As part of Xtra’s coverage of the newsmakers of 2011, reporter Andrea Houston sent out word to students around Toronto who are part of or are fighting for gay-straight alliance groups at their schools.

The students came to the Pink Triangle Press offices for a photo and video shoot, which you can view below.

They told us about being bullied and what they did about it, but mostly they blew us away with their strength and vitality.

They made lots of noise, laughed and just hung out. You could tell by how they talked to each other how much it meant to be with other like-minded teens. It also made it very clear how ridiculous those against GSAs at Catholic schools are.

All still photography in below video by N Maxwell Lander.

Read the feature story here.