Gay Straight Alliance and Weber Empowering Women are two clubs at Weber that often help people find their place while in high school. Both these clubs are aimed toward groups that have often been oppressed, and are still oppressed today. But these clubs aim to tear down those barriers.
GSA has been around for many years and has always aimed to bring together students despite their differences. President of the club, Alister Trejo, puts it, “I want to make a safe space for people that don’t feel like they are included.” This is why GSA has been such a treasured club at Weber; it can help people who might feel like outcasts find community and meet new people. Throughout the year the club does crafts to bring the community together as well go on the occasional club wide field trip.
Jennifer Hobson, a new English teacher at Weber High, serves as GSA’s faculty advisor. Speaking to why the club is important for teenagers, beside the community value, she said, “Having a safe place for these students to spread their wings is pivotal to their development as they grow into adults, along with just figuring out who they are as individuals and where they fit into society as a whole. The GSA also introduces students to resources that are designed to support those who don’t have positive family support and who have been ostracized from their home, social, and other school communities.” Like others, Hobson agrees that the main value is in the community feeling the kids get. She said, “The club gives (students) a voice within a crowd of contention and hate. The club also shows the students that they are supported by the teachers, administration, parents, and others to help them feel accepted.” Continuing, she also said, “Not only does the GSA give students a place to feel accepted and loved, it creates an atmosphere of belonging to a culture.”
Not only does the GSA give students a place to feel accepted and loved, it creates an atmosphere of belonging to a culture.”
that is rich and inclusive. Through GSA programs, students are welcomed into the LGBTQ community, which has a long history of love and support.” As for goals and ideals of the program at Weber High, Hobson adds, “I truly hope Weber High’s GSA program will continue to grow into a positive and inclusive club that helps students feel loved and heard in these tumultuous times.”
WEW is a relatively new club at Weber, only being around for three years, but since its creation it has helped empower women here at Weber How? “By providing women the resources they need,” said vice president KC Anderson. The members of the club have also worked tirelessly to give back to the community through clothing drives, a book drive and art shows. The club does not only help the community, President Shea Mwenda insisted. She said, “We give the women of our club a safe space to express their femininity.” Both Mwenda and Anderson, along with all team members, put many hours into helping students and women alike to find their place through these events among other things.
These clubs can sometimes seem unimportant and irrelevant to the average straight white male, but, for many people, these clubs are a great way to find community through adversity. Historically, both of these groups have been shut out, especially in Utah due to a strong religious population and conservative values. These clubs hope to tear down these barriers and bring students together, while at the same time fighting against homophobia and misogyny.
If you feel cast out or just need a new community, look into joining one of these two clubs. Also, look for future events from these clubs and look for ways to support them. You can follow both clubs on Instagram at @weberhighschool_gsa and @webersempoweringwomen or, see their advisors Crystal Oliverson for WEW and Jennifer Hobson for GSA for more information.