GSA Sponsor Family Unite!

This is going to be what I wish I had three years ago. A how to guide and a place where people can ask questions and get answers. Wanting to sponsor a Gay Straight Alliance is tough in conservative areas already. Feeling like you're doing it all by yourself is worse.

You're not alone. You're doing something wonderful for kids. Some days are going to hard. So hard that you'll want to walk out and take a two hour lunch break, then decide to call your assistant and have them cancel your afternoon appointments.... Oh wait....yeah... We're teachers.

So Step One: Breathe. You're not alone. There are a lot of us. Breathing is good. Coffee too.

Step Two: Do research and Start with the Texas GSA Network. Their website is www.texasgsa.org
Contact them and update them on wanting to start the club. They'll send you a huge packet of great resources and information. They'll also send you email updates on events going on that you can forward to your students.

Step Three: Build Your Foundation. After prepping yourself with the information on the GSA Network website, research what you must do to start a club at your school. Your school may have requirements like needing a certain amount of students or approval from the administration. This is the time to talk it up with kids who would be interested in starting the club. The more students and parents you have interested, the easier it will be to start it.

If you are in a conservative area, be prepared for confusion or apprehension. Stay cool and confident knowing that the law is on your side as long as long you are in the public school system. If you are in a private school system instead of a public system there are completely different rules depending on the administration and the school board.

The worst possible answer is a rejection. However, if you get a rejection don't go around kicking and screaming that the school will be sued. I will do a few posts coming up on what to do if you receive a rejection. 

Ok. I'll save more for later but welcome to the GSA Sponsor Family!