1. Fundraisers/Events
Fundraisers for charities:
We will be organizing fundraisers through out the school year for such charities as "AIDS Housing Coalition Houston," "Project Transitions" and other organizations that help out gays and lesbians that are struggling in life, whether because of disease or abuse from others.
NOTE: If we reach a certain money goal or exceed it, we will have a pizza party or other reward for group
Events:
We will also be planning many fun and important events, such as the Day of Silence.
-Day of Silence (Day in which participants are given index cards with the purpose of the "day of silence" written on it to show people. The purpose is to remain silent to everyone for one complete school day, representing the silence many gay/lesbian people are forced into due to homophobia in society)
Have movie nights in which we show gay related movie(s) at a volunteer group member's home
2. Discuss
A big part of the GSA is discussing issues that effect both gay and straight people...
1. Issues in the gay
community/gay culture
(AIDS, gay bashing, gay marriage/adoption/gay people in the military)
2. Misconceptions of gay
people/awareness
(Sex/relationships, religion, how someone "becomes" gay)
3. Coming out
(Tips on coming out/dealing with criticism, coming out stories, opinions on it)
4. Writing exercises:
"Question of the Week" written on the board for group to answer and
discuss as a group
Example:
"What does being gay mean to you?"
5. Media
I will bring in gay related books and magazines and we will discuss them as a
group
(other members may bring in such things as well)
6. Current events
Group members can bring in news articles that relate to the gay community and
we can discuss them as a group
Other things we will be doing..
Role playing between members
(This is where two members from the group act out a scene, such as a child
coming out to his/her parent)
Mission Statement:
Our mission as the Gay-Straight Alliance is to unite both gay and straight youth and promote respect and understanding of homosexual students. Our goal is to break the barriers that hatred and misconceptions set for students inside and outside of school. Everyone in this school should feel safe and secure, and part of reaching that goal is our plan to educate each other and learn from each other's thoughts, ideas, and experiences. We seek to reach out to those in need. Whether you are gay, straight, bisexual, lesbian, transgender, or questioning, this group is meant to build an environment of safety and understanding here at Anderson High School.
Guidelines & Rules
1. The Gay-Straight Alliance is a place of equal respect and provides strict confidentiality for all who choose to participate in the GSA; no one's sexual orientation or anything else regarding matters of privacy will be required to be revealed at any time. Every debate and discussion will be conducted in a respectful and civil manner.
2. Food and drinks are allowed and will be served at meetings as long as all members are responsible with throwing away their trash at the end of each meeting.
3. While everyone that chooses to
attend GSA meetings is allowed to strictly observe, we encourage members to
participate in group discussions and GSA events. We also encourage everyone who
chooses to attend GSA meetings to attend as regularly as possible.
Thanks, GSA Staff