The GSA Difference: LGBTQ and Ally Experiences in High Schools with and without Gay-Straight Alliances
We examine the lived experiences of high-school students who participated in lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ)-centered activism of some kind, highlighting the promise of gay-straight alliance groups by comparing the experiences of students at schools with gay-straight alliances...
| Main Authors: | , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2015-08-01
|
| Series: | Social Sciences |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.mdpi.com/2076-0760/4/3/563 |
| _version_ | 1818541417600909312 |
|---|---|
| author | Tina Fetner Athena Elafros |
| author_facet | Tina Fetner Athena Elafros |
| author_sort | Tina Fetner |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | We examine the lived experiences of high-school students who participated in lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ)-centered activism of some kind, highlighting the promise of gay-straight alliance groups by comparing the experiences of students at schools with gay-straight alliances (GSA schools) with the experiences of students at schools that did not have an LGBTQ-specific group (no-GSA schools). We compare students at GSA and no-GSA schools based on their experiences of harassment, experiences of support from authority figures, and patterns of friendships. We find that students at both types of schools experienced harassment and heard negative comments about lesbian and gay people. However, students at GSA schools reported more support from teachers and administrators than students at no-GSA schools, who have stories of teachers and administrators actively opposing equality for LGBTQ people. Students at GSA schools reported a wide variety of friendships across sexual identities, while students at no-GSA schools felt more isolated and withdrawn. This much-needed qualitative comparative analysis of students’ experiences brings a human face to the improved quality of life that schools with gay-straight alliances can bring to young people. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-11T22:09:01Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-1db5e484e2f742c6a91f4dd2156ebe01 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-0760 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-11T22:09:01Z |
| publishDate | 2015-08-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Social Sciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-1db5e484e2f742c6a91f4dd2156ebe012022-12-22T00:48:52ZengMDPI AGSocial Sciences2076-07602015-08-014356358110.3390/socsci4030563socsci4030563The GSA Difference: LGBTQ and Ally Experiences in High Schools with and without Gay-Straight AlliancesTina Fetner0Athena Elafros1Department of Sociology, McMaster University, 1280 Main St W, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4M4, CanadaDivision of Basic and Applied Social Sciences, Keuka College, 141 Central Avenue, Keuka Park, New York, NY 14478, USAWe examine the lived experiences of high-school students who participated in lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ)-centered activism of some kind, highlighting the promise of gay-straight alliance groups by comparing the experiences of students at schools with gay-straight alliances (GSA schools) with the experiences of students at schools that did not have an LGBTQ-specific group (no-GSA schools). We compare students at GSA and no-GSA schools based on their experiences of harassment, experiences of support from authority figures, and patterns of friendships. We find that students at both types of schools experienced harassment and heard negative comments about lesbian and gay people. However, students at GSA schools reported more support from teachers and administrators than students at no-GSA schools, who have stories of teachers and administrators actively opposing equality for LGBTQ people. Students at GSA schools reported a wide variety of friendships across sexual identities, while students at no-GSA schools felt more isolated and withdrawn. This much-needed qualitative comparative analysis of students’ experiences brings a human face to the improved quality of life that schools with gay-straight alliances can bring to young people.http://www.mdpi.com/2076-0760/4/3/563youthgay-straight allianceeducation |
| spellingShingle | Tina Fetner Athena Elafros The GSA Difference: LGBTQ and Ally Experiences in High Schools with and without Gay-Straight Alliances Social Sciences youth gay-straight alliance education |
| title | The GSA Difference: LGBTQ and Ally Experiences in High Schools with and without Gay-Straight Alliances |
| title_full | The GSA Difference: LGBTQ and Ally Experiences in High Schools with and without Gay-Straight Alliances |
| title_fullStr | The GSA Difference: LGBTQ and Ally Experiences in High Schools with and without Gay-Straight Alliances |
| title_full_unstemmed | The GSA Difference: LGBTQ and Ally Experiences in High Schools with and without Gay-Straight Alliances |
| title_short | The GSA Difference: LGBTQ and Ally Experiences in High Schools with and without Gay-Straight Alliances |
| title_sort | gsa difference lgbtq and ally experiences in high schools with and without gay straight alliances |
| topic | youth gay-straight alliance education |
| url | http://www.mdpi.com/2076-0760/4/3/563 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT tinafetner thegsadifferencelgbtqandallyexperiencesinhighschoolswithandwithoutgaystraightalliances AT athenaelafros thegsadifferencelgbtqandallyexperiencesinhighschoolswithandwithoutgaystraightalliances AT tinafetner gsadifferencelgbtqandallyexperiencesinhighschoolswithandwithoutgaystraightalliances AT athenaelafros gsadifferencelgbtqandallyexperiencesinhighschoolswithandwithoutgaystraightalliances |