Organizations
Non-Profit Organizations:
Non-profits that link GSAs, help LGBT youth or are allies of the LGBT community play an important role in GSA Day celebrations! The following information will help you celebrate and make an impact on this important day!
Be Visible:
The main goal of GSA Day is celebrate GSAs and connect those who want to start a group with local, state or national organizations that can help. By taking part in this national celebration you are increasing your visibility and reach. In addition to signing on as a supporting organization, here some other important ways to be visible:
- Request a proclamation from your Governor declaring your organization and state’s participation in this national event
- Make sure that people know why your organization believes GSAs are important and how you support them through a press release and/or a press conference
- Promote the event on all your social networking sites (Facebook, twitter, etc.)
- Have a panel discussion or a series of town hall meetings throughout the state detailing the importance of GSAs and their benefits to schools
Show appreciation:
Letting people and other organizations know how much you appreciate them is an important part of celebrating GSA Day. Some ideas on how you can show your appreciation:
- If you send out a press release, be sure to include a thank you to all organizations who support your work
- Sending out a thank you card to donors who fund your work or hosting a get together of major donors and GSAs so the they can see the impact their dollars have in organizing GSAs
- Sending thank you cards to all the GSAs in the state and letting them know how much you appreciate their work
Get organized:
If you’re a non-profit organization, and one that particularly focuses on organizing GSAs and helping LGBTA students, GSA Day is a time look inward to determine how well you are connecting with these important student organizations. If you are a non-profit whose sole focus is not GSAs or LGBT students, this is the time to consider how you can better assist their pioneering efforts. Some organizing ideas and thought-provoking ideas include:
- Determining what kind of resources you provide GSAs and LGBT students
- Are GSAs and LGBT students more connected because of your efforts?
- How will you utilize GSA Day to further your organizing efforts?
- How many GSAs are in your state—and how many should there be and how do you get there?
- What are your next year’s goals for reaching out to LGBT students?
- Develop a strong coalition of support from historically oppressed groups and work together on common issues
- How are you tracking and documenting GSAs in your state, community or region?
- How are students involved in your organization?
Join the GSA Day Video Campaign
Tell the world about how important GSAs are and what your organization is doing to help LGBT and allied people to come together to fight homophobia, transphobia, bigotry and hate—you can be as creative or simple as you want!!
Celebrate!
In the midst of planning for this amazing day, don’t forget to have fun and really celebrate! You and your friends are part of a growing social justice movement that is laying the groundwork for equality and respect of all people while eliminating racism, homophobia, sexism and hate! A few ideas:
- Host a GSA Day Kick-Off party the night before at a supportive coffee house or venue
- Invite the Governor or Lt. Governor to come and present a proclamation at the kick-off party
- Send GSA Day gift baskets to GSAs in your area or around your state
- Host a dance
- Host a poetry night or art night in which everyone shares, through poetry or art, what their GSA means to them
Businesses:
Businesses that show their support for LGBT people and their allies are making communities safer, stronger and better places to live and grow. Learn more about how your business can show support for equality and safe schools!
Be Visible:
By taking part in this national celebration, your business is showing it cares about LGBTA students and the bond between LGBT people and straight allies. In addition to signing on as a supporting business, here some other important ways to be visible:
- Encourage your Governor to issue a proclamation to recognize your state’s participation in this national event
- Make sure that people know why your business believes GSAs, school safety and equality are important via a press release and/or a press conference (could be held jointly with a local/state LGBT organization and/or local high school or college GSA)
- Promote the event on all your social networking sites (Facebook, twitter, etc.)
- Encourage employees to take part in GSA Day
- If your company has an LGBT employee resource group, have them plan a party and make sure that people know it exists
Show appreciation:
Letting GSAs and non-profits who work with GSAs and LGBT students know how much you appreciate them is an important part of celebrating GSA Day. Show appreciation for local, state and national organizations that are supporting GSAs by donating to them, whether it be your time, talent or treasure (see “Get Resources” page)
Join the GSA Day Video Campaign
Tell the world about how important it is for LGBT and allied people to come together to fight homophobia, transphobia, bigotry and hate. Talking about it as a member of the business will stand out and be powerful and you can. Be as creative as you want!
Celebrate!
In the midst of planning for this amazing day, don’t forget to have fun and really celebrate! You and your friends are part of a growing social justice movement that is laying the groundwork for equality and respect of all people while eliminating racism, homophobia, sexism and hate! A few ideas:
- Attend or sponsor a GSA Day Kick-Off party with a local or state non-profit the night before at a supportive coffee house or venue
- Encourage the Governor or Lt. Governor to come and present a proclamation at the kick-off party