Amber Holt
The club members of the Gay Straight Alliance wore welcoming smiles as they pushed their desks into a circle centered in the classroom. More desks were added to the circle than needed, in case more students wanted to join. Throughout the meeting, a number of curious faces peered through the window on the classroom door. Mrs. Lukasik, an advisor, left the room to invite them in, but most students denied her offer.
The Gay Straight Alliance has been a part of Colonie for a long time. For the last couple years, however, the club had very few members, and most students forgot about its existence. The low number of students didn’t discourage current members. Believing that Colonie Central High School didn’t have a Gay Straight Alliance, two students Oliver Mohrmann and Cassidy-Carter Gorman raised more than one hundred signatures to start one. They both joined after realizing the Gay Straight Alliance has been in the school for years. Oliver Mohrmann said the signatures still sat in his folder. This school year, the Gay Straight Alliance is back with many more members. Everyone who is a part of the growing club is beginning to once again raise awareness that they exist and should be heard. Students can now hear news about the Gay Straight Alliance on the morning announcements, but they still have a lot of questions about the club.
"I feel like people don't know what it's about," said active club member Gianna Ross. So what is the Gay Straight Alliance all about? In the past, this club has ranged from being very vocal to more of a support group for students at the school. When asked the question, the students attending the meeting on December 2nd responded with many different answers.
"To spread awareness on what is ok to say to people, and what isn't ok to say to people," said Cassidy-Carter Gorman. The members of Gay Straight Alliance brought up several issues that students face daily during their meeting such as transphobia, prejudice, stereotypes, and ignorance from both students and teachers.
"When I go into the locker room, I get dirty looks," said Oliver Mohrmann while describing some of the problems he faces in school. Gay Straight Alliance is a very open club, where any issue can be discussed without being thrown down. Just like every member who mentioned a problem of their own, the group discussed what he could do about these issues, and gave him advice.
Gay Straight Alliance offers support for students, and spreads awareness about not only the troubles that they face, but what the community around them can do about it. "This club inspires a more positive outlook on everything," said Val Marcil when asked about the GSA. During the meeting, the group thought of several ideas to present the club and raise awareness.
"We should draw eyes to our club in a positive way. If something is fun and exciting, people will be attracted to it and that's what we want to do," said Cassidy-Carter Gorman during the discussion.
So why aren't more students interested in the Gay Straight Alliance at Colonie Central High School? "I feel like people don't want to join this club because they don't want to be associated with 'gay'," Val Marcil answered. "A lot of people are afraid of being accused of being a part of a sexuality that is not their own." Many students may feel this way, but Mrs. Hecht, a club advisor, has assured this club has always had a straight presence. The students who attended the meeting, attended with open minds and were very diverse. New members have nothing to fear, because the strong sense of community during the meeting will make any student feel welcome.
The Gay Straight Alliance is ready to take on this school year with bright ideas and welcoming smiles. Club meetings are on every other Tuesday in room 117 in the English wing. All students are welcome and are able to gather more information by listening to the morning announcements, or contacting Mrs. Hecht and Mrs. Lukasik. The members of the Gay Straight Alliance have plenty of desks that can be filled.
