The Establishment of Gay-Straight Alliances

You are asked to participate in a research study conducted by Melinda S. Miceli, PhD, from the Department of Social Science at the University of Hartford . You were selected as a possible participant in this study because you are or have been an advisor for or a student leader of a gay-straight alliance group. Before completing the survey, please read the following details about the study and your consent to participate.

CONSENT TO PARTICIPATE IN RESEARCH

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY
The purpose of this study is to obtain data on the processes involved in the establishment of high school student clubs that address LGBT student issues. These clubs are commonly known as gay-straight alliances, or GSAs.

PROCEDURES
If you volunteer to participate in this study please read this consent document and indicate your consent by clicking the advisor or student leader links at the bottom of this page. Your responses will be forwarded anonymously to Dr. Melinda S. Miceli at miceli@hartford.edu. As stated above, your email address will not be recorded - your response will be recorded as coming from "respondent," and not from any specific email address.

POTENTIAL RISKS AND DISCOMFORTS
There are minimal, if any, risks involved in your participation in this research project. Neither your name nor email address will be recorded by this survey, so absolute anonymity can be assured.

POTENTIAL BENEFITS TO SUBJECTS AND/OR TO SOCIETY
This study will provide information that may be helpful to others who seek to establish gay-straight alliance groups in their schools and will serve to document the efforts of those who have worked hard to establish such groups. There are no direct benefits to subjects from participating in the study.

PAYMENT FOR PARTICIPATION
There will be no payment for participation.

CONFIDENTIALITY
No information that is obtained in connection with this study can be identified with you. We do ask you to indicate the state your school was in, and the size of the school. This information will not be linked to any name or email address, and will be disclosed only if required by law.

PARTICIPATION AND WITHDRAWAL
You can choose whether to be in this study or not. If you volunteer to be in this study, you may withdraw at any time without consequences of any kind. You may also refuse to answer any questions you don't want to answer and still remain in the study.

IDENTIFICATION OF INVESTIGATORS
If you have any questions or concerns about the research, please feel free to contact Melinda S. Miceli at 860-768-4132 or email miceli@hartford.edu, or write to her at The University of Hartford, 200 Bloomfield Avenue, West Hartford, CT 06117.

RIGHTS OF RESEARCH SUBJECTS
You may withdraw your consent at any time and discontinue participation without penalty. You are not waiving any legal claims, rights or remedies because of your participation in this research study. If you have questions regarding your rights as a research subject, contact the Human Subjects Committee, Dana Hall, Room 410B, University of Hartford, 200 Bloomfield Ave, West Hartford, CT 06117; Telephone: (860) 768-4823.

STATEMENT OF CONSENT
By clicking the link below, and completing this questionnaire you declare that you are18 years old or older, understand the procedures and conditions of your participation described above, your questions have been answered to your satisfaction, and you agree to participate in this study.