SAGA, which stands for Sexuality And Gender Alliance, is GNHS’s version of a gay/ straight alliance (GSA) club. It is a safe club, where students regardless of sexual orientation, romantic orientation, or gender alignment, are welcome to share their experiences and discuss issues around them.
SAGA’s recent name change, which was only finalized right before winter break, is just one example of how much the club has changed in the last year. This year, attendance has doubled.
“This year we have had over 25 students in one meeting, and we average from about 12 to 15 students per meeting. And at least every other week, we have someone new come drop in,” said Sue Nielsen, the sponsor of SAGA.
About two years ago, the club was at risk of shutting down because of the low attendance rate.
“I only joined toward the end of the last school year, when I was a junior. When I joined, there were only four other members,” said senior Audrey Bauer, SAGA’s sole officer.
Some members say that the previous name held them back from joining the cub
“The old name is one of the major reasons that I didn’t join the club sooner, and I didn’t want anyone else to have the same problem. The old name, including all of the issues with it that the group identified, was my first impression of the group. I didn’t join until my junior year because I was nervous about it being a just gay/straight alliance, with no room for further diversity,” Bauer said.
Changing the name was a long process. Members of SAGA first had multiple discussions about the name and then came up with SAGA. They then had an organized and prepared discussion with the school activities director, Molly Tomlinson. Tomlinson discussed the name with the principal and then had the name change approved.
“The name changing process was totally student directed,” Nielsen said.
SAGA’s goal is to continue to educate the school and staff about the LGBTQIAP+ population.
The club meets every Tuesday after school in room A306.
“The conversations on Tuesday afternoons are really healthy and great. I think the students who show up find real support for wherever it is that they lie on various continuums. It’s a place of safety and comradery, and they can share about all parts of their life. I think that it’s very healthy,” Nielsen said.