Page created by: Abby Davis
The Gay Straight Alliance at W&J
I am a member of the the Gay Straight Alliance, which is more commonly known as the GSA. We are a group of students who celebrate diversity and individuals' freedom to be themselves. More specifically, the GSA is an alliance of gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, and straight students supporting and accepting each other. We never assume or question other members' sexual preference--though you don't have to keep it a secret either. One important thing to note about the GSA is that it is an alliance of both gay and straight individuals. For straight allies in the group, it is important to show support for people different from ourselves and encourage others to become allies too.
Although the Student Government Association recently approved us to become an official club in the spring of 2007, we have been working on launching the group on campus since 2005. The GSA was a student-run initiative, but it was able to gain ground with the help of our faculty adviser, Dr. Kyler. Founding student members include Jonathan Hairston, Virginia Nemchick, and me, Abby Davis.
The GSA aims to educate the W&J and Washington community about the LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning) community and tolerance for all people. In the past, the GSA has organized and run two major events to spread awareness about the issues facing the LGBTQ community: National Coming Out Day and the Day of Silence. The GSA has also collaborated with the Office of Multicultural Affairs to bring diverse activities to campus, including a recent visit by Lesbian Grandmothers from Mars, a lesbian couple from Mars, PA who got on their bicycles and rode across America to rally support for same-sex marriage.
The GSA is the perfect complement to a Gender and Women Studies minor. Many members are GWS minors, or at least, like me, have an interest in the issues of gender and sexuality. GSA is also a great organization for students of any major or minor, because acceptance and tolerance are important in today's diverse world. Plus, the GSA is a great place to meet new people and learn new things. GSA activities have included making trips to see movies, watching films on campus, playing GSA Jeopardy, going dancing in Pittsburgh, and having speakers come to campus. Most of our activities are educational, but all are fun. New faces are always welcome!
The Day of Silence
Since 2006, the W&J GSA has been celebrating the Day of Silence every April. The Day of Silence is an annual student-organized protest about the bullying and harassment of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender students and their straight allies. On the Day of Silence, we take a day long vow of silence, which echoes the silencing of LGBT students and their allies by harassment, bullying, and discrimination. During the day, we distribute "speaking cards" that explain our silence and the issue of bullying and harassment in schools.
After 12 hours of silence, we meet for a Breaking the Silence ceremony. There we discuss our frustration about not being able to talk all day and discuss the issue of discrimination in schools and the community.
In 2005 during our first Day of Silence on campus, I organized our Breaking the Silence ceremony, which consisted of viewing clips from the movie Tying the Knot and a discussion of gay marriage laws. At last year's ceremony, we met for a discussion about discrimination on campus, in the community, in schools, and even in churches. Thus far, our annual celebration of the Day of Silence has included many participators and has attempted to educate the W&J community about LGBT issues on college campuses.
Interview with the President of GSA
Based on an interview with Jonathan Hairston conducted by Abby Davis
I am the president and a founding member of the GSA. I wanted to establish a GSA on the W&J campus to create a place where all people could feel comfortable. I wanted to have a strong support system for people of alternative sexual orientation. Yet, I wanted to make a comfortable setting for everyone to be respected as individuals, and not just be classified by Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning or Straight, but be seen as people--without assumptions.
GSA is a work in progress. We're trying to build a name for ourselves. We're showing that we are here, we support one another, and we want to contribute. We organize such events as National Coming Out Day and the Day of Silence to promote knowledge and understanding on campus and off. We also open our doors to the local GSA of Washington and provide donations from Volunteer Services events to PERSAD, a mental health service focused on the LGBT community.
Thus far, my favorite GSA activity has been our Gay Jeopardy Game in celebration of National Coming Out Day. People didn't just show up to show up--nearly everyone wanted to participate. And the best thing was that my fraternity brothers and other friends showed up. They had such enthusiasm, showed genuine interest, and even some basic knowledge of what was being asked.
We have been working hard to provide a safe and comfortable place to just be oneself, no matter what sexual orientation you are. We are all people and we'd like to share in the wonderful experiences that life and the W&J campus has to offer.
Where to Start
- Contact the GSA adviser, Dr. Kyler
- Join the GSA list serve by contacting Dr. Kyler
- Keep your eyes open for upcoming GSA events.
- Come to a meeting!
- Join the Facebook GSA
External Links
Gay-Straight Alliance
