Tuesday, February 10, 2009
School sued for denying establishment of gay/straight club
2 comments
Two high school students, with the help of the ACLU, are suing their school over its refusal to allow them establish a Gay/Straight Alliance-type club. The school is, not surprisingly, in Florida. The superintendent claimed, "a club highlighting sexual orientations will not be permitted as it would violate school board policy." School board policy doesn't allow teaching respect and celebrating diversity? If that's true, then this is a policy that needs to be changed.
In a perfect world, the Supreme Court would rule that a school prohibiting the establishment of a club that strives to create a more accepting educational environment is unconstitutional, thereby forcing every school in the country to allow students to establish gay-friendly clubs. Just within my friends alone, I have heard several stories of schools not allowing these clubs to be made, or giving an extremely hard time to any students who attempt to organize one. It's infuriating, and I wish more students would make a big deal out of it, like these two students are, because it is a big deal.
In a perfect world, the Supreme Court would rule that a school prohibiting the establishment of a club that strives to create a more accepting educational environment is unconstitutional, thereby forcing every school in the country to allow students to establish gay-friendly clubs. Just within my friends alone, I have heard several stories of schools not allowing these clubs to be made, or giving an extremely hard time to any students who attempt to organize one. It's infuriating, and I wish more students would make a big deal out of it, like these two students are, because it is a big deal.
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February 10, 2009 at 8:57 PM
I'm a high school student in Florida as well, and I started a GSA this year with my biology teacher. Last week we were told that we could not have any meetings until further notice, and when we inquired as to why, they told us that we didn't follow the guidelines of a club [namely, submitting a constitution, which we had already submitted].
My biology teacher is talking to the administration, but it's seeming that he's having a hard time with it. We're thinking about suing if they don't give us a good reason why our club cannot continue to hold meetings.
February 10, 2009 at 9:30 PM
You should undoubtedly consider suing if your school does not come through. Way too many schools get away with this shit.