07/31/2008
ACLU wins Gay-Straight Alliance Lawsuit Against Florida School
In a gay-straight alliance case that was closed at one time because the student who brought it, Yasmin Gonzalez, graduated, and then reopened when a current student was prevented from reviving the Okeechobee High School GSA, a judge in Florida has ruled that the group was discriminated against by the school board:
"The Gay-Straight Alliance of Okeechobee High School may now meet on campus like all other non-curricular school groups, and their case against the School Board of Okeechobee County is closed, U.S. District Judge K. Michael Moore wrote in an opinion signed Tuesday. Moore granted them Alliance’s otion for summary judgment and ruled the School Board violated the club’s First Amendment rights by refusing to recognize it as a non-curricular student organization. Moore also ruled that the School Board is statutorily obligated by the federal Equal Access Act to grant the club the same rights to meet on campus as other non-curricular student groups have."
Said the ACLU: "Moore broke the legal mold by asserting that schools must provide for the well-being of gay students the same as straight students and therefore, the school cannot discriminate against the GSA."
Previously
Federal Judge Says Gay-Straight Alliance May Continue [tr]
Posted 8:58 AM EST by Andy Towle in ACLU, Florida, Gay Youth, Gay-Straight Alliances, News | Permalink
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Now the school has the option of disallowing ALL non-curricular clubs from forming on campus. Will their bigotry take them to that new, even lower, level?
Posted by: Dex | Jul 31, 2008 9:20:51 AM
That is unfortunate Dex, but at least if the gays have to suffer, so will everyone else. Most people don't even care unless something effects them, at least this ensures it will.
Of course that could inspire a backlash against gay students, but really it should be directed towards the school board. I'm glad the GSA won this victory and the school board is publicly shamed.
Posted by: Wes | Jul 31, 2008 9:35:31 AM
In total agreement, Wes. It is a victory. I am hoping, however, the school board doesn't become sore losers.
Posted by: Dex | Jul 31, 2008 10:17:18 AM
This story made http://detentionslip.org! Voted #1 for crazy news in education.
Posted by: hall monitor | Jul 31, 2008 7:39:08 PM