By Dasie Gervacio

Animo Pat Brown has great after school activities. The Gay Straight Alliance, GSA, an extracurricular activity created by Senior David Martinez. The purpose is to create a safe environment for students to express themselves and raise awareness.

The student life at Animo Pat Brown consist of constant homework, classwork, sports, and so much more. However, there are more things that impact the lives of many on campus. The Gay Straight Alliance is meant to assure those in the LGBT community are safe at school to be themselves without the worry about being a target for bullying. The program also shows support by participating in major events such as the Aids walk and Models of pride.

David Martinez said he started GSA because “at school their wasn’t that much LGBT support… and wanted people to feel more comfortable and included.”

Like David has said there wasn’t much of say here at school and in a way it felt like the topic was pushed aside. Being part of the LGBT community isn’t something that someone should be ashamed of or feel like it’s wrong, it should be something that should be embraced. Therefore, students like David Martinez work their hardest to raise awareness and bring comfort to those who need it.

Junior Daniela Pineda, current GSA member, said that they “expand their horizons in [order] to help those who are struggling or how to tell their parents if they are part of the LGBT community.” The purpose of the Gay Straight Alliance isn’t only to raise awareness but to help those overcome personal barriers they face once they come out from hiding. The GSA members also conduct fundraisers in order to support foundations and researches that help the community as a whole. For instance, GSA donated money to the a non profit organization that researches cures for aids. The Gay Straight Alliance is a program in which everyone is welcome, the students are in a safe place to express themselves freely. The members in the program are very supportive and nice to speak to if anyone has a personal problem. They are genuine caring people