The beginning of this year was kicked off with club rush, where some clubs were reinstated, and new ones were created, one of these clubs being the Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA).

The Gay-Straight Alliance is a safe space for LGBT+ students and their straight allies to be themselves in an inclusive environment. As the founder of the GSA, I felt as if Greenwood needed one in order to spread more awareness about the LGBT+ community. As well as educating those who are unfamiliar with the community, studies show that, “Students in schools with GSA’s are less likely to hear homophobic remarks than students in schools without a GSA.” (Glsen.org)

But of course, I was not the first to think that having a safe space for LGBT+ youth at school would be a good idea. The first GSA network (a collection of Gay-Straight Alliances)  was created in 1998 by Carolyn Laub in California. A few years later, this would expand nationwide. The GSA network goes beyond providing students with a safe place at school; the GSA network has “helped to pass 11 key laws to protect LGBT+ youth and create safer schools (gsanetwork.org).”

School is a place where we all come to learn new things, and who says that that is exclusive to the classroom? “I think that it’s important to note and inform people that the GSA isn’t just for people who are gay,” says GSA officer Dakota Williams. “It’s a place that straight allies like myself are able to come and be informed about the LGBT+ community.”

But how is the student body actually reacting to the GSA? There has been some negative feedback from the student body, such as our float getting “booed” at one of the pep rallies. However, for the most part, the feedback has been fairly positive. More than 80 people signed up for the club at club rush, and we get quite a large group of people at the meetings.

Many students and teachers agree that a GSA at Greenwood is necessary. “Especially because of where we live, it’s necessary for students to be educated and involved in diverse communities. Bowling Green is not only on the bible belt, notorious for actions against LGBT+ people, but it also houses a hugely diverse college campus. In the transition from high school to college, a lot of students experience culture shock; a GSA can help ease that shock and educate the people so that they can separate themselves from negative attitudes and beliefs,” says GSA officer Jillian Kenney.

Something that I think is very important today is to be proud of who we are. Society is finally coming to accept the idea that we aren’t all the same. We’re learning to accept differences, slowly but surely, this being reflected in our community. For example, Bowling Green had its first Pride Festival in 2017 with a drag show, live music, several booths, and even hopeful politicians were there to offer up their support.

We are learning that we have voices, and people will listen. This club allows and will allow the LGBT+ youth to unite with their allies and shut down some of the hate in the world. I hope that the GSA at Greenwood will stand to promote unification rather than segregation at Greenwood, and make it a more inclusive place for the student body.