QUEER WORD
GAY-STRAIGHT ALLIANCE

What it means:

A Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) is a student-led or community-based organisation typically found in American middle schools, high schools, colleges, and universities.

Originally designed to create a safe space for LGBTQ+ students and their straight allies, GSAs can host a wide range of activities: activism, awareness campaigns, peer support, and social events.

Today, many GSAs have evolved into Gender and Sexuality Alliances, reflecting a broader and more inclusive understanding of queer identities.

Let's Use It In A Sentence:

Christine joined the Gay-Straight Alliance as a supportive straight ally, but two meetings and one kiss under a pride flag later... she wasn’t so sure about the straight part.

A Wee Bit of History

Although there are records of LGBTQ+ student activism from as far back as the 1970s, the first official Gay-Straight Alliance was founded in November 1988 at Concord Academy in Concord, Massachusetts.

One of its founders, Kevin Jennings, later co-founded the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN) in 1990, which helped support and spread the GSA movement across the U.S.

Another organisation, the GSA Network, was founded in 1998 to empower youth activists to create their own GSAs in schools.

Today, it’s estimated there are over 4,000 GSAs operating across the United States, although no formal national tracking exists.

So... What's My Problem With It?

Not to be a total negative nancy, because I know that Gay-Straight Alliances have done a lot of good.

But as a non-American, I find the whole concept a little... odd.

What exactly happens in these meetings?

Why would a straight student even want to join?

Do they spend the entire meeting apologising for heteronormativity while sharing cupcakes and planning a drag show?

My mild cynicism aside, research shows GSAs genuinely make schools safer:

• Lower rates of bullying and harassment

• Improved academic outcomes for LGBTQ+ students

• Increased sense of belonging and mental well-being

So even if the idea of a ‘straight ally club’ feels strange to me, the results are hard to argue with.

Is the Term 'Gay-Straight Alliance' a Little Outdated?

Oooh, I'm glad you asked!

In short: yes.

The phrase “gay-straight” can feel limiting in today’s world, where there is more understanding of queer identities that extend beyond the binary of gay and straight (or cis and non-cis).

That’s why many groups have shifted toward using Gender and Sexuality Alliance instead.

It handily keeps the familiar GSA acronym while expanding the tent to be more welcoming of everyone under the big queer umbrella.

Final Thoughts

From humble beginnings at a small Massachusetts school to thousands of groups nationwide, Gay-Straight Alliances have changed the landscape of American education.

And even if I'm still a little unclear about what exactly happens at those meetings, I'm glad they exist.

(if you can shed some insight into what happens in a typical meeting I’d LOVE to hear from you!).