GSA-Building

Here are some ideas I put together (dated September 6, 1999) to help jumpstart discussion & brainstorming:

GLBT Safety at School Committee? Staff only

 * Form a committee of teachers, counselors, and administrators to discuss how to provide a safe, non-threatening environment for GLBT students in classrooms and around campus; GLBT athletes should also feel safe and welcomed competing in all sports.
 * Make the “teacher” group a vehicle for discussion, training and information on GLBT-specific issues.
 * Pass out an “interest” form to staff and provide a copy to Principal’s office. See about building a consensus of having GLBT issues in-service.
 * There is a GLSEN/ACLU FAQ brochure about GLBT Protection Policies: email to Kate Frankfurt—GLSEN Director of Advocacy: kfrankfurt@glsen.org

Days of Diversity/Days of Awareness

 * Start planning special day(s)/week for diversity awareness on-campus ASAP—bring many groups to the table: racial discrimination, GLBT sensitivity, religious (Christian/agnostic/atheist/alternative), disabilities.
 * Get other student groups involved: African-American Club, Spanish Culture Club, Asian-American Club, FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) and Youth Alive.
 * How about school/student safety committee composed of teachers, staff, counselors with a focus on racial, gender, and sexual orientation issues being discussed? Outside speakers? (Dr. Storm? PFLG?) Pass out the GLSEN Survey?

Student Group Activities/Issues

 * Make sure that the student group is “student” driven—not a sounding board for teachers/staff. Limit the number of adults that can be present.
 * How about a “Back to School” or “Have a Safe & Proud Year” party/get-together? At a home or pizza or coffee shop? Show some movies?
 * Have a student write a “Letter to the Editor” to the school paper describing club.
 * Student group with a banner/flag can march in the OUToberFest and AIDS Memorial events (Dec. 1st—World AIDS Day).
 * How about a showing of: “The Life and Times of Harvey Milk” at a meeting after school? Or “The Celluloid Closet”? (rating??)
 * Write/email to The Names Project about getting some panels for display at school for World AIDS Day (Dec. 1). Make sure that panels can be displayed in a secure manner: behind glass, lock and key, no access.
 * Get approval from all parties and read the names of people with AIDS—friends, family, teachers, well known people.

CDO GSA Specific Ideas

 * How about a picnic at Dennis Weaver Park—food, frisbees, games? After school some day?
 * Make flyers and get approval from administrator and post on wooden kiosks--replace when torn down
 * place in teacher mail boxes and ask them to post in classroom
 * post in Counseling, Library, MPR, and Faculty lounges
 * Stress that “One in Ten of Us is Gay!” “everyone is welcome!”
 * Meeting times, what the group does and what meetings are like.