On Common Ground is a gay straight alliance that has been changing the environment of Leyden for about 10 years. It has been providing gay and lesbian students the support that they need to feel comfortable.

“The club came out of a need,” cosponsor Meg Goins said. Adding that the club provided a sense of safety for gay and lesbian students by offering them a space where they are allowed to be themselves.

She also added that the club has helped kids in Leyden feel like they can be themselves.

They can be surrounded by people who understand and support what they are going through and feeling.

“The club is not only for people who are lesbian or gay,” Mrs. Goins said. The club also has to have people that are straight in it.

In order to do this there would have to be more people that join the club.

“It would be awesome to see the club grow in numbers,” sophomore Natalie Taborska said.

Club sponsors Michele Curley and Mrs. Goins are hoping to continue and change and improve the club over the course of the year.

Some of the events that the club participates in every year are a Halloween dance, youth summits and the Day of Silence.

The Halloween dance is just an opportunity where gay and lesbian students get to socialize with one another. The club also goes on a  day long youth summit, but their major event is the Day of Silence.

The Day of Silence is a worldwide event where people who are or support gay and lesbian individuals pledge to not talk for one full day. They wear a sign on their neck explaining why they are remaining silent. This event will take place on April 13th this year.

If you are interested in the club you can talk to one of the sponsors to get involved or simply attend a meeting. They are every other Tuesday in room 114.