What is a GSA?
A Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA), Genders and Sexualities Alliance (GSA), Queer-Straight Alliance (QSA) or Sexuality and Gender Acceptance (SAGA) is a student-run club, typically in a high school or middle school, which provides a safe place for students to meet, support each other, talk about issues related to sexual orientation, and work to end homophobia and transphobia. Many GSAs function as a support group and provide safety and confidentiality to students who are struggling with their identity as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, or questioning.
In addition to support, some GSAs work on educating themselves and the broader school community about sexual orientation and gender identity issues. Other GSAs are activist clubs and have worked to get LGBTQ issues represented in the curriculum, LGBTQ related books in the library, and progressive non-discrimination policies implemented at a district level. All of these different types of GSAs also provide a social outlet for LGBTQ students and their straight allies.
For more information and resources about GSAs, please visit the GSA Network, a nonprofit organization that supports students in starting and maintaining active GSAs. To learn more about how to start a GSA or how to make your GSA virtual, visit their websites:
GSAs during Distance Learning
During distance learning, many GSAs are offering virtual meetings and other online resources like Google Classrooms. Contact the GSA advisor for access to these resources.
We See You!
You’re going to get through this. Stay strong, stay safe, take care of yourself and one another, and reach out when you need help. — Safe Schools Project
2020-2021 GSA’s, QSA’s & SAGA’s
Santa Cruz County
Alianza Charter School QSA
Co-Advisors: Jen Salinas-Holz & Allison Royal
Email /(831) 728-6455 x 5977 & Email / (831) 728-6333 x 5504
Aptos High School “Rainbow Alliance” GSA
Advisor: Kenna Gallagher
Email / (831) 728-7832 x 5253
Aptos Junior High School “Pride Club” GSA
Co-Advisors: Kerry Gil & Stefanie Bishop
Email / (831) 728-7834 & Email / (831) 728-7834 & Email /
Branciforte Middle School “Rainbow Alliance” GSA
Advisor: Calli Rickey
Email / (831) 429-3883
Branciforte Branciforte Small Schools Campus: Alternative Family Education, Ark Independent Studies, Costanoa High Rainbow Alliance
Advisor: Sara Homan
Email / (831) 429-3989 x 201
Ceiba College Preparatory Academy QSA
Co-Advisors: Matt Grist & Micaiah Sutter
Email /(831) 740-8800 & Email / (831) 740-8800
Cesar Chavez Middle School GSA
Co-Advisors: Veronica Fernandez & Angelica Flores
Email / (831) 761-7699 & Email / (831) 761-7699
Cypress High School GSA
Advisor: Valerie Neer
Email / (831) 477-0302
Delta Charter High School QSA
Zoom Weekly Meetings & Google Classroom
Advisor: Jamie Cutter, M.Ed.
jcutter@deltaschool.org / (831) 477-5212
Edward A. Hall Middle School “Diversity Club” GSA
Advisor: Neil Cannon & Emma Ochsner
Email / (831) 728-6270 x 4025 & Email / (831) 728-6270 x 4015
Georgiana Bruce Kirby Preparatory School GSA
Advisor: Jessa Kirk & Carolina Martinez
Email / (831) 423-0658 & Email / (831) 423-0658 x 324
Harbor High School QSA
Advisor: Elaina Ramer
Email / (831) 429-3810
Lakeview Middle School QSA
Co-Advisors: Jen Salinas-Holz & Carrie Koscielak
Email / (831) 728-6455 x 5977 & Email / (831) 728-6455 x 5911
Los Gatos High School GSA
Advisor: Mike Bollhorst
Email / (408) 354-2730
Mission Hill Middle School GSA
Advisor: Erin Reintjes
Email / (831) 429-3860
New Brighton Middle School QSA
Co-Advisors: Erica Márquez & Mx. Whit
Email / (831) 464-5660 x 413 & Email / (831) 464-5660
North Monterey County High School “Rainbow Warriors” GSA
Advisor: Ella Achen
Email / (831) 633-5221 x 3250
Pacific Collegiate School (PCS) GSA
Advisor: Andrea Roth & Lauren Fitts
Email / (831) 479-7785 & Email /
Pajaro Valley High School GSA
Advisor: Heidi Story
Email / (831) 728-8102
Pajaro Middle School “Rainbow Alliance Club” GSA
Co-Advisors: Diane Bloch, Sean Murray, Janeen Harris, Julia Reynolds, & Julie Passantino
Email / (831) 728 – 6238 x 4166, Email / (831) 728 – 6238, Email / (831) 728 – 6238 x 4111, Email / (831) 728 – 6238, & Email / (831) 728 – 6238 x 4122
Rolling Hills Middle School “QSA Equality Club” GSA
Advisor: Laura Reeve
Email / (831) 728-6341 X 4815
San Lorenzo Valley High School “Gender and Sexuality Awareness” GSA
Co-Advisors: Sara Young & Erik Kahl
Email / (831) 335-4425 & Email / (831) 335-4425
San Lorenzo Valley Middle School GSA
Co-Advisor: Rex Olivieri
Email / (831) 335-4452
Santa Cruz High School “Rainbow Alliance” GSA
Advisor: Kinnison Gallagher & Conor O’Brien
Email / (831) 429-3960 x 206 & Email / (831) 429-3960
Scotts Valley High School Sexuality and Gender Acceptance (SAGA) GSA
Advisor: Christie Danner
Email / (831) 439-9555 x 107
Scotts Valley Middle School GSA
Advisor: Abbie Stevens
Email / (831) 438-0610
Sequoia Schools GSA: Sequoia High School, Sequoia Academy, Sequoia PLC, Sequoia Independent Studies, and Sequoia Middle School
Co-Advisors: Pablo Orozco-Castro, Kimber Collins, and Michele Delibert
Email / (831) 466-5669 & Email / (831) 466-5693 & Email / (831) 466-5678
Shoreline Junior High School “SAGA (Sexuality and Gender Acceptance)” GSA
Co-Advisors: Nick Falco Elias & Rachel Dysart
Email / (831) 475-6565 x 1102 & Email / (831) 475-6565 x 1214
Soquel High School “Gender and Sexuality Diversity Club” GSA
Co-Advisors: Ryan Bosson & Natasha Castro
Email / (831) 429-3909 & Email / (831) 429-3909
Watsonville Charter School of the Arts GSA
Co-Advisors: Jen Salinas-Holz & Shannon Hammond-Pappazisis
Email /(831) 728-6455 x 5977 & Email / (831) 728-8123 x 7703
Watsonville Charter School of the Arts GSA Junior (3rd through 5th grades)
Co-Advisors: Jen Salinas-Holz & Melissa Shaw
Email /(831) 728-6455 x 5977 & Email / (831) 728-8123 x 7707
Watsonville High School Sexuality and Gender Acceptance (SAGA)Advisor: Celine Cuneo
Email /(831) 728-6390
Monterey County
Alisal High School “Be Yourself Club” GSA
Advisor: Jaquelyn Gallardo
Email / (831) 796-7600
Everett Alvarez High School GSA (Gender/Sexuality Alliance)
Email / (831) 796-7800
Gonzales High School “Pride Club” GSA
Advisor: Stephanie Boerlin
Email / (831) 675-2495
Main Street Middle School “Skittles” GSA
Advisor: Aidee Aldaco
Email / (831) 678-6460
Marina High School “Love is Love Club” GSA
Advisor: Cory Ward
Email / (831) 583-2060
Monterey High School GSA
Advisor: Lauren McMercury
Email / (831)392-3801
North Salinas High School GSA
Advisor: Cathie Culver
Email / (831) 796-7500
Pacific Grove High School GSA
Advisor: Tara Tullius
Email / (831) 646-6590
Rancho San Juan High School GSA
Advisor: Natalie Bernasconi
Email / (831) 273-7700
Salinas High School “Be Yourself Club” GSA
Advisors: Kacee Fujinami, German Cortez, Holly Hollingsworth
Email, Email, Email / (831) 796-7400
Seaside High School GSA
Advisor: Andrea Diehl
Email / (831) 392-3530
Soledad High School GSA
Advisor: Artemisa Delgado
Email / (831) 678-6400
Washington Middle School “Be Yourself Club” GSA
Advisors: Lauren Rubin, Gabrielle Devilla
Email, Email / (831) 796-7100
York School “Q&A Club” GSA
Advisor: Kande Williston
Email / (831) 372-7338
Compiled by the Safe Schools Project, a program of the Queer Youth Task Force (QYTF), the Diversity Center Youth Program, TransFamilies Santa Cruz & Watsonville, and Our Gente, a program of the Epicenter. Subject to change due to staffing changes within the school system. For more information, contact QYTF at email or (831) 427-4004.
Last updated December 1, 2020