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GSA List

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:

  • GSA Development
  • Build the GSA Movement
  • Virtual GSAs In Action

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
Advisor: Erica Márquez
Email / (831) 464-5660 x 152

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

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

Marina High School “Love is Love Club” GSA
Advisors: 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

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

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