On December 4, the Gender-Sexuality Alliance Winter Formal Planning Committee met after school in Ms. Jessica Baker’s room to discuss the club’s annual winter dance.

This will be the fifth year that the club hosts this dance, which has become increasingly popular each year. Open to GSA students from Linganore as well guests and members of GSAs at other schools, the formal is a place for students to feel comfortable and accepted no matter sexuality or gender identity.

“No matter your sexuality or gender identity, [the dance] is an event where everybody can be themselves and have fun,” said Toby Morseman, co-president of the GSA.

Morseman and committee chair Leigha Plugge led the meeting.

This year, the theme of the dance will be “A Night in Hollywood.” Members of the committee suggested ideas for decorations such as movie posters featuring famous films throughout the decades such as Jaws and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.

Potential activities for the dance were also a topic of conversation, as in the past the GSA has offered “stations” like last year’s rock painting table and photo booth.

The most important decision to be made was where to send the money raised from ticket and wristband sales for the dance. The committee decided to send the money to the same organization they supported last year: Casa Ruby, the only bilingual LGBTQ+ social services organization in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.

Last year, the GSA raised over $1,000 for Casa Ruby.

If you would like to join or support the GSA, don’t hesitate to reach out to one of its advisers, Ms. Baker or Ms. Karstens. Wristbands will be sold during lunch shifts starting in January to support Casa Ruby. There is a $1 minimum donation.

The GSA dance will be held on Saturday, February 14 from 7-10 p.m.