Gay–Straight Alliances Impact on School Climate and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, or Transgender Student Well-Being

A literature review of Gay–Straight Alliances (GSAs) and their impacts on student perceptions of safety and well-being in school is presented. The authors also examine how schools with active GSAs feel and function and how the school culture compares to schools without GSAs. Research suggests that the presence of GSAs in schools leads to both short- and long-term benefits to students, for both lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT) students and their heterosexual allies. Though GSAs face legal barriers in school settings, this review outlines benefits in detail and conveys that literature promotes the continued support and creation of Gay–Straight Alliances in schools.