BY AJ TRAGER
FLINT – BAMM GSAs, a program of the Michigan Organization on Adolescent Sexual Health, is in its second year of operation. Over the last two years, BAMM GSAs has worked with schools and administrations across the state to strengthen gay/straight alliances' opportunities and spread knowledge and awareness on the benefits of establishing GSAs in schools.
"Every successful GSA has a purpose," Erin Busbee, GSA organizational development specialist from MOASH, said in a January presentation about the program.
Every year more and more young Americans are coming out as LGBT. And it's no secret that GSAs improve the health of LGBT youth through social support, group affirmation and advocacy for supportive politices. LGBT youth with GSAs in their school are less likely to miss school due to feeling unsafe, less likely to be verbally harassed, more likely to have higher GPAs than their LGBT counterparts with no GSA, and feel a greater sense of belonging.
In Michigan, there is no current strategy, network or resource for the promotion, implementation and development of GSAs. Only 44 percent of Michigan schools have active GSAs. MOASH is currently working across the state to help bridge the gap and help more schools implement a GSA. However, the progress is "under-utilized, inconsistently funded and done in isolated pockets throughout the state," MOASH representatives said at the SOGI Conference held in January.
According to 2013 GLSEN statistics, 56 percent of LGBT students are still experiencing discriminatory school practices and policies, 65 percent heard homophobic remarks, 30 percent do not feel safe attending schools, and 85 percent still experience verbal harassment.
LGBT youth across the country are twice as likely than heterosexual, cisgender counterparts to not attend school over a 30 day period, be physically injured, become depressed, consider or attempt suicide, use substances and engage in risky sexual behavior. LGBT youth in Michigan report being victimized, excluded and physically, sexually and verbally harassed.
"There's a lot of transphobia in our schools. While schools are not actively doing it, they are perpetuating by allowing it to happen. It shows students that they aren't supported," Busbee said.
MOASH received a three-year federal grant through the Mobilization for Health: National Prevention Partnership Awards from the Department of Health and Human Service of the Assistant Secretary for Health in 2014. The project brings together working professionals to improve the social and health outcomes of LGBT youth by increasing the number and improving the capacity of GSAs in the state.
Two years into the program, MOASH has conducted a multi-tiered situational assessment of GSAs and the climate in Michigan. The team interviewed 10 students, 10 teachers and five advisers from schools across the state. The team will develop a model program — a guideline — from the interview results.
Statewide Strategy
MOASH is working with Equality Michigan, GLSEN Southeast Michigan and West Michigan Chapters, Kent Intermediate School District, Michigan Department of Education and the Neutral Zone to enact more inclusive changes to Michigan schools. The next steps that the organization and partners will take will include collaboration on the development of a statewide GSA strategy based on best practices, creation of a model program for organizational development of GSAs, and creation of the first ever working summit on GSAs. In the next year and a half the group will place trained organizational development advisers on-site in schools with community GSAs, monitor and evaluate progress and continue to put on its annual working summit.
Summit
The organization will host the Second Annual BAMM GSAs Working Summit at 9:30 a.m. March 18 at the Harding Mott University Center at the University of Michigan-Flint campus. The event is open to all students, adult advisers and parents who are affiliated in any way with a gay/straight alliance.
The one day summit will include workshops and seminars dedicated to developing new and strengthening existing GSAs in the state, with presentations by GLSEN Southeast Michigan and MOASH. The campus building is located at 400 Mill St. in Flint.
While registration for the annual summit is currently closed after reaching capacity, those interested are encouraged to email the director of programs at MOASH, Taryn Gal, at [email protected]. Interested students can obtain an official letter to provide school administration for their excused absence.
