WATCH: A group of students has creatively expressed support for a controversial club. The Gay Straight Alliance at a Calgary high school has released a video. As Jill Croteau reports, they hope it will change the way people treat each other.
CALGARY – Student members of a Calgary high school’s Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) unveiled a video Friday afternoon to shed light on the experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning (LGBTQ) youth.
The Forest Lawn High School students wrote, filmed and designed the video—with help from Antyx Community Arts—to show the difference they feel a GSA can make. It launched at a special screening at the school.
It’s called “#safeAB: Changing The Way We Treat Each Other,” and students are using the hashtag #safeAB to encourage Albertans to share their ideas on how to keep schools and communities “safe and supportive for all students,” said the GSA in a release.
“The main idea behind it is that anyone can provide support for a kid in need,” said GSA advisor Stephen Becker in an email to Global News.
“Many LGBTQ students have a particular need for support, especially in schools. This video is meant to highlight the role a supportive individual can play, and the role our school GSA has played in supporting our students.”
The video features members from local theatre companies, religious organizations and social activists along with teachers and students.
“It’s a completely different world,” said Grade 11 student Sam Dyck in a statement. “Instead of us being invisible in the school and hiding out, it has a changed the whole perception of our school. It makes the whole school vibe more inclusive.”
The unveiling comes a day after gender-neutral washrooms were announced as part of the design for new school buildings within the Calgary Board of Education. This came after concerns raised by transgender students, who want to be able to access facilities without feeling uncomfortable.
READ MORE: Transgender youth embrace gender-neutral bathrooms coming to Calgary schools
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