Our Last Meeting of the School Year

The club members surprised the faculty advisors and me with a lovely plant, rainbow Skittles, a prom pic of all of them, and a card. This is what was inside my card:

Dear Gina,

Thank you so much for being our club mom. We have absolutely loved getting to know you. Your time, energy, and love are why we have the GSA. We wouldn't have been able to do it without you. Thank you for getting to know us and letting us get to know you. You are such an amazing woman. We hope you know that we all love you. The graduating seniors will definitely come back to visit you. You have changed all of our lives. Thank you again for everything you have done and continue to do. <3/ the first ever AFHS GSA 2013-2014

{Yes, this made me cry. :) }

Here's a pic of most of us during our last official GSA meeting.
And to think, we began this group wondering
if we would ever have our FIRST official GSA meeting.
They have accomplished so much. So proud of them.
The year went too fast. 

Our GSA Invitation to State Capitol for SB:100 Rally

Our GSA members were asked to speak at the State Capitol, again, and our representative was one of a handful of speakers supporting Senate Bill 100 which would extend housing and employment protection to LGBT citizens and those merely perceived to be LGBT. Four GSA members were able to attend this mid-day event. (Thank you!)

Link: Saysia Taylor got the event rolling by singing Katy Perry's "Roar." 

(Link to Lyrics)

Links to media coverage:

Fox 13 News - video and short article

4Utah - video and article

Deseret News - article and 27 photos

Times Union - article and 6 photos

Our rep's speech:

I'm [     ] and I am a part - perhaps a small part - of the Gay-Straight Alliance club in [    ]. I'm sort-of like the unofficial bouncer, due to my height; and the unofficial LGBT+ historian, due to my fascination with everything historical. Though, most of the credit for starting the GSA should go to the notable students who fought fiercely for the club's institution: students like [   ], [   ], [   ], and [   ], among others; the faculty advisers: [   ] and [   ]; and the official club mom: [   ]; I like to think that I am a small but important part in our small but growing club.

When our GSA first was coalescing little more than a year ago, [historically] we faced an uphill battle against the ingrained prejudices at the heart of Utah county. Prior to our current club’s foundation there were many attempts at establishing a GSA. Though their teachers supported them, multiple times were the requisite signatures and club constitutions obtained in order to be approved as an official club. Multiple times were these very signatures and constitutions lost, misplaced, or invalidated on a technicality. And multiple times were the GSA member hopefuls forced to wait yet another year to start anew, as the deadline for club registration had passed in our school district.

When the efforts to start the GSA succeeded last year partially due to a change in administration and the changing tides of history, we knew there would be a tough time gaining the favor of our classmates. Indeed, when we put up signs and posters throughout our school to try and spread the word of our new club, many were torn down, drawn on, or otherwise vandalized by prejudiced individuals, as what might be expected coming from Utah county.

But, after our first wave of posters, and progressing thereafter exponentially, most who once possessed a hate within their hearts for our club became more and more ambivalent and apathetic towards our club's existence. And those who were once on-the-fence regarding the GSA, became more and more accepting and promoting of the club. Though we are still a long way away from the goal of complete equality for all and the elimination of all forms of hate and discrimination, we have nevertheless made significant strides toward fighting inequality in our school and neighborhood.

Despite the local success of our GSA, we impact only a small area in Utah, let alone the U.S. or the World. Which is why larger-scale, affirmative, juridical actions desperately need to be taken to end discrimination of all kinds. Just as our club of no more than twenty people influence the culture of a school of two thousand, so-too will Utah's population of two million be influenced by a couple thousand determined volunteers.

The suffix "anti" is from the Greek for "against." Which is why anyone who is against the unjust discrimination of people - people just like everyone else, ought to be for the "Anti"-discrimination bill. I want to live in a country - and a world for that matter - in which everyone is "Anti"-discrimination. I want to live in a world where everyone can safely enjoy the comforts and security of indoors; where everyone is judged in their workplace by the quality of their work, and the content of their character; and everyone is equal under the gaze of the law. In order to accomplish this noble and worthy goal, all of us need to let all our voices be heard. Only then can we end discrimination.

The Capitol 13 invite you to return to the Utah State Capitol, “Louder Than a Lion!” Wednesday March 5th, at 12:30pm in the Rotunda. 

72 percent of Utahns support a statewide nondiscrimination bill, yet Senate leadership has decided that they will not hear SB100. We’ve posted notes, we’ve emailed, we’ve lobbied, we’ve had town halls, heck, some of us have even been arrested! 

They remain unmoved. 

How do we win equal protection for all LGBT Utahns? We joyfully raise our voice and shake loose the dome! Join us on March 5th as we send a message to the Legislature that Utah’s indefatigable LGBT family is here to stay! 

“You hear my voice, you hear that sound

Like thunder gonna shake the ground!” 

Speakers will include members of The Capitol 13, Equality Utah, the American Fork GSA and Senator Jim Dabakis. 

Bring your love, bring your family, bring your voice. 

ROAR! 

We stand as One Utah, indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for ALL.

Image Credit: abstract dot desktopnexus dot com

To Our GSA Students, From Senator Valentine

Update: Sen. Valentine voted to not even consider the bill this session. (Sen. Urquhart was the only one who voted to look at the bill. This is the 6th year this bill has been proposed and ignored). These senators are not representing the people (70% polled are for it). Makes me wonder who they are representing. Here's an article from today, 2-7-14: HERE.

Last week, GSA students wrote to our local legislator, Senator Valentine, asking him to read and consider Utah SB 100. You can read the letters HERE.

Senator Valentine respectfully responded to the students. I am disappointed, however, that he doesn't separate housing and employment discrimination from the gay-marriage debate (his is stance on it, btw, shows that he believes that the majority should be allowed to determine minority rights*). He also doesn't seem to have taken the time to educate himself about what transgender is. I want to believe that if he understood, his letter would be much different. But I am grateful that he responded to them.

If you could make sure that {    } and {    } receive this letter, I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you.

Dear {    } and {     },

Thank you for your input about SB100, Antidiscrimination Amendments.

As your legislator, I share your concern about this issue and understand your strong feelings about it.

Judge Shelby’s decision is a reaction by the Judicial Branch of government to policy decisions already made by Utah’s Legislature and the people of Utah.  The Utah Legislature strongly supports traditional marriage for the state of Utah:  it submitted Amendment 3, a proposed constitutional amendment that defines marriage as a legal union between and man and a woman, to the voters; and it has enacted laws implementing that definition.  The voters, by enacting Amendment 3 as Article I, Section 29 of Utah’s Constitution, also emphatically adopted that definition of marriage for all of the citizens of the state of Utah.

I am concerned about the unintended consequences of SB100. No one condones hate driven discrimination, but there are provisions in this Bill that are problematic, such as defining and protecting “gender identity” (without regard to birth) and “sexual orientation” (actual or perceived orientation as heterosexual, homosexual, or bisexual). These and other provisions contained in SB100 cause me grave concern about the legitimacy of this legislation. With the backdrop of the challenge to our constitution, it is premature to take up consideration of such far reaching legislation.

It is also important to separate this issue from the people involved.  As your legislator, I respect our gay and lesbian citizens and their families and understand their commitment to their beliefs.  I would urge you, and all the members of our community, to actively show respect for everyone involved with this issue, regardless of their position or their comments.

Thank you for interest in this, and other, issues of importance to the state of Utah and its citizens. It is an honor and privilege to serve as your legislator.

Respectfully,

Senator John Valentine

Last thought: "It is also important to separate this issue from the people involved." -- Hm. IMO, there has been too much separation between this issue and the people involved. This issue is about people and affects them greatly. But, I suppose he could be trying to say to not let his differing opinion about this one issue make you think he's not a good leader in other areas. 

image credit: sonsoflibertytees dot com

*2-5-14: A response to Utah's brief to the 10th Circuit: "While it is generally conceded that the teachings of the LDS Church have traditionally contributed to the stability of Utah's families … it is wrong for the State to serve as the enforcer of Mormon teachings - even if a majority of the citizens in this state are Mormon. It is further wrong - and unconstitutional - to use such teachings in order to deny civil rights to a minority of citizens of this state." 

GSA Students Worry About Their Future in Utah and Support SB 100

Update: These letters have generated invitations from Senator Dabakis and Equality Utah: Freedom Brunch post and Compassionate Conversations post.

Currently in Utah, it is okay to fire or evict someone merely for being LGBTQ or just perceived as being LGBTQ. They could be model employees or residents but lose their home and right to make a living based on orientation and identity. SB 100 will change the anti-discrimination amendments to include LGBT protection. Religious institutions, small businesses with less-than 15 employees, and landlords with less than 5 units are exempt from the bill; they may continue discriminating. Link to bill at end of post.

GSA students concerned with their futures write to our local senator:

1/26/14

Senator Valentine,

I am [a member] of the Gay-Straight Alliance at American Fork High School, and I just wanted to write a letter showing my support of SB 100. This bill is so important for me and other people like me.

School has always been a top priority for me, and I've worked really hard. I graduate this year, and I look forward to going to college, moving out, getting a job, but the thought that I could be fired because I'm bisexual is very worrisome.

Like I said, this bill is important, and I really think it needs to be passed. Thank you for taking the time to read this.

Sincerely,

(name)

_______________________________________________________________

To whom it may concern:

I am writing this letter in support of SB 100. Utah law already prohibits workplace and housing discrimination based on race, color, religion, gender, pregnancy/childbirth, age, national origin, or disability, and I feel that it is completely fair that sexual-orientation and gender identity are added to this list. There is no reason to discriminate against anyone, and especially not through housing and in the workplace. I do not feel that there is any reason to oppose this addition to the anti-discrimination amendments. If anything, it is a completely necessary addition.  The amendments themselves are there to prevent any sort of discrimination and because there is now a very present need for an addition, it is completely reasonable to update these amendments so that they can further protect all Utah citizens from discrimination in the workplace and housing.

As a student of American fork High School, a straight ally, and [member] of the first ever Gay-Straight Alliance of AFHS, I would love to see this addition be added for all of my friends who in the very near future have to face theses challenges. It's discouraging to think that these people I know and love can be fired and evicted merely on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identification. They are all wonderful people who deserve to have their rights protected, too. I would love to see the day when the LGBTQ+ community is truly given the equal rights that the rest of us US citizens are given, and here, an addition to the anti-discrimination amendments in the state of Utah is definitely a step in the right direction.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and thank you for everything that you are doing to better our state. God bless.

Sincerely,
(name), Senior

______________________________________________________________

Senator Valentine,

My name is {   }, I'm a senior in high school, I have a solid 3.0 GPA, I'm {a member} of the first official GSA (gay - straight alliance) in the Alpine School District, and I've been openly identified as "gay" for the past three and a half years. I always knew that I was gay, no one influenced my decision, because it wasn't a decision. Now you have a decision; you have the biggest influence on passing the SB-100 bill. It's a very scary thought that if this bill isn't passed, I could lose my apartment when I get one, if I get one, and that I could potentially lose my job solely because I am gay.

Being 18, openly gay, and a very proud resident of Utah, I say, "Hear me," as well as all the others out there who fear the same thing I do. In all respect and in the best way possible, please, sign the SB-100 bill. Time will heal a bigoted heart, love for all will heal the wounds inflicted by the many years of struggle, but a decision to make it okay for employers to turn away an LGBT+ human being from a job or a place to live will never be forgotten.

All WE can hope for is that you sign the bill. Either way, you'll end up with upset people, and for that I apologize, but at the end of the day people -- whether straight, gay, or bi, lesbian, transgendered, or questioning -- are people. As I always say: When we're all dead, what's it gonna matter what our sexuality was? We're all essentially just flesh with brains and feelings. No human should fear for their future. Thank you for hearing what I have to say and have a wonderful day.

______________________________________________________________________

To read SB 100, click >> HERE.
To read State Senator Urquhart's short follow-up blog post re this bill, click >> HERE.

Student Letters Part 3

Three more students from our high school have come forward to help support the formation of a GSA. I love their wisdom, optimism, and determination. These honorable students have shared their names for the sake of presenting the letters to the school board, but I have kept their privacy here.

Sophomore

I think that ( ) High School should have a Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA). Everyone seeks acceptance no matter who they are or where they come from. As a LGBTQ student, it can be hard to come out of the closet. If the school had a GSA, students could feel safe and accepted by their peers. The club could help get rid of harassment, allowing students to thrive. There will always be students who want to help each other, so let's give them the opportunity. Whether they are gay or straight, everyone should have a voice and feel safe in their own school.

Junior
(I wrote a paragraph! I hope it works for what you need. Let me know if you need any more help with this. I would truly love to see this happen, and I am excited for it to work!)

I think the creation of a Gay Straight Alliance at our school is an excellent and inspiring goal. The mission of GSA is to promote tolerance, communication, and respect, and that is something that every school in this nation needs more of. As a Mormon, I am not the strongest proponent of gay rights; however, as a human being, I am the strongest supporter of expressing love and kindness toward all people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender expression. Homophobia is dangerous for all people in society; as a straight female who has been teased and harassed for "looking" like a lesbian, I can personally testify to that. With a GSA on campus, students could gather to discuss their fear, confusion, and questions about homosexuality in a safe environment. I used to be terrified of homosexuality; now, after safe and accepting exposure to the issue, I am best friends with a homosexual boy and a bisexual girl. Learning to love them has helped me to love myself and be more comfortable with my own sexual and gender identity. A Gay Straight Alliance is the first step toward helping all students, all people, feel comfortable in their own self and show respect for everyone else. It is the first step toward a decrease in bullying and an increase in friendships. It is the first step toward an environment where "lesbian" will no longer be a mean-spirited name.
 
Junior
I think it would give the environment at ( ) High a more welcome and more honest feeling. We could convey even more school pride by standing by one another, with little to no prejudice in our hearts. Of course, I want to be in every step of this, from square one to finish. And if we succeed, then it will be my new goal to spread out to other schools.

Photo credit: vibrakeys dot com

Alumni Letter

My friend and neighbor is an alumnus of our high school and has graciously added a letter of support (emphasis mine):

To Whom It May Concern:

I'm an alumnus of (our school) High who would have greatly benefited from the solid presence of a safe space for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender students.  I heard I had the opportunity to write and add my voice to those asking for the support of the administration in the creation of a student-run gay-straight alliance at dear, old ( ) High.

In high school, I came to a more solid articulation of my attractions for women.

photo credit: minnpost.com

I did not tell anyone.  Really, there wasn't much to tell.  I wanted to flirt, to hold hands, to date, to exchange mix tapes and maybe even kiss.  I was 17, for goodness' sake.  Unfortunately, I grew up in a culture that fed a lot of dread and guilt into anything that had to do with my healthy attractions.  I was severely depressed and suicidal, but I was alone.  I had no one I could approach and ask questions or work through my thoughts.

I graduated six years ago and was a student when the GSA at Provo High was in the news.  What I didn't know then was that I was vastly undereducated about the subject of sexual orientation and the concept of what someone my age might be struggling with who feel attracted to the same sex or have gender dysphoria.  I was so undereducated, I couldn't even have a concept to figure out what I was feeling! I have since benefited from a safe space, where supportive and loving straight, gay, and trans people could come together and learn about each other and try to be the best support they could be.

  

Gay people, especially gay teens, have a dismally difficult time finding safe spaces. Often, they don't even have a place to think out what they want or learn enough about sexual orientation to understand themselves.  It is a terrible secret to hold.  This leads to many suicides, teenagers who self-harm, and students who are severely depressed.  

Homophobia is a wide-spread problem, especially in our schools.  I personally witnessed students bullying gay teens and bullying straight teens by using gay slurs.  Even though no one knew I was gay or trans, I knew it would not be safe for me to bring up my teenage attractions for women.

GSA's provide safe spaces for discussion, education and support.  The first two benefit all students involved.  The last particularly benefits lgbt students looking for acceptance.  Education is key.  When I left high school, I had been taught that homosexuality was spuriously removed from the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual) and to continue to consider it as a psychological sex and gender disorder.  I was taught that people identifying as a different gender than their birth sex were delusional.  I heard, "that's gay", "faggot" and gay jokes all through high school from students and teachers.  The suicides of gay youth were used as evidence that homosexuality bred mental illness.  I didn't know that the APA (American Psychological Association) supported transgender people in their identities.  I didn't know that homosexuality had been found to be practically identical to heterosexuality outside of social and cultural pressure and discrimination.  I didn't know that gay people could be happy.  There was no true education for me, in this place of education.    For more education:  http://gsanetwork.org/resources/research-reports/national-research

Photo credit: truthdig.com

Had I a GSA in the high school when I attended, it would not have meant I wouldn't experience harassment or rejection.  It would have meant that I would have had a place to go for voices like mine to support me in this harassment and rejection.  This would have been an invaluable support to me and I believe it will be an invaluable support to those students in your halls that are lgbt.  

Thank you,

Student Letters Part 2

My awesome neighbor has rallied more letters from her high school classmates. Again, they have proudly put their names to their letters as they stand up for what is right, but I will keep their privacy here:

(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. 

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)

Student Letters

I had asked an LGBT-friendly student from the high school (and my neighbor) what she thought of the idea of having a GSA at her school and if she would mind writing it and emailing it to me.  Yesterday, she surprised me with not only her printed reply, but a reply from two other students and said there may be a couple more on the way.  It touched my heart so much that they would take time out to help this cause (Yes, I got a lump in my throat when she handed them to me).  I'd like to add their letters to this blog. Although they proudly added their names to their letters, I will keep them anonymous here. 

(Senior)
The Gay Straight Alliance could do wonders for our school by giving students a support group to help them through high school.  High school can be a really hard place for teens dealing with being people that go against the social norm. This group could help struggling teenagers make friends with people who stand for the same moral values and make them feel like they are not alone.  Statistics show that teens that are gay are 5 times more likely to commit suicide than straight teens (Gilbert).  If we could create a club that makes these students feel like they are welcome in the larger community, we could change lives.  It could also benefit strong gay-rights supporters in our school that are not gay, by letting them find people who are just as passionate as they are.  I am a straight supporter of gay rights, and sometimes it is really hard to live in such a conservative environment. Sometimes I feel like everyone is against me in my opinion, and it's hard to always be told you're wrong. This club can help spread anti-hate by spreading love to people who just don't fit in.

Work cited:
Gilbert, Katleen. "Gay teens five times more likely to commit suicide." lifesiteNews. N.p., 29 April 2001. Web. 26 April 20013

(Junior)
The (stated school) High School needs a Gay Straight Alliance for several reasons.  The main reason being the fact that gay students need to know that they aren't alone in this world. I went through my entire schooling life thinking I was the only gay child in the state until I learned that many students around me where gay as well!  We didn't know each other even existed until we began to become friends and "Ally" ourselves together. But all to often I hear of boys and girls alike who don't have anyone to be their friend and know what it feels like to be different in the s school.  A Gay Straight Alliance would grant people that are just coming out, want to come out, or even straight people just wanting to show their support.  This alliance would help many students receive a place to belong and a place to be sheltered from the harshness of the world. For these reasons the (stated school ) High School needs a Gay Straight Alliance to become a better place.

(Senior)
Yes because I think it can make the school a lot safer and help stop harassment and discrimination. It can also help students learn about homophobia, transphobia, etc.

Thank you for your courage. I want the world to be a better place for you.