GSA SUMMIT NEWS

The NYC DOE Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA) Summit was held on Monday, January 28th at Stuyvesant High School for Middle and High School students.  This was the second year the Summit was held and more than 1600 students and faculty participated!  It was an opportunity for students and faculty advisers of these clubs to celebrate with the LGBTQ community, network, and learn from one another.  This was the first year Anderson students participated in this exciting event; Mrs. Ridder, our Guidance Counselor and GSA club Advisor, was thrilled to take seven 8th grade students to the event where the students explored various workshops that were offered for students and faculty advisers. Our Anderson students are eager to bring back what they have learned and to help keep our Anderson community feeling safe and respected and that their voices are heard in a safe space.

This year, the summit highlighted five individuals who have made great contributions to society in the face of enormous barriers:

Marsha P. Johnson (1945-1992) was an African-American transgender woman who was an LGBTQ rights activist and an outspoken advocate for trans people of color.

Bayard Rustin (1912-1987) was a civil rights organizer and activist, best known for his work as adviser to Martin Luther King Jr. in the 1950’s and 60’s.

Harvey Milk (1930-1978) became one of the first openly gay officials in the United States in 1977, when he was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors.  Tragically, he was killed the following year.

We’wha (1849-1896) was a Zuni Native American ambassador and accomplished craftsperson. We’wha was a Ihamana, which would today be described as two-spirit.  We’wha connected with visitors, diplomats, and even President Grover Cleveland to provide education about Zuni traditions.

Lorraine Hansberry (1930-1965) was an African-American playwright and writer, best known for her play A Raisin In The Sun.  She was the first black female author to have performed on Broadway.