Gay Straight Alliance Club works to spread LGBTQ+ awareness and teach students how to be allies
June 7, 2021
By Valentina Novak
Editor
This article is part of The Lighthouse’s four-part Pride Month in-depth reporting series.
The Gay-Straight Alliance Club, which meets monthly, is dedicated to educating students about the LGBTQ+ community and the challenges they face as well as providing a safe and supportive environment for its members.
Among the occasions the club celebrates is Pride Month, which takes place each June in recognition of the LGBTQ+ community. In previous years, the GSA has participated in raising a pride flag in front of Town Hall in honor of Pride Month. The club also fundraises and attends an annual Bergen County GSA summit. However, Covid-19 prevented them from participating in these activities during this school year. At the summit, students meet GSA members from other schools and converse about ongoing issues LGBTQ+ students experience.
Junior Isabella DiPisa, who has been a member of the club since her freshman year, said the GSA has enriched her high school experience.
“I’ve learned a lot of patience and open-mindedness from this club,” DiPisa said. “It teaches you to look at a lot of different perspectives because of the different challenges people in the LGBTQ+ community face, and we see it at the GSA summit and in our own school.”
DiPisa said she learned about the club while she was still in upper elementary school.
“When I was in eighth grade during accelerated band, I heard that the GSA was doing a bake sale over the loudspeaker, and I asked my sister what that meant when I got home. She explained to me what the Gay Straight Alliance was, and I knew I wanted to be a part of it because I am too a member of that community,” DiPisa said.
She said the GSA has taught her useful skills she will be able to use long after she graduates high school.
“After LHS, I think I’ll use the lessons I learned from this club to accept the reality LGBTQ+ people face in real life along with continuing to fight for our rights and representation,” DiPisa said. “I know what it’s like to be [a part of] the LGBTQ+ community during my youth, and that experience and taking part [in] this club has kind of shaped me as a person in the sense that I see the world through a pretty unique lens where I can possibly help others or change the world for the better.”
Although the LGBTQ+ community has become more accepted, this group still encounters challenges on a daily basis. Many still face discrimination in their workplace or rejection from their families. Some do not have a support system after coming out, so having allies who support the community can be especially helpful.
“It is important for all people, adults and students, to have an open mind. Topics associated with the LBGTQ+ community are constantly changing, so it is important that allies are willing to learn about others.”
Junior Genesis Cedeno, who joined the GSA this year, said people need to be more aware of the issues the LGBTQ+ community faces in order to be allies.
“People can become an ally by educating themselves, uplifting and hearing LGBTQ+ voices, supporting LGBTQ+-owned businesses and promoting events targeted [at] members of the LGBTQ+ community,” Cedeno said.
She said the GSA introduced her to new perspectives and people.
“This club has become an important part of my life since it has brought me friendships that I hold close. It also has drawn my attention to the issues they face being LGBTQ+ and the steps I can take forward to resolve these issues,” Cedeno said.
She said she chose to join the GSA because she wanted to support the people in her life who are LGBTQ+.
“It is important to uplift minorities in our community. Therefore, by joining this club, I became a part of that movement,” Cedeno said.
History teacher Mr. Spence, who co-advises the GSA with history teacher Mrs. Schiraldi, said the club has an important role at LHS.
“The GSA is a great club that promotes acceptance and understanding throughout Lyndhurst High School. The students involved are dedicated to promoting acceptance and empathy within our community,” Spence said.
He said the club members share a close bond and are respectful to each other.
“The students involved in the GSA are so supportive of one another. They lead with kindness in all of their actions. This makes GSA an incredibly special club to be a part of,” Spence said.
He said educating oneself about the LGBTQ+ community requires ongoing effort.
“It is important for all people, adults and students, to have an open mind. Topics associated with the LBGTQ+ community are constantly changing, so it is important that allies are willing to learn about others,” said Spence.
