Gay Straight Alliance: Pride in Our Community

Sophie Morais and Elly Atwood collaborated to write this article.

The Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) is a new community service group at AISG created by sophomores Katie Bauer and Zoe Cheng with junior Maria Elena Little Endara. The teachers in charge of this new Community Service are Ms. Julie Lindsay and Ms. Alexis Partee. The group is an internationally known organization, which strives to raise awareness of the LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and more) community.

Our name is the American International School of Guangzhou. In the words of our high school principal, Kerry Timmerman, “we believe that students, parents, and teachers must be partners in the learning process and share in a vision of excellence for each student.” As an international school, it is our responsibility to not only accept people from different countries and religions, but to accept everyone regardless of who they are.

This group is an all-inclusive community service, which welcomes everyone and does not discriminate based on one’s sexual orientation, gender, race, or religion. This community service group within our school has created four major “norms”, which establish the expected behavior within the group. These norms include confidentiality, respect, equality, and participation.  In this group, anyone is accepted and it is a safe space to speak your mind and express who you truly are. In Maria Elena Little Endara’s words, “We want to spread kindness and make everyone feel loved.”

The GSA has many events and ideas planned for this year, including a water balloon fight at Family Fun Day (don’t forget to bring an extra set of clothes to participate in the fun!) and, possibly, a pride parade. They also are looking into petitioning for a gender-neutral bathroom, so all may feel safe and comfortable in our school. Not only does this group plan to spread love and accept everyone that may enter the school, but they also hope that this organization will encourage people to stand up for what they believe in and fight for it.

If you are interested in joining, or just want to stop by to get a sneak peek into the fun, come by on Wednesdays at lunch, or Fridays after school in Mr. Sinclair’s room (319).

This article is based on ideas from the High School Handbook, Maria Elena Little Endara and the GSANetwork website.