This year’s Phoenix Pride Festival celebrated the 38th anniversary of the first LGBTQ rights march in Pheonix. In 1981 gay and lesbian activists marched on the city of Phoenix to bring awareness to rights issues in Arizona. Discrimination and arguments over these rights continue today, making Phoenix Pride an important event in Arizona for students and adults alike.

Higley student Colleen Kelly, who attended Phoenix Pride, shared her thoughts on the inclusion of LGBT+ youth at Higley High School. “I know that they tried to start a GSA last year that flopped. I appreciate the effort even if it didn’t last.” However, she thinks they can do more. “[Best Buddies] did spread the word to end the word. I wish they would do that for words like fag and dyke and gay.”

Many students use derogatory terms in their everyday life. Although it’s not always meant to be harmful it does affect the students they refer to in a negative way, and many students do not realize this.

Sophomore Brenden Roberts says the prejudice comes from the students, not the faculty. “The students are not very supportive. I do know that teachers are supportive but I do know some students treat you like crap.” Although LGBT+ students are not outright discriminated against, some feel there is a lack of respect from other students towards the queer youth at Higley that they want addressed.

Everyone’s situation is different though. Junior Luke Stradling says he thinks the students are generally pretty accepting. However, there is the occasional student who will yell out a slur or bully.

One of the tactics schools use to show support of LBGT+ youth is having a GSA. Higley has had a GSA in the past and several students showed their support of restarting the GSA, or Gay Straight Alliance, a club that promotes a supportive community and equality. Luke, the head of the movement, says, “We’re going to be renaming it. A new name for a new group. We are naming it SAGA which stands for Sexuality And Gender Acceptance. It’s also a more discreet name for people not out to their parents.” Luke hopes to start the club up next year and that the new name will allow more students to attend.

In the modern day where more and more LGBT+ members are becoming increasingly proud of who they are and are coming out as teens, it will be easier for the student body to come together to be supportive of one another.