Founder of South Tahoe High Ally Club returns to speak to students

Being gay and a high school student in South Lake Tahoe in 2005 was challenging.

"It was a scary, dark place at the time," said Alex Boyar, who 'came out of the closet' at age 14. "Its a much different environment today."

Boyar, along with his mother Dr. Virginia Berry and sister Christina Boyar, stopped by South Tahoe High Thursday to talk to the students of Ally, the Gay-Straight Alliance Club at the school that he co-founded in 2005.

Boyar, who graduated STHS in 2008, had joined forces with teacher Bridey Heidel and friend Jade Copple to form a club where students, faculty and staff could support each other, and be allies, no matter their beliefs or sexuality. At first they were thinking of calling the club GASP (Gay and Straight Peeps), but soon found being an ally was a much better approach.

Heidel recalled that first meeting, when they didn't know what to expect as the town wasn't exactly an easy one for the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) community.

Over 100 people attended that first meeting. "It was unfreaking unbelievable!" said Heidel.

She told the Ally Club Thursday that Alex walked around with a target on his back. He was tormented and the victim of many acts a more accepting and informed South Lake Tahoe community would never have considered.

Heidel said a teacher asked her after that initial meeting 11 years ago why Alex had to be so flamboyant about his sexuality.

"If I'm doing this, they aren't noticing those behind me who are hiding," explained Alex.

"Since then, a whole lot of other kids are more comfortable in their skin," said Heidel. Students have learned to be more accepting of a diverse population, not just those in the LGBT community.

Alex went onto Sonoma State where he spent a year as ASB President. He ran on a diversity platform, citing the fact that for a school wanting to be more accepting there were no funds for diversity training.

"It does get better, don't stop looking forward," Alex told the students. He also suggested that after graduation they move to cities with larger gay and lesbian populations where there are activities, and more acceptance.

He is now living with his partner in Washington, D.C. where he is a political fundraiser for the Democrats.

Alex's sister Christina was also a member of Ally, a past-President and a lesbian. She said her older brother made the path easier. "He paved the gay highway," she said. Christina is now at U.C. Davis, studying cognitive science.

"I was the coolest mom," said Dr. Berry. "Both of my kids were gay."

"I had a wonderful mother who knew I was gay," said Alex.

Another big influence in his life while in South Lake Tahoe was former mayor Jerry Birdwell. Prior to moving to Tahoe, Birdwell was the first openly gay judge appointed in Texas and now co-owner of the Black Bear Inn. Alex said Jerry took him under his wing and connected him to the Gay Lesbian Victory Fund, an institute that concentrates on getting LGBT candidates elected.

"He was always so good to me," Alex said of Birdwell.

Boyar has been in Washington since 2015 and said he's found his niche. "Politics was my football," he said.

For this week, he's back in South Lake Tahoe and enjoying the holidays with his family and friends.