JACKSON TWP — The Seneca Valley School Board Monday night approved a new high school club, which some did not agree with.

The board approved a Gender and Sexuality Advocacy Club by a 6-2 vote. The club will operate at no cost to the district and will be under the supervision of high school teacher Carrie Potter-Murray.

Kaitlyn Welsh, a student and resident of Jackson Township, during the public comment period, said the club would be in conflict with other district policies and rules. She asked if the district would allow a heterosexual club.

“I absolutely do not believe the school is a place for promoting lesbians, gays, bisexuals or transgenders. These topics set at the forefront of this club would be deemed inappropriate in any other club or activity,” she said.

The two dissenting board members were the Rev. Reid Moon and James Welsh.

“I disagree with any type of sexual advocacy club within a school district, period,” James Welsh said during the meeting.

Board member Fred Peterson spoke in favor of the club. “I don’t believe the intent in forming this club is necessarily to advocate for any particular lifestyle, behavior pattern — call it what you will — but rather to advocate for our students, the children who feel beleaguered by their self-identity, their lack of self-identity,” he said.

The club’s activities and bylaws will be based on the mission of the Gay-Straight Alliance Network, district director of communications Linda Andreassi said.

GSA Network is “a next-generation LGBTQ racial and gender justice organization that empowers and trains queer, trans and allied youth leaders to advocate, organize, and mobilize an intersectional movement for safer schools and healthier communities,” according to its website.