Junior Co-President Autumn McArthur was initially inspired to create the Gay-Straight Alliance after Taylor High School implemented the organization last year. After recruiting English teacher Marcia Simmons as the sponsor and junior co-President Kendall McElhaney, the club took off with their first meeting on Oct. 17.
“It’s a way to educate people, and it’s a way to educate ourselves about the world around us and the people we are sharing it with,” McArthur said. “Even if you’re not all that comfortable with it, people can come to the meetings and learn a little bit more about us.”
With recent student suicides around the country, Mcelhaney believes the Gay-Straight Alliance is necessary to provide students with an outlet to express themselves and establish support systems.
“Whether you’re gay or straight, you’re still a human being, and you deserve to have someone to be there for you when you have problems,” McElhaney said. “So if you have two people who are outspoken about the issue, it may make people more confident and more accepting of themselves, and that’s all we’re about acceptance.”
At the first meeting there was a “surprisingly high” turnout of 45 students and wide ranging support from teachers, particularly chemistry teacher Kristen Haase-Alvy, physics teacher Shawn Richard and Spanish teacher Rene Garcia. Additionally the co-presidents received an accommodating response from administration and Assistant Principal David Calfee throughout the process of creating the Gay-Straight Alliance.
“I’m so proud of our staff and I’m really happy that we have so many people behind us asking for posters and stickers and asking to be a part of this,” McArthur said. “It warms my heart that so many adults are willing to stand up for us.”
With their initial success, the co-presidents are optimistic about the future of their organization and hope to spread the notion of acceptance in regards to sexual orientation, race, religion and gender.
“I’m proud to sponsor any organization that kids are passionate about and makes kids feel good about themselves,” Simmons said.
Meetings begin with snacks, drinks and socializing. Members also participate in icebreakers to unify the group, during which students are given the chance to speak their mind and break out of their comfort zone.
“Every meeting has a theme and are centered on goals we want to spread around the school and the community, such as acceptance, support, confidence and loving yourself,” McElhaney said.
For example, the meeting on Oct. 31 will focus on the concept of identity and how it extends beyond an individual’s name or activities to encompass a greater purpose.
“The primary goal is acceptance, and they want to provide a safe place for kids,” Simmons said. “That sounded to me like a pretty good organization, and whatever else they want to do on top of that they come to me and we talk about it.”
Although McElhaney expects backlash from students who are opposed to the establishment of the Gay-Straight Alliance, she also feels responsibility to ensure that those who criticize the club recognize how the organization’s real purpose.
“I hope that at one point, even if they’re opposed to it, they will think about coming to a meeting and see people being people together and having a good time,” McArthur said. “Maybe it will open their minds and see life and people in a different way.”
