Denver, CO -- One Colorado, the state’s leading advocacy organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) Coloradans and their families released the following statement from One Colorado Youth Program Coordinator, Jordan Anthony, on the relaunch of One Colorado’s GSA Leadership Council during LGBTQ Education Week, recognized from September 30th - October 4th, 2019.

“No one better understands what it’s like to be a young queer person in school more than young queer folks themselves. If we, as youth-serving adults, want to create positive experiences for LGBTQ youth, it’s essential to capture and understand the perspectives of young students,”

says Jordan Anthony, Youth Program Coordinator.

One Colorado is pleased to announce the relaunch of the Gender and Sexualities Alliance (GSA) Leadership Council. Representing schools from the southwest corner of the state to the Front Range, these young advocates will serve as representatives for their community and will help direct One Colorado’s work in supporting LGBTQ youth. This council is comprised of nine young advocates from across the state.

One Colorado’s 2019-2020 GSA Leadership Council Members are:  Julia Gentry, representing Air Academy District 20 in El Paso CountySkyler Kasnoff, representing Denver Public SchoolsSierra Lloyd, representing District 51 in Mesa CountyAriana Bustos, representing District 11 in El Paso CountyAlistair Mayfield, representing Garfield County School DistrictAmayas Gonzales, representing Denver Public SchoolsEmily Weed, representing Eagle Ridge High School in Adams CountyAnthony Swenk, representing Fort Lewis College in La Plata CountySalem Hansen, representing Cherry Creek Public Schools in Arapahoe County

The One Colorado GSA Leadership Council will serve for the duration of the 2019-2020 academic year. These youth will grow their community organizing skills and will bring the voices and experiences of their unique communities to a statewide audience. They will also be working to develop, grow, and connect GSAs in their regions. The GSA Leadership Council meets monthly to share best practices on growing the GSA network and troubleshoot barriers or obstacles that students may be facing in their schools.

To learn more about the One Colorado’s 2019-2020 GSA Leadership Council Members, visit: https://one-colorado.org/gender-sexualities-alliance-gsa-leadership-council/