Victory for Valley Stream Central HS GSA

by Jill Estes, Program Leader Coordinator Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) clubs across the country have one of the most difficult missions there could be in a high school. That mission is to promote and celebrate diversity while creating a safe school environment for LGBTQ youth. This is a huge challenge for these clubs as they are sometimes faced with misinformation, closed minds and homophobic attitudes from their peers. For over 2 years now I have been going into schools to provide support for Long Island GSA’s. In those years I have seen clubs of all different sizes with a variety of goals. One common goal that I have seen is to gain permission to have a school-wide assembly on the topic of homophobia. This is a very difficult goal to accomplish. Schools face unique challenges between student resistance, bullying, and of course scheduling. Often it doesn’t look like a realistic goal to have a school-wide assembly on many topics that need to be brought out into the open. Valley Stream Central High Schools GSA has made this goal a reality! On Thursday, April 19th I had the honor to speak for an assembly that was required for the entire 10th grade. This is absolutely ground breaking and a huge victory for Valley Stream Central High School and their GSA. Although there was some anxiety and worry about how the information would be received, we were pleasantly surprised! Many would assume that with almost 400 students in an auditorium and a speaker talking about homophobia and her own experience growing up gay that there would be some issues. Well I am proud to say that I barely needed the microphone. The students were respectful and engaged in the discussion for its entirety. After the assembly many students approached me thanking me for sharing my personal struggles and giving them hope. The faculty of Valley Stream Central High School was also very warm, welcoming and accommodating. I would like to thank the faculty, administration, the GSA and the students of Valley Stream Central High School for the amazing opportunity to speak on your stage about issues near and dear to my heart, that affects us all. What a celebration for Valley Stream Centrals GSA! Now hearing that this goal has finally been accomplished I can only hope that more schools GSA’s work on achieving this common goal of a school wide assembly on this topic. We have proven that it can be done!