Celebrating and Supporting Sexuality, Gender and Pride Clubs in the UGDSB
What are GSA/Pride Clubs, what do they do, and why are they important?
Gay-Straight Alliances (GSA), Gender-Sexuality Alliances (GSA) or Pride based groups are student-initiated and led clubs (supervised by a staff member) found in many UGDSB schools. These clubs aim to create safe and supportive environments for members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and others to work within allyship*. These groups address historical and current marginalization and promote advocacy with the intent of creating awareness and reducing ignorance, stereotypes, homophobia and transphobia. Each GSA/Pride Club within the UGDSB is unique based on student interest and community need.
Student-initiated and led GSA/Pride Clubs function within many UGDSB elementary schools (for grades 5 and older), as well as UGDSB secondary schools. Through Bill 13, the Accepting Schools Act, the Ministry of Education requires school boards to allow students to form groups at their school to raise awareness and understanding of important topics including gender identity and sexual orientation. Students and staff who have straight and cis-gendered** identities or family members and friends who identify as 2SLGBTQIA+ are often part of the GSA/Pride work within our schools. Working within allyship, these youth and staff can share their passion to make our schools safe for all 2SLGBTQIA+ people. Oftentimes schools have social justice or equity themed clubs that address oppression across a wide spectrum of experiences, identities and concerns (racism, poverty, ableism etc.). These groups will often celebrate, support and facilitate 2SLGBTQIA+ needs similar to those of a GSA/Pride Club.
GSA/Pride Clubs are important as they increase awareness of 2SLGBTQIA+ identities and foster safer spaces for marginalized students, families and staff. The safe space created in a GSA/Pride Club can help reduce feelings of isolation and increase self-esteem and self-worth. In addition, GSA’s/Pride Clubs are spaces of social justice action work. As a venue for student voice, students within these groups can lead information and awareness campaigns or activities supporting their school communities to be better informed about gender, sexuality and human rights. From this advocacy work, schools can continue to work towards being safe and inclusive places for all students, families and staff.
*Acting in allyship – supporting a marginalized group though not necessarily identifying as part of that marginalized group.
**Cis-gendered – a person whose gender identity and/or expression match the sex they were assigned at birth.
How does my child become involved in a GSA or Pride club?
Students are encouraged to speak to any staff member or administrator at their school about an existing club or group, or to find out more about starting a club. All schools within the UGDSB have an equity representative on staff who can provide more information and connect them with system supports. Jessica Rowden, the UGDSB’s Equity and Inclusion Lead, may also be contacted at [email protected].