Starting a GSA in the Bible Belt

Love. That is how my parents raised me. They taught me to always love with everything I had. What they didn't teach me was that is everyone wasn't raised the same way.

We were avid church goers. I grew up in the Bible Belt of Texas, so this wasn't that unusual. Every Sunday morning I got up early and went to mass. I participated in organizations such as; Christian Student Union and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. I was serious about my faith and my devotion to God. I always had my pocket Bible with me everywhere I went. I went on retreats and mission trips to spread my love. I was a good Christian.

So when I was finally able to admit to myself that I was in fact attracted to girls, coming out was simple.  My father cried because he was so sad that I had felt like I couldn't tell him right away. I mean, I was seriously so lucky. My identity was embraced with open arms from my friends and family.

I was on the speech and debate teams at my high school, and was starting to get into gay rights. My coach sat me down and explained to me what was happening in our city. She said that there were these organizations called Gay-Straight Alliances (GSA) and one high school was in the process of suing the school for not allowing the club. In order for them to win their case there had to be one other high school that would start an alliance to prove that is was necessary in schools. So I did it.

I started a GSA in my high school. I was so excited to provide an outlet for other QLGTB youth. I couldn't believe I hadn't been the one to think of it first. Since I had started the GSA, my city created a central organization for all the high schools in the area to get together and meet once a month.

Quickly the word spread about the GSA. Once a month I made handmade rainbow signs to advertise our meetings. It was about six months of my club being up and running that things started to change. There was mean slander written on my signs, signs torn down and ripped up, and other signs put up to replace mine.

I still remember it like it was yesterday. Walking into the cafeteria and being stopped dead in my tracks. In a split second everything I grew up believing, all of my faith, was destroyed. I had spent hours, days, years devoting my life to God and all the organizations. How was I repaid? With a sign from the Christian Student Union, at least 20 feet long, with quotes from the Bible about killing homosexuals. I stood there in horror. I felt like my heart had been ripped out of my chest. How could an organization that preaches love extend so much hate?

I spent the next few weeks struggling with the fact that my God would allow such hatred to happen. The members of the GSA stopped coming to the meetings out of fear. Where did this come from? I spent 16 years knowing only love and tolerance. It was as if my world had been shattered.

One morning, before class, I was sitting in the cafeteria waiting for the bell to ring for first period. My principal sat down next to me. These last few weeks I had learned to fear. I was afraid of why she was sitting there. Every possible scenario went through my head. Then she said, "I think the GSA is the only organization we need on this campus. Obviously tolerance is something all students need to learn. I am proud of you and will offer protection for your group."

I am pretty sure I cried. That was the day I realized that not everyone was as lucky as me. My parents taught me to love so big. I could not be more grateful for my experiences.

Jacquelyn