A high school principal who tried preventing students from establishing a Gay-Straight Alliance is eating his words this week.
Students at the Winfield High School in Putnam County, West Virginia had been lobbying to start a GSA alliance at their school for weeks. But principal Bruce McGrew, who has worked for Putnam County School District for over 20 years, blocked their efforts, saying “It’s not a subject to even discuss.”
In an interview with Charleston Gazette last week, he claimed a GSA would promote bullying.
“It would bring more problems to the issue of bullying and so forth if it were to occur,” he claimed. “Our job is to protect all kids from that.”
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But not everyone agreed.
Teacher Steve Shamblin, who runs a GSA at a different high school, told the newspaper, “I get as many straight kids as gay kids, who just want to ask what they can do to help and make sure their friends aren’t bullied. It promotes tolerance at our school.”
Jennifer Meinig, executive director of West Virginia’s chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, went so far as to say denying students a GSA would be breaking federal law, citing the Equal Access Act, which states public schools must treat all extracurricular clubs fairly.
“I think that this proves how much the school needs a club like this,” Meinig said, “because it must be a hostile environment there for students if there are concerns about bullying. On top of that, it’s the legal thing to do. It’s important that these students have somewhere to go.”
So McGrew changed his argument. Rather than saying the club would promote bullying, he said there wasn’t a faculty member willing to sponsor it.
Refusing to take no for an answer, students launched a Change.org petition aimed at McGrew.
“A gay-straight alliance club (GSA) is a club that would provide support, acceptance, and a safe place for students at this school, especially members of the LGBTQ+ community,” the petition said. “The Equal Access Act (1980’s) requires public schools to treat all extracurricular clubs fairly. This club is not being treated fairly, and it should be approved.”
The petition garnered over 150 signatures and got the media’s attention. This ultimately prompted McGrew to reverse course. Within a day, he located a faculty member to oversee the group and gave the GSA the green light.
Jeff Haught, the school’s show choir director, will be the club’s sponsor.
Putnam County Schools spokeswoman Rudi Raynes told BuzzFeed News, “Everyone is entitled to their personal beliefs. I can’t speak for Mr. McGrew. We have to set aside personal beliefs and go with the law of the land. Our school district is very open to all the preferences of our students.”
We presume you meant “orientations” instead of “preferences,” Ms. Raynes but we’ll let it slide this time.
After it was announced the school would get a GSA, an update to the Change.org petition was made. It now says:
“GSA Club is a go!! … Thank you for all your support!!!”
Related stories:
PA School District Votes Down GSA. LGBT Youth Group Promises Battle Isn’t Over
Crowd Gathers To Support 14-Year Old Trying To Start GSA
TN High School Principal Will Kick Your Butt If You Ask For A GSA
Graham Gremore is a columnist and contributor for Queerty and Life of the Law. Follow him on Facebook and Twitter.
rickhfx
“orientations” instead of “preferences,” that hits the nail right on the head ! one step closer to equality for all
throwslikeagirl
Great outcome. Congrats to some assertive and tenacious students and community members. Have to admit I had a giggle over the new sponsor ( and good for him to step up to the plate ). OF COURSE it had to be a man who’s the “show choir director”!
BTW Mr. Raynes, I do “prefer” men. And Queerty– I guess I’m just “oriented” that way. And to both Mr. Raynes and Queerty– the 20th century called. It wants its hackneyed labels back.
enfilmigult
@throwslikeagirl: “Orientation” is a hackneyed label now? News to me. If it’s not supposed to be either “orientation” or “preference,” what *should* it be?
Dakotahgeo
ABSOLUTELY super great news! Those old saws regarding negative outcomes of GSA groups are history. School Administrators WILL be forced to enter the 21st century but they will be dragged, kicking and screaming all the way, lolol. A little dust will polish them up a bit!
Pastor George M Melby aka Pastor Dak!
Leonard Woodrow
A splendid example of how teachers can learn from their students as well as vice versa.
DonW
Is it just me or does Principal McGrew have a minor case of Gay Face going on?
NoCagada
@DonW: MINOR?!? I’d love to see his internet search history
Harley
@DonW: Yep, your right. He definitely has the cøck-gøbb?ing ànal-whørê face going on there.
lykeitiz
By “preference”, I’d like to give her the benefit of the doubt that she meant it is the students preference to have a GSA club at their school.
And that principal? Yep…bathroom toe tapper for sure!
sfbeast
I think Principal McGrew looks like he really wants to volunteer to be the faculty sponsor. I guess now the group will be their version of Glee.
jwtraveler
Why is it that every time some guy does something anti-gay, a bunch of queens accuse him of being secretly gay? If we support the notion that “Gay is OK”, as I assume all openly gay people do, doesn’t “accusing” a homophobe of being a closet case contradict this notion. It’s like saying: “You’re no better than us because you’re one of us.” Well, straight people ARE no better than us. Why do we have to try to take them down? Face it guys, many straight people are homophobic bigots. THAT makes US better than THEM.
stranded
Jeff Haught, the school’s show choir director, will be the club’s sponsor.
well of course. lol. nice to see a win. I was a big rebel in high school. I knew my education was important but i would not tolerate teachers and staff who felt their word was law and could be as unfair as they wanted. It’s important for young kids to stand up for what’s right and keep fighting until they see a change.