News, Uncategorized

Gay-Straight Alliances in New York’s Suburbs

In light of yesterday’s news on the new GSA in Utah, I thought I’d let you know that there is also a GSA organization right here in Westchester County and the Hudson Valley. The Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) has chapters in Yorktown, Nyack and Milton, New York.

From their website:

The Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network strives to assure that each member of every school community is valued and respected regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression.

We believe that such an atmosphere engenders a positive sense of self, which is the basis of educational achievement and personal growth. Since homophobia and heterosexism undermine a healthy school climate, we work to educate teachers, students and the public at large about the damaging effects these forces have on youth and adults alike. We recognize that forces such as racism and sexism have similarly adverse impacts on communities and we support schools in seeking to redress all such inequities.

You can’t overstate the importance of this work. You just can’t. I abhor bullies; I was always on the small side (still am) and even though I went to Catholic school (peace and love, right?), there was one jerk who had it in for me. For 2 years he made me feel like shit. Eventually, I decided he didn’t matter and he sort of went away. But it isn’t always that way. If someone is a homophobe or bigot, or they are undecided but come from a home environment that isn’t enlightened or mature, they could “go to the dark side” in the absence of any force or influence that would dissuade bigotry or intolerance.

The Hudson Valley GSLEN has been around since 1990, or well after I graduated high school. They run good programs, like no name calling week, and other anti-bullying resources, in addition, of course to fostering people to LIKE EACH OTHER.

As I have said before, benign neglect, or simply the absence of bullying or mistreatment isn’t enough. Straight people need to stick their necks out to reverse the institutional roadblocks gay folks face to make things right once and for all. GSAs are and excellent start, they are here in the New York suburbs, and that, my friends, is a very good thing.