“Are you an ally?” That was the theme of Ally Week, a week-long event hosted by the Gay-Straight Alliance Oct. 18 through Oct. 21 to encourage students to become allies in the effort to address lesbian, gay, transgender and bisexual harassment, and support safe environments for all students regardless of sexual orientation.

The student-led, student-created event took place across the nation in middle schools, high schools and colleges to diminish the use of LGBT based slurs and bullying and to cultivate support for the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network. 

In accordance with the network’s pledge, students swear to “not use anti-LGBT language or slurs, intervene in situations where students are being harassed, and support efforts to make this, and every school safe for all students.”  

At De Anza’s Ally Week, at least 100 students signed up and pledged to be allies. Alondra Juarez, a member of both Students for Justice and Latino Empowerment at De Anza, said she hoped that students would “learn to not use words or any kind of slurs that could make anyone feel marginalized out of society.” Along with the 100 plus students, GSA received support from many other clubs on campus including WISE 37; Students for Justice; Jews, Israelis and Friends; and Doubters, Agnostics, Mythbusters and Nontheists.

Aside from signing up student allies, GSA also provided information to raise wawareness about issues in the LGBT community such as gay marriage, allowance of blood donations by members of the gay community, and the “don’t ask don’t tell” policy which restricts United States military personnel from discussing the sexual orientation of LGBT service members. It also puts those service members who do not disclose their sexuality at the risk of being discharged.

The highlight of Ally Week was the spirit day held on Oct. 20. Across the nation, students wore purple to show off their pride and to bring attention to the recent suicides of youth who were bullied for their sexuality. The “Go Purple” theme was created by the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation organization.

As of September this year, ten teenagers have committed suicide after being taunted by fellow classmates for being gay. The most recent was 17-year old Terrel Williams who committed suicide on Oct. 13 just hours after being attacked by five of his classmates. Along with wearing purple, GSA club members  gave away hand-made purple flowers and purple ribbons attached with the note – “Remember those LGBT youth we have lost.”

“This just isn’t something that should be one day or a week in the quad; this should just be something everyday that is talked about, not just at school, but in the classroom, at home and among friends because this issue affects everybody,” Neesha Tambe, executive vicepresident of the student senate said. 

GSA members, Amira Gadre, Colleen McEachern, Chelsi Konsella, and Alix Metanat, discuss the day’s events. Students wore purple during Ally Week to show solidarity with the LGBT community. (Keith Hubbard/La Voz Weekly)