The Gay/Straight Alliance was formed in the first few years that Plainfield North was opened to provide students with a support system for students who are struggling with receiving acceptance from other students in the school.

According to Kerrin Vance, English teacher and sponsor of the Gay/Straight Alliance, the club was first named STOMP (Students Teaching Open-Mindedness and Pride).

The name of the club attracted confusion, especially from the Stomp dance team who contacted the school asking if the club wanted to participate in meets.  The name was changed to the Gay/Straight Alliance later on to avoid confusion and give the club a name that fits.

The Gay/Straight Alliance has a couple of goals to accomplish this year.  “We have two goals,” said Vance, “causing positive change in our school environment and creating a place where everyone feels safe and respected, and providing an encouraging support system for anyone who struggles with issues of non-acceptance from others.”

The club does not have any plans for any fundraisers this year, but they did recently sell t-shirts to promote the club.  The back of the shirt has a quote by Walt Whitman which states “I exist as I am. That is enough.”  The Gay/Straight Alliance sold these shirts to spread positivity through the school and they did not make a profit from them.

GSA is a year-long club that meets every other Tuesday.  The club is open to anyone and people can still join.  They meet in room 204 and the dates will be on the announcements.  The meetings consist mainly of discussion.

“We talk about how to respond when people are cruel, negative, or ignorant.  There is a lot of personality in the group, so even while discussing serious issues and struggles, you can hear laughter down the hall,”  said Vance.  Although the meeting are sometimes personal, they do exchange ideas on how to help and change the school environment.