I would love to start a Gay-Straight Alliance at my school, but I need a teacher sponsor and I just don't know where I could begin to ask. Also, I am out to all my friends but none of my family, and do you think this is a worthwhile endeavor considering that I know now is not the time to tell them (gearing up for senior year is stressful enough... I know if not now, when, but I will, I just don't want to rush it)? Would it even be worth the trouble?
2006-06-14 17:57:38 · 5 answers · asked by oldwhatshername 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender
'Preciate the support, really I do, but I'd like to know more about asking teachers to help me without getting awkward.
2006-06-14 18:09:06 · update #1
I would check out what they have on the GLSEN website, they have a whole student section with stuff about how to start a GSA
http://www.glsen.org/cgi-bin/iowa/student/student/index.html
Might be helpful.
As for asking teachers, I would try to find the most liberal one you can think of. I would look for a teacher who is 1) under 35 2) teachers something not math, computers, or science, look at music, psych, social studies, librarians, or sex ed teaches 3) if you cant think of someone, talk to your principal (or vice principal, whomever is in charge of student activities and ask for suggstions 4) and just scew up your courage and ask. Pitch it as you want to form this club to combat bullying and anti-gay harassment and give support to fellow gay students, as well as build bridges between gay and straight people. Yes, someone might turn you down. Yes they might get all uncomfortable and weird and turn you down. But you know what, thats life kiddo. People are going to turn you down, people are going to treat you like a freak because you are gay, some people are going to be down right bitchy about it. But that is exactly why you need a GSA - because it is rough to be gay. If you cave now, you'll spend the rest of your life feeling like a dumbshit for not just going through with it. Some rejection from a teacher who you will never see again after graduation is not going to ruin your life. And you shouldn't be embarassed becuase some people are phobes. If some teacher turns you down, they are the ones who should be embarassed - and you should make them feel as such.
If they turn you down, just lay on the old guilt. Say that you're sorry that they are not more willing to be accepting and supporting of diversity in the student body, and say that you are really disapointed that you will not be getting their support because it is so necessary for teachers to take a stand and lend authority to anti-bullying efforts. You've got nothing to feel bad about because some people are cowards, freaks, and phobes.
2006-06-15 03:47:04 · answer #1 · answered by dani_kin 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Your teachers are there to help and create a welcoming environment for you to learn in so you theoretically should be able to approach any of them. Now in the real world there are some teachers (and you probably know them already) who won't be as supportive as they should be. On the other hand there are teachers who will gladly sponsor this club and once again you probably have a feeling about which are which. Just trust you gut and go for it. You'll be making your school and the world a better place for yourself and others who come after you.
2006-06-15 04:31:07 · answer #2 · answered by im_a_friend_of_dorothy 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"That was the dumbest question I had ever seen until the additional details, and then it was really funny. Of course not. The first part, at least, is ridiculous."
2006-06-16 00:58:04 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Girlfriend, you are awesome! Type that into Google, see what happens.
2006-06-15 01:03:14 · answer #4 · answered by crystal89431 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
sure, if u have the motivation and strength to do it go 4 it
2006-06-15 01:01:09 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋