Gender-Sexuality Alliance Advisors’ COVID-19 Strategies Inform Future Responses to Sociopolitical Crises

In the spring of 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic necessitated a sudden shift to remote learning in schools across the United States, profoundly impacting marginalized communities, including LGBTQ+ students. This qualitative study explores the experiences of Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA) advisors during this period. Drawing on interviews with 10 GSA advisors, the research highlights the structural and logistical challenges faced, such as limited access to technology and virtual-meeting fatigue, as well as the innovative solutions and adaptations made to continue supporting LGBTQ+ youth. The study reveals how GSAs leveraged existing resources, maintained group cohesion, and adjusted meeting structures to navigate the pandemic’s disruptions. The findings underscore the critical role of GSAs in providing continuity and support during crises and offer insights into best practices for sustaining these vital spaces in future sociopolitical upheavals.