Torch - Spring 2018

Fletcher is a trailblazer at Havergal. Previously, the only formal outlet for LGBTQ+ students was the regional gay-straight alliance (GSA) that includes several local independent schools. Although a member of the GSA and grateful for its support, she believes that there is room for further discussion at Havergal specifically. For Pride Week, Fletcher and her team held a design contest to create more personalized Havergal stickers and posters that replace the generic LGBTQ+ flag stickers already in the Senior School. Other activities include speaking at Prayers, a dedicated space where students can post their LGBTQ+ questions, a student council conversation forum, where students can bring questions about sexuality and gender, and a dress down day. Fletcher says she hopes the activities raise awareness and kindness toward this community. “We just want equal rights and representation. Even though it’s 2018 and we say we should be accepting, it’s still not a safe world for many people,” she says. This is what motivates Fletcher to boost awareness at Havergal. “I’m lucky that I have a school, a family and an amazing group of friends who support me and that’s the difference.”

Students perform their spoken word poetry for Tokens 4 Change at the Upper School.

approached the Prefect and her supervisor, who both gave her enthusiastic support.

assault or gun violence in America. So, when I had the opportunity to do something about homeless youth, it really fit into, I think, what spoken word is, and how essential it is to carrying out that message that you want people to hear.” Trail-blazing LGBTQ+ support at Havergal Grade 11 student Ellie Fletcher is a self- proclaimed “science nerd” and competitive rower on the Havergal team since Grade 9. She plays flute in the Symphonic Band and is co-head of Music Connects, Havergal’s initiative to play music at a seniors’ residence for people with dementia. She identifies as bisexual and helped organize Havergal’s first Pride Week in April. The effort began when Wellness Prefect Haley Walker sent out a survey about LGBTQ+ issues, which got Fletcher thinking. “As a member of that community, I noticed a huge deficit in how we talked about these issues,” she says. So, she

Fletcher says the overarching goal of her committee of about 20 students (Fletcher is eager to share credit and says she has assumed the role of spokesperson in part because not all of her colleagues are out) is to raise awareness about LGBTQ+ issues and reduce stigma. “How do we make people feel more comfortable, talk about gender, combat heteronormativity, combat language use that ostracizes groups of people?” says Fletcher, in naming some of the important topics they hope to address. She says that while she knows most are not trying to be deliberately hurtful and that their comments come from ignorance, language use at the school can tend to normalize heterosexuality, everything from people asking what boy a student will take to the school dance, to younger students making comments that reveal internalized homophobia. For me, pride at Havergal conjures up images of diligently planning Pride Week, sharing my experience with people, buying tons of candy for every committee meeting and relishing moments of vulnerability and solidarity. It is a chance for me to not only be comfortable in my own skin, but also to see that I am able to empower other people. The Pride Committee is important for people like me, for everyone in the LGBTQ+ community and for members of Havergal because it is dauntless in its attempt to erase prejudice and actively create a better future. Pride exists not only outside the closet. It exists everywhere, if you care to bring it.

Members of Havergal’s LGBTQ+ group create a new pride logo to raise awareness.

What Pride Means to Me Written by an anonymous student

When I dare to be powerful—to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid.

It’s impossible not to be afraid. It’s impossible not to falter. Having to hide my sexuality at home is scary, but being part of initiatives to promote LGBTQ+ visibility at Havergal is the most liberating and meaningful thing I have ever done. When people have to conceal their sexual orientation or gender identity at home and elsewhere, it is easy to perceive the world as a giant closet and lose sight of hope. The initiatives at Havergal aim to prevent that.

—Audre Lorde

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