The Sexuality and Gender Alliance Club (SAGA) hosted its annual dance on Friday, January 17. Members of SAGA’s executive board and sponsor Jane Caballero worked collaboratively with other schools to host a dance that spreads inclusivity, allyship, and support for the LGBTQ+ community.
The dance is held annually with the date fluctuating around other school events, but typically in January. Working with other schools has allowed the club to garner more members of the LGBTQ+ community and other allies to come together at the annual dance. Similar to previous years, Caballero explained how there is a charity component to the dance.
“All proceeds that we get from the SAGA go towards the Kenneth Young Center in Rolling Meadows,” Caballero said. “They have a drop-in center for LGBTQ youth that has counseling, social events, opportunities for field trips so that kids can connect with one another and get mental health help from professional counselors.”
The SAGA executive board aimed for the dance to boast a large turnout and heavily advertised to bring a community of inclusion together. SAGA Executive Board member Andrew Ehler ’26 is grateful that Stevenson is providing a space for members of the LGBTQ+ community to host such a dance.
“This event allows us to connect with other peers, allies, and generally some great people in a way that you wouldn’t be able to throughout the year,” Ehler said. “It’s a fun event to gather where people who are in this [oftentimes] marginalized community can come together. [It’s nice to have a] free space to be who they are with the people they feel safe reaching out to and forming new connections.”
Members of SAGA noted that the comfortable space provided by the dance has become less common with high schools around the area with Stevenson being the only school that still hosts inclusive dances for the LGBTQ+ community. Caballero notes the importance of such an event, by differentiating it from other more popular school events.
“With Homecoming and Winterfest, sometimes LGBTQ students feel uncomfortable in such a large setting,” Caballero said, “With the SAGA dance they’re free to dance the way they want, hold hands with whoever they want, and be who they want without anybody looking twice.”