Gay–Straight Alliances (GSAs)

Gay–Straight Alliances (GSAs) are school-based student clubs that aim to make schools safer for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (LGBTQ) youth. This entry discusses the historical context and growth of GSAs in North America, in addition to describing the characteristics of schools and communities where GSAs are typically located as well as their members. Next, the entry discusses the various roles that GSAs play in schools and for students, and it ends with a summary of how GSAs contribute to youth development and well-being.

GSA History and School and Member Characteristics

The sections below provide a brief history of GSAs, including their beginnings on the East and West Coasts of the United States, and the legal challenges encountered when students were blocked from forming or ...

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