Gay-Straight Alliance

Gays and straights rejoice because the Gay-Straight Alliance is back and in full force at Anderson. Meeting every other week, members of G.S.A. get together to talk about current issues and have a great time doing so. G.S.A. was brought back by senior Annie Hobson and is advised by Tim Fuller.

“It is interesting to be around young, committed people working for awareness and understanding on this important issue,” states Fuller.

G.S.A. was brought back to be a support group and a safe-haven, but perhaps Hobson explains it best, “I wanted to bring back the G.S.A. because I have a responsibility to provide a safe and tolerant environment in our school.”

The Gay-Straight Alliance is a student-run organization open to anyone who wants to join. Whether you are democrat or republican, gay or straight, religious or atheist, G.S.A. is a place for you. Members spend time talking about current issues, planning events for the school and community, and sharing stories of previous experiences.

When asked to tell people one thing about G.S.A., Senior Ryan Sowers said “It is very open-minded, and everyone is fully accepted regardless of sexual orientation.”

Members always say how welcome they feel, and are glad the club has been brought back. Students are comfortable there, and share things that would not normally be discussed. Fellow students are the best support group, and that is exactly what G.S.A. provides.

This club teaches and promotes tolerance. Some believe the community has ignored issues such as these for far too long, and now is the time for everyone to finally pay attention. This club hopes to take steps in the right direction, showing the wrong that has been done to the gay community. G.S.A. has also set goals to intertwine with the character education building sessions that all students participate in, during a no- bullying week. This will show that sayings such as “you’re gay,” and “that’s so gay” are not okay, and are offensive to some.

Promoting awareness and tolerance not only at school but in the community is a goal of the group. People are becoming more aware of these issues, and are starting to change their views. Each day, people are more and more accepting of all life styles, and hopefully this outreach will help gain support.

Asked why he thinks people are so negative toward the gay community, senior Daniel Lees had a lot to say. “I think people are not open to the gay community because they do not understand that homosexuals are equal to heterosexuals. People are not open-minded to differences in others. I think everyone needs to be open and accepting to the gay community because they are exactly the same as every other person even though their sexual orientation is different. All people are the same and deserve to be treated equally and respectfully.”

Everyone is welcome, and should come to the next meeting for G.S.A. It is a great experience and new members will have a good time. Participants believe that one day, gays will be treated equally, and until then clubs like these will be the place to go. If people are unsure of what to think about this club, they are asked to come and give it a try. The club honors all sexual orientation including gay and straight students.