GSAs, short for Genders & Sexualities Alliances, are student-run organizations for LGBTQ+, questioning, and allied youth to build community and create a safe and brave space. Many youth discuss the issues impacting them in their schools and communities which have caused GSAs to evolve into vehicles for change.

The importance of a GSA in a school has been researched around the world and all results show the positive effects on students health and safety. Harassment and bullying is high among youth and having access to a GSA offers youth a safe space to share their experiences and find support.

Many GSAs focus on three pillars; Social, Support, and Direct Action. Every GSA reflects the environment, school climate, community climate, and the needs of the students accessing the club.

While meeting regularly provides a huge part to the social and support aspects of the club many students have used the club to push for anti-bias trainings for teachers and staff, spoken to their school board on their needs and barriers, and promote and support days of LGBTQ+ awareness during the school year and at school gatherings.

Join a GSA in your area or Start a GSA in your school!

Supporting Your GSA - A GLSEN Webinar for Educators

As GLSEN was founded by a group of teachers in 1990, we knew that educators play key roles in creating affirming learning environments for LGBTQ youth. But as well as activating supportive educators, we believe in centering and uplifting student-led movements, which have powered initiatives like the Day of Silence, Ally Week, and more.

Search for a GSA

Currently we are only listing active GSAs in rural Colorado.
If you would like to list your school please contact hello@goPfCA.com.

Enter your school, city, or county in Colorado for a list of GSAs.
If you do not see a GSA in your area, contact us at hello@goPfCA.com, and we can assist you in finding resources.

PfCA Rural Colorado GSA Network

Featured

Crest Academy

Chaffee High School Buena Vista GSA

Horizons Exploratory Academy

Buena Vista High School

Salida Middle School GSA

Salida High School GSA

Starting a GSA is as simple as starting any club in school. Start out by checking your School Student Handbook and find the process to start a club!

Here are 10 steps to start your own GSA!

Establish a GSA the same way you would start any other extra-curricular student led club. Look in your Student Handbook for your school’s rules regarding clubs.
Find teachers or staff who would be supportive or who have already shown themselves to be allies on LGBTQ issues.
Invite peers who are interested in building an affirming LGBTQ space. Check with existing clubs for students who might have an interest.
Let administrators know right away what you are doing. It can be very helpful to have them on your side. They can work as liaisons to teachers, parents, community members, and the school board. If an administrator opposes the GSA, provide them information about the www.glsen.org/gsa.
You may want to find a meeting place within the school that offers some level of privacy, yet is still easily accessible. Or you may decide that you want to meet in a visible space to enhance the presence of your club at your school.
There are many ways to advertise; think about other outreach strategies. Use a combination of your school bulletin, announcements, flyers or word-of mouth. Get creative through visuals that register with LGBTQ people like rainbows and trans flags.
Organize the structure of your meeting from start to finish to stay on track and get the most out of your time together. There are tons of things you can do, from discussions to inviting speakers, holding workshops, playing games, and offering food or snacks. Dozens of possible activities are described within the GLSEN Jump-Start Guide and on our website.
You may want to start with a discussion about why people feel the group is needed or important. You can also brainstorm projects that your club could do this year and topics you want to discuss at the meetings.
Creating ground rules helps to ensure that group discussions are safe, confidential, and respectful. Community agreements, such as “What is said here, stays here,” help maintain confidentiality. For suggestions, check out our Community Agreements for Clubs resource.
Develop an action plan. Brainstorm projects. Set goals for what you want to work toward. (All of these steps are covered in The GLSEN Jump-Start Guide.) If you haven’t already done so, contact GLSEN’s Education & Youth Programs Department so that you may share ideas, resources, and information. You can also look into local GSA networks in your town or city.

How to Start and Manage a GSA Tips

Inspiration for GSAs

Online GSAs and Alternate Meeting Spaces

Resources for GSAs and GSA Organizers and Sponsors

Virtual GSA in Action
As trans and queer youth looked to ways to stay connected and continue to organize in a virtual setting, we created a Virtual GSAs in Action page to support them in taking their school-based GSAs online and to continue building a sense of community.

GSA Network’s Virtual GSAs in Action Toolkit
GSA Network is extremely proud to launch Virtual GSAs In Action: Digital Organizing Toolkit–-a new resource inspired by, and designed for, trans and queer youth activists, GSA club advisors and educators, and grassroots organizations across the country.