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.

[international american]

And the decay continues................

[ladylib]

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.

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

[Kuksool]

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

[Spell Correctly]

Obtain

[little jeremiah]

Ping - another one. Sickening ACLU - it's easy to see whose side they're on.

[Hildy]

The Gay-Straight Alliance....isn't that EVERYBODY? Someone explain, please.

[Joe 6-pack]

""Gay-Straight Alliance"

What logical pap. Anything straight, as in, linear, or uniderectional, can not, "ally," with anything. It can only intersect or parallel. Anything straight that would bend in an alternate direction would be, ah shall we say...deviant?

[Kuksool]

That's the whole point of starting these pro-gay groups. First, the student clubs are formed. Then the club members complain about out-of-control homophobia in the school. Next, the club demands the school to teach pro-gay propaganda under the guise of diversity training.

[international american]

"What logical pap."

Bingo!

"shall we say...deviant?"

Yes we shall!!

[r9etb]

This is Palmer High School, which is where my kids will be going in a few years. The current superintendent is a good guy, and he's against the club. As some have noted already, this is most likely an effort led by "grownups".

I don't know whether or not the ACLU will actually succeed here -- the basic argument boils down to whether the District has the right to deny charters to certain clubs.

Here's what the local paper has to say about it:

ACLU sues Palmer over gay club

By BRENT PATTERSON - THE GAZETTE

The American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit Friday against Palmer High School, claiming its refusal to recognize a club that includes gays and lesbians violates students’ constitutional rights.

The federal lawsuit was filed on behalf of seven students who had sought to form the Gay/Straight Alliance, a school club to promote discussion with gay, lesbian and transgender teenagers.

Colorado Springs School District 11 policy since 1995 has been to limit school clubs to those directly related to courses or studies at a school.

District Superintendent Norm Ridder said Friday the club’s application was rejected because it didn’t meet the standard.

If a club’s application is rejected, it doesn’t have the same privileges to use school grounds as sponsored groups, is barred from posting information at the school about its activities or meetings and can’t use the school’s public address system.

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.

“They can’t just pick and choose,” Silverstein said.

Palmer High Principal Karin Reynolds originally said Friday she had no say in whether the Gay/Straight Alliance was approved. The application went directly to Ron Wynn, District 11 chief of staff, she said.

Reynolds backtracked later, saying the decision was made jointly by her and district officials.

District 11 policy on student clubs states they must support “positive, wholesome and school-connected activities that improve student performance and enrich the school’s environment.”

Among the sponsored clubs at Palmer this year are several for students studying foreign languages, theater arts and science.

The list also includes Ultimate Frisbee, Dance Team, Mountain Bike and Chess clubs.

Other D-11 schools sanction Native American, Latino and Crime Stoppers groups.

Ridder defended endorsing those groups last month, saying they promoted physical education, history and school safety.

“The problem that I have with a gay and lesbian club is then why not a Bible study club? A heterosexual club?” he said at that time.

“If (D-11) can prove that there are absolutely no other noncurricular based clubs in their schools, then fine,” said Tasha Hill, executive director of Colorado Springs Inside/Out Youth, an advocacy group for gays, lesbians and transgender youths. “But if they’re using this policy just to keep this club out of school, then its not fair.”

Silverstein said there are Gay/Straight Alliances at 50 high schools in Colorado and more than 2,000 nationwide.

“If the school puts club photos in the yearbook, they want to be able to have their pictures in there too,” Silverstein said. “They want to be able to have their club recognized on the same terms that other groups are recognized.”

Gay advocates say the issue goes deeper than just being recognized as a club.

“Not sponsoring these clubs sends a very strong message that these kids are second-class citizens,” Hill said. “It reinforces that negative image that they already have of themselves.”

According to a student at Lewis-Palmer High School, where a letter from the ACLU persuaded the school to reconsider its decision to disallow a Gay/Straight Alliance, club activities involve a day of silence, during which club members refrain from speaking for the day.

“It’s to show the silence that gays, lesbians and transgender people face everyday,” the girl said, asking that her name not be used.

“I think that the reason parents and schools are scared is that they think the group is out there to turn people into homosexuals, but that’s absolutely not true,” she said. “They promote acceptance and tolerance.

“Have you ever walked down a high school hallway? The stuff you hear is crazy. This club is about not having to hear ‘fag’ or ‘dyke’ every 10 minutes.”

[highlander_UW]

Will the ACLU be supporting the HS bestiality club next?

[ladylib]

"Have you ever walked down a high school hallway? The stuff you hear is crazy. This club is about not having to hear ‘fag’ or ‘dyke’ every 10 minutes.”"

How is a club going to stop people from saying fag or dyke every ten minutes? By holding assemblies or classes and indoctrinating the kids?

The school could enforce a policy (which they probably already have)if slurs are a problem.

[ClintonBeGone]

What terrible headline writing.

[GulliverSwift]

The school could deny the club's rights to exist on the sole basis that it promotes the spread of disease. Such clubs often serve as nothing more than "dating" services for older men and for the members.

[BenLurkin]

Copme now. Let's be open minded. Different strokes for different folks:

[Kuksool]

Earlier this year, a high school in Boulder tried to stop 2 girls from forming a student Bible club. The school district said that clubs are permitted only if they enhance the school curriculum. The parents of the girls sued and the school district caved in. I think the same thing will happen here. This is why some parents homeschool their kids.

[Gritty]

Thanks for adding more detailed material.

[upchuck]

The federal lawsuit was filed on behalf of seven students who had sought to form the Gay/Straight Alliance, a school club to promote discussion with gay, lesbian and transgender teenagers.

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.

District 11 policy on student clubs states they must support “positive, wholesome and school-connected activities that improve student performance and enrich the school’s environment.”

Okay, in the best Clintonian fashion, let's parse this, shall we?

-positive: Nuthin positive 'bout being a queer. Plenty of negatives: fatal diseases, depression, suicide - really positive, huh?
-wholesome: Nuthin wholesome either. Matter of fact it can be downright noxious and injurious.
-improve student performance: Whoops! Failed again. Wait, I suppose it depends on what kind of "performance" you're referring to :)
-enrich the school’s environment: Nope. But this potentially could lead to "fisting" siminars like they had in Mass. I for sure want my kid attending that!

Parsing is done; queers and fagots loose, as usual.

[PropheticZero]

Why not just make it a school policy not to have clubs based on sexual orientation. No straight clubs and now gay clubs. Problem solved. Nobody gets treated differently.

[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.

[ladylib]

Some kid in CA tried to start a club for white kids and she was hounded out of school.

[Kuksool]

I think another reason for the insistence on starting a GSA club in high school has to do with the fact that Focus of Family is based in Colorado Springs. Liberals activists wish to use this issue to "give the finger" to James Dobson.

[searchandrecovery]

The AC in ACLU stands for Anti-Christ.

[Kuksool]

{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.}

If the 7 students are allowed to form the GSA club, don't be surprised if they come up with a "study" documenting hundreds of "homophobic" incidents at the high school and demand that the school adopt policies which would protect them from "homophobic" attacks. If the school refuses to pander to them, then the ACLU will sue to have the GSA proposals implemented. This is how a lot of GSA clubs act in numerous schools across America.

[ladylib]

Lou Dobbs just had a story tonite about a school that had Santa Claus to see the kids last year. He was a minister and he made the mistake of asking the kids why Christmas was celebrated. A child said it was Jesus' birthday.

Well, of course, the ACLU got all over that one, so he won't be asking kids any questions this year. An interviewed ACLU member said she would prefer that he not ask that kind of question.

One mother said that she thought it was a legitimate question to ask. Even if you are not a religious person, most people are aware of why Christmas is celebrated, and it's not because it's a huge retail holiday. The ACLU woman actually said, "What would happen if you asked a Buddhist child, a Muslim child?"

Well, I would expect that if a Buddhist child or a Muslim child in America didn't live in a cave somewhere, he would answer Jesus' birthday. Most people consider Jesus' birth an historic event.

We have students in CA who are taking classes in the Muslim religion and we also have schools that completely marginalize Christianity.

It's time to tell public school officials that they either ignore ACLU complaints about Christian holidays or they're going to lose Christian students.

[Kuksool]

Many school districts offer day-offs for Muslim Holidays. If students ask teachers why are they off these days, I doubt the ACLU would complain if teachers talk about Islam. The ACLU supports the "Separation of Church & State", not the "Separation of Mosque & State".

[scudster]

instead of fighting by actually creating the club, we've decided to just talk about the club and get more "members", all the while in front of all the kids trying to start the GSA.

also myself, and many others, constantly make blatant statements of disgust about this entire situation around the kids starting the club.

new evidence shows that only 1 out of the 7 is gay. evidence? one of the girls helping to start us (one of the straight ones) told us...


the way i look at it:
-if they lose, i get my film club, it's cirriculum based.
-if they win, i get my film club, and any other club i could ever want to start. especially our "All Ethnicities White Supremecy Club"


isn't the ACLU supposed to recognize constitutional rights? i never realized there was a statement in the constitution saying "homosexuals can have straight people create clubs for them". curious...

[Short arms Matt]

The funny thing about the gsa if it were to be a club is that the club would be full of straight guys, saying 'bring on the lesbians'

[scudster]

i'd like to "give the finger" to James Dobson. Co Spgs is one of the most disturbed cities due to the over-running of focus on the family. and i fully support gay rights and all that, however this is definately inappropriate and going fully overboard.

i'm 18, but as a student i have no rights. and it's the same for every homosexual, minority and everybody else. not because they're gay or because they're black, but because WE ARE STUDENTS. freedom of speech is lost upon us. they can cry as much as they want, but they obviously haven't paid any attention in the last 12 years they've been in school

[scudster]

“Have you ever walked down a high school hallway? The stuff you hear is crazy. This club is about not having to hear ‘fag’ or ‘dyke’ every 10 minutes.”

why'd you bold it? i go to palmer and nobody says "dyke", that just sounds stupid. "fag"? well yea that's used, but who's to say it's not referring to a bundle of stick (haha, right). no, but seriously folks, our current society has changed our perceptions. The word "gay" used to only mean happy. a "fag" is a cigarette in Great Britian. words change, meanings change. the fact that "gay" means happy, homosexual, and now 'bad' (in some sense or another) just shows a language and culture change.

there are plenty of words with multiple meanings, and without changes like this our language would never grow? for most people it is not, and has never been, a thought of "oh, i hate homosexual people... we call them gay... well then other stuff i don't like is gay"

i know plenty of gay and bi kids who say "that is so gay" and don't think twice about it. it's this sort of hypocritical bullshit that is pulling American society down the tube: and we wonder why other nations don't like us.