Resources

Websites

http://www.gsanetwork.org/

http://www.hrc.org/

http://www.itgetsbetter.org/

http://www.glsen.org/

http://www.lgbtqnation.com/

http://www.colage.org/

http://www.cuav.org/

http://www.pflag.org

Hotlines

GLBT Hate Crimes Hotline

(800) 686-HATE

Gay & Lesbian National Hotline

(888) THE-GLNH

LYRIC Youth Talk Line

(800) 246-PRIDE
A peer talk line for LGBTQ youth 23
and under. Monday-Saturday, 6:309pm.

Learn About GSA!

Barton Community College

345 NE 30 RD
Great Bend, KS 67530

Definitions

About GSA
GSAs Build Community
What is a GSA?
A Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) is a student-run club,
which provides a safe place for students to meet,
support each other, talk about issues related to sexual orientation and gender identity and expression,
and work to end homophobia and transphobia.

GSAs are also social groups. They provide a

sense of community and a space for LGBTQ
and straight ally youth to build a social network where their identity is respected. Lots of

LGBT, LGBTQ, LGBTQA, TBLG: These acronyms

refer to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender,
Queer, and Ally. Although all of the different identities within LGBT are often lumped together
(and share sexism as a common root of oppression), there are specific needs and concerns related
to each individual identity.

GSAs organize barbeques or movie nights, organize field trips to a local LGBT prom or an
LGBT pride parade, and attend conferences

There are three typical functions of a GSA club: Sup-

together. GSAs are a great way to build com-

port, Social, and Activist.

munity at your school and lessen the isolation

that LGBTQ students might otherwise experience.

GSAs Take Action to Create Change

In addition to support, some GSAs work on
educating themselves and the broader school

Ally: An ally is a person who is a member of the

dominant group who works to end oppression in
his or her own personal and professional life by
supporting and advocating with the oppressed
population.
Gender identity: The sense of being male or
being female. For some people, gender identity
is in accord with physical anatomy. For
transgender people, gender identity may differ
from physical anatomy or expected social roles. It
is important to note that gender identity, biological sex, and sexual orientation are not necessarily
linked.

community about sexual orientation and gender identity issues. They may bring in outside
speakers to cover a particular topic such as
LGBTQ history. They may organize a "Pride
Week" or "LGBTQ Awareness Events" and offer
a series of educational workshops, panels, and

GSAs Provide Support

Many GSAs function as a support group and provide
safety and confidentiality to students who are struggling with their identity as gay, lesbian, bisexual,
transgender, or questioning or those who are experiencing harassment at school because of their actual
or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity or

pride celebrations. Some GSAs organize a

"Teach the Teachers" staff development day,
which focuses on teaching school staff how to
be better allies for LGBTQ students. There are
many other types of educational and activist
events that GSAs can do. Check out the
Change Your School section to take action.

Transgender: This term has many definitions. It is

frequently used as an umbrella term to refer to all
people who deviate from their assigned gender at
birth or the binary gender system. This includes
transsexuals, cross-dressers, genderqueers, drag
kings, drag queens, two-spirit people, and others.
Some transgender people feel they exist not within
one of the two standard gender categories, but
rather somewhere between, beyond or outside of
those two genders.
Transsexual: A person who, through experiencing
an intense, long-term discomfort resulting from
feeling the inappropriateness of their assigned gender at birth and discomfort of their body, adapts
their gender role and body to reflect and be congruent with their gender identity.

expression. These groups often provide one of the

few safe spaces for students to express themselves.

Please Note: It is very important to respect peoples desired self-identifications. One should never
assume another persons identity based on that persons appearance. It is always best to ask people
how they identify, including what pronouns they prefer, and to respect their wishes.