Establishing Gay-Straight Alliances in Washington Report

Gemma Wells of Oxford Brooks University, UK and Abby Rae of Smith College, MA conducted and analyzed survey results concerning barriers and achievements of Gay-Straight Alliances or like groups in Washington State.

This report is intended to serve as a starting point to examine the ways GSA or like groups are established and to see where GLSEN Washington State can be the greatest help.

Some Key Findings:

80% of GSA or like groups are formed with little or no outside help.

58% of time the resistance met in establishing a GSA involved other students and/or faculty.

30% of the time GSAs felt they could not overcome barriers or had to make serious concessions to their existence.

15% of GSA groups reported vandalism to flyers or posters put up in schools.

70% of groups reported that having a network or "buddy system" would be beneficial. (i.e.

Smith College Intern, Abby Rae and Education/Training Director Joe Bento at Seattle Pride

Washington GSA Network)

A full copy of this report is available HERE.