Gay-Straight Alliance seeks to increase student awareness

At first glance, Sydnee O’Loughlin looks like a typical high school girl; she is tall, she is pretty, and she exudes confidence. There is just one trait that separates her from your average miniskirt-lipstick-as-seen-on-TV high school student, however.

Unlike these walking stereotypes, O’Loughlin is a lesbian.

The charismatic eleventh-grader heads the current manifestation of Summit’s Gay-Straight Alliance, more commonly known as the GSA.

Summit’s GSA chapter was founded in 2004.  It ran on and off for several years, until O’Loughlin restarted it to become what it is today: an organized and legitimate club.

A popular misconception is that the GSA is only for the gay community.  That is entirely untrue: many, many times have there been announcements about meetings, pointing out that “all are welcome.”  It is not only a place for LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) students, but for their straight allies as well.

At meetings, the group of approximately 15 students make posters, discuss topics like gender stereotypes and plan fund-raisers. They create posters and flyers to put up and distribute in the commons.  Posters they have created have been for Transgender Remembrance Month, along with several smaller posters examining gender stereotypes. 

In the near future the group plans to crochet rainbow headbands and scarves to sell as a fund-raiser.  

The group also conducts fund-raisers beyond our school walls. The entire Bend GSA community plans to raise money via their “online mall.”

“If you are an online shopper, please support the Bend Community Gay-Straight Alliance by doing all your shopping through our online mall,” said O’Loughlin. “Thousands of stores can be accessed and a percentage of the money you spend at these stores will automatically be donated to our GSA.”

All the proceeds from the items sold will go to community sponsored events like “Queer Prom” and “Night of Noise.”

Queer Prom occurs around the country as an option for individuals who may not have had a “typical” prom experience because of homophobia in high school.  Although mainly directed at the LGBT community, Queer Prom is generally welcome to students of all sexual orientations.

 Night of Noise refers to rally on the evening of April 17, following the “Day of Silence.”  Observed by LGBT students and allies, it aims to call attention to homophobic harassment and bullying in schools. Also, “Day of Silence participants encourage schools to implement proven solutions to address anti-LGBT name-calling, bullying and harassment,” according to the official website.

GSA members also hope use fund-raising money to attend the Portland Pride festival in 2010, which according to the official website is “[a celebration of] positive diversity of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and queer communities.”

The GSA’s mission of equality in schools is not without obstacles.  At the fall sports banquet, the poster in the commons promoting National Transgender Awareness Month caused some hubbub among parents.  “[Parents] saw the GSA and Transgender Awareness signs,” said O’Loughlin, “and said they’re going to try and disband [the GSA].”

“I think [trying to close down the GSA] is ridiculous…it’s not like we’re a cult,” said freshman Sami Sillas.

In the end, the GSA’s main goal is to simply increase awareness about the often misunderstood LGBT community. “Gender is not binary,” said O’Loughlin at a recent meeting. “People shouldn’t have to be stereotypically male or female. There are lots of things in between.”