Feb 20, 2015
GSA Day for Racial Justice is here! Today, as a young queer black activist, Jhane is drawing inspiration from Assata Shakur.
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GSA Day for Racial Justice is here! Today, as a young queer black activist, Jhane is drawing inspiration from Assata Shakur.
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Starting a Gay Straight Alliance is a really positive thing you can do at your school to help make it safer and reduce the risk of suicide. GSAs help make their schools safer for all students. Join us and GSA Network in celebrating #GSADay to recognize these students and all who support them.
Posted this on Facebook because I hate most of those ignorant little twats.
Today is National Gay-Straight Alliance day. Although I'm going to try and make this short, it probably won't be. It shouldn't be a huge deal if someone isn't straight. Why does it matter to you? You aren't them. If you're friends with someone and they come out, fine. Why do you need to suddenly throw away everything and say 'Whoa now. You're gay can't be friends with you.' Seriously? It shouldn't affect how you see them. They are the same person they were before. But no. People disagree with the person they are and have to break them down. Sometimes enough until they kill themselves. So, do you really want to be why someone kills themselves? All because you didn't like the idea that they weren't straight? Because if you do, you deserve to fall in a very deep ditch. I'm not afraid to say I support Gay rights and I'm 100% straight. I love all my friends and want them to love whoever the hell they want to. Why wouldn't you? GSA was created to help provide a safe environment, be there for people who need someone because people don't accept them anymore, and spread awareness. In the future I hope people look back and think, "Why was it such a big deal to begin with?" and that everyone can just be allowed to love who they want.
When I was growing up in the late 80's/early 90's, there were no openly LGBTQ characters on TV. There were barely any LGBTQ books for youth I could find at the library. There were certainly no gay cartoon characters (well, not openly gay). I went to Catholic school where anyone different was openly shunned. I remember a lesson we had during religion class that mentioned gay people. In our books there was one line that dealt with homosexuality, and all it said was that it was a sin. I started realizing what my feelings for other guys in my class meant, and I felt scared. I felt alone, lost, and craving acceptance and understanding.
I didn't really start to accept myself until I started finding other youth in forums and listservs dedicated to supporting LGBTQ youth. Those were the first GSAs - anonymous spaces where we could feel safe to bare our souls to each other and find camaraderie in our hardships. Without them, I know that I would've taken my own life...
I'm so amazed at the world we live in today: There are gay characters on TV - hell, a gay TV network! There are LGBTQ comic book characters. And even an openly gay cartoon character in "ParaNorman." The situation for LGBTQ people has improved significantly, but there's still much that needs to be done. Youth are still feeling isolated because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Young people still feel like there's nowhere to turn - not parents or even friends.
That's why GSAs are still important. They give youth the same space I had, to be with other youth going through similar issues, finding understanding through our shared oppression. Now, I'm not saying all GSAs are effective at supporting LGBTQ youth or that the LGBTQ community is all smiles and rainbows. LGBTQ youth can still be isolated within the groups that are meant to be safe spaces for them. But, at least it gives them a chance to have a place that is theirs, where they don't have to hide or pretend. And most importantly, it sends a message to others that LGBTQ youth are valued and that they exist.
Hats off to all the volunteers, advisors, teachers, and administrators who work to support LGBTQ youth across the country. And THANK YOU to the brave students who fight for the chance to have that space and to keep them open in the light of further conservative scrutiny.
You're saving lives, whether you realize it or not.