Of the variety of clubs available for students at Ayala, the Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA) has been one of great prominence. In recent years, the club has strived for growth throughout campus to create a safe environment for anyone who may need it. Many students on campus may feel uncomfortable or unsafe to express themselves truly. However, this club strives for creating a safe space for all students to truly express themselves free of judgment.
Every first and third Tuesday of a month, GSA members join together and communicate on a variety of topics. Along with providing members with a plethora of volunteer opportunities, it strives to provide members with a safe space to be themselves. On campus, it may be difficult to truly be expressive in a fear of judgment or backlash. However, this club tries to make it easier for students to express themselves and be true to themselves.
“For queer youth, especially on our campus, to make a safe environment where people do feel like they are welcome, that they are accepted and that they can be there true authentic self without facing the scrutiny of other people at our school or from other adults at our school, but that’s the main goal after that and no other real wants,” President Collin Moreno-Crestejo (12) said.
In all that GSA strives to do, creating a safe and accepting environment is what they strive for. In order for students to truly strive on campus, they should feel accepted no matter any defining factors. This is truly the core reason students join GSA so they can be accepted in a safe space facing no judgment at all.
“I decided to join GSA because having a safe space where I don’t have to worry about whether people will accept me is really important and helps me a lot,” Club Member Adalyn Hirst (9) said.
Through GSA, students are truly able to express themselves no matter what and this is what the club strives for. Not only does this club provide a safe environment free of judgment, it creates great bonds for students. These bonds last a lifetime and create unforgettable memories students will remember for a lifetime.
“GSA is so special because of the bonds you create within the club, everyone there is there for the same reason, to feel safe and loved, and so you really get to bond with everyone because of that,” UCC representative Maya Shah (12) said.
Throughout the time the club has been around, it has created a great bond between its members since they all strive for the same thing. This club brings so many students together, but it also provides them with the accomplishment of making a difference. Many of the students who take over the club strive for making a difference because it creates a safe environment for anyone.
“For one of the first times, I am able to make a difference, I am able to provide a safe environment for a youth who may not feel safe to be their true authentic self at school,” Moreno-Crestejo said. “What makes it special to me is that kids who aren’t exactly comfortable being themselves in public are able to choose to express themselves and that’s very near and dear to me because I think everyone deserves to be their authentic self, no matter what.”
Through all that GSA is able to do for any student it truly is an amazing club. Its ability to unite students, create a safe space, and make others make a difference is unique. Like many clubs GSA allows its members to truly embrace themselves and not be faced with any judgment that may harm them. As this club continues to grow over the years GSA will continue to strive to unite more students with their true identities.
