(Junior)
Validation to support (our high school) approving a Gay-Straight Alliance: The initial argument against the approval for a GSA at ( )HS stems from the very thing GSA advocates against: fear. Fear of unacceptance. A GSA does more than just serve the closeted athlete from the feeling of regret and loneliness: a GSA serves the straight individuals. A GSA displays there is no need to fear the LGBTQ community. A GSA brakes the silence and allows the conversation to come out of the closet (literally). A GSA allows the straight, close-minded individuals to come ask questions of the LGBTQ community. A GSA works to end the ignorance and save lives of the those who have never felt more alone. As a president of the GSA at my former hight school, I have seen first hand all the positive effects on a school through the GSA. Utah has one of the highest teen suicide rates, and when 6 out of every 10 LGBTQ youth feel threatened at their own school, an institution dedicated to education, something needs to change. And that is why ( )HS needs a GSA.
(Senior)
I believe we should have a Gay-Straight Alliance. This can help with making people more comfortable to those not accepting to the idea. Also it will give us gays more support and just a better feeling about our surroundings. Also, with with alliance, gays can know that there are others out there that are going through the same thing they are. Going through (high school initials) high I wished we had a club like this. I went through this school for a while thinking I was alone, but it wasn't until this year that I found out I have people who are okay with this and that other gays are out there.
(Junior)
To whom it may concern: I definitely am in full-support of a Gay-Straight Alliance at (our high school). With the current events in our world today, the subject of equality has triggered a great deal of emotion, especially in this younger generation. the biggest problem we see is the bullying. Kids bully when they don't understand, when they only listen to the negative comments that they hear throughout school and in the media. I think that the most important goal of a Gay-Straight Alliance is to advocate a safe and accepting school atmosphere, no matter your race, gender, religion, or sexual orientation. A Gay-Straight Alliance would create a place where students can go and feel accepted. A club like this can transform our school in a very positive way and develop student leaders that will make a better tomorrow. Please consider forming a Gay-Straight Alliance at our school. At the very least it would make our school a more-welcoming place for everyone. Thank you for your time.
(Junior)
Having a gay-straight alliance club at (our high school) is an absolutely fantastic idea. A lot of kids at the school don't understand their own sexuality, let alone their homosexual classmates'. Regardless of sexuality, it's always good to be able to come together with your peers in a safe, accepting environment. Gay rights are human rights; there is no difference, and it's important to spread that message, especially to young people.
I am touched by their wisdom and maturity.
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| I was searching images of rainbows when I came across this. The droplets made me think about each of these students' efforts to come together to form that "ripple of hope" (JFK) and bring the topic of LGBTQ out of darkness and fear. (image credit: PenguinLamp, changedesktop.com) |
