Although some would like to pretend that Southern Lehigh is always cheery, that’s not the case. Bullying happens everywhere, even at Southern Lehigh, and it can be worse for students in the LGBT community. However, Southern Lehigh’s GSA club, or Gay Straight Alliance, operates all year to ensure that we have a safe, comfortable atmosphere for all students by organizing events and activities to promote acceptance and support all our students regardless of sexual orientation.
The national GSA organization was established in 1998 in California to deal with homophobia and transphobia in the San Francisco Bay Area. Southern Lehigh’s chapter was established three years ago by senior Antonia Somlai, GSA president. She started the club because she and many other students felt that there was a very negative atmosphere regarding tolerance, especially towards the LGBT community, and many students just didn’t feel comfortable.
“I heard people throwing around insults, and it sounded like a good idea to have a safe spot in this school,” senior and GSA secretary Brooke Metzker said about why she joined the club.
GSA creates an environment of tolerance by hosting activities that educate and promote acceptance.
Pledge Week is one of the biggest events, during which students can sign up to be allies, straight people who support and accept the LGBT community. The Day of Silence is a day where allies don’t speak for a day to show how bullied members of the LGBT community feel when they have no one to turn to. A similar event is the Transgender Day of Remembrance, where students honor people who were killed due to transphobia.
These events and the increased awareness have improved tolerance at Southern Lehigh, and many of our students and teachers continue to strongly support the club.
“Personally, I believe in equality of all people, particularly under the law,” Mrs. Kate Mack, the adviser of GSA, said. “Professionally as a teacher, I feel no student should feel threatened because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.”
GSA meets after school every Monday and is always open to new members. The club also provides a safe place for anyone who needs someone to talk to.
“It’s really open; we’re like a little family,” Somlai said. “You are always going to be accepted no matter who and what you are.”
