Oak Hills High School club, SAGA, is a community dedicated to supporting queer youth. The acronym stands for “Sexuality and Gender Alliance,” and welcomes any OHHS student regardless of their sexuality or gender. While most members identify as queer, the club is open to all with hopes of creating a welcoming and accepting environment, which many feel is a necessity to preserve the mental health of queer youth.
This past November, SAGA participated in the fall craft fair by selling various items such as jewelry, plushies, and cake pops. Thanks to their efforts, they raised a grand total of $535, which exceeded their expectations. All proceeds went to The Trevor Project which is “the leading suicide prevention and crisis intervention nonprofit organization for LGBTQ+ young people,” According to The Trevor Project webpage. SAGA member Jo Audretch, a sophomore, says “It’s really important to help queer youth especially during this time of such uncertainty of what’s going to happen, what laws are going to be put in place.” Audretch believes it is important to create a supportive environment for LGBTQ+ youth because many do not have support elsewhere. Oftentimes, queer teens are the victim of hate crimes, bullying, and homelessness due to unsupportive families. Additionally, laws regarding queer youth and adults are a hot topic amongst politicians and law makers such as House Bill 8 in Ohio which mandates schools to inform parents if their child chooses to be addressed by a different name and/or pronouns. These issues can sometimes devastatingly results in suicide and or other forms of self harm. According to “2024 U.S. National Survey on the Mental Health of LGBTQ+ Young People,” which can be found on The Trevor Project webpage, states, “39% of LGBTQ+ young people seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year,” furthermore, “More than 1 in 10 (12%) LGBTQ+ young people attempted suicide in the past year.” These numbers show just how important it is to prioritize the mental well being of queer youth which as stated is being done at OHHS in SAGA.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, The Trevor Project and Suicide Prevention Hotline are services available 24/7 and can assist people in accessing the help they need. If you or someone you know is being threatened or is experiencing other safety concerns, the Oak Hills School District portal page includes a feature titled “STAY SAFE. SPEAK UP!” and by clicking the icon, anyone can make a report that goes directly to the Green Township police department.
SAGA isn’t just about mental health however. While members can find support in each other when needed, they also have fun at club meetings. Audretch mentions that they often highlight an impactful queer person of the week, such as an activist from history. They also play games like Jackbox. Some members invite friends to meetings but usually there are about 10 members on a weekly basis.
When asked about how other OHHS students can support SAGA, Audretch replied, “Overall just be kinder.” Kindness can make a huge difference, especially in benefitting the mental health of queer teens. Audretch expressed that there may be a stigma associated with SAGA and that the acceptance and kindness of classmates would go a long way.
If you are interested in joining SAGA they meet in Ms. Steel’s room 322 on Wednesdays from 3-4 pm. New members are always welcome and we hope to see the community grow!
