by Brayden Wilson, Student Reporter
If you are interested in a club that is all about acceptance and building relationships, then you need to join the Gay Straight Alliance here at Northwestern.
The Gay Straight Alliance is a campus organization that focuses on spreading love and helping others.
GSA president, Northwestern junior Peyton Lucas, started the group last year. When asked what inspired him to create GSA Peyton responded, “I just wanted to start this as a way for people who might be questioning or who are not really too sure of themselves to have somewhere to go and actually be able to learn more about themselves and be open, to be free, to be who they are, and to kind of breakdown walls they might have built up over time.”
GSA prides itself on being an open and welcoming space that refrains from judgment. Tanya Crain, a Northwestern freshman and GSA member, loves being a part of GSA simply because of how accepting it is.
In an interview with GSA sponsor, Psychology Professor Mistie Kline spoke about why she thinks this club is vital to Northwestern. “GSA is important because everyone wants to belong somewhere. This group is special in the sense that every single student is welcomed, period. This group of students gather every other week to support and care for not only each other but Northwestern and the community. I am so honored and proud to be their sponsor and Ally.”
Last year, GSA participated in many campus activities, fundraised for the Comfort Drive and the Women’s Crisis Center, as well as sent cards to local nursing homes and organized the Free Mom Hugs event. This year the group plans to do more fundraising for local organizations, larger organizations, and host more events. However, GSA is open to any suggestions by current and future members.
GSA does not request dues but does encourage new members. Its next meeting is at 5 p.m. Thursday in EC 217a.
Mistie Kline encourages students to talk with her or members of GSA to learn more about the organization. Kline’s office hours are posted on her office door in EC 208.