Culture

GSA: Your Questions Answered

Published 6 years ago GSA6y ago • Bookmarks: 35 • Comments: 11317

FAQ about the GSA

1. What is the GSA?

The GSA Network, or the Gay Straight Alliance Network, is a series of student-run GSA groups aimed to promote visibility, understanding, and acceptance within school communities. Our GSA focuses on creating a safe space (a place where one is free from physical, mental, or emotional harm including discrimination and able to express themselves the way they want without judgement) for LGBT+ members and allies within AISG.

2. What do you do?

The GSA holds events such as Lunch and Learns, the “Day of Silence” and various fundraisers to educate and raise awareness of LGBT+ issues within AISG. Our meetings are places where people of all sexualities and genders can come together to share ideas and be accepted by those around them—members of the GSA maintain a policy to treat all people equally and with respect regardless of gender or sexuality. During meetings we plan events, research and share information about the LGBT+ community, and develop ways to create a friendlier environment for LGBT+ students within AISG by spreading awareness and preventing misinformation.

The Lunch and Learn is an event where guest speakers who are part of the LGBT+ community come and tell their stories and experiences to the AISG community. Our next Lunch and Learn will likely be on March 13^th. Be on the lookout for posters going up around the school and for additional information in your email inbox.

The “Day of Silence” (April 12) is an event where members of the school community take a vow of silence to recognize the erasure of LGBT+ voices in society.

We also held a movie night on February 15th. We showed an LGBT+ movie (Love, Simon) free of charge. All of the aforementioned events (Lunch and Learn, Day of Silence) are free to join and participate in.

3. Why is there a GSA at AISG?

There is a GSA at AISG because it is important to ensure that everyone (such as the LGBT+ community) has a safe and accepting school environment. No one should feel oppressed, stigmatized, or discriminated against at any place or time.

4. Who can join the GSA?

Anyone who wants to support or learn more about the LGBT+ community.

5. Where does your money go? What do you use your fundraised money for?

We use it to invite guest speakers for Lunch and Learn events and we are looking for local LGBT+ organizations to support and donate to.

6. How can I join the GSA?

GSA meets every Wednesday lunch and Friday after school at Ms. Partee’s room (326). Feel free to show up during one of our meeting times or contact one of our teacher or student coordinators:

Ms. Partee (apartee@aisgz.org)
Ms. Lindsey (jlindsay@aisgz.org)
Nick (08gennuson@aisgz.org)
Zoe (08chengz@aisgz.org)
Leo (08bauerl@aisgz.org)

7. Why join GSA?

You can join the GSA to show your support to the LGBT+ community and to your fellow LGBT+ students; to have your ideas heard and to be part of a safe and accepting community.

8. Is GSA politically aligned (e.g. to the left)? Shouldn’t AISG have groups spanning the entire political spectrum?

While movements for LGBT+ rights and equality are often associated with left-wing and liberal politics, especially nowadays, the LGBT+ movement itself is predominantly a social movement which is not politically aligned in any way. Historically, there have been LGBT+ movements spanning all sides of the political spectrum. Conservative LGBT+ advocacy groups, including GOProud in America and LGBTory in Great Britain, are often neglected by the media, thus creating the false impression that the LGBT+ movement is wholly partisan.

FAQ About the LGBT+ Community

1. What is pansexuality? How is it different from bisexuality?

A pansexual person is someone who experiences attraction to a person regardless of their gender, biological sex, or gender identity. On the other hand, bisexual people experience attraction to people of both genders (i.e. men and women).

2. Are there more than 2 genders?

While the term “gender” is usually used to refer to two sexes (male and female), it can also be used to encompass a range of identities that do not align with the traditional definitions of “male” and “female”.

3. What is the difference between gender and biological sex?

Biological sex is the anatomical classification of sex based on the reproductive organs one is born with. However, gender is defined by the structure of one’s brain; for example, transgender people will have a brain structure more congruent to the gender opposite of the sex that they were born with. Gender can differ or be the same as the sex that one was born with.

For example, a cisgender person’s gender is the same as their biological sex, while a transgender person’s gender differs from their biological sex.

4. Is being LGBT+ a choice?

Sexuality and gender are not choices, mindsets, preferences, or lifestyles. Sexuality and gender depend on both biology and culture (though no amount of either by itself could solely determine one’s sexuality). People aren’t born gay or straight, nor do they get to choose whether they are gay or straight—rather, it develops during early childhood, when children are introduced to gender roles in society, as noted by Jesse Bering for the Scientific American and Alia E. Dastagir for USA Today.

5. How can I help as an ally?

An “ally” is someone who is not part of the LGBT+ community (i.e. heterosexual and cisgender) but supports the LGBT+ community and LGBT+ related movements, rallying against homophobia, biphobia, transphobia, etc.

An ally can help by being supportive, respectful, and by learning as much as possible about the LGBT+ community.

6. How does someone know for sure that they’re gay/bi/trans etc.?

People often don’t know at first. There’s no definitive answer to this question because the process can be different for everyone. Some people are able to know right away while others take time to experiment and accept themselves.

7. How can someone who is part of the LGBT+ community get support?

Find people who you can trust and look for information and support within your immediate community and online. The members of GSA are always open to help.

Here are some good websites and hotlines for more information or additional assistance: