The School Outreach Coordinators at Totem and Kilo Middle Schools advise the student-led Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) clubs at their schools. GSA provides a safe place for students to meet, support each other, talk about issues related to sexual orientation and gender identity and expression, and work to end homophobia and transphobia within their community.
Thanks to a grant from the Pride Foundation, students have been able to participate in cross-school collaboration events and activities throughout this school year that have built a social network of support among students from Totem, Kilo, and Thomas Jefferson High School.
Recently, students from Kilo and Totem Middle Schools completed a service-learning project by participating in the Capitol Hill Clean Sweep, as a part of Pride Month. They were among over 200 volunteers who picked up over 50 bags of trash (on the hottest day so far this year), to make the streets of Capitol Hill “sparkle.”
Additionally, as the school year is winding down, students from the Thomas Jefferson High School hosted an end of year celebration with students from the Kilo and Totem GSAs. Students enjoyed food, a pinata, and meeting new people in a safe space for self-expression.
Communities In Schools is dedicated to supporting and advocating for all youth who face obstacles to education, including our LGBTQ students. We want to share the successes and strides our LGBTQ students have made this year within their schools and larger community, in strengthening awareness, understanding, and acceptance among their peers.