Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) is unique, in my opinion, in that it is the only club of its kind in LHS. Nowhere else is there a club whose sole purpose is to inform and educate the general population about a minority group while also providing a completely safe, no-judgement place where people of the LGBT+ community can comfortably meet without the pressures, dangers, and anxiety that come with convening in public. In fact, the origins of GSA were for that very reason. There was no safe space for students at LHS; no singular club or entity to advocate for students’ rights. As club president, I can personally speak to the growth that the club has undergone over the past few years. GSA has blossomed from its safe space initial intention into a coalition for advocates to come together and work towards one common goal: promoting LHS equality for all students.

Since I have joined the club, we have worked tirelessly to educate and reach as many people as possible in order to make LHS and the Lynbrook community as a whole a better place for LGBTQ students and students in general. Just two years ago, the GSA organized and hosted an LGBT 101 panel, during which we opened up the floor to community members to talk about their questions and concerns.

For the past three years, the GSA has been presenting in Health classes about what identity really means and how it relates to all students, not just those that are LGBTQ. Currently, we are trying to expand our in-class presentations to the middle school seventh-grade health classes in the hopes of conveying a message of tolerance and acceptance before students enter the high school. Big things are happening for the club, and we hope to expand and grow in the coming years.

Feel free to stop by a meeting, which is held every Tuesday at 3:00 p.m.