Garrett Lierman
Entertainment editor
The GSA has long been a place of comfort and acceptance for the LGBTQ community at this school. Until recently it was recognized by only the district and the people therein, but in September, Pride STL officially recognized and dedicated support the group.
“I think it’s really validating, its fantastic,” junior Emily Gardunia said, “it’s amazing to have the means to help people.”
Pride St. Louis is the leading LGBTQ connection in Western Missouri, sponsoring parades, and promoting equality and understanding in the surrounding communities. The sponsorship can be compared to the St. Louis Sports Commission’s sponsoring one of the school’s athletic teams. While the scope of the sponsorship is large, it’s not much more than a recognition. The sponsorship is more acknowledgment of the GSA’s participation in their mission statement.
“It’s more of a moral support sponsor but they [Pride St Louis] will help us with connections.” sophomore Andrew Bennett, the president of the club.
Pride St. Louis’s sponsorship of our GSA will provide not only additional resources but additions connections as well. While PSTL is not providing monetary support, they will be providing the full support of the organization should the need arise. Additionally, PSTL will assist the GSA with contacting outside resources who can provide monetary, moral, legal, or locational resources.
“First of I do feel pride, it feels amazing to be apart of a bigger cause it feels great that all your effort is being recognized it actually helps those who can’t come out.” sophomore Kris Ahn said.
The GSA is comprised of multiple enthusiastic people of varying ages and ethnicities. The acronym is a fitting one as some members are transgender, some homosexual, and some heterosexual friends simply there to support the group and it’s members. They seem dedicated, enthused, and invested, closeted or not. Members can choose to remain anonymous although being recognized can’t be helped if someone who knows you is in the room.
“I think that it [the sponsorship] will help a lot but the main change is we’ll be more efficient” Bennett said.
Pride STL’s sponsorship actually began with Bennett himself, who works with Pride STL as a youth consultant. Bennett reached out to Pride STL regarding their Halloween Party on Friday October 29th. Pride agreed to assist with a location and provide some financial assistance. Pride STL agreed to assist with location and funding and the date was set. After multiple correspondences via email, Pride STL agreed to provide the connections needed for future events, whether they be legal, monetary, or moral.
“We’ve been working to start educating and we hope to create an accepting and open atmosphere.” Gardunia said.
GSA is setting they’re sights higher now with the backing of Pride STL. They plan to start moving out of the designated safe spaces and becoming a more known presence within the school, although exactly how has yet to be seen. The GSA’s Ally week was one of the steps in that direction although more is planned.
“More recognition will bring it to the light and make people realize ‘oh, they’re a group and i recognize that.” sophomore Megan Stephens said.
With more resources, GSA plans to become not only a known entity in the school but also in a bigger scale, all the way up to the state. In spring, they are attending the march on the capitol, a multi-day event in which multiple LGBTQ communities and organizations protest and lobby in Jefferson City for new pro-LGBTQ laws and policies. On a smaller scale, the group is planning multiple fund raisers and attempting to hold a panel to discuss LGBTQ concepts at the school. Whether this panel will be on an assembly scale or just class to class is yet to be decided. The GSA plans to begin fundraising in the coming months although the exact nature of these fundraisers is undecided. However, Gardunia hinted heavily at one such fundraiser during the holiday season.