MJ Jebo, 12

What do you do in GSA? 

I'm the president, so I have lots of organizing and arranging plans - but I have a lot of fun doing it and I'm always looking forward to our meetings where I can see everyone face-to-face. 

Why is GSA important to MLWGS?

A GSA is important to have at any school; it provides a community and family where queer students can feel safe and accepted. At MLWGS specifically, I think it serves as a fun club where people can take a break from school stress. It also provides a lot of opportunities for community outreach, fun activities, and important conversations.

How does the club support you in the school environment?

I've been a member of the GSA since my freshman year and it is hands down my favorite club. I always feel so accepted with my GSA members and I hope that I've built an environment where others can say the same. 

How has the club made an impact on sexual orientation and gender identity awareness? Has GSA brought any notable impacts to the school or school policy? If so, how?

I hope it has! Being a part of the GSA throughout my high school experience has made me more comfortable coming out and expressing myself at school, and I'm always working to support an open minded and safe school environment for others, this year and in years to come. We've established a gender neutral-safe bathroom and plenty of queer student resources as well. I'm really proud of the role that GSA has at our school.

Do you feel the club has support from students, parents, administration, and faculty? 

We have lots of support! So many students have joined our club that we've been able to expand a lot more this year. The faculty and administration have been really helpful and always open to listen about anything the GSA has to offer. I'm so grateful for the support we've received from the school.

What is the focus or goal of the club this year/?

OMG, I have to fit this all into one answer? In my freshman year, the GSA was really small, we only had about 10 or so active members. I have had the privilege of building and witnessing the GSA grow bigger and more active every year. In a way, I've grown up alongside this club—it's really important to me and I love being able to lead the coolest club at school. I gave a presentation about creating a safer and more accepting school environment for queer students at Maggie Walker at the faculty staff meeting earlier this year and I'm working on programs to uphold our community togetherness and acceptance at MLWGS. My goal for this year is to create a GSA that continues on successfully years after I've graduated. I know my club members and I know they're going to do amazing things with the club in the future. I can't wait to see what the GSA does in years to come and I love you all so much!

Matthieu Freidman, 12

Why is GSA important to you?

In a place where I do not necessarily feel comfortable talking to teachers or counselors about my queer experiences, GSA provides an excellent group of LGBTQIA+ peers who I know will have my back and understand my struggle on a level other people may not. They provide support and friendship in tough times, especially during the pandemic.

How has the club made an impact on sexual orientation and gender identity awareness?

For me, I have been exposed to a variety of different sexual, romantic, and gender orientations that I was not previously aware of. This year, there has been a notable difference in the way teachers have handled pronouns and gender, and they are doing much better than in previous years.

Do you feel the club has support from students, parents, administration, and faculty?

To a degree, yes. There are, of course, supportive people. There are also the teachers on the blacklist that we pass whispered warnings about to the new kids. The teachers we know not to tell our pronouns to. There’s the kid on my bus who argued the whole 40 minutes home about how gay people don’t deserve to be married. There’s my friends’ parents who won’t let me alone in a room with their children because they’re afraid I’m going to “turn them gay.” I am lucky that, at this school, the number of supportive people outweighs the number of unsupportive people. I know that this is not always the case.

Anonymous, 9

How does GSA make you feel? How has it impacted your overall well-being? 

GSA makes me feel really accepted at Maggie Walker. I've been able to meet some really cool people there. Being part of GSA is also just fun, which makes school easier to deal with when things get stressful. Also I come from a pretty conservative, homophobic environment, so having GSA is honestly so amazing because I don't constantly feel like I have to hide part of who I am, and I know that there are other people there who know how I feel. 

How has the club made an impact on sexual orientation and gender identity awareness? If so, how?

One thing I've noticed is that at the beginning of the year, everyone had the opportunity to share their pronouns, which isn't something that a lot of other schools do. It makes me feel more welcomed as a queer person. I'm cisgender, but I can imagine it feels really good for trans people having everyone sharing their pronouns, so its not just something they have to single themselves out by doing.