Gay-Straight Alliance comes to Olentangy
Senior Mitchell C. has created the Gay-Straight Alliance club to give respect and celebration to students of all sexualities and genders and create a safe space for them within the school.
“This isn’t just a group that sits and talks for 45 minutes,” Mitchell said. “The main goal of this club is to let the LGBT [community] know they’re supported and loved no matter what– no matter if they’re open with their sexualities. Even if they don’t come to the meetings, we’re still going to accept them.”
Erin Otten, English teacher and adviser, and Mitchell promise an open environment and a place where discussions and questions are always welcome.
“I’d like to think [the club] is more communal. You’re able to engage in active conversations and have discussions instead of being talked at or lectured,” teacher Erin Otten said.
“I think it’s wonderful that there’s finally a place for people of all sexualities to be celebrated,” Hannah H. ‘19, said.
Not always is that the case, though. Hannah also reported hearing students make “ignorant comments, and overall just making fun of the LGBT community,”
Students have been tearing down GSA posters in the hallway; and rumors of students making fun of the posters have been thrown around, but the actions will not bring down the club’s members.
“It’s their hate they have to live with,” Mitchell said. “It doesn’t affect me… people can do and say what they want, but GSA is real, and it’s happening.”
Though our district was one of the first to have protection for LGBT staff, meaning they could not be fired for their sexuality, there was no official school board approved group to create a safe space for the LGBT students. Therefore, 2016-17 will be the first year for the GSA, and, “it will set the precedent for what the club should continue to be,” Mitchell said.
Because it is the first year for the GSA, another goal for the club is, “to just get involved in the school,” Mitchell said.
The GSA will introduce a new form of diversity within the school, Mitchell said. It will also address other major issues among the LGBT community including, common presumptions of gender roles, Transvisibility week in April and what it means to be transgender, suicide prevention with The Trevor Project in September and how to abolish common stereotypes for the LGBT community.
All students are invited to come to the meetings and listen in– even if they do not participate at all meetings or have never been involved in or advocated for LGBT issues.
GSA will hold a Neon Color Run on Nov. 12.
caitlin kravitz • Dec 11, 2019 at 2:03 pm
This article is really good! I think it would be a good idea if we did an updated version. Great source of quotes direct and indirect.
Elena Krawczyk • Oct 19, 2016 at 3:32 pm
This is all completely brilliant ! From the article to the content to the writer everything is amazing. GSA in public schools is SO important, especially knowing that hate in OLSD is something that has actually grown since I left three years ago. Don’t get me wrong I loved my experience there, but it didn’t always feel safe. Knowing that the LGBT community is now protected is a step in the right direction for Olentangy as a school and district !!
Student • Oct 19, 2016 at 3:13 pm
This is a great article! It makes me so happy that I am accepted in my school. Other people’s disgusting comments won’t affect the LGBT+ community, we’re stronger than that. Liz is a great writer and I’m hoping to see more articles by her in the future!