The Center West organizing regional GSA

The following press release has just been sent to area media:


Press release
Western South Dakota Gay, Straight Youth Alliance organizing

The Center West, an information, resource, referral and support center serving the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community in Western South Dakota will be hosting an organizational meeting for a Western South Dakota Regional Gay, Straight Alliance on March 29th at 4pm at The Center West, 3601 Canyon Lake Dr. Rapid City.

The purpose and mission of a Gay, Straight Alliance is to provide a confidential, safe, supportive, nurturing environment for LGBT youth and their friends and supporters in order to be able to grow, understand themselves and others by learning, being informed and socializing with other LGBT youth and appropriate adult mentors.

LGBT students in Western South Dakota have made several attempts within the various schools to organize a GSA. Most have been met with resistance both from administrators and from faculty and staff. Plus, students have been afraid and unwilling to come out publicly to form these organizations because of the negativity surrounding sexual orientation and gender identity issues. The threat of harassment and bullying is an ever present danger.

Mike Coats, Director at The Center West has been working with LGBT youth in Western South Dakota for several years and is very familiar with the obstacles facing LGBT teenagers and young adults in this area. The hostile and negative climate facing these young people creates feelings of isolation, negative self image and self worth and too often leads to risky, self destructive behaviors and even suicide. The suicide rate for LGBT youth is six times the national average for youth of the same age.

Conversations with local school counselors point out that the vast majority of those who attempt suicide have sexual orientation or gender identity issues. While this may or may not be the main cause for all suicide attempts it is very much a contributing factor in most and very often is the 1000 pound elephant in the middle of the room that no one has the courage to talk about.

It is for these reasons that The Center West is inviting LGBT students of both high school and college age to gather on March 29th at 4pm for the purpose of organizing a regional GSA to assist each other and provide support, information and social opportunities not available elsewhere.

There are more than 2.5 million gay students under the age of 18 in the USA alone.The first Gay Straight Alliance was started in Europe over a half century ago.

There are over 3500 Gay Straight Alliances in the USA. Gay, Straight Alliances have been very successful in helping LGBT young people come to terms with sexual orientation and gender identity issues and also to help create a safer, more nurturing environment for LGBT youth in which to learn and to grow. They have also been very helpful in reducing bullying in schools and also to counter the negative affects of that bullying.

While The Center West will be sponsoring and hosting these groups, it will be the students’ organization and they will maintain control within the guidelines set by The Center West Board of Directors. Once organized, the GSA will divide into High School and College age alliances.

The Center West is also inviting parents and teachers who are interested in providing guidance and other assistance to call the Center West to arrange a meeting and to get more details. The Center West’s mission is to provide assistance to not only the students but to parents, families and anyone who works with teenagers and young adults. For more information call 605-348-3244.

Michael M. Coats, Director
The Center West
3601 Canyon Lake Dr.
Suite 4
Rapid City, SD 57702
605-348-3244