Genders & Sexualities Alliances, or GSAs for short, are organizations that unite LGBTQ+ and allied youth to build community and organize around issues impacting them in their schools and communities.
We know how important these groups are to exist and provide a safe space for LGBTQIA+ identified students within the schools. Especially in a time where states like Florida have passed "Don't Say Gay" bills that empower bigots.
Thanks to Newport Pride and our sponsors and supporters, GSAs in Newport now have a budget to run their programs, including youth support groups at Thompson Middle School, Rogers High School and the MLK Center. Newport Craft Brewing & Distilling generously donated almost $5,000 in proceeds from the Newport Pride closing event held at the brewery on Sunday, June 26 and Newport Pride has passed on checks to each of the groups with this funding.
Also, thanks to the support from Village Heart Bakery in Jamestown, we can also pass on financial aid to The East Bay MET School's GSA group (called GLOW) run by our intern Myka as his senior project!
This is the second year in a row this generous support from Newport Craft Brewing & Distilling is being passed on to the local GSAs. The things we heard from them on how they spent last year's budget include:
Researching each of the Pride Flag's colors and painting the meaning of each on the group's flag
Meeting with the Health Equity Zone to discuss what a Safe Space would look like for middle school students
Creating posters with LGBTQ+ terminology that now hang in display cases on each floor of the school
Twelve students (and their families!) participating in the skating party sponsored by NewportOut at Gurney's
Stuffing 200 gift bags for the Newport Community School's Wellness Fair held at Thompson
We had a display at the Wellness Fair describing our purpose and giving away mandalas to color, as well as 'Proud to Be an Ally' pins made in the group.
Attending the Born This Way Prom, making new friends from across the state
Taking a trip to Ben and Jerry's for ice cream while we brainstormed what to do for PRIDE this year
Buying a Label/Button maker and currently designing buttons and stickers to offer at our table at Newport Pride
Presenting each member their own 3'x5' Pride flag
There is no way we could support them without your help! Thank you! Also, thanks to Newport Craft for their continuous support.
Follow the Newport Pride social media accounts...
Dates for Newport Pride 2023 will be announced later this fall. Stay tuned!
Newport Pride is a small grassroots organization. Your donation will help more students and run this important organization. Consider supporting Newport Pride's work at Newportprideri.org/donate
Comments