"Why have a Gay Straight Alliance (GSA)" will equip educators and professionals with the tools to start and support upcoming and existing GSAs. You will walk away with an understanding of what a GSA is, why it is important for LGBTQ Youth to be given this platform, and the resources to generate or support a GSA program.

1. Why Have
A Gay Straight
Alliance?
Ashton Page
Executive Board
Follow Us: @QYC_DFW
Email: qycdfw@gmail.com
Cozette Kosary
Executive Director
Follow Us: @RLC365
Email: info@rlc365.org

2. Topics We Will Address:
What are GSAs?
Why are GSAs Important?
How Do You Start A GSA?
Additional Question And Answer
How Do You Support A GSA?

3. What
are
GSAs?

4. Definition:
Gay Straight Alliances are student led and run clubs for
LGBTQ and Ally students looking to make their schools
safe and friendly environments for all students.
They work together to discuss topics of:
gender and identity equality, harassment,
discrimination, and support.
Gay
Straight
Alliance
Components:
Students
Faculty Advisor / Sponsor
Support Structure
A Safe Meeting Place
GSAs Are:

5. What Do
GSAs Mean
To Youth?

6. A Step Forward
Equality
A Club That Brings Gay and Straight Together
It’s Okay To Be You
You Don’t Have To Hide Who You Are
You Don’t Have To Lie If You Are Gay
It’s Okay To Be Where You Are
You Can Be Yourself And There Are No Stereotypes
A Support System
It’s A Family In School That Supports You
Friends You Can Value And Trust
A Step Forward
Equality
A Club That Brings Gay and Straight Together
It’s Okay To Be YouIt’s Okay To Be YouIt’s Okay To Be YouIt’s Okay To Be YouIt’s Okay To Be YouIt’s Okay To Be YouIt’s Okay To Be YouIt’s Okay To Be YouIt’s Okay To Be YouIt’s Okay To Be YouIt’s Okay To Be YouIt’s Okay To Be YouIt’s Okay To Be YouIt’s Okay To Be YouIt’s Okay To Be YouIt’s Okay To Be YouIt’s Okay To Be YouIt’s Okay To Be YouIt’s Okay To Be YouIt’s Okay To Be YouIt’s Okay To Be YouIt’s Okay To Be YouIt’s Okay To Be YouIt’s Okay To Be YouIt’s Okay To Be YouIt’s Okay To Be YouIt’s Okay To Be YouIt’s Okay To Be YouIt’s Okay To Be YouIt’s Okay To Be YouIt’s Okay To Be YouIt’s Okay To Be YouIt’s Okay To Be YouIt’s Okay To Be YouIt’s Okay To Be YouIt’s Okay To Be YouIt’s Okay To Be YouIt’s Okay To Be YouIt’s Okay To Be YouIt’s Okay To Be YouIt’s Okay To Be YouIt’s Okay To Be YouIt’s Okay To Be YouIt’s Okay To Be YouIt’s Okay To Be YouIt’s Okay To Be YouIt’s Okay To Be YouIt’s Okay To Be YouIt’s Okay To Be YouIt’s Okay To Be YouIt’s Okay To Be You
You Don’t Have To Hide Who You Are
You Don’t Have To Lie If You Are Gay
It’s Okay To Be Where You Are
You Can Be Yourself And There Are No Stereotypes
A Support System
It’s A Family In School That Supports You
Friends You Can Value And Trust
Overview Of What GSAs Mean To Youth:

7. Why
Are GSAs
Important?

8. Why Are GSAs
Important
To Youth?

9. Overview Of Why GSAs Are Important To Youth:
Provide Acceptance
Provide Support
Provide A Safe Haven
Provide Knowledge
Makes You Feel Better
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Provide SupportProvide SupportProvide SupportProvide SupportProvide SupportProvide SupportProvide SupportProvide SupportProvide SupportProvide SupportProvide SupportProvide SupportProvide SupportProvide SupportProvide SupportProvide SupportProvide SupportProvide SupportProvide SupportProvide SupportProvide SupportProvide SupportProvide SupportProvide SupportProvide SupportProvide SupportProvide SupportProvide SupportProvide SupportProvide SupportProvide SupportProvide SupportProvide SupportProvide SupportProvide SupportProvide SupportProvide SupportProvide SupportProvide SupportProvide SupportProvide SupportProvide Support
Provide A Safe HavenProvide A Safe HavenProvide A Safe HavenProvide A Safe HavenProvide A Safe HavenProvide A Safe HavenProvide A Safe HavenProvide A Safe HavenProvide A Safe HavenProvide A Safe HavenProvide A Safe HavenProvide A Safe HavenProvide A Safe HavenProvide A Safe HavenProvide A Safe HavenProvide A Safe HavenProvide A Safe HavenProvide A Safe HavenProvide A Safe HavenProvide A Safe HavenProvide A Safe HavenProvide A Safe HavenProvide A Safe HavenProvide A Safe HavenProvide A Safe HavenProvide A Safe HavenProvide A Safe HavenProvide A Safe HavenProvide A Safe HavenProvide A Safe HavenProvide A Safe HavenProvide A Safe HavenProvide A Safe HavenProvide A Safe HavenProvide A Safe HavenProvide A Safe HavenProvide A Safe HavenProvide A Safe HavenProvide A Safe HavenProvide A Safe HavenProvide A Safe HavenProvide A Safe HavenProvide A Safe HavenProvide A Safe HavenProvide A Safe HavenProvide A Safe HavenProvide A Safe HavenProvide A Safe HavenProvide A Safe HavenProvide A Safe HavenProvide A Safe Haven
Provide KnowledgeProvide KnowledgeProvide KnowledgeProvide KnowledgeProvide KnowledgeProvide KnowledgeProvide KnowledgeProvide KnowledgeProvide KnowledgeProvide KnowledgeProvide KnowledgeProvide KnowledgeProvide KnowledgeProvide KnowledgeProvide KnowledgeProvide KnowledgeProvide KnowledgeProvide KnowledgeProvide KnowledgeProvide KnowledgeProvide KnowledgeProvide KnowledgeProvide KnowledgeProvide KnowledgeProvide KnowledgeProvide KnowledgeProvide KnowledgeProvide KnowledgeProvide KnowledgeProvide KnowledgeProvide KnowledgeProvide KnowledgeProvide KnowledgeProvide KnowledgeProvide KnowledgeProvide KnowledgeProvide KnowledgeProvide KnowledgeProvide Knowledge
Makes You Feel BetterMakes You Feel BetterMakes You Feel BetterMakes You Feel BetterMakes You Feel BetterMakes You Feel BetterMakes You Feel BetterMakes You Feel BetterMakes You Feel BetterMakes You Feel BetterMakes You Feel BetterMakes You Feel BetterMakes You Feel BetterMakes You Feel BetterMakes You Feel BetterMakes You Feel BetterMakes You Feel BetterMakes You Feel BetterMakes You Feel BetterMakes You Feel BetterMakes You Feel BetterMakes You Feel BetterMakes You Feel BetterMakes You Feel BetterMakes You Feel BetterMakes You Feel BetterMakes You Feel BetterMakes You Feel BetterMakes You Feel BetterMakes You Feel BetterMakes You Feel BetterMakes You Feel BetterMakes You Feel BetterMakes You Feel BetterMakes You Feel BetterMakes You Feel BetterMakes You Feel BetterMakes You Feel BetterMakes You Feel BetterMakes You Feel BetterMakes You Feel BetterMakes You Feel BetterMakes You Feel BetterMakes You Feel BetterMakes You Feel BetterMakes You Feel BetterMakes You Feel BetterMakes You Feel BetterMakes You Feel BetterMakes You Feel BetterMakes You Feel BetterMakes You Feel BetterMakes You Feel BetterMakes You Feel Better

10. How Do
You Start
A GSA?

11. 1. 6.
2. 7.
3. 8.
4. 9.
5. 10.
10 Steps To Start A GSA
Follow
Guidelines
Find A
Faculty Advisor
Inform
Adminstration
Pick A
Meeting Place
Alert
Counseling Staff
Advertise
The GSA
Hold A
GSA Meeting
Establish
GSA Rules
Register
The GSA
Plan
GSA’s Future
10 Steps For Starting A GSA. (n.d.). Retrieved January 5, 2016, from https://gsanetwork.org/resources/building-your-gsa/10-steps-starting-gsa

12. Follow School District’s Rules
Find A Sponsor and Safe Meeting Place
Inform School Of Formation
Establish Rules and Goals For GSA
Advertise The GSA
Hold A GSA Meeting
1.
The Steps That Matter
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

13. GSA Rules:
R
E
S
P
E
C
T
= Recognize Everyone’s Worth
= Eliminate Offensive Or Inappropriate Words
= Speak With People, Not At Or About Them
= Practice Empathy
= Encourage One Another
= Confidentiality
= Treat Others The Way They Want To Be Treated

14. Important Dates
4/15
5/22
6/28
10/15
11/20
Day of Silence
Harvey Milk Day
Stonewall Riots
Transgender Day of Remembrance
Spirit Day

15. Resources
GSA
Network
HRC
Trevor
Project
GLSEN
GLAAD
PFLAG
Local
LGBTQ
Groups
Lambda
Legal

16. How Do
You Support
A GSA?

17. Ways To Support GSAs:
Additional Ways Businesses can help support GSAs:
Offer internships
Sponsor supplies for hosting an event or meeting
Make Youth Feel Included:
1. Use Preferred Gender
Pronouns (PGP)
2. Allow Youth To Participate
3. Add Inclusive Material
To Curriculum
4. Offer LGBTQ Friendly Spaces
(Gender Inclusive Bathrooms)
Ways To Show You’re an Ally:
1. Display a Safe Space Sticker
2. Don’t Tolerate Bullying
3. Participate in GSA Events
4. Participate in LGBTQ Events
5. Educate Yourself and Others
on LGBTQ Facts and Statistics
6. Connect Youth To Resources

18. Q&A

19. Bibliography:
1. 10 Steps For Starting A GSA. (n.d.). Retrieved January 5, 2016, from
https://gsanetwork.org/resources/building-your-gsa/10-steps-starting-gsa
2. Jump Start Your GSA. (n.d.) Retrieved January 5, 2016 from http://www.glsen.org/jumpstart
3. L.D. Bell Students (2016, February) What Does GSA Mean To You? [Personal interview].
4. L.D. Bell Students (2016, February) Why Is GSA Important To You? [Personal interview].
5. McDaniel, A. (2016, January 5). How Do Educators and Professionals Suport A GSA? [Personal interview].

20. Thank
You!
Ashton Page
Executive Board
Follow Us: @QYC_DFW
Email: qycdfw@gmail.com
Cozette Kosary
Executive Director
Follow Us: @RLC365
Email: info@rlc365.org