2005, GSA Network led the creation of the National Association of GSA Networks, a coalition designed to support the growth of the national GSA movement. The Association began with 12 member states and Washington DC, and eventually expanded to include over 40 statewide organizations

At the same time, youth in California continued to organize and win legislative victories that advanced protections for LGBTQ+ students

From 2011 to 2015, the organization deepened its focus on racial and economic justice. In 2011, GSA Network launched a program specifically designed to support youth of color navigating systemic oppression in schools. The organization also expanded geographically, opening a Southeast office in New Orleans in 2014.

2011: National Gathering of GSA Networks in ______, co-hosted by our partner

2012: National Gathering of GSA Networks in ______, co-hosted by our partner

2013: National Gathering of GSA Networks in ______, co-hosted by our partner

2014: National Gathering of GSA Networks in Minneapolis, Minnesota, co-hosted by our partner

2014: GSA Network Southeast launched!

In 2015, the organization adopted a Co-Executive Director model, prioritizing leadership by LGBTQ+ people of color at the highest levels of management and governance; Geoffrey Winder & Ginna Brelsford became Co-Executive Directors. This shift was made in alignment with the identities and leadership of the youth that GSA Network serves.

2015: National Gathering of GSA Networks in Berkeley, California, celebrating the 10th anniversary of the National Association of GSA Networks.

December 2015: #transTRUTH storytelling campaign launched!

April 2016: GSA Network renames itself to Genders & Sexualities Alliance Network, formerly known as Gay-Straight Alliance Network

June 2016: Pulse Nightclub Mass Shooting in Orlando, Florida. Solidarity from GSA Network.

October 2016: Standing Rock #NoDAPL Protests on the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe Reservation (North Dakota and South Dakota). Solidarity from GSA Network.

June 2016: Regional Organizing Convening held in New Orleans, Louisiana.

2016: National Gathering of GSA Networks in St. Louis, Missouri, co-hosted by our partner !

January 2017: Protect. Defend. Resist. GSA Network statement on Inarguation Day.

2017: National Gathering of GSA Networks in ______, co-hosted by our partner

February 23, 2018: GSA Day 4 Racial Justice National Day of Action! #FreeOurFolks from the PIC (Prison Industrial Complex)

August 2017: GSA Network Midwest launched!

September 2017: GSA Network solidarity with TQ2S migrant and undocumented youth, and all DACA recipients.

December 2017:#ShowUp4TransYouth

March 2018: Following the mass shooting at Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, a GSA youth leader and peers organized a #NationalSchoolWalkout, evolving into the March for Our Lives student-led movement for gun control legislation.

May 2018:Expression Not Suppression (ENS) is held in Fresno, California.

2018: National Gathering of GSA Networks in ______, co-hosted by our partner

September 14, 2018: “Visions For Liberation: Then and Now” Gala held to celebrate 20 YEARS of TQ2S+ Youth Leadership

February 22, 2019: GSA Day 4 Racial Justice National Day of Action!

August 2019: National Gathering of GSA Networks in Santa Fe, New Mexico, co-hosted by our partner GSA Network of New Mexico at the Mountain Center.

September 2019: GSA Network Southwest launched!

December 2019: GSA Club Power. GSAs have officially sprung up in all 50 states, and the number of middle school clubs surged in 2019.

2020

• January: Our Gender Justice Leadership Programs (GJLP), a collaborative project with Transgender Law Center, launched and included a multi-dimensional, media-based strategy to center and uplift the power, leadership, and truth of trans and nonbinary young people. GJLP expanded the work of our first trans youth-centered initiative, the TRUTH Program.

• February: GSA Day 4 Racial Justice National Day of Action! #StillWeRise

• March: The COVID-19 Pandemic transformed the ways GSA clubs stayed connected; the Digital Organizing Toolkit resource was published to support youth leaders in this transition

• June: With graduation ceremonies canceled in nearly all high schools across the country, we hosted a national virtual Lavender Graduation to celebrate trans and queer graduating seniors with an inspiring keynote speech from trans activist and movement mother, Miss Major!

• November: GSA Day for Gender Justice National Day of Action focused on the second point of TRUTH’s Nine Point Platform: We Call for the Abolition of the Police, ICE, Borders and the Judicial System.

• November: In observance of Native American Heritage Month, we announced our new Two Spirit Initiative, strengthening our commitment to bridge the gap between Native youth organizing and LGBTQ+ youth organizing.

2021

• February: GSA Day 4 Racial Justice National Day of Action! Trans and queer youth continued to call for Police Free Schools and a reimagining of what school spaces could look like when all youth are safe and supported in their learning environment.

• November: Roses Initiative launches with 70 care packages for trans girls of color across the U.S.

• November:GSA Day for Gender Justice National Day of Action focused on the third point of TRUTH’s Nine-Point Platform: We Call for an End to Disposability Politics and a Commitment to Transformative Justice. Transformative Justice Zine

2022

• August: National Gathering of GSA Networks in Atlanta, Georgia, co-hosted by our partner, Georgia Safe School Coalition! We brought together nearly 100 organizers from 19 states to address the onslaught of anti-trans bills emerging across the U.S.  This was our first in-person, national convening since the start of the pandemic and an incredible opportunity to reconnect in person with our national partners and brainstorm together.

• September: Celebration of Leadership and Legacy: Geoffrey Winder transitions from his role as Co-Executive Director; Juniperangelica ‘Gia’ Loving becomes Co-Executive Director with Ginna Brelsford

• November: Devising Freedom 10-year Organizational Strategy shared re-naming GSA Network’s core pillars: Homecoming, Truthtelling, Spiritsustaining, Stargayzing

• November: GSA Day for Gender Justice National Day of Action focused on the fourth point of TRUTH’s Nine-Point Platform: We Call for the End of the Cisgender Heteropartiarchy!

• Spring & Fall: We kick-started virtual youth-led General Assemblies to connect trans and queer students to one another and our youth leadership and organizing programs. More than 50 students attended our first two youth-led General Assemblies this past spring & summer, with increased representation from rural and historically marginalized communities.

• From LGBTQ+ to TQ2S+. We are decolonizing our curricula and centering more expansive and culturally relevant vocabulary at GSA Network. As part of our Two-Spirit Initiative based in the Southwest U.S., we’re working with Native-led organizations to acknowledge the identities and experiences of all young people who have historically been marginalized and underrepresented.

2023

• May:25 Years of Building a GSA Movement

• August: National Gathering of GSA Networks in Washington, D.C., co-hosted by our partner SYMAL.

• September: GSA Network’s Youth Freedom Fund is launched to resource GSA club projects with $500 mini-grants.

• November: GSA Day for Gender Justice National Day of Action focused on the fifth point of TRUTH’s Nine-Point Platform: We Call for Decolonization and Reparations for all Indigenous and Black Peoples!

2024

• August: National Gathering of GSA Networks in Detroit, Michigan, co-hosted by our partner Affirmations Community Center.

• June: Devising Freedom and Queer Abundance: Maya LaFlamme becomes Co-Executive Director and joins Gia on the GSA Network executive team! The operational and strategic leadership of outgoing Co-Executive Director Ginna Brelsford is honored!

• November 1: STAR Freedom School opened

• November: GSA Day for Gender Justice National Day of Action focused on the sixth point of TRUTH’s Nine-Point Platform: We Call for Comprehensive Education that Reflects our Histories and Needs!

2025

• August: National Gathering of GSA Networks held in Little Rock, Arkansas, co-hosted by our partner InTRANSitive.

• September: GSAs ARE HERE TO STAY! Registration campaign relaunches for the school year, inviting school-based and community-based GSAs to join the movement.

• November: GSA Day for Gender Justice National Day of Action focused on the seventh point of TRUTH’s Nine-Point Platform: We Call for the End of Global White Supremacy!

Holding space for our road to 2050

• Radical Democracy

• Regenerative Economy

• Comprehensive Education