GSA

I gave my last speech as a member of our GSA today. It's incredible to realize the difference it's made at our school since my friend and I restarted last year.

I gave a speech today to all our members about my departure, and passing on the rainbow torch.

I have tears in my eyes from the from the comments our members made today about the support they've received from this club over the last year and a half.

One girl stood up at the end and told us she came out to her mother on Tuesday. She said that if it wasn't for the GSA, she wouldn't have had the courage.

Another boy told us how much he appreciates being a club where people aren't shocked that he's gay but looks like a "normal" person and not a stereotype. He pointed out that it's nice to be with a group of people who understand that gay doesn't have cookie cutter caricature that everyone must fit into to be labeled as such.

Some people who never come were present at the meeting today. A conservative Catholic girl was so moved by everyone's accounts of their experiences in the GSA that she told my friend with tears in her eyes that she was sorry she hadn't come sooner and intended to return.

These kinds of events are what keep me going.

Inclusivity is awesome.

-17