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GLSEN has some really great resources for getting a GSA going (the same acronym as the old days but now means Gender-Sexuality Alliance). Are you near a larger city that might have LGBTQ+ non-profit organizations that support youth? I find that this is a great place to start! RI is super small so there are lots of accessible resources but I recognize how challenging it can be. Otherwise, I would recommend reaching out to organizations directly (like The Trevor Project). I would be willing to be they would meet with you and/or the students virtually. A couple of coworkers and I worked diligently to put together our group and ran movie nights, an LGBTQ+ dance, and fundraising events pre-COVID that slowly grew and grew. Now we're in rebuilding mode but even my handful of students are really grateful for a hangout space once a week.
It's really unfortunate that your group is seen as "a liability" but hopefully over time you'll change minds :)
Like Rhode Island mentioned- try the non profit organizations around. Our LGBTQ would love to sponsor school functions like this in our community. Do some research and which organization is closest to you geographically and parallel to your mission.
My GSA kids wanted badly to go and do mission work…they wanted to work at older peoples homes and do yard work or light repairs. I had two faculty members who were willing to oversee them with me, but no one wanted us. As soon as I explained what GSA stood for, we were done. I thought that since the guy who runs the local food pantry graduated from our school, that he’d be on board. Nope!
Illinois, I agree. We need GSAs more than ever to do three things. First, give the students a sense that they are okay. I mean, they are being treated like lavender monsters, and that isn’t right. Meetings are a time when they can live their truths without judgement. Second, other students can learn that lgbtqia+ kids aren’t evil or weird, they simply are. Lastly, the community can see them as normal kids.
All of that being said, I’ve been advised not to tell the name of the club who wants to do mission work…let the community love them first and then reveal the nature of the club. I think this idea sounds dirty and underhanded. It belittles the true reason for the GSA in the first place. I’ve given it careful consideration and want to be truthful up front. My kids deserve the honesty, and they need to see the prejudice against us. Being tricky and underhanded doesn’t work.