Niagara Pride announces winners of Niagara County High School GSAs grants to promote LGBTQ+ diversity

In 2022, Niagara Pride Inc. launched a new initiative with the goal of aiding Niagara County high school gender/sexuality associations (Gay/Straight alliances, or GSAs, for short) to create programming, by offering several $500 grants. The Niagara County High School GSAs Grant requires that schools receiving the grant use the funding to develop educational programming that affirms LGBTQ+ students and helps to create a more diverse and inclusive environment at the school.

Funding for this program has been made possible with donations from local businesses and community members who have made contributions throughout the year to Niagara Pride. As a result of the support, Niagara Pride was able to offer a total of seven grant awards.

This year’s winners are: 

√ Aaron Mossell Junior High School

√ Barker High School

√ Lewiston-Porter High School

√ Newfane High School

√ Niagara Falls High School

√ North Tonawanda High School 

√ Royalton Hartland High School

Winning ideas included ranged from bringing in guest speakers to the school to in-school displays to help create welcoming environments and educate on LGBTQ+ identities. Others include acquiring LGBTQ+ books and resources for the school library and creating an art display.

In addition to the grant funding, Niagara Pride has offered to provide each of the winning schools free LGBTQ+ diversity training for the school or organization.