Step Three: Enlist the Assistance of the Pre-Existing Power Structure

Create an Advisory Board

Especially if one is working to form a GSA in a school or community with an anti-LGBTQ climate, enlisting the support of the pre-existing power structure can go a long way toward ensuring success (Underhill, 2017).

While the law will likely be on the side of GSA formation, having an administration and staff which is vocally supportive can facilitate the process of creating and running the GSA (Underhill, 2017). Additionally, supportive administration can prove very beneficial in advocating for your GSA to parents, the school board, and the community (Start a GSA: 10 Steps, n.d.).

Additionally, reach out to your School Board members and district employees. Having one or more allies on the School Board or the district offices will help facilitate the process.

One teacher found, in forming a GSA at her school, that creating an advisory board for the club’s formation helped smooth a lot of the initial processes, and helped the club garner support within the school community (Underhill, 2017). Her club’s advisory board consisted of the principal, the dean, guidance counselors, and multiple members of the faculty and staff (Underhill, 2017).

Consider as well having several of the more outspoken LGBTQ+ students and several vocal student allies join the advisory board. Creating an environment conducive to dialogue and communication will help the school move toward greater appreciation of individuality and diversity (Underhill, 2017).

Find Allies Throughout the School

Boundary spanning – is a process of creating bonds among multiple groups with different inherent characteristics and identities. Boundary spanning can help a movement gain traction and support (Sutherland, 2019).

Often there are allies to a group or movement who don’t make themselves known, either because they do not see the need, or because they do not understand the value of their voice.

The majority of people in the United States support LGBTQ+ rights (McCarthy, 2021). While many people are not outspoken about their beliefs, they will come forward if they know they can make a difference.

Speak with the student body, the faculty, adminstration, and staff, to identify allies who can support the creation and growth of the GSA. Help them to recognize and understand the ways that the GSA will benefit LGBTQ+ student and the school as a whole, and enlist their aid as vocal supporters. Ask them all to attend at least some GSA meetings, to show the students who attend that there is support throughout the school.

Additionally, counselors might know students who would be interested in joining your GSA (Start a GSA: 10 Steps, n.d.).

Teamwork with allies improves the inclusiveness of a school (Underhill, 2017). Allies are a valuable resource that should not be overlooked in the fight for recognition, respect, and equality.