After school clubs offer a unique yet somewhat detached experience from the school day that precedes them. Typically more casual and individualistic, they highlight students’ particular interests and provide them a space within which to explore them. The GSA is different.

RHS’s Gay-Straight Alliance, alongside the Gender Equity Club, is singular in its objective. Rather than focusing on academic and/or artistic interests, the GSA emphasizes students’ identities and how they fit in within the framework of RHS. “We think that the club is important to the school environment,” the president of GSA, Tom Stark, explained. “It’s a space provided for those who need it.”

Their latest work has included purchasing a large batch of LGBTQ+ Safe Space stickers and distributing them to teachers who want them on their doors. 

Club members also attend the Grace Smith House’s 6th Annual Love Shouldn’t Hurt Conference on March 11th to discuss domestic violence prevention. The GSA commented on their relatively small amount of members, chalking it up to low visibility. While this may be true (re: do teachers read the announcements?), some believe the club itself carries a stigma.

“I would totally join [the GSA],” one anonymous student told me, “but it’s like, ‘Where are you going after school today, honey?’ ‘GSA.’ ‘Oh…really?’” Some parents interpret joining the club as a form of coming out. The student elaborated: “I have a friend who’s gay, but his parents don’t like gay people. If he were to join that club, what would they say to him?”

“We’re for everybody,” club adviser Mr. Welch clarified. “Although we have discussed a name change.” They previously considered merging with the Gender Equity Club to form a “Gender-Sexuality Alliance.” While this may have dismissed concerns of the club’s “one-sided” nature, members say they were happy with their process and rejected the idea.

Moreover, an article in the Smithsonian points out that the success of gay-straight alliances cannot be measured by their member count.

“In schools with GSAs the odds of suicidal thoughts were cut in half for lesbians, gays and bisexuals,” author Rose Eveleth writes. “And heterosexual boys were half as likely to attempt suicide.”

In other words, the club’s presence alone provides a source of consolation for students, gay or straight.

The responsibility to foster a safe environment in our school doesn’t just fall on the GSA; it falls on all of us as RHS students as allies. And all students should feel comfortable to join the club, regardless of their sexual orientation.

If you’re interested in joining RHS’s Gay-Straight Alliance, contact to Mr. Welch or president Tom Stark.