GSA club seeks members

BY RINA KAMILOVA

KONK LIFE STUDENT WRITER

The LGBTQ+ community contains many individuals who accept one another and unite as a family. They generally celebrate pride, diversity, individuality, and sexuality. And yet, to this day, there are many who have not yet come out of their shells, especially when discrimination and oppression still exist. Luckily for the youth, there are clubs held in schools like GSA (Gay Straight Alliance), and this club has a presence at Key West High School (KWHS).

According to GSA Network, “A Genders & Sexualities Alliance (GSA) is a student-run club, typically in a high school or middle school, 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.”

Vice President of the KWHS GSA club Daniel Walsh states, “We provide an opportunity for young, or questioning individuals who want an opportunity to learn more about themselves, their history, and their community.”

Not only is the opportunity open for questioning for members of the LGBTQ+ community, but also for heterosexuals. If they have questions, thoughts, or merely want to support and advocate for the club and community– they are welcome as well.

“People should join GSA because it is a friendly, welcoming environment that seeks to educate and provide a safe space for anyone who needs it,” elaborates Walsh. “GSA is just a room of friendly faces, filled with people who are willing to help one another and express themselves all together.”

Although there can be negativity towards this community, the members of GSA wish to continue fighting against social problems related to derogatory terms, threats, violence, and bullies of LGBTQ+ overall. “If anything, we wish to spread compassion and love instead of war and hate,” articulates one of the GSA club members.

For students who are interested in joining, the GSA club is held every Friday during lunch in room 4-211 at the high school. If you have any questions, or if you are a community member who would like to help advocate for this cause, please contact club sponsor Mira Stauffer at [email protected], or by calling the school at (305)-293-1549.

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