On joining Gay-Straight Alliance groups

[wolveraptor]

Let me elucidate one thing up front: I do in fact support gay rights. But, I feel I'm being too much of a pussy to join my highschool's GSA. Why am I refraining? Well, I don't really have time with Jazz band and tennis coming up, but obviously, if I thought this kind of thing important, I'd make time. I also am not sure what they do to halt anti-gay discrimination in the school. I almost think it's sort of a support group for gays, bisexuals and lesbians who are ostracized for their ostentation. But what do I know: I don't actually attend. I think the real reason is that I throw up a lot of rationalizations is that, well, I'm being cowed by peer pressure. I live in an average American town, with average kids, meaning they're homophobic bigots. Even my close friends, who are mostly Catholics, would scorn me if I joined this group. So I ask: am I alone in having compunctions on this? Is it somewhat reasonable that my convictions are not the strongest in this matter?

[Justforfun000]

No, I think if you don't feel the need to join right now, that you shouldn't. You might be like me and dislike the idea of just joining something to make a political statement "just cause you should".

You may head more about it as things go along, someone might be in it and mention some of the actions they are taking and the resistance they are facing or what have you and then you might be like "HEY, that pisses me off! I should get involved". Then you might be motivated to do so.

I wouldn't worry about it.

[Gil Hamilton]

JFF500 is right on the matter. You shouldn't join a club if you don't feel it. You should join if you feel strongly about it and feel you have something to offer the group. From the sound of it, you don't even know what they do, let alone your place in it; things that should discourage you from joining any club, let alone a GSA club.

[Zero]

Most of my homosexual friends aren't even in GSA. Here, it's pretty much a group that people sign someone else's name on as a joke. Why join if it doesn't do anything?

[wolveraptor]

Thanks for the reassurances. I was worried that I was being too easily cowed by the masses.

[Sriad]

I almost think it's sort of a support group for gays, bisexuals and lesbians who are ostracized for their ostentation.

This is essentially what GSA was when I was in high school and attended it some. It should be remembered that the bar to clear for "ostentation" in high school is basically "being out," unless things have changed tremendously in the last few years, and during this time a "mere" coming-out-support group can be a very important factor in a young adult non-hetero's life.

...I think the real reason is that I throw up a lot of rationalizations is that, well, I'm being cowed by peer pressure. I live in an average American town, with average kids, meaning they're homophobic bigots.

Pick your battles, you best know your own circumstances, etc. If you were just entering collage I'd say "do it and get new friends if you must" but High School is a very different, much smaller world.

[wolveraptor]

Thanks. It's good to know this is venial.