By Essence Talley

At Patterson High School there is a program called the Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA). This program gives students somewhere to talk and to express themselves about being different. This program is held after school on Tuesdays. Mr. Jade Donigian is the adviser for the GSA at Patterson High.

Mr. Donigian says some of the students inspired him because of the amount of confidence each student has in themselves.The program started in late September. The GSA got started because some of the students came to Mr. Donigian about the idea and wanted to feel safe and feel comfortable. The purpose of the program is to provide a safe space to talk about the struggles they go through and make them feel like they are not alone. One of the plans the group is coming up with is having a LGBTA prom.

One of the members of the GSA is Brionca Jackson. The reason why Jackson joined the program was because she thought it was beautiful, she could relate, and they needed a support system. Jackson’s future goal is to organize LGBTA events and recruit more youths to join the program.

This program is a good program for students to feel special and not feel different than anybody else. GSA is helping to make the students feel safe and comfortable.