A Cause To Call My Own

Upon entering high school, I had no clue as to where my efforts would be utilized or to what extent my personal drive would lead me to success. I felt then that I was leader without a cause, a strong spirit wandering aimlessly in search of an issue into which I could really fall.

It was my freshman year that I first heard about my school's Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) and, being that I had a few gay and bisexual friends at the time, decided to attend to see what it was all about. I quickly grew more curious about the club's objectives. Reaching out to a diversified community in which acceptance was very badly needed on all fronts, while still maintaining strong rapport within the club, were issues of top priority.

So that was it -- I had found my niche in high school. I had a found a place in which I wouldn't be judged by anything but the size of my heart and the openness of my character. It was from that point on that I recognized a way to turn my words into actions. As I moved up on the ladder of leadership, I felt more connected to the club. This is, indeed, an eccentric comparison, but I felt as though I had bred the club in a way. I feel that I was there for its birth and had watched it grow through the years.

Last year was an especially productive year for GLSEN in South Florida. The Broward County School Board turned down a partnership with GLSEN in November and the issue was brought up again in April of 2002. I worked with GLSEN conducting phone banks to interested participants throughout South Florida in order to increase awareness before the vote. A member of the school board who was in support of the partnership, Lois Wexler, came to one of our meetings to answer questions, show her support and impress upon us the importance of our involvement. This meeting attracted a motley array of supporters, and much attention throughout South Plantation High School. Before I knew it, it was time for the vote to be cast.

I wrote a speech in preparation for the event and left school early to be there the whole time. It was obvious upon entering the K.C. Wright building of downtown Fort Lauderdale that there was much opposition. Those opposing "safe schools" identified themselves with "protect our children" stickers. I felt this to be quite ironic because the partnership's main objective was to do just that: protect everyone by giving teachers and faculty the means to facilitate an end to discrimination based on sexual orientation. There were children too young to even understand the issues, walking advertisements for their parents’ ignorant beliefs, wearing those stickers. Intensity was high when the votes were cast, but in the end, the partnership was passed. As I left that evening I felt justice literally moving through my body and felt, for the first time, a part of something that would truly make a difference for generations to come. As I said, the GSA is like a child to me, and in its fourth year at South Plantation it is strong and continuing to grow. With each entering class comes new ideas, fresh inspiration and a deeper sense of connection to our never ending purpose: to spread clarity through diversity, to give the silent thoughts a voice and to maintain a strong presence in our school and throughout our community.

..................... Emily Vasile, 18 South Plantation High School- South Plantation, FL