For now, GSAs are still serving a
purpose and their reach is
expanding
LGBTQ 101
Egale Canada offers an Equity and
Inclusive Education Resource Kit for
Ontario High Schools. Here are some of its
highlights:
“For a GSA to successfully eliminate bullying and
harassment means it no longer needs to exist. When GSAs start
disappearing, that doesn’t mean it is a bad thing. They were
successful, they educated the students and stuck together to
10 Steps to Starting a GSA
work hard and eliminate bullying and harassment by creating
a safe environment,” says Wright.
For now, GSAs are still serving a purpose, and their reach
Questions & Answers about LGBTQ Human
is expanding. In September 2014, the Student Representative
Rights Legislation and Policy in Ontario
Council approved a GSA at St. Clair College in Windsor. Mikeal
Mosley, St. Clair College’s GSA Executive President, said
LGBTQ Role Models & Symbols
normally clubs at St. Clair have to be course-related.
“We made history, because we are the first non-courseInformation & Resources for Educators
related club to ever be established,” said Mosley.
Since the program has been established, there are 45 active
Resources for Guidance Counsellors
members. The St. Clair College GSA first held a spirit day to raise
awareness against homophobia and bullying. Their second event
Information for Administrators
was a NOH8 campaign. The NOH8 campaign is a charitable
organization that promotes marriage, gender and human
equality. This campaign has received attention from around the
Terms & Concepts
world. People take portrait photos of themselves with duct tape
around their mouths to symbolize their voices being silenced.
LGBTQ Resources
Their most recent event was a transgender awareness event in
support of Transgender Awareness Week in November. The event
provided entertainment and an insight about the lives of
transgendered people.
The GSA meets two days a week on a biweekly basis. When
the group gets together, they discuss their ideas to familiarize
students with the GSA. They share opinions on how to raise
awareness and eliminate homophobia and bullying at the Opposite page and below: Local students show their
college.
support during the Windsor Pride Parade
Gay-straight alliances have been put in place to make a
positive change for students in their school environments. It
offers them a space where they can feel accepted and gain
support from students and peers. Students can get together and
work hard to create a safer environment for all students. The fact
that students can be openly gay at school and be comfortable
shows that we have come a long way. Many students agree that
their gay-straight alliance programs have made a difference in
their schools. A lot of progress has been made around the world;
if we all stand as allies we can continue to make a difference.
see full details at
MyGSA.ca
February 2015 - The HUB 23