What is a GSA?

A Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) is a student-run club, typically in a high school or middle school, which provides a safe place for students to meet, support each other, talk about issues related to sexual orientation and gender identity and expression, and work to end homophobia and transphobia.

There are three typical functions of a GSA club: Support, Social, and Activist.

GSAs Provide Support

Many GSAs function as a support group and provide safety and confidentiality to students who are struggling with their identity as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, or questioning or those who are experiencing harassment at school because of their actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity or expression. These groups often provide one of the few safe spaces for students to express themselves.

“GSAs often start as a support group for one or two students who are questioning or have just come out. That doesn’t mean they will always be support groups. The first year, my GSA was mainly a support group for me and several other students, and by the end of my junior year, we were confident enough that our GSA was doing a lot of activism and education.”

       -- Geoffrey Winder, GSA Network Alumni

GSAs Build Community

GSAs are also social groups. They provide a sense of community and a space for LGBTQ and straight ally youth to build a social network where their identity is respected. Lots of GSAs organize barbeques or movie nights, organize field trips to a local LGBT prom or an LGBT pride parade, and attend conferences together. GSAs are a great way to build community at your school and lessen the isolation that LGBTQ students might otherwise experience.

"GSA clubs are important because they give students in need of a community a place where they can feel as though they are accepted and surrounded by people like them. In the GSA, they can speak their mind, express their sentiments, and let people know how they feel."

       -- Jason Galisatus, 11th grade, Aragon High School, San Mateo

GSAs Take Action to Create Change

In addition to support, some GSAs work on educating themselves and the broader school community about sexual orientation and gender identity issues. They may bring in outside speakers to cover a particular topic such as LGBTQ history. They may organize a "Pride Week" or "LGBTQ Awareness Events" and offer a series of educational workshops, panels, and pride celebrations. Some GSAs organize a "Teach the Teachers" staff development day, which focuses on teaching school staff how to be better allies for LGBTQ students. There are many other types of educational and activist events that GSAs can do. Check out the Change Your School section to take action.

"Having a GSA allows students to feel like they are a part of something bigger than themselves. Whether this manifests in building a community of support, fighting for your own rights, or the rights of others, a GSA can harness the power of individuals and turn it into a force with which to create change."

       -- Lauren Phipps, 11th grade, Marin Academy, San Rafael

Start a GSA

Here are the first 3 steps for starting a GSA!

1. Follow Guidelines:
   Establish a GSA the same way you would establish any other group or club. Look in your Student Handbook for the rules at your school. This may include getting permission from an administrator, finding an advisor, or writing a constitution.
2. Find a Faculty Advisor:
   Find a teacher or staff member whom you think would be supportive or who has already shown themselves to be an ally around sexual orientation issues. It could be a teacher, counselor, nurse, or librarian.
3. Inform the Administration of Your Plans:
   Tell administrators what you are doing right away. It can be very helpful to have an administrator on your side. They can work as liaisons on your behalf with other teachers, parent groups, community members, and the school board. If an administrator is resistant to the GSA, let them know that forming a GSA club is protected under the Federal Equal Access Act. Visit Legal Resources for more information, including a Q&A Guide for School Administrators.

Read 10 Steps for Starting a GSA to learn everything you need to know to finish establishing your club.

Remember, if your GSA is at a public school, your GSA has Legal Rights. If you are in California, you have additional protection under the law AB 537.

"My GSA has created one of the most important things of all: Community. It has brought together students of all different ethnicities, religions, cliques, grades, sexual orientations, and gender identities. It has also created a safe zone for students in which students can share their struggles and feel safe to do so, as well as receive the support and resources they need. My GSA also provides a sense of identity for its members, a place of belonging, and membership."

       -- Isobel Murrillo, 12th grade, Pete Knight High School, Palmdale

What’s Next?

• Register Your GSA with GSA Network. Then learn how to Run a GSA.
• If you're in another state, join the National GSA Movement! You can also visit our National Directory to find or start a GSA Network in your state!
• Sign up for an event or request a site visit or training at your school.
• Contact us if your club needs assistance. GSA Network staff members are dedicated to youth activism and leadership development. Many of us were GSA organizers when we were in high school! Meet our staff.