Mom Sues Over Ejection From School Assembly On Homosexuality

CNSNEWS.com ^ | 5/13/02 | Matt Pyeatt

[kattracks]

(CNSNews.com) - A St. Louis, Mo. mom is suing the public high school that blocked her from observing a school-sponsored assembly conducted by the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN).

Debra Loveless had told school officials she considered the event inappropriate, but was trying to view it herself on Oct. 24, 2001 when she was escorted out of the assembly, according to Loveless' attorneys, who have filed the federal civil rights lawsuit in U.S. District Court in St. Louis. Loveless' daughter attends Metro High School.

GLSEN bills itself as the country's largest network of parents, students and educators aimed at preventing "discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender/identity expression in K-12 schools," according to its website.

GLSEN did not return phone calls to CNSNews.com.

The group conducted two assemblies at Metro High School, Oct. 17 and Oct. 24 of last year, both of which Loveless' daughter was exempted from attending because of the family's religious beliefs, according to the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ), the public interest law firm representing Loveless.

However, when, at the urging of a school board member, Loveless attempted to attend the Oct. 24 event, she was ejected by an armed security guard, the ACLJ stated.

Francis J. Manion, senior counsel for the ACLJ, said parents should be able to participate in activities at a public school to see if it is appropriate for their children.

"This case is about protecting the rights of parents to participate fully in the education of their children," he said. "Parents do not abandon their rights as parents once their children go to school. Parents have a right to know what a school is teaching their children, and should not be punished for exercising their parental responsibilities. That's exactly what happened in this case."

The ACLJ lawsuit contends that school officials deprived Loveless of her parental right to be fully informed of the content of her daughter's education. The suit also claims Loveless' constitutional rights of free speech and equal protection was infringed.

Manion believes there were ulterior motives to blocking Loveless from attending the assembly.

"The real reason we believe our client was not permitted to observe the school assembly is because the school did not like her religious objections to the assembly," said Manion. "The only thing our client wanted was an apology and a change in the school policy governing the rights of parents to observe school assemblies.

"After Mrs. Loveless was ejected from the assembly, she had no choice but to file suit - to ensure that no other parent in St. Louis is treated in the same manner," he added.

The lawsuit names as defendants the superintendent of St. Louis Public Schools and the principal of Metro High School.

CNSNews.com attempted to contact Metro High School Principal Dr. Pamela Randall, but she was away from the campus and unavailable for comment. The Metro High School Instructional Coordinator refused comment Friday, saying she was unaware of any lawsuit.

E-mail a news tip to Matt Pyeatt.

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[Diva Betsy Ross]

It seems Josh is a bit over his head debating with the rest of the freepers here.

[Spiff]

Contact info for FReeping:

School:
Metro High School
4015 McPherson
St. Louis, Mo 63108
314-534-3894

Principal:
Pamela Randall, Ed.D
Pamela.Randall@slps.org

St. Louis Public Schools Board of Education:
Board Members may be reached at 314/345-2230.
Vice President, William Purdy - Email
Board Member, Marlene Davis - Email
Board Member, Amy Hilgemann - Email
Board Member, Rochell Moore - Email
Metro High School Goals:

GOALS OF METRO HIGH SCHOOL ARE:

• to help each student become his/ her own agent, learn how to take charge of the development of his/her own potential and to understand that only he/she, in the long run, is responsible for his/her learning;
• to help each student become personally involved in his/her learning;
• to be free to actively explore his/her own resources and those of the school and the larger environment
• to help each student gain a mastery of those skills needed to function in a changing society, to find true satisfaction in learning and to understand that the subject matter skills acquired in school are not only useful in themselves, but are tools whith which to meet situations and solve problems;
• to help each student develop enough confidence in himself/herself and in others that he/she is able to openly explore ideas, values and interpersonal relations with people form diverse backgrounds, respecting individual and group differences;
• to help each student become personally involved in gaining knowledge about urban needs and concerns and thus, gain a sense of personal obligation to others,and
• to help each student become an active participant in the decision-making process.

Spelling errors are in bold type

[EdReform]

"Public schools can't even protect students from a kindergartener with a pointed-finger gun..."

Zero tolerance takes toll on pupils

[MeekOneGOP]

Thanks for the ping. Isn't this totally ridiculous? I wonder what they were
trying to hide from her, or what the reason was for them keeping her out?
I'm not sure I REALLY want to know, tho! LOL!

[Illbay]

Why do you question a taxpayer's right to know how her tax money is being spent?

[Coleus]

It's too bad she just did not give her daughter a tape recorder so that all the filth would have been caught on tape! That would have been a better story that this one.

Assemblies are crowded enough without parents attending, when I was in HS, we never saw any parents, there would be no room for them and that is why this school probably had two assemblies. Most gyms and auditoriums do not have the room to accomodate the students, nevermind the parents. Nor do I ever remember a parent in any of my classrooms (Catholic and Public schools), do you?

There would be mass confusion if parents attend instructional programs and classroom instruction--the classes are crowded enough. Parents attended plays and recitals and other shows where the students performed. We did have class mothers and the like; however they were designated a job whether it was remdial help or other jobs and were screend by the principal before hand. There are many other factors involved as well, such as security. A principal has a right to know who is in his building--not all parents are good people, some are ex-cons, drug addicts, etc. I am a former school board member of an inner-city school district.

[VRWC_minion]

You wrote

We know that now, don't we?

Based just on this one article, I can't believe that any of you would condone any adult just walking into a school. Y'know? Anthrax in the mail, planes flying into buildings, Columbine? Any of that ring a bell?

The newspaper at 111 reports

Loveless tried to attend the second event with School Board member Rochell Moore. But after the event began, a security guard asked Loveless to leave, on Hammonds' orders, the suit says.

Please explain how Hammond knew which adult to eject and why Rochell Moore wouldn't have explained that the parent was known ?

If the only way you can win a debate is by denying the facts then by normal FR standards you lose.

[ppaul]

Man, I don't know why you spent so much time defending your position. It certainly can't have been because you are sure you're right.

He doesn't have to be right.
Maybe he's just gay.

"Josh Gay"

[VRWC_minion]

But it doesn't matter though -- saving the world from those eeeeebil homoseckshuls and GLSTEN takes presidence over safety, huh?

Check my posts to you. Never once have I said anything about evil homosexuals. If you are now resorting to painting my posistion that the woman had a right to attend the assembly as being homophobic you appear have certainly managed to paint yourself into a corner and now can only win by resorting to labeling others whom you disagree with. That is not a way to pursuade Freepers.

[ppaul]

BUMPO

[Diva Betsy Ross]

When you were in school as a student were you taken out of math, science or scoial studies class to learn about how two men have sex, or two women have sex on a consistant basis? If no then we are talking apples and oranges.

Were you told that no matter what your parents said you should listen to authorities at school and learn to accept that two men and two women can have sex, and it is normal. Most parents in AMerica care about their kids.. I dare say the inner city is not the case study of middle America., nor should we ignore parents rights to their kids because most inner city parents are drug abusers.

It is not only time to get out of the UN, it is time to get out of the NEA. Getting rid of the liberal leaning school board members would not hurt either.

[ppaul]

Spelling errors are in bold type...

And this is a friggin' "school"!
LOL!

[firewalk]

Loveless tried to attend the second event with School Board member Rochell Moore. But after the event began, a security guard asked Loveless to leave, on Hammonds' orders, the suit says.

This Hammonds from the article in the link below?

Prosecutors probing 50 complaints of child sex abuse, 22 against priest

[headsonpikes]

The Public Schools are Weapons of Mass Destruction.

I await the day that the students will render them inoperable and drag the administrative predators outside for some rough justice.

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the heads up!

[SkyPilot]

BUMPO back on this one my friend.

[A. Pole]

why don't we spend the extra $100 per outlet and put a web-cam in every classroom?

He, he. Maybe this is the solution!

[EdReform]

Bump

[serinde]

My misunderstanding.

[scripter]

More links here

Sheesh. No kidding. Thanks.