If you want to support GSAs across the province, there are many ways to get involved as students, educators, parents, guardians, community members, and allies. Let’s start by acknowledging what a GSA is and why it is important for youth.
A Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA) is a student-led clubs that brings together 2SLGBTQAI+ students and their allies to create a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment within schools. GSAs provide a space for students to discuss issues related to sexual orientation and gender identity, promoting understanding and acceptance among peers. By fostering dialogue and raising awareness, GSAs play a crucial role in reducing bullying and discrimination, helping students feel safer and more connected to their school communities. They also empower 2SLGBTQAI+ students by giving them a sense of belonging and validation in an often challenging environment.
Ways to Support as a Student
Click here for some insights for students
Join or Start a GSA: Encourage students to join an existing GSA or start one in their school if it doesn’t already exist. If you have questions about how to start a GSA, feel free to reach out to us.
Be an Active Ally: Learn with your peers how to support 2SLGBTQI+ peers by listening, using inclusive language, and challenging discrimination.
Raise Awareness: Participate in organizing events like Pride celebrations, educational workshops, or awareness days for the community.
Be Respectful and Inclusive: Encourage respectful communication and inclusive behavior in both GSA meetings and in day-to-day school life.
For more you can check GSA Student Manual
How Educators Can Support GSAs
Click here for ways to support GSAs as Educators
Facilitate a GSA: Provide guidance on how teachers or school staff can sponsor or act as mentors for a GSA. You can check the GSA Handbook for Advisors and GSA Manual we’ve prepared for you. If you have any questions about facilitating a GSA, feel free to reach out to us.
Create Inclusive Curricula: Incorporate 2SLGBTQAI+ topics into lessons, promoting diverse narratives and role models. If you need ideas, you can check out the teacher/school resources, we’ve created for you. If you have any questions, you can reach out us education@youthproject.ns.ca
Protect 2SLGBTQAI+ Students: Ensure that school policies around anti-bullying and anti-harassment explicitly include protections for 2SLGBTQI+ students.
Be Visible Allies: Display rainbow flags, posters, or pins that signal support for 2SLGBTQAI+ youth.
How Families and Guardians Can Support GSAs
Click here for ways to support GSAs as a Family or Guardian
Learn and Educate: Learn about 2SLGBTQAI+ identities and issues, and how to support their children. You can check out the reading lists we’ve prepared for you.
Create an Open Environment: Encourage conversations about identity and inclusion at home, ensuring children feel safe and accepted.
Attend GSA Events: Parents and families can show solidarity by attending GSA events, Pride marches, or school-wide 2SLGBTQAI+ activities.
Advocate for GSA Inclusion: Support the establishment of GSAs in schools by advocating for inclusive school policies at school board meetings or through parent associations.
How the Broader Community Can Get Involved
As community, we can support GSAs, click here for some of the ways
Support GSA Initiatives: Community organizations and businesses can provide funding, materials, or spaces for GSA meetings and events.
Offer Expertise or Mentorship: Local 2SLGBTQAI+ organizations or professionals can offer mentorship or host workshops for GSAs.
Providing Tools and Resources: Offer downloadable guides, posters, and infographics for 2SLBTQAI+ youth and GSAs.
Amplify Their Voices: Share GSA content, initiatives, or awareness campaigns on social media and within local networks to increase visibility.
Campaign for Inclusion: Help students and allies to lobby for inclusive policies at school boards, pushing for the right to form GSAs and protection of 2SLGBTQAI+ students in all educational spaces.
Donate to Support GSAs: Financially support the work of GSAs, with clear instructions on how the funds will be used (e.g., for programming, educational materials, events).
GSA NETWORK 