A group of Calloway County High School students wants to start a Gay-Straight Alliance at the school. In a letter requesting the group, students say they need a GSA to address homophobia, harassment, bullying, and discrimination.
They say the LGBT+ group would give students a safe space to talk about their experiences at home and at school. Parents of a student connected to the letter did not provide their child permission to speak to the media.
The 2013 National School Climate Surveyfrom the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network shows nearly 8 in 10 Kentucky LGBT students surveyed experienced verbal harassment and 5 in 10 experienced physical harassment based on their sexual orientation.
Western Kentucky Regional Organizer for the Fairness Campaign Dora James said there are GSAs at many schools across Kentucky.
“Sadly, not all LGBT students are going to have support at home that they need. So Gay-Straight Alliances kind of serve as a support network for students who might not get that support at home. And they can also be a good way for LGBT students to find out about other opportunities for them... and just knowing that they’re not alone,” James said.
Graves, Christian, and Hopkins county schools report they have no LGBT student groups, while Daviess County has had one in years past. Owensboro City Schools currently have a Gay-Straight Alliance.
Calloway County High School Principal Randy McCallon said he has not seen the letter of request yet but said the administration will process it and determine how to move forward.
