Back-To-School Voices: Kaily, West Jordan, UT

Kaily

Student, West Jordan, UT

I am proud to say that I am doing my part to help make my school become a safer and more comfortable place. I fought alongside 4 others to get a GSA in my school. It was a tough battle but we got it! Just the other day was a real eye opener for me. It's Rush Week at school so all of the clubs are out shaking their tail feathers, including our glittery GSA table. When I witnessed a group of fellow students standing close by laughing and making jokes about "the gay club," I walked over to them and handed them all lollipops, which we were passing out to everyone, and let them know it's people like them that give us reasons to start clubs like ours. As I walked away I was hugged by a stranger. While still in this embrace he told me the story of how his older brother attempted suicide twice because of the bullying he faced being gay in our school. My eyes got misty. He then began taking pictures of our booth to show his brother and signed up for the club. He then hugged me again and thanked me for standing up for the cause. I will never forget that moment. Ever. Resources to help get you back to school: 2011 National School Climate Survey Executive Summary - learn stats, facts, and recommendations for our current school climate from our latest research report Jump Start Guide for GSAs - everything you need to start and run a successful gay-straight alliance Top 10 Things To Do With Your GSA - A video + resource list so that your GSA never runs out of ideas Ally Week - celebrate being an ally for LGBT youth & learn how you can become an ally