Examining the Gender-Sexuality-Alliance Club at Bronx Science High School
The Bronx Science Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA) is a vibrant and essential club that embodies the school's spirit of acceptance, empowerment, and community. Established in 2021 and located in room 315, the GSA serves as a true safe space and support for all students, regardless of their gender or sexual orientation.
Marina Del Solar, the Social Media Manager of the GSA, finds the club to be a space where she doesn't have to perform and feels included as a queer, neurodivergent person. The club's leadership includes President Hikmah Ahmed '25, Vice President Alice Xing '25, Secretary Linsay Kim '25, and Social Media Manager Marina Del Solar '25.
GSA clubs, originally known as Gay-Straight Alliances, began forming in schools primarily in the 1990s as student-run groups aimed at providing safe, supportive spaces for LGBTQ+ students and their allies. Since then, they have expanded their mission to include broad support for 2SLGBTQIA+ students (an evolving acronym for Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Intersex, Asexual, plus diverse identities).
The Bronx Science GSA is not just a diversity club, but a movement that has made significant contributions by creating awareness and advocating for LGBTQ+ rights both within the school and beyond. During Coming Out Day, students are given small packs of Skittles representing the rainbow pride flag and stickers of queer flags. The GSA's Coming Out Day event supports members of the LGBTQ+ community who have and have not "come out."
The club also organises events like the AIDS Awareness Day, featuring speakers Bobby Leonards and Brandy Andrews. These events aim to educate and inform the school community about the importance of HIV/AIDS awareness and the ongoing fight against the disease.
Beyond coordination and unification, the GSA is a club like any other, with silly informative slideshows, long talks, and snacks. The club's activities are designed to foster a sense of community and belonging among its members.
The history of GSA clubs traces back notably to efforts supported by organizations such as the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN), founded in 1990, which assisted the creation of local GSAs and advocated against bullying of LGBTQ+ students in schools. Many pioneers of the LGBTQ+ rights movement were teens and queer youth themselves, such as Sylvia Rivera who made her mark on the movement at 17.
In summary, the Bronx Science GSA plays a vital role in fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for LGBTQ+ students and their allies. The club provides a welcoming and inclusive space for students of all backgrounds to come together and celebrate their diversity. The GSA's efforts contribute to the ongoing cultural shift towards acceptance and inclusivity, connecting young people who might otherwise feel isolated with peer allies and resources that foster resilience and leadership in social justice movements.
- The history of GSA clubs, such as the one in Bronx Science, can be traced back to the 1990s when they began as student-run groups aiming to support 2SLGBTQIA+ students and create safe spaces.
- The Bronx Science GSA is not limited to promoting diversity but is a significant movement that has made strides in advocating for LGBTQ+ rights, including events like AIDS Awareness Day featuring speakers like Bobby Leonards and Brandy Andrews.
- By hosting events, fostering a sense of community, and raising awareness about various topics in education-and-self-development, general-news, sports, lifestyle, and photography, the GSA aims to provide a platform for diverse students to share and learn different aspects of life while building a supportive network.
