Submission from Chuck Mallette, former (retired) teacher/advisor for the SHDHS GSA South Huron District High School (SHDHS) in Exeter, Ontario was the first secondary school in Huron County to form a Gay Straight Alliance (GSA), the purpose of which is three-fold:   Firstly, this student-led club provides a safe place for queer students and their allies. The weekly meetings allowed young people to openly discuss issues that affect them personally and, as a group, in a forum free from judgement and oppression. The club eventually changed the words in the acronym “GSA” to Gender and Sexuality Alliance in order to be more inclusive of trans, bi, pan, two-spirited and questioning + youth.--   As a social group, the GSA held many potluck suppers, movie nights and field trips to such places as the LGBTQ Museum in Toronto, workshops in nearby cities, a tour of Church Street in Toronto and a visit to the AIDS Committee of London among others.--   Secondly, the club strives to raise awareness in the school. The highlight of this campaign was the yearly “Rainbow Week” in February during Family Day week. The timing symbolizes that families come in all forms and combinations. During Rainbow Week, morning announcements included the “Homo Moment”, a school-wide assembly, information tables, free hand-outs, a bake sale, a queer-themed showcase in the main hallway and a book display. Significantly, this GSA took their awareness-raising campaign into the wider community and did an open forum presentation at the Exeter Public Library. For these efforts, the SHDHS GSA was recognized nationally by being awarded the TD Canadian Safe School Network Award.--   Thirdly, the leaders of the SHDHS GSA arranged for students to attend various conferences and workshops, some of which included GSAs from across Canada and others that were more regional in nature. At one conference in Winnipeg, the words of one of our GSA members are remembered: “This is the first large gathering of young people where I, as a queer youth, was in the majority. It was empowering.    The SHDHS GSA has also advocated for a more comprehensive presence of queer stories, history and events in the Ontario curriculum as well has a more queer-friendly sex education component.--   The efforts of the SHDHS GSA has had a lasting effect on the school’s climate and, though work needs to continue, positive steps have been taken. Students and staff have seen the benefit of this GSA’s work by amazing young people who, with courage and commitment, have made a positive difference.--