After school in room 2204, the just emptied room slowly filled up with seven people, including Cailey Wallace. Contrasting to the noise people in the hallways were making, this group was quiet and subdued. Two more people came in a few minutes later, and the club started. 

The club starts with Wallace doing a slideshow presentation, the words on the slideshow being a bit muddled by the sunlight coming in from the windows and the writing being white. Some people would put their thoughts or input in, but it was mostly silent.

After the presentation, the atmosphere became more mellow and less severe. With people talking about their day, finals, and other miscellaneous topics. Even topics on embarrassing secrets that the members had a great time on. About ten minutes later, the club ended, and people were piling out of the room to get their new designation.

“Thank you all for coming to our meeting today!” says Wallace.

Wallace is the president of the GSA club. GSA stands for Gender and Sexuality Awareness, and that’s what they want to do. Their goal is to advocate rights, educate others, and support others in the community.

Wallace says they have made progress in achieving the stated goal.

“Back in December of 2021, many of us in the Kitsap community fought and managed to get a pro-LGBTQ+ poster put back up into a classroom at Cougar Valley after being taken down by staff,” Wallace said. “There have also been LGBTQ+ books challenged in libraries across CKSD that we have protected. As of right now, our Advocacy Team is working on a presentation for staff on basic definitions, struggles, and ways to support queer students.”

To Wallace, being able to protect what she feels is right even is the most rewarding thing she does. 

“The thing I feel most is pride. Knowing that what we’ve done has made part of the world a safer and more inclusive place,” Wallace said. “And providing support to someone who might need it is such a huge reward.”

There has been some backlash against what they’ve been doing. Places Wallace and others have been to speak out at, people have gone against their beliefs.

“I’ve been speaking at a lot of district board meetings to advocate for things…and every single time I’ve spoken, I have to listen to countless strangers beg with the board to keep pro-LGBTQ media out of schools to “protect their children” from us…and thanking these people for “protecting their rights and religion” by taking away our support,” Wallace said. “It’s really hard to smile through being told I am hurting someone’s child or ruining lives by trying to live mine.”

Even though it’s tough for Wallace, it can become something positive in the end. Like when people are acknowledging what she is speaking about. 

“When I get to see my hard work pay off and see [the books and posters] put back to where they belong,” Wallace said. “I’ve actually been approached by several teachers here at school who went out of their way to thank me for speaking out. It feels great to be acknowledged for my efforts. 

But if struggling with one’s sexuality, Wallace suggests to “ask questions when and where you can, look for media that represents LGBTQ+ people relationships, and look for other queer people who can talk to you about their experiences [and] how they discovered themselves.”

Many people think she is a president with positive qualities, such as Athena Griffin, the GSA Vice President.

“I think Cailey is a wonderful president,” Griffin says. ¨She is very hard working and always tries her best to be fair and productive. She is wonderful at bringing people together. I am very lucky to work with her.”

Another peer is the GSA social media manager, Andy Lujan.

“Cailey is an amazing president for GSA,” Lujan said. “She is enthusiastic, hard working, very welcoming, and kind.”

Wallace has four dogs, two hamsters, and a loving family for family life. Even when coming out, they still love and support her.

“I’m really lucky to have a family that’s so supportive,” Wallace said. ¨My parents have always been there for me every step of the way and reminded me that they love and care about me, no matter what. They’re willing to fight for me, and I couldn’t be more grateful. My closest friends are the same way. It’s so amazing to have all of these people in my life to know who I am and to love me anyway.” 

Wallace has been an open lesbian since 2016, but when she was was four, she had always thought of having feelings for the same sex. Her first experience was with the Hex Girls from the show “Scooby Doo.”

To her, being someone who loves the same sex makes her just the same as someone who is heterosexual. She still has the same joy and love for things others can have enjoyment from; Wallace says this could be a misconception that people who are heterosexual have to other members of the LGBTQ+ community.

“I love giggling with my friends when we see someone cute, things like that.” Wallace said. “It’s not really different than girls who aren’t gay… I’m just like most girls and the form of attraction is the same.”  

Wallace is a person who would speak out when one cannot speak out.

“… It’s so common to see other queer kids struggle with their identity and home lives and not be able to stand up for themselves,” Wallace said. “Which is one of my biggest reasons why I use my voice when I can.”