Allies in the fight for equality
Videos:
- RAW VIDEO: Jason Galisatus Introduces Purple Shirt Wednesday to GSA
- KTVU 2 Interview
- RAW VIDEO: Sam Alavi KTVU 2 Interview
- NBC 11 Interview
- RAW VIDEO: Emma Walsh NBC 11 Interview
- ABC 7 Interview
- RAW VIDEO: Jason Galisatus KRON 4 Interview
In response to recent gay suicides nationwide, the Gay-Straight Alliance participated in a nation-wide campaign called Purple Shirt Wednesday on October 20. Students came to school with purple shirts, pants, shoes, or bags. Purple Shirt Wednesday was during Ally Week, which according to junior Jesenia Garcia-Rovetta, “is dedicated to the LGBT and straight alliance, and is a great time for people not in the GSA to say they support people of any sexual identity”.
Comprising of about 45 members, the Gay-Straight Alliance has become a strong presence at Aragon. This increase in visibility is mainly due to the large amount of members and the many awareness campaigns that have taken place throughout the years since the GSA was formed.
Senior Jason Galisatus, the president of the GSA, said that “the event that launched the GSA to a more prominent level on campus is probably Black Friday after Prop 8 was passed”. A huge amount of attention was paid to the various students who wore all black after Proposition 8 was passed to “mourn” the passing. Several students who were protesting were harassed by their classmates. However, this large-scale event helped raise the visibility of the GSA at Aragon.
Since then, the GSA has had many other activities that many have participated in. Last year, the GSA had a Harvey Milk day, trying to promote the politician’s message of equality throughout the school. They also have an annual sing-a-long which features songs from RENT the musical and coming out day.
The mission statement of the GSA is pretty simple; the members and officers of the Aragon High School Gay Straight Alliance want to protect the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) students and their straight allies from harassment, abuse, and mistreatment. There is a strong desire to create an environment in which it is safe for people to express themselves, their individuality and/or their sexuality without consequence or judgment. The members of the GSA try to create a peaceful alliance between LGBT students and straight students. Galisatus summed it up by saying, “Basically, we want to make a safe school environment for all LGBT students at this school.”
Most of the big incidences of LGBT harassment, according to Jason, ended about two years ago. There was some harassment during Black Friday two years ago, but since then it has been minimal. “However, there’s still language that can cause the same detrimental effects as those of severe bullying,” clarifies Galisatus.
Recently, the media attention has directed its gaze towards gay teen suicides nationwide, which led to the GSA’s organizing of Ally Week and Purple Shirt Wednesday. Studies by the GSA Network prove that having a GSA in a high school significantly lowers incidences of gay harassment and suicides. Currently, 50 percent of California public high schools have a GSA club.
Garcia-Rovetta, who is a Vice-President of the GSA, also mentioned that the GSA “had a great icebreaker potluck for all members” on the Friday before Ally Week. After school at 6 p.m. in the student lunchroom, almost all of the members of the GSA came and mingled. There was music, food, and Garcia-Rovetta said “it was just a good time to get to know each other and have fun!” Throughout the year, the GSA has several bonding activities and this year they will go to Castro Street, which is rich in LGBT history.
After Ally Week ended on October 24, the GSA had an Equality California (EQCA) phone bank, where members of the GSA made campaign calls for pro-LBGT candidates. EQCA is an organization that works to expand the number of pro- LGBT members of the state government. They called for various people running for the state government and assembly.
“All of the members of the GSA appreciate the club’s sense of community,” says Garcia-Rovetta. “We all have stuff in common, and we are all passionate about LGBT rights,” says Garcia-Rovetta. The GSA wants to continue to be a prominent force on campus, and will continue to have various events throughout the year.
As the parent of a highschool Junior and member of the Aragon GSA, I am extremely proud of the existence of the group, the mission, and the hard work that all the members have put into making such huge strides at Aragon. When I was in highschool WAY back in the 80’s, I watched so many of my friends struggle with bullying, abuse, and even being thrown out of the house by their families. I have raised my daughter since Day One to embody acceptance of ALL people, not just the LGBT community but people with all differences. I wish that other parents put more energy into doing the same.