex and Two-Spirit.
While
language
is
consistently evolving and
changing, it is importan t
to recognize that while no
one name or acronym is
correct, being respectful
of what individuals or
groups choose to be called
is essential.
Sarah Gerrard and Mark
Perry, teachers and GSA
advisors at Warman High
School, along with Gina
Bader and Kate McKinnon,
teachers and GSA advisors
at
Martensville
High
School took the time
to
answer
questions
about the GSA clubs
at their schools. These
teachers and advocates
provided comment on
their school’s GSA clubs
regarding
participation,
confidentiality and advice
to other students and staff
members.
While GSAs are most
often referred to as GayStraight
Alliance’s,
language is constantly
evolving. Some GSAs
are now changing their
names to Gender Sexuality
Alliances.
Warman’s
GSA is a Gay-Straight
Alliance, advocated for
by the students as they
feel the name accurately
represents what their group
represents. Martensville’s
GSA is also a Gay-Straight
Alliance, but is open to a
name change if students
feel one is necessary.
Warman High School’s
GSA has been around
for three years, while
Martensville
High
School’s is relatively new,
starting in September
2015. Participation in
the GSA differs weekly
for both groups, average
attendance being around
ten student members.
All GSA advisors feel
that their high schools
are receptive to the GSA
groups: “It provides a safe
space for students of the
LGBTQI2S
community
and allies to congregate. In
a larger sense I also think it
helps school culture become
more accepting of some of
our students,” commented
Perry.
In both cases, students
advocated for the creation of
the GSA at their high school:
“Students requested it, and
the staff was enthusiastic
about the idea. Since our
creation this fall, we’ve
had full support from our
adminstration!” commented
Bader and McKinnon.
Gerrard commented on
students from Warman
High School:
“I was
personally approached by
students who wanted to
start one up and I said yes
right away. I have always
believed that people should
be valued for who they are,
not based on what their
gender or sexual orientation
is. I think it's important to
have safe spaces in schools
for students who are part of
the LGBTQI2S community,
and to raise awareness
for our school population
regarding
LGBTQI2S
issues” stated Gerrard.
GSA clubs in both high
schools aim to support
students, whether they
identify as LGBTQI2S
or straight. This year
Martensville
High
School’s GSA “worked
on building our sense of
community inside the
school. We bonded with
one another through team
building activities and
also shared resources with
one another. We have also
made connection with
other GSA’s by attending
the Breaking the Silence
Conference and the first
Saskatchewan
GSA
Summit” said Bader &
McKinnon. Warman High
School participated in
various activities and held
numerous group meetings.
“We have done a variety
of things. From placing
positive pink sticky notes
on every student's locker
for pink (anti-bullying)
day to creating posters
such as our "Unpacking
Straight Privilege" that
hangs on our school GSA
bulletin board. We raised
the rainbow flag last
year for the first time in
celebration of Saskatoon's
Pride week and will do so
again this year. We tiedyed t-shirts and pressed
vinyl slogans onto them
to wear in the parade.
We also created our own
buttons that promote
Warman High Pride,”
commented Gerrard.
Staff advisors gave their
opinions and advice
regarding students and
teachers starting their
own GSA club. Bader
and McKinnon provide
great advice to staff and
administration who are
approached by students
wanting to start a GSA
at their school: “Helping
out with a GSA is both
rewarding
and
fun.
Seeing the kids feel
comfortable about being
themselves, and their
excitement at some of the
events we have attended
together has been great! If
you are starting one, touch
base with other teachers
involved with GSAs for
advice and ideas.” Gerrard
added from her own
personal experience at
Warman High School: “I
think you need to do some
research and meet with
other GSA advisors to get
an idea of what activities
you might do, what
challenges may come up,
and the many ways you
may navigate the journey.
It is essential to have
administrative
support,
and to communicate with
them regularly. The key to
our success has probably
been that OUTSaskatoon
came and spoke to
both staff and students
at different times, and
helped to educate many
of us about LGBTQI2S
issues - that was huge.”
Advisors also provided
encouragement to those
students who identify
as LGBTQI2S or an
ally: “From a student
perspective the advice
I would offer is that by
asking for a club you will
be amazed at how many
supportive people you will
meet. Many students have
lived their lives hearing
negative comments and
starting a GSA will not
eliminate them but will
help in creating a group
that can create a positive
network of peers and
teachers,”
commented
Perry.
The confidentiality and
safety is sometimes a
concern when it comes
to identity and sexuality,
especially in a high school
setting: “I think initially
people had concerns that
people may be targeted
because of attending the
GSA club, but I have not
heard of this happening.
There is certainly still a
stigma that prevents some
people from attending, as
I think they worry people
will assume something
about them, but the GSA
is for all people, including
straight allies, and those
who have attended have
found that they are not
asked to divulge any
personal
information,”
stated Gerrard.
Staff advisors aim to
support inclusiveness in
GSA groups, by “balancing
between resources and
asking students what
they want to discuss or
learn about. We hope the
students know that they
have a voice and that we
genuinely care about their
needs and wants” stated
Gerrard.
Martensville
High School’s GSA staff
advisors “ask for feedback
in terms of what students
would like to do, and
about how they feel it's
going in our GSA.
They are honest and
have good ideas. We
try to adapt what we
do based on who is
currently attending and
what they would like
to do,” commented
Bader and McKinnon.
Members from bo th
Martensville
High
School and Warman
High School GSA
clubs, as well as Prairie
Spirit School Division
participated in Pride
2016 by walking in the
annual Pride Parade
– a way to celebrate
diversity and identity.
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ABOVE & BELOW: Students and staff members from MHS and WHS participated in the Pride Parade in Saskatoon this past weekend.