Central Florida GSA Network
The Central Florida GSA Network is "overseen by the Zebra Coalition". The Central Florida GSA Network was "founded and [is] supported by the Zebra Coalition and works closely with community leaders like The Dru Project, Equality Florida, and QLatinx. [1]
The Central Florida GSA Network claims to be "a student-led organization that focuses on providing structure for Central Florida Gay-Straight Alliances by developing leadership, promoting community service, and encouraging education about the LGBTQ+ community."
Gay-Straight Alliances were founded by former Barack Obama appointee Kevin Jennings in 1988.[2] Gay-Straight Alliances received support and encouragement by Arne Duncan, former head of the Department of Education in 2011.[3],[4]
Team
- Neil Rios Laverde, President
- Brianna Gonzalez Lagostera, Secretary
- Bryant Nguyen, Treasurer
- Courtney Ring, Marketing Director
- Brett Burlone, Zebra Coalition Board Member, Adviser to GSA Network
- Robin Daily, Zebra Coalition Community Engagement and Coalition Manager, Adviser to GSA Network
Arne Duncan Urges School Districts to Support Gay-Straight Alliance Clubs
Equality Florida touted a letter dated June 14, 2022 from then-Deptartment of Education head Arne Duncan related to Gay-Straight Alliance clubs, which were founded in 1988 at Concord Academy in Massachusetts by his colleague Kevin Jennings, who was Assistant Deputy Secretary at the U.S. Department of Education at the time (These clubs are now widely referred to as "Gender Sexuality Alliance" clubs): See newspaper report here:[5]
- Today, United States Education Secretary Arne Duncan released a letter stressing the importance of Gay-Straight Alliance Clubs (GSAs) in promoting an atmosphere of understanding and acceptance for LGBTQ students. The letter cites the impact of GSAs in helping to quell anti-LGBTQ harassment and bullying.
- Equality Florida has long known the important role GSAs play in creating an environment where all students can feel safe to learn. We coordinate and support the largest network of GSAs in the Southeastern United States; The Florida GSA Network. In fact, we just hosted our 2nd annual Greater Orlando GSA Leadership Institute with 20 of Central Florida's most active GSA Leaders..."
References
- ↑ Empowering Youth One GSA at a time. (accessed June 27, 2022)
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20090107023241/http://www.glbtq.com/social-sciences/jennings_kevin,2.html Jennings, Kevin b. 1963 (Accessed on June 25 2022)]
- ↑ U.S. Dept of Ed Urges School Districts to Support Gay-Straight Alliance Clubs (accessed June 27, 2022)
- ↑ Gay-straight alliances get support from feds (accessed June 27, 2022)
- ↑ Gay-straight alliances get support from feds (accessed June 27, 2022)