A school district in western Indiana was just slapped with a lawsuit filed by the ACLU for refusing to offer students a Gay-Straight Alliance.
The North Putnam Community School Corporation in Bainbridge, located 35 miles outside of Indianapolis, has been accused of violating the First Amendment rights of the members of the North Putnam High School GSA.
In November, the school board voted against recognizing the club. As a result, its members, which currently consists of three students, are forbidden from meeting at the school, promoting its activities on school grounds, or associating with the school in any capacity.
Ken Falk, the ACLU of Indiana legal director, said the school board had no reason to reject the club, noting that there are a number of other clubs allowed to meet at the high school.
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
The lawsuit states that the GSA is necessary because LGBT students at North Putnam High School have frequently reported harassment and bullying. It also states the students seeking approval for the club “believe that having a formal club that would meet during school non-instructional time would be extremely beneficial to these students as well as to the student body as a whole.”
The lawsuit argues that because students are forbidden from meeting or advertising in the same way as other clubs at the school, its ability to function is greatly diminished.
The lawsuit requests the court declare that the school district has violated the Constitution and grant an injunction demanding it approve the club’s application as well as pay all attorney fees.
Acting school Superintendent Terry Tippin told press that he is aware of the lawsuit, but he said he had no comment on the matter.
h/t: LGBTQNation
Related stories:
Crowd Gathers To Support 14-Year Old Trying To Start GSA
PA School District Votes Down GSA. LGBT Youth Group Promises Battle Isn’t Over
TN High School: Pro-GSA T-Shirts? OK, Fine. An Actual GSA? Haha, No.
Graham Gremore is a columnist and contributor for Queerty and Life of the Law. Follow him on Facebook and Twitter.
erasure25
The school will either lose the lawsuit or ban all clubs. My vote is they will ban all clubs because places like this are infected with rabbid bigotry and homophobia.
Larry
They just dont get freedom do they. My way or the highway for them.
jwtraveler
Ironic that the people in this country who most loudly proclaim the importance of freedom are usually the quickest to try to deny it to others. Hypocritical, of course. It’s especially unfortunate to see a school district blatantly violate a law that they should be aware of.
manjoguy
@Larry: “My way or the highway for them”? Sounds like Obama and today’s Democrat Party.
transiteer
More Ignorance, Bigotry and Hate from those entrusted to “educate” our Youth. Can’t keep the dark side out of their responsibilities. Fire the Board. It should be a place for “atheists only”.
NSB2244
@manjoguy: really?..the Democratic Party?..sounds more like the repukicans and the tea baggers..oh boo hoo..we will shut down the government if we don’t our way..oh boo too we won’t approve presidential appointments if we get our way..oh boo hoo..we talk about freedom and liberty but if you don’t agree with our idea of that we are against you!
Mikah
Without proper education,schools will continue to be a breeding ground for homophobia.
DuMaurier
The law on this is settled and clear. Why do people continue to waste time and resources fighting already-lost battles?
Harley
@NSB2244: Yea. And you know that @manjoguy: is sitting at home looking at the arsenal of Bushmasters and AK-47s screaming to overthrow the government from 1 face while screaming “Second amendment” with the other face, not realizing the hypocrisy in his position.