CCA Feature: GSA

The Gender-Sexuality Alliance (GSA) is a branch of the Student Alliance for Inclusivity and Diversity, led by students with the aim of raising awareness on issues facing the LGTQ+ community, by hosting events and celebrating LGBTQ+ culture and history.

According to Avani Kalsi and Grace Xiao, who are GSA’s [Title], GSA’s mission is to “celebrate diversity and make sure that all students feel comfortable on campus” which they do by “creating and starting conversations around topics affecting sexuality and gender, and aim[ing] to educate and spread awareness of LGBTQ+ issues.” What those issues are and why they should matter to the whole CIS community are not so often discussed, so Xiao Hua caught up with Avani and Grace, as well as Roisin Knight, a Year 9 GSA member, to get their take on what the “unknown” means for GSA. They responded to Xiao Hua’s questions by email.

Xiao Hua: Could you share with us your favorite memory from GSA?

Avani and Grace: Although there’s been a lot of enjoyable memories in GSA, one in particular that stands out are the pride pin sales that we organised last year! Not only were we able to raise money for LGBT+ charities in Hong Kong, it was really fulfilling to see students showcase their support for the queer community and encourage their friends to buy pins as well. The experience of making the pins was also memorable, as the GSA members got to work together towards a common goal and bonded over the struggles of operating the pin-making machine. Roisin Knight: All my memories from the GSA are amazing! We've built a safe space for LGBTQ+ students at CIS. If I really had to choose, the Coming Out day party in the early part of this school year was amazing! We got to see students coming together to celebrate themselves and others, in a super supportive environment! Anyone could come hang out and enjoy the music, and it really proved to CIS what support and respect could do for those students who feel lost and disregarded.

XH: What are the most important issues that GSA is trying to tackle?

A&G: We are trying to tackle in-classroom discrimination that happens to especially our younger students. We need teachers to be aware of the signs of homophobic or transphobic bullying, and for them to take a stand against it. We need students to stand up against these misinformed students, and educate them on the impact of their actions. We are trying to build a safer, and more accepting community throughout all of Secondary, which will hopefully carry into the lives of our students after CIS.

XH: Why do you think GSA’s work is important to the CIS community?

A&G: The GSA does not only serve as a safe space and community for our LGBTQ+ students, but also we advocate for the equality of all groups - we are against

discrimination of any kind. Our group’s aim is for CIS to become a more diverse and inclusive community, and we intend to create more informed discussions on how these societal factors affect students as individuals, the CIS community, and society as a whole.

RK: I think the GSA's work is important to CIS because we're both educating and supporting people. We work with students and teachers in many different environments, helping them broaden their mindsets and learn to respect

XH: Are you happy with the support GSA has received from the CIS community?

A&G: The GSA leadership team and group are delighted by the extremely positive repsonse we have garnered from the CIS community, from both faculty to students. What we need now, is more members of the community to become allies, and to stick up for students who may be targeted, or stand up against bigotry.

“celebrate diversity and make sure that all students feel comfortable on

XH: Our next theme is “Into the Unknown”: what would you like the CIS community to know about LGBTQ+ issues in Hong Kong.

A&G: In regards to LGBTQ+ issues in Hong Kong, discrimination motivated by erasure and ignorance is more present in our lives; rather than flat-out maliciousness or aggression. However, even if the intention behind mistreating or dismissing queer experiences might not be entirely out of ill will, it doesn’t mean that the consequences are any less severe. Stereotypes and ignorance can quickly snowball, and create a harmful environment for LGBT+ kids to grow up in. So, even if you don’t think you know anyone who is part of the LGBT+ community(you probably do) or you don’t think that words have the same effect as actions, regardless, you’re still contributing to a culture of toxicity. By taking a ‘neutral’ perspective in situations where harm is being done, you’re indirectly taking the side of the perpetrator. So, be mindful of your words and take the time to educate yourself and understand why certain things are harmful, instead of dismissing others’ concerns.

Voices

Photography by Hannah Yuen