Supporting GSAs​
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From the beginning, OSSCC has supported Gay-Straight Alliances (GSAs) as a way to help students feel safe in school. GSA is a student-initiated and student-run club in a public or private school. The goal of a GSA is to provide a safe, supportive environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ+) and straight ally youth to meet and build community, to discuss issues facing the LGBTQ+ community, and to work to create a school environment free of discrimination, harassment, and intolerance. Research shows that all students in a school with a GSA feel safer than in a school with no GSA.
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GSAs are active in many high schools, some middle schools, and even a few elementary schools in Oregon. OSSCC supports existing groups by sharing resources, through a mini-grant program, and by hosting workshops for advisors. We also support the creation of new groups.
Mini-grants
Since 2015, OSSCC has offered mini-grants to GSAs to support club activities. To be eligible for a grant, an activity must be planned, directed and implemented by youth and must have a school sponsor. The application process and form is provided each year on this website and the OSSCC Board approves those mini-grants to be funded. Groups that receive mini-grants are expected to submit a short final report describing the impact of the activities.
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Apply for 2025 Mini Grants HERE. Submission due by March 21st, 2025.
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ANNOUNCEMENT - Ten schools will receive GSA Mini-grants in 2024-2025
Ten schools will be selected to receive OSSCC mini-grants this school year. Schools
are planning a variety of things to support their LGBTQ+ students.
Activities include:
- Creating artwork to sell as a fundraiser,
- Creating buttons to promote GSA events,
- Hosting weekly social events,
- Hosting a school/community Pride parade,
- Hanging a banner in the school hall
- Hosting a Family night for elementary families, and
- Wearing masks on the Day of Silence.
Funded schools are from both urban and rural school districts; and funded activities
involve high school, middle school, and elementary students.
OSSCC gave its first GSA mini-grants in 2011-2012, when it partnered with Portland
PFLAG to support GSAs in Oregon schools. Now the GSA mini-grant project is one of
OSSCC’s major activities. Research by GLSEN shows that having a GSA in a school
makes all students feel safe and supported, and therefore OSSCC believes that
supporting Oregon GSAs is a very important activity. Grant reports are due in August,
and we are excited to hear about the impact of school activities sponsored by the
projects. OSSCC will sponsor another round of mini-grants in the 2024-2025 school
year.
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If you have any questions, please email oregonsafeschools@gmail.com. Please note, response times are slow as we are an all-volunteer committee.
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GSA Resources
Student and GSA Resources from GLSEN
How to Start A Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA)
Resources for GSAs from Portland Public Schools
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