Farrington High School is getting some national recognition for its commitment to sexual and gender equality. 

The Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network today announced that the school has earned the Gay-Straight Alliance of the Year award. The award will be presented at a ceremony in New York on May 20.

The GSA of the Year award recognizes a student club that has demonstrated outstanding leadership within a school community to ensure that all peers feel safe and are treated with respect regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

The Farrington Club holds weekly after school meetings, field trips and community events, including the AIDS Walk.  It also ran a public service announcement.

From the press release: 

“Hawaii is often pictured as an island paradise; but in reality, we too, struggle with intolerance and discrimination, particularly towards our LGBT population,” said Alison Colby, co-advisor of Farrington High’s GSA. “Our school is located in the center of a tough urban area, and consequently, our reputation is often negative. This honor gives us all a tremendous lift – it is a celebration of our youth’s power to create a school and community based on acceptance and love.”

But Farrington isn’t new to LGBT leadership. Prominent transgender advocate Janet Mock graduated from the school in 2001 and plans on attending the awards ceremony to celebrate her alma mater.

Courtesy of Guillaume Paumier

— Alia Wong