LGBTQIA+ Presence & Community Life
GFS is committed to supporting gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and non-binary students, parents, faculty, and staff.
We strive to be a safe and welcoming school where all community members can proudly be out, affirmed in their identities, and surrounded by powerful allies.
There are a number of initiatives and groups that address LGBTQIA+ issues at GFS, including our student-led Upper School Sexuality and Gender Alliance (SAGA).
Also yearly, GFS students and faculty participate in the National Day of Silence that brings attention to bullying and silence that gay, lesbian, bi and trans people face in many schools. Day of Silence is an initiative of the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, an organization that promotes safe schools across the country.
Faculty Initiatives
Our faculty and staff are actively engaged in supporting gay and lesbian families, in exploring sexual orientation and gender identity, and are leaders in diversity at GFS. We encourage all faculty-staff to engage in professional development around gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender issues.
Key projects include:
- Lower School Social Justice Taskforce
The Lower School Social Justice Taskforce works with Lower School teachers to better access language and vision around gay and lesbian issues. In the past, members of this group have sponsored workshops and book fairs surrounding LGBTQIA+ issues for faculty and provided age-appropriate classroom resources that affirm the diversity of families.
This taskforce is an important voice in bringing awareness and support to the Lower School and the entire school community.
- Diversity Committees in Every Division
Groups of faculty and administrators in Early Childhood through Upper School support diversity efforts and help to deepen the diversity conversation across the divisions.
These groups support faculty in issues of teaching and learning pertaining to diversity and multiculturalism, and helps to build positive community interactions in our diverse school community.
Professional Development & Faculty Diversity Leadership
As a national leader in diversity among independent schools, GFS builds capacity among faculty members who have a deep interest in leading discussions around diversity, multiculturalism and social justice, including being a LGBTQ-affirming school community.
- Opportunities to attend conferences and trainings on topics focused around safe schools, anti-heterosexism/homophobia, transgender realities, social justice education, etc. are publicized and made available to teachers.
- In-house professional development training opportunities for faculty and staff are offered yearly and are designed by the Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. These include Intergroup Dialogue facilitation and a Professional Learning Community for anti-bias and social justice education.
- Faculty meetings dedicated to creating safer spaces and strengthening expertise in working with students across the spectrum of gender and sexual identity.