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21 - Gender–Sexuality Alliances

from Part VI - Education and Engaged Research

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 April 2024

By
V. Paul Poteat ,
Robert A. Marx ,
Michael D. O’Brien  and
Megan K. Yang
Edited by
Brian D. Christens
Brian D. Christens
Affiliation:
Vanderbilt University, Tennessee
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Summary

Gender–sexuality alliances (GSAs) are school-based clubs that provide space for LGBTQ+ youth and their heterosexual cisgender peer allies to socialize, build community, provide social-emotional support, access LGBTQ+-affirming resources, and advocate against discrimination. In this chapter, we review the historical underpinnings of GSAs; their contemporary roles in schools; the ways in which GSAs harness their collective power to advocate and promote social justice for LGBTQ+ people; the ways in which youth experience empowerment through their GSA involvement; and how GSA research can be used by school administrators, GSA advisors, and youth leaders. Finally, we highlight avenues for future research that could further aid GSAs in their aspirations to promote thriving among their members and social justice in their schools.

Keywords

sexual orientationgender identitygender–sexuality alliance (GSA)schoolsextracurricular groupspositive youth developmentempowerment
Type
Chapter
Information
The Cambridge Handbook of Community Empowerment , pp. 532 - 555
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2024

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