How to Start a GSA

Laws

WHAT THE LAW SAYS ABOUT YOUR RIGHTS TO START A GSA

“Under the Equal Access Act, if a public high school allows any non-curricular student group access to school resources, then it must provide all other non-curricular student groups--including QSAs--equal access to the school’s resources. If the school treats some non-curricular clubs differently than others, then it risks losing its federal funding.”

https://www.acluutah.org/resources/articles-position-papers/ item/519-students-right-to-form-queer-straight-alliances

HB0236 modifies the State System of Public Education Code’s regulation of curricular and noncurricular clubs.

https://le.utah.gov/~2007/bills/hbillenr/hb0236.htm

“The Utah State Board of Education desires each student in Utah public schools to receive a high quality education free from all manner of discrimination, which can take the form of bullying, based on religion, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, and gender identity.”

https://www.equalityutah.org/newsroom/item/243-letter-fromthe-utah-state-board-of-education

Best Practices

RESOURCES ON WHAT TO KEEP IN MIND AS YOU ORGANIZE YOUR GSA

GSA Advisor Handbook (2011) https://gsanetwork.org/files/resources/GSA_Advisor_ Handbook-web.pdf

Building your GSA https://gsanetwork.org/resources/building-your-gsa

10 Steps for Starting a GSA https://www.gsafewi.org/resources/for-youth-gsas/buildingyour-gsa/10-steps-for-starting-a-gay-straight-alliance/

Educator Webinar https://www.glsen.org/article/educators-support-your-gsa

Lesson Plans & Resources https://www.glsen.org/participate/student-action/gsa

GSA Roadmap https://www.liveoutloud.info/resources/lesson-plans/

Questions?

FIND MORE RESOURCES AT ENCIRCLE!

Locations

BRUCE BASTIAN & CLINT FORD ENCIRCLE HOME 91 W 200 S Provo, UT 84601

JOHN WILLIAMS ENCIRCLE HOME 331 S 600 E Salt Lake City, UT 84102