More than 100 students and advisors representing 20 schools, alongside 18 community organizations from across the region, gathered at Anacortes High School Saturday, April 25, for the Second Annual GSA Summit for middle and high school LGBTQIA+ support clubs. Organized by the Northwest Educational Service District 189 (NWESD) Prevention Services program, the event reflects the agency’s ongoing commitment to equity and inclusivity.
The day opened with a compelling and energizing keynote focused on the intersectionality of race, immigration, religion and the LGBTQ+ population, delivered by J. Manny Santiago of Santiago Cultural Consulting and former Executive Director of the Washington State LGBTQ+ Commission. Students then participated in three collaborative sessions focused on outdoor engagement, LGBTQ+ history, and fostering connectedness and collaboration. The day continued with a well-moderated, dynamic, student-led panel, where participants engaged in thoughtful dialogue and posed questions to their peers.
Walls and tables covered with Pride displays welcomed students and visitors to the event, transforming the room into a welcoming safe space of community.
Surveys and feedback during the event were collected, showcasing the intangible values students and community advocates were able to glean during the experience.
When asked what their takeaway from the day was, one student wrote:
“Meeting someone I’m gonna be best friends with.”
Peer connection and making new friends was a major theme for the summit as one student shared, “I really enjoy the one where we all got in two lines and talked to a new person every new topic. I got to talk to new people and make friends!”
The youth panel received praise from attendees:
“Youth panel was wise & funny,” and “Great community resources.”
Students and their advisors filled the room with animated conversation, creating a vibrant atmosphere that drew attendees into the heart of the summit.
The day concluded with a lavender ceremony honoring graduating students, followed by a closing gratitude circle led by Page from the Common Goodness Project, offering space for reflection and community appreciation. The lavender ceremony is an empowering tradition that recognizes the accomplishments, resilience, and contributions of LGBTQ+ students and their allies. At the summit, club advisors marked the occasion by presenting graduating students with lavender cords and celebrating their achievements.
Students were able to walk away with goodie bags, community outreach and engagement materials, a certificate of attendance, a rainbow lanyard for writing their preferred name and pronouns, fidget toys, an inclusive progress pride flag, and a program guide for the day.
The GSA Summit strengthens regional support networks for students by expanding their sense of belonging beyond their individual and school communities. By convening students from across NWESD’s service area, including Skagit, Whatcom, Snohomish, San Juan, and Island counties, the summit cultivates meaningful connections, encourages shared learning, and partners youth with local, state, and national resources. Community organizations from each of these counties were represented, alongside several statewide and national partners.
NWESD would like to thank its community and financial sponsors, Anacortes High School, as well as inter-agency departments that have graciously supported the GSA Summit for the past two years.
With gratitude to the following community organizations who attended:
Regional:
- Marysville Pride
- Everett Pride
- South Whidbey Pride
- Coupeville Pride
- Oak Harbor Pride
- PFLAG-Skagit
- Whatcom County Health and Community Services
- Globe Northwest
- Cocoon House
- Common Goodness Project
- Funhouse Commons
- Snohomish County Department of Health
State:
- Washington State LGBQT+ Commission
- Washington State Department of Health: Youth Teen Hub
- Seattle’s LGBTQ+ Center
- North Cascade Institute
National:
For more information about this annual event, or to participate next year, please contact us! We look forward to hearing from you. [Contact]
*This article is proudly shared on behalf of the NWESD Prevention Services Department who work hard to support all students every day.
