ACLU Sues H.S. Over Club Including Gays

Hendersonville Times-News ^ | December 13. 2003 | AP

[Gritty]

The American Civil Liberties Union filed a federal lawsuit Friday against a Colorado Springs high school for refusing to recognize a club that includes gays.

The lawsuit said the school has repeatedly refused to recognize the Palmer High Gay-Straight Alliance. As a result, the group may not meet on school property on the same terms as other groups, cannot post club information at the school and is omitted from the school's yearbook.

Mark Silverstein, legal director of the Colorado ACLU, said similar clubs are operating at 50 high schools in Colorado, and that federal law requires schools to grant equal access to all student clubs,

Palmer principal Karin Reynolds said it was the school district's decision not to recognize the group.

Elaine Naleski, the district's spokeswoman, said she had not seen the lawsuit and could not discuss it. She said a district policy in place since 1995 does not recognize groups that do not have a direct link to curriculum.

Silverstein said the alliance facilitates communication between gay students, straight students, and those who question their own sexual identity.

[upchuck]

r9etb: You posted that your kids will be attending this school soon. Check out this ^ post here and FR. Maybe you could get some copies of the pamphlet ^ mentioned and pass them around to some of the school officials and parents of kids that want to be in the queers and fagots club. Might have some impact. Just a thought.

[TASMANIANRED]

"I'm sorry, how is again that straight kids fit into the "Gay/Straight Alliance?" I suspect it's more like the queer alliance ramming their agenda down the straight kids' throats."

Errrr, Do you want to rephrase this or did you say exactly what you meant.

[DannyTN]

"Will the ACLU be supporting the HS bestiality club next?"

I believe that is the Gay - Animal - Straight alliance.

Either that or PETA - People for the Erotic Treatment of Animals. Actually I think PETA is already taken by a similar group. LOL

[upchuck]

I suppose my sarcasm is lost on some people.

[highlander_UW]

I believe that is the Gay - Animal - Straight alliance.

Is that only for gay animals? How about transgendered animals?

[TASMANIANRED]

Sweetie Pie, Your sarcasm is appreciated. I validate everything you had to say in your post. I just found it humorous that the particular word selection for one sentence cropped up in relation to this article.

Just a good natured rib, not trying to poke a stick in your eye.

[xzins]

She said a district policy in place since 1995 does not recognize groups that do not have a direct link to curriculum.

Seems like an interesting policy. It probably excludes a Christian club, too, given those rules.

Anyone know?

[JesseHousman]

American Civil Liberties Union

This is an anti-American organization that is as corrosive to this nation as terrorists and the CPUSA!

It needs to be outlawed as subversive, but where is the brave member of the political class that will get the job done and truly "fight for American families" as the sweaty members of the politcal class are fond of saying?

Unfortunately, that person will be a member of a legitimate third party that has yet to surface.

[JSteff]

"The school should adopt a policy that requires any student wanting to join a school organization must obtain parental permission"

The sad thing is some liberal type parents would want their queer child to "be included" and "recognized" in the school. Especially the gay "partners" whose adopted children are now of school age.

It will help to solidify their "training".

[JSteff]

So they can call it the "Gay/Straight Alliance Science and Health Club" and the school will have to accept them.

[JCG]

Mark Silverstein, legal director for the Colorado ACLU, said the 1984 Equal Access Act prohibits schools from discriminating if they recognize even one club that is not class-related.

Lessee. Sex is frequently the subject of discussion in biology, zoology and anthropology classes. So, if someone wanted to start the "Larry Flynt Hustler Readers Club" on campus that would be ok, I guess. Class related, right?

Talk about the law of unintended consequences.

[Kuksool]

If liberal parents want their kids to be involved with such a club, then so be it. That's their choice. If I had kids, I would not want my kids to be involved with such a club without my consent.

[oddone12]

Knowing one of the students who is invloved in the lawsuit inclines me to say that in fact the club will be a gay-straight alliance if it is allowed to from. In fact, I think that 5 of the 7 students exclusivley prefer the opposite gender, however, I do agree that this club will only serve to promote gay propoganda.

[sonofatpatcher2]

Well, this is the season for this: "Don we now our gay apparel!"

[scudster]

I attend PHS and I can say this is one of the worst and most illogical things to hit the news.

1) If the policy has been in affect since 1995, why have there been no battles over a GSA before?

2) the majority of the people attempting to start the club are straight. only one is a known homosexual, and she stays in the background.

3) it is a known fact that this lawsuit will detract money from the district, pulling money from the school, therefore hurting our education. The first thing to go when budget cuts occur: clubs, so it won't matter anyway.

4) as right-wing conservative as Colorado Springs is, there are many homosexual, etc. gatherings all the time. The first that comes to mind is Inside Out, a place for gay, bi, transgendered and questioning youth and their friends.

5) why does there need to be a SCHOOL sponsered GSA, they could just as easily do it at someones house, all these students attempting to start this are extremely, extremely rich right wings, who are liberal on the concept of homosexuality.

6) it is highely believed that one of the main people attempting to start this club is only doing so for college applications and resumes. yes, she is that shallow.

7) i attempted to start a CIRRICULUM based Film Club at Palmer, and used the syllabus from the schools novel to film class as a basis and i was rejected. Many others, and myself, believe this is due solely to the fact that if they allow me to start a new club, the GSA and the ACLU will turn it around and say it's another reason a GSA should be allowed.

8) And this I view as extremely significant: The seniors attempting to start the club... why did they wait until now, and then file a lawsuit? If this club means so much to them, they should have started it when they were freshman, or even before the junior year. Attempting to start a club in January of your junior seems really illogical and unpassionate: hence the comment about college applications.


so therefore this is the most pointless and illogical undertaking, and i hope it gets thrown out of court, or at the very least, voted on in favor of the school.

[fj40cruiser73]

I'm a palmer student, and palmer also denied a request for a bible study club, and, more recently, a film club. these clubs took the rejection with pose and self-respect. however, the GSA fan club did not. this joke of a group simply whines and whines, writes anonymously in to the school newspaper, and generally does not make a good account of any single member. these ignorant, and in some case, wealthy kids who never worked a day in their lives (some did, but the majority did not), and seem to have no moral qualms about taking my tax dollars (i work in the summertime to pay for a car, etc., as i don't receive allowance) to fight against their folly. the fact that 4 of a mere 7 students trying to start this club are seniors leaves little doubt as to the longevity of the group; if the ACLU wins, next year the club will probably be gone. most of the 7 are straight, to boot. coming on the heels of the indiana university law school's removal of a christmas tree because of atheist whining, this suit has angered me greatly.

[scudster]

one other thing i forgot to mention:

if the ACLU and these kids win against the school, i'm going to start a White Supremecy Club, non-discriminatory, as a political statement.

I already have some whites, blacks, asians, latinos and even a "roman catholic iraqi jew".

[cookcounty]

that federal law requires schools to grant equal access to all student clubs,..."

Where does the ACLU get these liars. There is now a "right" to have an Nazi-KKK Chain-Whuppin' Club?

[cookcounty]

"That's their policy. I bet they don't have homosexual groups come in and talk to the kids either."

It's probably the only high schoolin America that hasn't replaced Shakespeare with "the Laramie Project."

[Gritty]

coming on the heels of the indiana university law school's removal of a christmas tree because of atheist whining, this suit has angered me greatly

You should be angry - as should all liberty-loving Americans.

Petty tyranny is always galling, and these people are quite thorough at it. Winning only encourages them to forge more shackles for those they dislike.