LGBTQ+ Students at Glasgow
December 17, 2020
Ms. Durgavich is an advisor for the Gay-straight Alliance club. This club is for members of the LGBTQ+ community to talk and discuss their feelings and thoughts about their experiences. In an interview with Ms. Durgavich, she said that one of the club member’s favorite activities is to just talk. She said students see it as a free space where they can talk and be who they are without having to look over their shoulders.
In many cases, LGBTQ+ students aren’t treated equally to straight students in Glasgow and around the world. Ms. Durgavich expressed some of the examples of homophobia at Glasgow. She said, “Listening to kids yell the word “fag” down the hall would be an example of homophobia. When we put up posters to celebrate our club, posters have been torn down, which would be an example of homophobia. I’ve had students tell me that another student told them that that’s not right that it’s against religion, it’s against God, for two people of the same sex to love one another.” She also said that many LGBTQ+ students at Glasgow face homophobia at their own homes. Many parents of LGBTQ+ students don’t accept their children for who they are. This can leave these students with a horrible mindset and quite often suicidal thoughts.
Ms. Durgavich has a daughter (Jenna) who is a part of the LGBTQ+ community. Once, Jenna tried to jump out the second-story window of their home. Ms. Durgavich’s first reaction was “Oh my God. I was scared to death and I didn’t understand what was going on, but again because we were very lucky we were able to get her to a very, very good therapist who was able to work with Jenna and help her work through everything that was going on in her life.” However, not everyone is able to get the resources that Durgavich’s got.
When asked if Ms. Durgavich had any advice for LGBTQ+ parents she said, “That you should love your children unconditionally and if it all possible find therapy to help the child and help yourself to work through the many issues that there are to ensure that your child stays mentally healthy is strong, because the dangers are incredibly real. She said you should also try to stay connected with your child as much as possible”. She said that since she and her daughter both love books and Starbucks they do both of those activities together to connect.
In Ms. Durgavich’s words, “LGBTQ+ community at Glasgow is larger than most would think and that we need to continue to push for acceptance”.
Maclain Monsky (she/her) is an 8th grader at Glasgow Middle School and lives in Virginia. She is a competitive swimmer for the Potomac Marlins and the Dowden Terrace Dolphins. In the spring, she plays defense, attack, and goalie for Annandale Lacrosse. She recently joined VA 1 which is a travel lacrosse team. She enjoys art, especially using the mediums of markers and colored pencils. Another one of her favorite things to do is play Minecraft and Valorant with her brother.
henry
Oct 18, 2021 at 7:30 am
hi! we changed it to The Identity Club
Maclain Monsky
Oct 25, 2021 at 9:02 am
Thanks for letting us know! We’ll take that into account for the future!
h. jouti
Oct 26, 2021 at 11:43 am
thxx maclain btw it henry
Sofia Lizbeth Amaya Diaz
Feb 18, 2021 at 6:29 pm
I was in the LGBTQ+ Support club this year the people that were in that group help me find myself and Ms.Durgavich reminded us to love yourself for who we are not for who someone wants us to be. I am Bisexual and I proud of who I am but I sometimes I hate being bisexual I haven’t told anyone I am bi but I’m trying too.