Gay and straight teens and college students are invited to a meeting Saturday, March 29, to organize a community Gay Straight Alliance that will provide support and social events for the students.
Gay Straight Alliances typically appear in schools, but there is currently no Gay Straight Alliance at any of the Rapid City public schools, and area college students could use extra support, too, said Mike Coats, director of The Center West. The center is a Rapid City organization that offers support and services for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people.
Coats said students who have wanted to start alliances in their schools recently have met with resistance from staff and faculty. However, the school district has allowed such a club before, and if students have concerns, they haven't made them public, such as at a school board meeting.
"A lot of students are afraid to come out because of the bullying and harassment," Coats said.
Many students nationwide have successfully sued their school districts for trying to bar Gay Straight Alliances, often with legal help from the American Civil Liberties Union. Students plan gay-straight alliance
Rapid City Journal, SD
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