"With a little nudge from the American Civil Liberties Union, four St. George high schools in Utah have approved Gay-Straight Alliances clubs for the first time. Logan Hunt (pictured left), a senior at Dixie High, and Jason Osmanski, a sophomore at Snow Canyon High, attending Snow Canyon's Homecoming dance last fall. Both students have successfully submitted applications for Gay-Straight Alliances clubs at their schools."

Salt Lake Tribune reports:

Starting in fall 2010, Desert Hills, Dixie, Pine View and Snow Canyon high schools will have after-school forums specifically for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students, along with their straight friends and allies.

Nationally, there are 4,000 such clubs registered with the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN). The clubs promote safe school climates for all students, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

Last fall, a small group of St. George students launched an effort to form a Gay Straight Alliance at every high school in the Washington County School District.

"We felt alone," said Logan Hunt, a gay senior at Dixie High. "We were worried about our [LGBT] friends we had met. They were often depressed. ... We wanted to create more tolerance in our community for everybody."

But Hunt and his friends met with resistance from some school principals who denied their applications or insisted the clubs meet requirements that the ACLU considered onerous. READ MORE

About Gay-Straight Alliances (GSAs):

Gay-Straight Alliances (GSAs) are student clubs that work to improve school climate for all students, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression. 4,000 GSAs are registered with GLSEN.

About the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network:

GLSEN, the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, is the leading national education organization focused on ensuring safe schools for all students. Established in 1990, GLSEN envisions a world in which every child learns to respect and accept all people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression. GLSEN seeks to develop school climates where difference is valued for the positive contribution it makes to creating a more vibrant and diverse community.

For more information please visit: GLSEN.org