Gay Straight Alliance at Another Course to College

Students want to make sure gays get played straight
By Erin Smith/ Staff Writer
Friday, April 22, 2005

Kelly Lydon is hoping to make every student feel a little more welcome in the halls of their high school.

Next week, Lydon and a small group of students have decided to host the first state gathering of Gay-Straight Alliance clubs in Brighton, to talk about dealing with intolerance and homophobia and celebrate clubs' achievements.

Lydon, a high school junior, has been a gay-rights activist for years.

So when she transferred to Brighton's Another Course to College, she started her own Gay-Straight Alliance Club with the help of a $600 grant from the Governor's Commission on Gay and Lesbian Youth.

But rather than handing out the typical free slice of pizza at club meetings, Lydon began brainstorming with her newly founded club. "I wanted to spend the money so that it affected more than just our GSA," said Lydon.

The activists decided to use the money to bring together teens from other GSAs from all over the state for a free conference. The gathering will include a dinner, inspirational guest speakers and even a dance.

Good organizer

Bethany Wood, teacher adviser for the club, praises Lydon's drive for organizing the entire event. Over the years, Wood has noticed teacher advisers often carry the brunt of the work for after-school clubs. But not with Lydon's club.

"I've never met a student in any club who has this kind follow-through. Kelly's an incredible and unique person," said Wood, an 11th-grade English teacher at ACC.

That's why the student-run GSA claims the school's largest and most loyal membership with 10 students, a big accomplishment with a student population of only 200 and a rigorous school-work schedule, said Wood.

But starting a new school club, especially a GSA, isn't easy, said Wood.

Since starting the club, other students at school have vandalized the club's bulletin board and posters advertising meetings with death threats and other homophobic taunts, but many other students have also been supportive, said Lydon.

"It's basically that we now know where everyone stands," said Lydon.

Threats, of course

Lydon said one female student even threatened to beat her up because she is gay. She not gay but bisexual, she corrects.

Lydon hopes sharing her stories will help other teens who are experiencing the same type of situations.

GSAs from as far away as Billerica and New Hampshire will be coming to the convention to share school projects, such as letter-writing campaigns to politicians to support gay marriage and not speaking for the National Day of Silence to recognize gay youth who may feel marginalized.

Lydon hopes its the first of many conventions to unite area GSAs.

ON the gaydar

The Gay-Straight Alliance Convention will be held at Another Course to College at 20 Warren St. on April 29 from 6 to 11 p.m. RSVP to Kelly Lydon at 617-721-9306 or gsaconventionboston@yahoo.com.