Our Middle School Gender-Sexuality Alliance (GSA) started in the Spring of 2019 with 13 6th-8th students in attendance. Since that time, attendance has continued to grow. Monthly meetings give students a safe space and community to discuss the issues that are most important to them. Student-developed norms emphasize respect and support in and outside of club meetings.
The statistics on increased bullying, depression, school absenteeism, and lower GPAs in members of LGBTQ+ community are well documented in many research studies.
“According to GLSEN, LGBTQ students who attend schools with anti-bullying or antidiscrimination policies that include sexual orientation and gender identity experience less anti-LGBT victimization than LGBT youth at schools without those protections. Heightened exposure to bullying and harassment by sexual and gender minority youth is associated with increased risk of absenteeism, lower GPAs, school discipline and decreased rates of college or other post-high school plans. It is also associated with increased odds of negative health outcomes and risky behaviors, such as lower self-esteem, higher levels of depression, and increased alcohol consumption, cigarette smoking, marijuana use, and use of other illicit drugs. A 2014 Williams Institute report found that over half of transgender adults who experienced harassment or bullying in school reported lifetime suicide attempts.
The AMS GSA is essential to helping students reach their fullest academic and social-emotional potential. Being able to provide snacks and motivational activities at monthly meetings strengthens our community and gives students the connections they need to feel safe and successful during their school day.
About my class
Our Middle School Gender-Sexuality Alliance (GSA) started in the Spring of 2019 with 13 6th-8th students in attendance. Since that time, attendance has continued to grow. Monthly meetings give students a safe space and community to discuss the issues that are most important to them. Student-developed norms emphasize respect and support in and outside of club meetings.
The statistics on increased bullying, depression, school absenteeism, and lower GPAs in members of LGBTQ+ community are well documented in many research studies.
“According to GLSEN, LGBTQ students who attend schools with anti-bullying or antidiscrimination policies that include sexual orientation and gender identity experience less anti-LGBT victimization than LGBT youth at schools without those protections. Heightened exposure to bullying and harassment by sexual and gender minority youth is associated with increased risk of absenteeism, lower GPAs, school discipline and decreased rates of college or other post-high school plans. It is also associated with increased odds of negative health outcomes and risky behaviors, such as lower self-esteem, higher levels of depression, and increased alcohol consumption, cigarette smoking, marijuana use, and use of other illicit drugs. A 2014 Williams Institute report found that over half of transgender adults who experienced harassment or bullying in school reported lifetime suicide attempts.
The AMS GSA is essential to helping students reach their fullest academic and social-emotional potential. Being able to provide snacks and motivational activities at monthly meetings strengthens our community and gives students the connections they need to feel safe and successful during their school day.
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