Thursday, December 15, 2011

Our next big event: National Gay Straight Alliance Day!

For the past five years, Iowa has celebrated Iowa GSA Day during the last week of January. This year, we're taking it national! For the first time ever, there will be a national celebration of GSA Day on January 25, 2012!


GSA Day was started as a way to celebrate and honor our high school and college GSAs. Studies show that students who have a Gay-Straight Alliance in their school report decreased absenteeism and lower rates of name calling, harassment and assault. For decades, GSAs have been working to make their campuses safe places for all students regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. Students who start and take part in these student groups are brave. They dare to create a dialogue to improve lives. We believe that courage deserves to be recognized, to be celebrated!

Help us spread the word by "liking" our Facebook page or following us on Twitter! Tell all of your friends and help us make this a fantastic day of celebration!

GSA Day's Resources page has ideas for celebration as well as links to buy GSA Day T-Shirts and to submit to the GSA Day Video Campaign.

Each high school and college group will be celebrating in their own individual way - all throughout the country. Sign up to receive email updates and news! If you're wondering who to contact, the GSA Day Partner page has a list of State, National, Foundation, and Corporate partners, from California to Kentucky to Massachusetts. Find your state's LGBT youth organization to find out what's happening in your state!

Here in Iowa, Iowa Pride Network will be hosting a Kickoff Party on January 24, 2012 at Ritual Cafe in Des Moines. Join our Facebook event and register online for this fun (and free) event!

If your Iowa GSA is planning to celebrate, please register here. We want to know about all of the awesome things you're doing!

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