A group for protection, activism and peer support meets Tuesdays at lunch in V2. It calls itself the Gay and Straight Alliance (GSA).

The club focuses on providing a sense of belonging for students living in a society that prejudges them. The club is active in the community, bringing gay issues to student attention. Through organizing days such as “Coming Out Day”, “Day of Silence” and “Transgender Remembrance Day” the club promotes awareness.

The fact that Gunn has a club like GSA is a comforting thought for many alienated students. “It’s a place where they can talk about their issues without fear,” junior ET Minor said. “I feel a lot safer knowing that this club is here to protect me and people like me.”

Others see GSA as a place for making new friends. “Like any club, GSA is a place for people to meet people with the same beliefs,” sophomore Allison Wearey said.

During meetings club-goers play games such as “Move Your Butt,” which helps students share their feelings concerning issues at school without being put on the spotlight. “Move Your Butt is a game to get to know each other,” Minor said. “It’s a way for us to get to know each other with out being too focused on the gay issue.”

The 50-member club is only expected to grow as the year progresses. This year the club is going big and building on days such as “Day of Silence,” junior head of club Reese Probst said. “We are trying to be bigger than we have been in the last couple years by bringing the club to people’s attention through announcements and T-shirt sales.”

While the members have great goals and expectations, they never forget the main purpose of the club.

“It is very important for Gunn students to feel safe in a school environment,” Probst said. “And the GSA is just the place to do that.”