What is the gay straight alliance club

They’re not just clubs; they are sites of resistance, resilience, and leadership that give young people the power to change their schools and their world.

How GSAs Work

GSAs can focus on three main areas—Gather, Support, and Action—and each club sets its own mission and goals to meet the needs of its members and their communities.

GATHER GSAs – Members connect with other trans and queer students on campus or in community spaces.

SUPPORT GSAs – Members create safe spaces to discuss challenges like discrimination, school climate, and broader societal issues.

ACTION GSAs – Members lead initiatives to improve school climate through campaigns, events, and policy change efforts.

Direct action can come in many forms: petitions, including anti-slur campaigns, days of LGBTQ+ sensitivity or awareness, teacher trainings, and lobbying sessions to let school district officials know what they need to live authentically and thrive in school.

Prepare and Turn In Any Necessary Paperwork

Make sure you follow the rules thoroughly and correctly. You can take the time to respond to your administrator's arguments against forming a GSA in the next step. Is anti-gay harassment a problem at your school? A GSA meeting is no more about sex than the homecoming dance or any other school-sponsored activity.

Young people can start or join a GSA and access resources, trainings, and community support—no school affiliation required.

Feeling inspired? Find Out Your School's Rules for Setting Up a Club

Starting a GSA is just like starting any other school club. We provide direct support to registered GSAs, TQ2S+ youth leaders and our national partners nationwide.

Frequently asked questions about GSA clubs and answers to common inquiries are available here.

Key Accomplishments

GSA Network has gained national recognition as a leader in TQ2S+ youth organizing, particularly in communities of color, with a proven track record of achieving systemic change.

Sometimes, though, administrators, parents, or other students try to stand in the way of GSAs. There is no big, evil national GSA conspiracy out there trying to get its hands on the youth of America. Do LGBT students or allies who want a safe, supportive space where they can be themselves? Besides, when a GSA becomes a point of contention in a community, it really only proves the need for the GSA to exist in the first place.

They help students navigate challenges, build leadership skills, and organize for safer, more inclusive learning environments.

GSAs are especially critical as attacks on LGBTQ+ youth intensify.

Be Able to Explain Why You Want to Start a GSA

Some of the people you have to talk to along the way may ask you why you want to start a GSA. That's not a bad question to ask yourself. Start Meeting!

Congratulations! v. Like any other club GSAs offer students with a common interest a chance to connect and give students a respite from the day-to-day grind of school.

GSAs can be virtual or in-person. GSAs are about valuing all people regardless of whether they're gay, straight, bisexual, transgender, or questioning.