Gay middle schools

Findings show that LGBTQ middle school students often face more hostile school climates than their high school peers, yet have access to fewer supportive resources in school. One way schools can combat these attacks is to host a Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA). High schools across the country have answered the challenge to provide safe and supportive spaces for children.

Slower to move, however, are middle schools. Many middle school GSAs work toward improving the school environment by working on projects or running campaigns such as GLSEN’s Day of Silence, No Name-Calling Week, and Ally Week, or by hosting school assemblies to discuss LGBTQ+ student experiences and celebrate LGBTQ+ pride. Here are some of the numbers and key findings about school safety, verbal and physical harassment, and support in schools based on the report.

GSAs have evolved beyond their traditional role to serve as safe spaces for LGBTQ+ youth in middle schools and high schools, and have emerged as vehicles for deep social change related to racial, gender, and educational justice. As teachers, counselors, and administrators, we hear the words of bullies reported, comfort the bruises of victims, and see the bigger picture of prejudice that spans from classroom to soccer field to hallway.

High schools across the country have answered the challenge to provide safe and supportive spaces for children. Slower to move, however, are middle schools. That spans upper elementary school into high school, with the majority being the middle school years. The Trevor Project reports several troubling statistics. The good news is that research shows that GSAs at the middle school level can benefit school climate and individual social and emotional health for all students.

Bullying, after all, occurs across all lines and a GSA is about building advocacy in all allies. First off, know your facts. Also know that you are in good company. Understand how a GSA is different from other clubs or organizations.

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GSAs are run by students, not by adults. Therefore, while a teacher offers a safe space for meetings and conversations, the activities and decisions must come from the student members themselves. The students drive the conversations, events, and meeting agendas. An adult is vital, however, to provide the students a routine place to meet, to teach them how to schedule events on the school calendar, and to provide informed outreach to the rest of the staff.

Know your role as a protector of privacy. Learning more about privacy issues is key when becoming a sponsor of a GSA. Make sure the school understands that student privacy is paramount. When the GSA was first launched at the middle school where I teach, we had students who had already identified, but we also had students who were siblings of identified students.

We had students who were questioning, and students who were merely curious about the club. Students are entitled to privacy as they decide how to be a member or ally. Guide students to write a mission statement. While students run the show, they might need help in basic communication practices. Guide them in creating a mission statement. Help GSA student leaders learn how to establish group norms and bring a meeting to a consensus.

Utilize the high school GSA for mentorship and advice. Create an articulated program where students from the high school program can help those in the younger program. Order a Safe Space kit and let your students know that yours is a room with both their heart and head in mind.