Well, an old story to top it off.

Gay Pride at A Black High SchoolBy Mark C. SmithNovember 29, 2004 10:39 AM
My story begins August 16, 2004. It was my first day back to high school after leaving Anytown, a youth leadership institute that teaches teens to break down barriers of oppression. Anytown helps us identify oppression in others and ourselves, particularly around issues of racism, classism, sexism, and heterosexism. This information inspired me to address homophobia and heterosexism at my school, Hazelwood East High School in St. Louis, Missouri. I knew it would be a difficult task. In a predominantly black, heterosexual high school, homosexuality is basically forbidden.
Within the first week of school, I presented an idea to supportive friends and family about starting a Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA). I had learned of GSA’s from other Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) youth at Anytown. They suggested that I write a proposal to my principal to start a GSA. At Hazelwood East, all student organizations need to have a faculty sponsor. It was easy to identify a teacher who I knew would understand and be supportive. Mr. Gilley, my psychology teacher, was the perfect faculty member to approach. I told him my aspirations and asked if he would sponsor the club. He readily agreed yet warned me that a group of students tried to start a similar club and that the outcome was not very successful. Ultimately they had failed to even start such a club.
Despite this information, I felt a sense of relief. I felt confident that I was on my way to starting a GSA at my school. That evening I wrote a proposal to Principal Martin for the GSA. The proposal explained the purpose of the club, the club’s intentions, and that it was open to the student body, regardless of their sexual orientations.
The following day I approached Principal Martin and suggested we meet some time. He said “yes” without knowing what the meeting would be about. In his office I handed him the proposal and patiently waited for his response. After skimming through the paper he immediately said “no.” I was confused and asked, “why?” Principal Martin was unsure how this would sit with the administration and suggested a name change from the Gay-Straight Alliance to a diversity club and to focus more on universal diversity issues. I pushed the importance of the name “Gay-Straight Alliance.” After a friendly "disagreement," I told him thank you and that I would think about his suggestion.
I replayed the meeting in my mind several times and contemplated my next step. Although the proposal wasn’t approved yet, I felt it was still somewhat of a success and I would soon be victorious. That evening, I thought of a plan to get student allies involved. I made fliers informing students about the GSA even though it hadn’t been approved. I needed to get as many students involved as possible and I suggested that they mention the club to their parents. Those approached where asked to sign a paper agreeing to be allies.
From there, the GSA debate raged in the school hallways and escalated among students and even the faculty, causing a great amount of pressure for Mr. Martin. After a week, I had the support from most LGBT students and several straight allies, so I decided to meet with Mr. Martin again. When I met with Mr. Martin I handed him the same proposal as the first. I assured him that the students where very supportive and that the name “GSA” was of great importance in addressing homophobia. Mr. Martin turned down the proposal again.
I was furious but had to keep pushing. Students were inquiring about the outcome and student support was gaining. Within two weeks I met with Mr. Martin for a third time with the same outcome. I was almost clueless as to what I should do to persuade him.
On October 25, 2004, I was cruising the Internet and felt inspired by GLSEN.org. Armed with new information I left a paper for Mr. Martin explaining the reason for the name of the club and that a refusal to permit the organization was illegal. Within a few hours I was called to the principal’s office. Upon entering his office I spoke first, immediately asking if he had read the paper. He said yes and that he would approve of the club if we came to a compromise about the name. I told him that we could change the name of the club but it had to keep its original purpose. He agreed and stated that the name “GSA” would have to be a sub-title to a different name.
The final name for our GSA is The Pride Alliance, representing the pride of all allies no matter what their identity or sexual orientation. Even though the name of the club ultimately wasn’t Gay-Straight Alliance, I feel that my persistence and dedication helps set an example for others struggling for social justice.