FREQUENTLY ASKED GSA QUESTIONS Updated October 30, 2015
Abstract This document contains questions we have been asked and that we think would be good for other GSAs to have access to. If you have any questions, please email us at
[email protected]. You can find all the linked materials in the curriculum on our website at www.glsen.org/chapters/atlanta/resources.
GLSEN Atlanta
[email protected]
GLSEN ATLANTA: GSA FAQ
Table of Contents Building Your GSA ......................................................................................................................................... 3 JUMP START GUIDE Part 1 ........................................................................................................................ 3 How do I find new members for our GSA? ............................................................................................... 3 How do I write a mission statement for our GSA? ................................................................................... 3 Building and Being Student Leaders ............................................................................................................. 4 How do we build affect GSA leaders? ....................................................................................................... 4 How can my students continue growing as leaders? ............................................................................... 4 GSA Programming ......................................................................................................................................... 6 What can I do to have more fun, engaging, and educational meetings that will increase attendance to our meetings? ........................................................................................................................................... 6 Transgender Students ................................................................................................................................... 7 How do I make my club inclusive of Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Students? ..................... 7 How do I expand awareness of transgender Issues? ................................................................................ 7 How do I make sure that my GSA has discussions that are informative and engaging, without being offensive? .................................................................................................................................................. 7 What can I do to be a better Ally of Trans and Gender-Nonconforming Students? ................................ 8 What is a good district policy on Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Students? .......................... 8 Bathrooms................................................................................................................................................. 8 Legal Questions ............................................................................................................................................. 9 Can you help us with a legal concern? ...................................................................................................... 9 Freedom of Expression ............................................................................................................................. 9 GAY-STRAIGHT ALLIANCES ........................................................................................................................ 9 SCHOOL DANCES ....................................................................................................................................... 9 TRANSGENDER AND GENDER NONCONFORMING STUDENTS ................................................................. 9 HARASSMENT............................................................................................................................................ 9 PRIVACY..................................................................................................................................................... 9 Legal Question Handouts made by GLSEN and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) ..................... 9 What is a good district policy on Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Students? .......................... 9 What is my role as an Advisor, especially in terms of legal protections? ............................................... 10 Supportive Advisors and Sponsors.............................................................................................................. 11 How to find a club advisor? .................................................................................................................... 11 How do I support my GSA as an Advisor? ............................................................................................... 11
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GLSEN ATLANTA: GSA FAQ What should I know when working with LGBT Students of Color? ........................................................ 11 How do I best facilitate discussion for my students? ............................................................................. 11 The Importance of a GSA ............................................................................................................................ 12 How do I help other faculty members understand the need for the group and ways that they can support LGBT students? .......................................................................................................................... 12
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Building Your GSA How do I find new members for our GSA? Finding new GSA members is a fun way to build your GSA and to continue your mission of educating other students at your school. Check out this sheet with some ideas for your GSA! Find it on our website at www.glsen.org/chapters/atlanta/resources
How do I write a mission statement for our GSA? Check out this handout for writing a mission statement for you GSA. We highly encourage all organizations have a mission statement. Check the sheet out on our website at www.glsen.org/chapters/atlanta/resources
JUMP START GUIDE Part 1 This resource is for new and already-established Gay-Straight Alliances (GSAs) or similar clubs. Learn how to establish or reestablish your group, identify your mission and goals, and assess your school's climate. Jump Start your school and your GSA to create safer schools for all! This guide consists of eight sections; all are designed to help you bring new ideas and energy to your club! They are available as PDF files to download. This is going to give you most the in-depth answers to building and activating your GSA. Part 1 - Building and Growing Your GSA: This section offers step-by-step assistance for students interested in forming a Gay-Straight Alliance and offers activities that can help you organize your club. Find it at www.glsen.org/jumpstart
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Building and Being Student Leaders How do we build affect GSA leaders? Many teachers have asked us about this and we find that this is one of the biggest problems that GSAs can face. Our goal over the next couple years is to fix this problem that most Georgia GSAs face at some point. So far, we have several methods and resources, which are shared here, but do stay connected to us as more will be coming out soon! 1. Use the GLSEN Atlanta GSA Curriculum The GSA Curriculum is designed to give your students the materials they need to run an informative, engaging, and interactive meeting every week. It is the first and only weekly GSA curriculum ever produced and made especially for you by our GLSEN Atlanta Board Members. 2. GLSEN Jump Start Guides Use the GLSEN Atlanta Jump Start Guides which have in-depth information on starting and supporting your club, as well as activities for your students to do. You can find it at www.glsen.org/jumpstart 3. Attend the Metro Atlanta LGBTQ Student and Advisor Leadership Conference This quarterly gathering is designed to give students the resources they need to better run their GSA. Our goal with these meetings are to introduce GSA leaders to the curriculum and to supply them with leadership skills. We are still working to expand these meetings, but please do come out and join us! 4. Use our Running an Effective Meeting handout Running a GSA meeting can be intimidating. This will help students and advisors to plan their meetings and to make sure they are fully planned! With GLSEN’s tips, you will be an awesome facilitator in no time! You can find it on our website at www.glsen.org/chapters/atlanta/resources 5. Read with them our How to be an Effective Leader handout http://www.glsen.org/sites/default/files/GSAEffectiveLeader.pdf Or find it on our website at www.glsen.org/chapters/atlanta/resources
How can my students continue growing as leaders? There are several options your students can take to grow as leaders. Encourage them to follow one of the following paths!
GLSEN Student Ambassadors o Students can apply to become GLSEN Student Ambassadors! As a Student Ambassador, you'll have access to exclusive online training and workshops on telling your story, political advocacy, blogging, writing op-eds for newspapers, creating web video, and more. You and your work will be featured on GLSEN's website, blog, YouTube channel and social media profiles. We will also work with you to share your story with a wider audience. GLSEN Student Ambassadors have been featured on CNN, the Huffington Post, The Advocate, The New York Times, People and more. Learn more at http://www.glsen.org/participate/student-action/leadership-team
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Students can also reach out to
[email protected] to learn about working with us to create curriculum, fundraisers, or inter-GSA activities! We even offer internships!
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GLSEN ATLANTA: GSA FAQ
GSA Programming What can I do to have more fun, engaging, and educational meetings that will increase attendance to our meetings? This is by far the most important question we have faced over the past year. We have seen many clubs lose purpose and direction and that can all start at the meetings. Student leaders and advisors need to make sure that their meetings are engaging so that students will feel that they gain by attending their club meetings. You also need to make sure that your meetings are informational, as the purpose of most GSAs is to make the school environment safer for LGBT youth through educating peers. And of course, always have fun! To make this possible, we have several resources you can use and lots of advice! 1. Always have a plan for your meeting and make it a couple days before so you have time to review it and so that both your other leaders and advisor can review it. Use our Running an Effective Meeting handout Running a GSA meeting can be intimidating. This will help students and advisors to plan their meetings and to make sure they are fully planned! With GLSEN’s tips, you will be an awesome facilitator in no time! You can find it on our website at www.glsen.org/chapters/atlanta/resources Read with them our How to be an Effective Leader handout http://www.glsen.org/sites/default/files/GSAEffectiveLeader.pdf Or find it on our website at www.glsen.org/chapters/atlanta/resources 2. Use the GLSEN Atlanta GSA Curriculum with weekly, 1 hour meeting agendas focused on educating your members! You can find them on our website at www.glsen.org/chapters/atlanta/resources 3. Use the GLSEN Jump-Start Guide which you can find on our website at www.glsen.org/jumpstart. The jumpstart guide will contain the most informative and in-depth instructions for running a successful GSA!
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Transgender Students How do I make my club inclusive of Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Students? Being inclusive means that your student club and its members commit to an ongoing process of education. Your club will need to make an effort to ensure that its activities and advocacy efforts are inclusive of transgender and gender nonconforming people and issues. This isn’t always easy, but be sure to stress to your members that the importance of oops/ouch. No one is an expert, and no one is perfect, if someone accidentally says something that is inappropriate or insensitive, use at as an educational experience, and not an opportunity to put someone down. Don’t let you club become a battleground for who can be the most politically correct, let it be a place where students can learn and be educated in a positive environment that embraces oops/ouch, and doesn’t criticize honesty mistakes. Be sure to check out our resources on our webpage at www.glsen.org/chapters/atlanta/resources
Making Your Club Inclusive handout o http://www.glsen.org/sites/default/files/ClubInclusive.pdf Use our best handout, with the most engaging activities for Trans issues, GLSEN Jump Start Guide Part 7, here: o http://www.glsen.org/sites/default/files/Jump%20Start%20Guide%20Part%207_1.pdf o Or find it on our website at www.glsen.org/chapters/atlanta/resources
How do I expand awareness of transgender Issues? Learning the issues that affect transgender students is very important, and it can be very hard to do so for individuals who do not identify as Transgender. Check out this handout for some advice and ideas to make your club more inclusive!
http://www.glsen.org/sites/default/files/ExpandAwarness.pdf Or find it on our website at www.glsen.org/chapters/atlanta/resources
How do I make sure that my GSA has discussions that are informative and engaging, without being offensive? Remember that almost everyone in your club is there to learn and grow. To do that, you have to accept that at some times someone may say something and accidentally offend someone else. Just remember to teach, not to scold. Of course, you can always work on avoiding this by making sure your GSA has respectful rules for discussion. Check out these resources to help!
Guidelines for Respectful Discussion o Having a set of agreements will help ensure that your meetings are respectful and provide a safe place for everyone. http://www.glsen.org/sites/default/files/guidelines_discussion.pdf Or find it on our website at www.glsen.org/chapters/atlanta/resources Check out our Group Agreements Activity in GSA Curriculum Week 1! o This resources will allow you to put into place rules for your club that will make your club a safe and open environment for your members Find it on our website at www.glsen.org/chapters/atlanta/resources
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GLSEN ATLANTA: GSA FAQ
JUMP START GUIDE Part 1 This resource is for new and already-established Gay-Straight Alliances (GSAs) or similar clubs. Learn how to establish or reestablish your group, identify your mission and goals, and assess your school's climate. Jump Start your school and your GSA to create safer schools for all! This section is going to give you the most in-depth information on making your club transgender inclusive. Part 7 - Making Your Student Club Trans-Inclusive This resource will help students develop a greater understanding of transgender people and related issues, as well as actions that can ensure that transgender and gender non-conforming people are fully included in all that GSAs do in schools.
What can I do to be a better Ally of Trans and GenderNonconforming Students? Check out this handout with great resources! http://goo.gl/6JD3ZQ Or find it on our website at www.glsen.org/chapters/atlanta/resources
What is a good district policy on Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Students? Check out our model district policy here: http://goo.gl/7uzUhD Or find it on our website at www.glsen.org/chapters/atlanta/resources
Bathrooms Our default idea is for Transgender students to use the bathroom they are most comfortable with or a gender neutral bathroom if one exists. However, these options are not always going to be the case. Reach out to us if you have any questions or need any help, and we will work with your school and if necessary, our legal partners, to help find a solution that will be satisfactory. Note: There are no recorded incidents of students pretending to be transgender to “peep” at the gender the bathroom is intended for or any other strange things you may hear in certain political spheres.
Find it at www.glsen.org/jumpstart
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Legal Questions Can you help us with a legal concern? YES!!! GLSEN Atlanta and GLSEN are partnered with the ACLU, ACLU Georgia, Lambda Legal, and Georgia Equality, to help you fight for equality in your school. If you have any legal questions or concerns, or think your rights are being violated, please reach out to us at
[email protected] and we will work with our partners to help find you the answers you deserve.
Freedom of Expression Some schools try to silence students who express their opinions about LGBT issues. If you go to a public school, you have a constitutional right to express your views and identity.
GAY-STRAIGHT ALLIANCES A GSA is a noncurricular student club—just like Chess Club or Fellowship of Christian Athletes—for students with a shared interest in LGBT issues. According to federal law, public high schools that allow any other noncurricular clubs must allow GSAs and treat them no differently from other clubs.
SCHOOL DANCES Public schools can’t stop you from bringing a same-sex date to prom or homecoming, nor can they tell you that you can’t dress a certain way, or run for prom king /queen, because it doesn’t fit traditional gender roles.
TRANSGENDER AND GENDER NONCONFORMING STUDENTS Transgender and gender nonconforming students often face discrimination over dress codes, access to restrooms and locker rooms, and their chosen names and pronouns. Contact the ACLU LGBT Project if you want help making sure your school treats you with respect and keeps you safe.
HARASSMENT If you’re being harassed or threatened, go to the principal or another official right away. Keep detailed notes with dates of all incidents. Put the school on notice that it has to protect you.
PRIVACY Schools should not out you to anyone without your permission, even if you’re out to some people at school.
Legal Question Handouts made by GLSEN and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
Take Action! https://www.aclu.org/files/images/asset_upload_file122_30427.pdf Know Your Rights! http://www.glsen.org/sites/default/files/041415-KYRWalletCardSchoolNoLines.pdf A Guide for Trans and Gender nonconforming Students (Long Document with Great Info) http://www.glsen.org/sites/default/files/Trans%20Student%20KYR.pdf
What is a good district policy on Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Students? Check out our model district policy here:
http://www.glsen.org/sites/default/files/Trans_ModelPolicy_2014.pdf Or find it on our website at www.glsen.org/chapters/atlanta/resources
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GLSEN ATLANTA: GSA FAQ
What is my role as an Advisor, especially in terms of legal protections? First, we want you to know that you are not alone. GLSEN, GLSEN Atlanta, the ACLU, ACLU Georgia, Lambda Legal, the Georgia Safe Schools Association, and Lambda Legal are all dedicated to supporting you. If you ever have a question, please reach out to us so we can get an educated answer to you! We do have a couple of suggestions for you to help your GSA operate: 1. Know what your GSA is doing. Students may try to push the envelope with their education and learning. GLSEN Atlanta promotes this, and encourages students to learn about controversial subjects such as race, income inequality, and safe sex. Check with your GSA leaders about what they are planning to discuss and make sure that they are going to present the information in a respectful and appropriate manner. If your students are presenting on something that you are not sure is okay with your school or district, ask your principle, but also ask us! Students have legal access to certain levels of speech in their school and principles tend to shy away from controversy. Let’s work together to find a safe balance. 2. Defend your students from attacks. Your LGBT students and their allies have a legal right to meet if your school has other non-academic clubs (such as a Fellowship of Christian Athletes). If students are having their signs torn down, being bullied for attending, or being prevented from attending, inform your principle and make sure proper steps are taken. Let us know if you need any help with this! 3. Never out a student! Never out a student to family or friends. It is not your place to make that decision for them and, also important, it may be illegal for you to do so. If you hear other teachers or staff at your school are threatening to out a student, let us know!
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Supportive Advisors and Sponsors How to find a club advisor? Finding an advisor for your GSA can be challenging and intimidating. Don't fret, there are plenty of options of adults at your school that would serve as great GSA advisors. Check out our tips here:
http://www.glsen.org/sites/default/files/HowToFindAdvisor.pdf Or find it on our website at www.glsen.org/chapters/atlanta/resources
How do I support my GSA as an Advisor? There are several ways advisors can be involved. The biggest one is being there for your students. Show your support for the club (students never forget the teacher who brings treats! But it is also a way to show yourself as an ally to students who may turn to you in a time of need.)
First, check out this 20 minute webinar that will give you a more in-depth preview of how to be a better supporter. http://www.glsen.org/article/educators-support-your-gsa Use our Safe Space Kit to make your classroom an inclusive and safe environment for your students. You can find it here: www.glsen.org/safespace
What should I know when working with LGBT Students of Color? Check out our LGBT Students of Color guide on our website for more information.
http://www.glsen.org/sites/default/files/LGBT_studentsofcolor.pdf Or find it on our website at www.glsen.org/chapters/atlanta/resources
How do I best facilitate discussion for my students? The key to facilitating discussion is to make sure the discussion is on topic, focused, appropriate, and diversified. Allow students to express their opinions and ideas, but make sure that they are having discussions that are open and that they space is safe. For our best tips and tricks, check out these sources
Guidelines for Respectful Discussion o Having a set of agreements will help ensure that your meetings are respectful and provide a safe place for everyone. http://www.glsen.org/sites/default/files/guidelines_discussion.pdf Or find it on our website at www.glsen.org/chapters/atlanta/resources Check out our Group Agreements Activity in GSA Curriculum Week 1! o This resources will allow you to put into place rules for your club that will make your club a safe and open environment for your members Find it on our website at www.glsen.org/chapters/atlanta/resources
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The Importance of a GSA How do I help other faculty members understand the need for the group and ways that they can support LGBT students? GSAs are extremely important for LGBT students and can have a positive effect on the entire school. Findings from the GLSEN 2013 National School Climate Survey demonstrate that Georgia schools were not safe for most lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) secondary school students. In addition, many LGBT students in Georgia did not have access to important school resources, such as Gay-Straight Alliances or similar student clubs, and were not protected by comprehensive anti-bullying/harassment school policies. The following numbers are Georgia Specific:
Nearly all heard “gay” used in a negative way (e.g., “that’s so gay”) and 9 in 10 heard other homophobic remarks (e.g., “fag” or “dyke”) at school regularly (i.e., sometimes, often, or frequently). Nearly 8 in 10 regularly heard other students in their school make negative remarks about how someone expressed their gender, such as comments about someone not acting “feminine” or “masculine” enough. 6 in 10 regularly heard negative remarks about transgender people. Students also heard anti-LGBT language from school staff. 27% regularly heard staff make negative remarks about someone’s gender expression, and 19% regularly heard school staff make homophobic remarks. The majority experienced verbal harassment (e.g., called names or threatened): 8 in 10 based on their sexual orientation and more than 5 in 10 based on the way they expressed their gender. Many also experienced physical harassment and physical assault: for example, 3 in 10 were physically harassed (e.g., pushed or shoved) based on their sexual orientation and 1 in 10 were physically assaulted (e.g., punched, kicked, or injured with a weapon) based on the way they expressed their gender. Students also reported high levels of other forms of harassment at school: 89% felt deliberately excluded or “left out” by peers; 80% had mean rumors or lies told about them; 58% were sexually harassed; 49% experienced electronic harassment or “cyberbullying”; and 45% had property (e.g., car, clothing, or books) deliberately damaged and/or stolen. 65% of students who were harassed or assaulted in school never reported it to school staff, and 56% never told a family member about the incident. Among students who did report incidents to school authorities, only 26% said that reporting resulted in effective intervention by staff.
You can find all our research that definitively proves the importance of GSAs here:
National School Climate Survey o http://www.glsen.org/sites/default/files/NSCS_ExecSumm_2013_DESIGN_FINAL.pdf o http://www.glsen.org/article/2013-national-school-climate-survey Georgia School Climate Survey o http://www.glsen.org/sites/default/files/GLSEN%202013%20Georgia%20State%20Snap shot.pdf
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