GSA returns to North

After+being+absent+from+Parkway+North+or+several+years%2C+GSA+is+back.+Sponsors+Chad+Little+and+Amicia+Huelsman+wanted+to+provide+a+safe+place+for+students+to+discuss+issues%2C+especially+with+everything+that+is+happening+with+trans+issues+in+Missouri.+

After being absent from Parkway North or several years, GSA is back. Sponsors Chad Little and Amicia Huelsman wanted to provide a safe place for students to discuss issues, especially with everything that is happening with trans issues in Missouri.

As Missouri lawmakers pass bills that regulate gender-affirming care and transgender students’ rights to play on certain school sports teams, Parkway North’s GSA (Gender and Sexuality Alliance) relaunches. Sponsors Chad Little and Amicia Hulesman strive to create a safe and positive environment  for  LGBTQ+ students to talk.

“Missouri has been one of the worst states as far as these attacks go, and it gives me a lot of stress. I can only imagine how the students feel,” Huelsman said.

At GSA meetings, students talk about topics that are important to the LGBTQ+ community as well as give the students an opportunity to blow off steam, learn about, and discuss queer history. They also discuss icons such as James Baldwin, Marsha P Johnson, Sylvia Rivera, Magnus Hirschfeld, and Audre Lorde.

“Being transgender myself, I hope to show other students, especially trans students, that we are welcome and belong here. I do activist work in my personal time to advocate for trans rights and organized two rallies in April; I wanted to show students how they can advocate for themselves and each other at school,” Huelsman said.

GSA is open to all students whether or not they are part of the LGBTQ+ community. 

“I think Ms. Huelsman is doing amazing by making the community feel welcomed and safe. She has a very warm but also vulnerable presence which I think is extremely important for building trust with students. Many people know Mr. Little and love his friendly composure, so I think it’s good that he’s part of the GSA,” junior Dani Roman said. 

GSA focuses on providing a safe place for LGBTQ+ students to talk and learn but also focuses on the mental health risks for students who don’t have a safe space to go. 

“Many people aren’t listening to the health care professionals who care and have helped create the safety nets that are already in place to help, support and save the lives of some of our most vulnerable young people,” Little said. 

There is also a need for safety and security in their community. The GSA community will improve the mental health of people in the LGBTQ+ community who feel alone.

“I do believe that it can create a greater safe space and a more comfortable school experience in general,” Roman said.