Just on the heels of a suit against a school disctrict in NJ, a school district in Florida will now find itself in court for denying the rights of a gay/straight alliance on their campus that students (both gay and straight) wanted to start in response to discrimination against gay students that they perceived at their school (from both students and teachers).
The article below doesn't give the school's side of the story and I wasn't able to find much about the school's perspective. Some parents were on a blog and the resistance seems to be that they don't want their children converted to a homosexual lifestyle. Interesting that the kids in this town seem more educated than the parents.
The quote by the student at the end of the article quoted below is fantastic, very articulate; I'm sure she's headed to great places with a mind like that.
ps, the rodeo team? seriously?
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from 365gay.com
The American Civil Liberties Union of Florida today filed a federal lawsuit against the School Board of Okeechobee County after school district administrators allegedly prevented students who formed the Gay-Straight Alliance of Okeechobee High School (GSA) to meet on high school grounds.
The school recognizes other extracurricular clubs – including the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the Key Club, and the Rodeo team - all of which meet regularly on school grounds.
According to students, anti-gay harassment and discrimination are serious problems at Okeechobee High School. Students Yasmin Gonzalez, Amber Sewell and Erica Rodriguez say school officials have made the problem worse by discriminating against LGBT students.
Gonzalez, Sewell, Rodriguez and others decided to form the GSA to discuss problems caused by anti-gay bias at OHS after school officials refused to allow Gonzalez and her girlfriend to attend the prom as a couple.
They say they hoped the GSA would promote equality and open-mindedness among students, administrators and staff of the high school.
"Straight kids cannot turn their backs on the plague of violence and discrimination against gay and lesbian students," said Amber Sewell, one of the club's founders and straight members. "When students aren't safe, we can't learn. Only when we stand together will we find a solution."
The GSA, which currently meets at a local restaurant, has elected officers and adopted a constitution. The GSA now has approximately 50 members.
"The purpose of the GSA is to provide a safe, supportive environment for students to talk about anti-gay bias, harassment and violence and to work together to promote tolerance, understanding and acceptance of one another, regardless of sexual orientation," said GSA President Yasmin Gonzalez.
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Comments: 6
Those girls have a lot of guts. Let's hope their loved ones can keep them safe.
"Conversion"? Ridiculous. Rodeo Team? More ridiculous.
Another good article which I've passed on as inspiration for those who feel hopeless and persecuted.
And, speaking of RIGHTS, check out recent chats and watch for those yet to come--on CSPAN--between the Senate Judiciary Committee and Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights. Don't expect any overly diligent investigations from the latter. He can sure talk fast though--even Senator Specter was exasperated watching the "blame" ball get tossed back and forth at warp speed and "well, that part's not my job," and "I'm not sure who investigated or who's supposed to investigate." Hearings were in response to voting irregularities and story in Washington Post--I believe--and other papers re long time "career" attorneys being replaced by idealogues....