by Rebecca Osborne
Between the days of Oct. 21 to 25, Ally Week, a program created by the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network (also known as GLSEN), came to West Sound Academy. It had first arrived in 2011 after two students formed a Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA). They wanted to bring Ally Week to WSA to raise awareness of and help stop bullying of LGBT people. “It’s still important even though we’re a small school to make a stand,” says Susan Trower, the staff advocate of the GSA. Ally Week encouraged students to become allies of the LGBT community and learn about the effects of anti-LGBT bullying initiatives.
GLSEN was created in 1990 to create equality in a school setting regardless of sexual orientation and gender orientation and expression. However, Ally Week was established until 2005, and it has been an annual event ever since.
Students and teachers alike showed their spirit by wearing purple and putting on “I Love Allies” and “I’m an Ally” stickers. “Ally Week is not necessarily about allies but about forming one respectable bond across all orientations and gender expressions,” says senior Gab Vogt. Gab is the president of the GSA, and she believes Ally Week stands as an opportunity to strengthen the alliances and bonds in the WSA community.
Last week allowed many to show their support of the LGBT community. Some international students, for instance, are allies despite coming from a country that is less supportive of LGBT rights than the U.S. The students at WSA wore purple to show their support.
GLSEN was created in 1990 to create equality in a school setting regardless of sexual orientation and gender orientation and expression. However, Ally Week was established until 2005, and it has been an annual event ever since.
Students and teachers alike showed their spirit by wearing purple and putting on “I Love Allies” and “I’m an Ally” stickers. “Ally Week is not necessarily about allies but about forming one respectable bond across all orientations and gender expressions,” says senior Gab Vogt. Gab is the president of the GSA, and she believes Ally Week stands as an opportunity to strengthen the alliances and bonds in the WSA community.
Last week allowed many to show their support of the LGBT community. Some international students, for instance, are allies despite coming from a country that is less supportive of LGBT rights than the U.S. The students at WSA wore purple to show their support.