After four months of patient attempts to begin our new club, the first meeting of the Gay Straight Alliance was to begin. For me, the Alliance started with the Day of Silence in 2002. I read about it on the internet, a day to not talk, in honor of the unknown number of people living a life in the closet. A day in which notice was forced upon the rest of the school that the lifestyle of some people are not only hidden, but not tolerated, just because it was different. That day, I ran into four other people who were participating in the Day of Silence. Even though none of us were close friends, we sat together at lunch, and endured the taunting of other students. We were one of the few schools left in the state without a Gay/Straight Alliance, and the intolerance shined through.
The next day, the five of us met in the cafeteria and decided that it was time; time to start a club in which people could express their opinions, and hopefully make changes in the attitude of the student body. It was time for our school to finally join other institutions and have a gay/straight alliance.
We read up on the rules, the requirements, and the processes we needed to go through to start a club in our high school. It was easier than we expected. We needed only fifteen signatures saying that our club was a good idea. We collected those at lunch in a single day, and a week later brought the plans in front of the student council. We argued our case, and after bearing a few more hurtful words from some select members of the council, we had earned the right to go to the principal, for the final word of approval. Much to our shock, he was all for it. I guess this also shows those who think that someone must have tried this before and then not do it would be wrong. You must always ask the question to find the answer.
A month later the club was ready to start. Chips, cookies, and soda were set up in the room as a few students shuffled in. Some were almost embarrassed, and others were proud. Much to our delight, no students showed up just to make fun of us, everyone had a positive attitude
It is now nearly two years later, and the Gay/Straight Alliance is still going strong. With meetings every other week, we have held fundraisers, and are even planning to go on a field trip to a conference. We now have at least thirty regular members, and when I am asked when the next meeting is, I realize that this is what we wanted, what we worked so hard for. I am proud of our group, and the fact that so many people are dedicated to it, straights and gays alike. I am now not ashamed to state my political and social opinions. If it comes up, I will tell everyone and anyone what we are doing and how I believe it is good for our society. Equal rights was the basis of our country, and in my own way, I am fighting for them to be implemented.
this is the last old essay im posting up here... this essay also got me into college... honors program
anyways, this is mainly for the benefit of all GLBTQS youth out there who are afraid to start something in their school... just try, you never know what results you will get
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