Our local high school has been trying to organize a Gay-Straight Alliance group for several years, and somehow it always gets squelched. They’re trying again, and a vote of the school board is coming up soon (isn’t it astonishing that we require a bunch of old fuddy-duddies to approve a simple meeting of gay and straight students?). They’re holding a rally on Monday. If you’re in the neighborhood, stop on by and represent! The more people show up, the more pressure the board might feel.
Here’s a description by the students of the Morris Area High School.
As a diverse group of students with varying genders and sexualities who understand the need for an organization that educates advocates and supports the LBGT+ student body, we promote diversity and equality. We are the Morris Area High School Gay Straight Alliance (GSA). Even if our meetings seem crazy, we do get things done with our talented and energetic members. Of utmost importance is our desire to help change the culture and climate of the school to be accepting of all sexual orientations, genders and gender expression.
As you may have heard, the Morris Area High School Gay Straight Alliance has been seeking school sponsorship for several years. Finally, after much dedication from parents and support from community and organizations, the issue of the GSA’s school recognition will be on the October school board agenda to be presented to the school board members for a vote.
The GSA members are asking for the presence of supporters at a Pre-Vote Rally on Monday, October 19 at the Morris Public Library Community Room at 5:15 p.m. and/or the school board meeting at the Donnelly City Hall at 7:00 p.m. During the Rally, you will hear the experiences of current and past MAHS students, parents of GSA members, and a representative from OutFront MN, whose mission ‘is to create a state where lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people are free to be who they are, love who they love, and live without fear of violence, harassment or discrimination.’
Bracelets with the inscription MAHS GSA; COURAGE will be available at the Rally. Be sure to ask for your complimentary band to wear proudly in support of our GSA.
Thank you for your continued support of our sexually diverse and gender encompassing group.
Any atheists out there should make a special effort to attend. You realize we godless tend to make common cause with the LGBTQ community, right?
As the father of a gay son, I’ll be there in spirit. Amazing the struggles we have to go through to protect people’s rights.
People are people, no matter their sexual/gender orientation. I’d show up for support, except I’m stuck here in Chiwaukee. Yeah students, boo adminstration.
As Courage is the Catholic ex-gay organization, they probably should have given those bracelets a bit more thought.
Good for the students, and I wish them luck. I would probably qualify as a candidate for old fuddy-duddy to most teenagers, but I don’t understand why a bunch of old fuddy-duddy’s get to decide this…don’t they need to think about the budget or something really pressing…and I certainly don’t understand why they would oppose it. But I bet some of them do. Perhaps those are the old farts, as opposed to the fuddy-duddies.
@narciblog #3…. maybe with a bit of luck and pharyngulation, the Catholic ex-gay organization might be the ones who probably should have given bracelets a bit more thought.
(yeah, I know catholicism is even bigger than pharyngulism, but I can dream)
Good on the students.
And old fuddy-duddies don’t get to decide. See the ACLU for information. It’s illegal for a school to prohibit a GSA according to the federal Equal Access Act..
Forgot to add. A wonderful bit of irony is that the Equal Access Act was passed in the 80s. It was lobbied for by evangelical groups to get schools to allow bible study extracurricular groups in schools.
Is it necessary for ALL high school clubs to be approved by the School Board? Or is this a “special case”?
Best of luck!