Needing a place to explore their identity, Rashmi Korukonda, senior, decided to join the Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA) during their freshman year. Korukonda is now the club president.
In the past, GSA was centered around advocating for the LGBTQ+, but it became difficult to do as not everyone in the club is fully out and comfortable with their identity. This year their main focus is on the history and events surrounding the LGBTQ+ community. At each meeting, they also share their feelings by sharing roses and thorns: one good thing and one bad thing.
Although there has been some backlash directed toward GSA, from tearing posters down during the Activities Fair to harsh language directed toward the LGBTQ+ community, Korukonda said they strive to make GSA a safe space for everyone.
“We’re not trying to do anything, we’re not trying to change anyone else,” Korukonda said. “We’re just trying to be ourselves.”
Korukonda mentioned improvements to inclusion in classrooms throughout the years, as some teachers have rainbow flags in their rooms and get-to-know-you forms that include things like preferred pronouns and names.
Emily Thompson, French teacher, sponsors GSA and works to provide a safe space for all her students.
“There are lots of teachers in this building who are doing everything that they know to do to make all of their students feel welcomed in their classroom,” Thompson said.
Thompson, for example, has found some French books that showcase LGBTQ+ elements that still pertain to her curriculum.
“Individually, us teachers have tried to expand our lessons to include more people,” Thompson said.“By having any kind of symbolism showing support for members of the LGBTQ+ during a lesson in class or somewhere in a classroom, it shows students that they’re not alone.”
Robert Fischer is the director of communications at PROMO, an organization that seeks equality for members of the LGBTQ+ by speaking out against certain legislation as well as holding protests.
Missouri Senate Bill 39, for example, bans transgender athletes from playing on school sports teams that fit their gender identity.
“There is a drastic need for us to be able to say that we are here, that LGBTQ+ people are here in Missouri, and we deserve much more than what is happening right now,” Fischer said.
According to a 2023 survey from The Trevor Project, 41% of young people in the LGBTQ+ considered attempting suicide, and 56% of LGBTQ+ youth wanted mental healthcare, but couldn’t get it.
“You all have so much to deal with on a regular basis as high school students that having the added pressure of figuring out who you are is a lot to handle,” Fischer said.
