If we’re talking about gay kids and high school, it must be time to identify yet another American outpost that’s refusing to let kids form a gay-straight alliance. Please get your touchscreen maps ready and begin to zoom in on Flour Bluff High School in Corpus Christi, Texas, where some 1,820 show up for classes every day. Among them is Bianca “Nikki” Peet, a senior who claims the school’s Principal James Crenshaw has exploited all possible loopholes to keep her from forming a GSA.
Peet’s campaign to create a GSA began as early as November, and on Monday it’s headed to the next step: an organized protest outside Flour Bluff to demand Crenshaw grant permission for the club. Peet says she even agreed to change the name of the club and make it not specific to gay students after Crenshaw voiced his concerns, but still he won’t approve the GSA. How come?
District officials issued a statement Wednesday that said it supports cultural diversity and reaffirmed a policy that gives school officials discretion on clubs. Officials said the district, according to its policy approved in 2005, is not subject to the part of the Equal Access Act requiring the school to offer fair opportunities for students to form student-led extracurricular groups, regardless of their religious, political and philosophical leanings. Non-curriculum student groups exist at Flour Bluff High School, including the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
Peet has the support of Gay-Straight Alliance at Texas A&M University, whose president Pete Rodriguez says, “Unfortunately it’s starting to look like the bullying is coming from administration, instead of students.” It’s Rodriguez who’s issued the ultimatum to Crenshaw that he has until Monday to approve the GSA, or the protest will move forward, as will possible legal action.
Under the Equal Access Act, schools with limited open forums allowing students to meet on campus during noninstructional time can’t deny access to students based on the content of the speech in those meetings. Flour Bluff ISD’s policy does not have a limited open forum.
“We’re not gonna give up!They have great strategies, but I think we are all uniting and it’s so beautiful. I’ve never seen this much support,” says Peet. We’re with ya, Nikki. And I think our readers are too. Principal Crenshaw’s email is [email protected]. The school’s phone number is (361) 694-9100. More contact info here.
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 Caller; KZTV]
David Gervais
I don’t get:
Under EAA, “…schools with limited open forums…can’t deny access to students…”
“Flour Bluff ISD’s policy does not have a limited open forum.”
It seems like those other clubs are exactly that. Just because the District says ” Officials said the district, is not subject to the part of the Equal Access Act. It’s in your constitution that Federal Law always supersedes State and Local laws.
Francis
It’s interesting, these homophobic actions by these school boards is actually sparking action and bringing people, gay and straight, together in the face of clear-cut bigotry. I’ve always believed that bigots are one of the biggest reasons why change happens. Hopefully Nikki’s fight isn’t for naught and the GSA is approved at her school.
Shannon1981
If they won’t let her have a GSA, then dismantle the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and all the other student- led, non academic clubs. Fair is fair.
They are so fucking OBVIOUS in their homophobia.
Danny
They need to contact the Texas chapter of the ACLU, which deals with these cases all the time across the country.
Jeffree
@Matt: Your post has been flagged in violation of this site’s TOS. Copies of your comment have been forwarded to several agencies dealing with the rights of persons with disabilities. They will follow up with this site ‘s proprietors as well as its advêrtìsers.
Congrats, dude, you got a whole heap of trouble coming your way.
TimeToLook
LOL, Jeffree. I don’t think he’ll lose sleep. Half the comments on this site virtually deserve lawsuits, especially the ones calling for the deaths of others.
Samwise
@Shannon1981: Other schools have done just that, most famously a high school in Salt Lake City, Utah. Unfortunately, that tends to turn all the students against the gay kids. Because supposedly it’s THEIR fault that no one can have clubs anymore. I assume that’s part of the strategy.
Matt
@Jeffree: LOL! Bring it on, mofos!
David Gervais
Samwise: In some cases the students get it and support the GSA. The kids are always way ahead of the curve. To paraphrase Ghandi, the administrators must follow the students because they are the leaders.
GiGi Simsbrook
Here is the local story:
http://www.kristv.com/news/flour-bluff-student-continues-fight-for-gay-straight-alliance/
YOU CAN LEAVE COMMENTS HERE TOO – SO THAT LOCAL PEOPLE CAN READ THEM.
GiGi Simsbrook
HERE IS THE CORRECT LINK TO THE LOCAL PAPER’S STORY:
http://www.caller.com/news/2011/feb/25/gay-activist-gears-up-for-protest-at-flour-bluff/
Jeffree
@Matt: Do you hear that sound outside your door? It’s one thousand motorized wheelchairs and four hundred people with leg braces or crutches carrying signs saying “Matt is a Douche!”
Well, OK, they may not be there just yet because they’re at an all-access brunch now, plus the drivers of the Handivans are on strike, but they’ll get to you eventually !
Matt
@Jeffree: Bring it on! Bring that shit, son! BRING IT! I’ll kick everyone’s ass! Just you watch!
tallest
@Matt: Your a complete douche. You are quite possibly the most unashamed douche who’s drivel I’ve ever had the misfortune of reading. I think Karma has some work to do on your kneecaps. I sure hope so anyway. Furthermore, FUCK YOU WALKIE.
Shannon1981
@Samwise: Probably is part of the strategy, and it won’t change until school boards and district officials- those above the power of teachers and principals and the like- insist that discrimination of any kind has no place in schools, period.
Shannon1981
@Matt: Jeez what is the point of trolling like this? You got a problem with disabled people or something?
tallest
@Shannon1981: He’s obviously got deep seeded problems. Maybe that cute girl in the wheelchair at the coffee shop rejected him. Idk. But he’s definitely got problems with women and disabled people.
David Gervais
Matt: Turn in your gay card. We don’t want you as a member of the club.
Jeffree
Let’s not let troll Matt derail the thread. The school does appear to be in viòlatioñ of state regs, so I hope this site & others will follow up on the story. Letting the Christian Athletes form a group but not the GSA seems to mean there’s an agenda we’re dealing with. Can you imagine the prayèrs at FCA? “Dear God, please let us win the game against East High and let their quarterback break his good arm, amen”!
I’m glad that Nikki is getting support in and outside of Corpus Christi and hope she prevails.
Shannon1981
@tallest: I usually ignore people like that, but those statements are disturbing, especially on a board like this…
Shannon1981
@Jeffree: Yes, thanks for that, no thread derailments. I sincerely hope that this site and others keep this in the spotlight, maybe I’ll write to HRC or GLAAD…they are good with stuff like this…
anna
@tallest: “that cute girl in the wheelchair” is actually not a nice person at all, she is a bully herself, you would know that if you actually went to FBHS, and another thing, this club has no place in high school. This club has nothing to do with school at all, why do they need school approval to meet with eachother as a club, they could meet off campus, but no, they just like the controversey in which the school is going to be divided because the majority of the students at flour bluff DO NOT support the start of this group, they will only be victimized even more because they whined until all clubs got kicked off campus.
Shannon1981
@anna: Fine, if you don’t need a GSA, you don’t need any clubs. Period. Either they let her start this club or their bigotry shows. Plenty of high schools have GSA’s. Its a way for straight students and homosexual students to come together, and a way for the school to show a great learning environment for ALL students. And a kid in a wheelchair is a bully? Really? Hmmmm…..I bet you’re just another homophobe who doesn’t like her and others because their way of life doesn’t line up with your personal beliefs. Newsflash- SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE. Public schools are an arm of the state.
You say a GSA has no place, I say Fellowship of Christian Athletes has no place. We’re both wrong. While neither is rooted in academics, if there is a need and a desire, they should be able to exist, and if you are interested, participate, if not, leave those who DO have an interest alone, like with any other activity. Its the gayness that bothers you people, isn’t it? The sooner you admit your homophobia, the better.
tallest
@anna: I wasn’t actually referring to Miss Peet, (though she’s cute I suppose, not my type really what with her being a girl and all) that was hypothetical. And while I understand that disabled kids have the capabilities to be bullies (maybe not as well as more able-bodied people) this girl doesn’t come off even remotely bully-like. You on the other hand sound ignorant and well I assume your parents never burdened you with an overabundance of schooling. BTW maybe GSA has nothing to do with school but neither does your Christian/Spaghetti Monster Athletes. That’s the point of extracurricular, from the Latin for outside of school (I paraphrase though). The fact that you vicious prejudiced dumbasses would victimize her and her friends whether they had their club and you had yours or none of you had any clubs seems to be lost on you. If you don’t support something that has no effect on you then don’t support it. A lesson for you though, you can not support something while not hindering it. I’ve met people like you, you tend to get what’s coming to you one way or the other.
Jeffree
Up-date: The school has suspended “all non-curricular” clubs. That means Science club stays, GSA doesn’t get approved & the Christian Athletes will have to find somewhere else to huddle in holiness.
Matt
@tallest: Bring it! All of you! Bring it on LOL!
@David Gervais: Why don’t you come get it yourself, huh?! You want a piece of me? Bring it! Can’t believe a simple joke comment brought out all this hypocrisy in people LMAO! BRING IT!
Jeffree
@Matt: Your “joke” wasn’t funny. Karma dictates that you’ll get a Stephen Hawking type neuromuscular disease and have to use a straw to type with. You’ll be hand-fed liquid food by a nurse when she’s in a good mood, and starved the rest of the time. That, amigo, will be funny.
Matt
@Jeffree: Well I don’t know this bitch named Karma, but if she wants to try me, she can bring it, too! And how dare you judge me, Jeffree, how DARE you insult me! All of you can go suck eggs! LOL
tallest
@Matt: Bring what, exactly? I’m confused as to what I have you seem to want. As for your joke, while I appreciate good comedy, your joke was not that. It comes off making you look like an arrogant douche. When did it become funny to belittle someone over a disability or being a woman? Point out to me when that happened and I’ll gladly see the merit of your joke. As it stands, trying to be edgy by making fun of “cripples” overdone. But we’re alright, we realize you’re stupid and we won’t hold that against you. We’ll just avoid you and hope for a freak accident to leave you paralyzed from the waste down. Karma’s a bitch.
Francis
That’s what these homophobic school systems seem to be doing more of. Instead of actually affirming the lives of gay folk, which they flat out won’t do, they just eliminate all clubs/dances/sex education etc. Perfect way to then throw the blame on the gays, “it’s their fault YOUR clubs are gone straight kids.” Shows you the level of disdain and pure hate that some people have towards us.
Matt
@tallest: Well come on, then, bring it! Bring it on!
tallest
@Matt: I’m sorry, but I don’t see what you want me to bring.
Sucks for those kids though. Stubborn mofo’s would rather get rid of all the clubs then let there be a GSA.
David Gervais
Matt: I do not want a piece of you, and it seems that no-one else here wants anything to do with you.
David Gervais
Anna: You are the perfect example of why your school needs a GSA.
David Gervais
Matt:
“I don’t know this bitch named Karma…”
Oh, you will, you will.
Karen
As a parent of FBISD kids my concern that all of this media “hype” is defeating the purpose. The whole story is not being told here. Ms. Peet seems to be adjusting the story as she goes along. She did NOT agree to change the name. She was actually told by Mr. Crenshaw that she could start the club but the name would have to be changed. She did not agree. I am completely gay friendly. I just am not getting the feeling that Ms.Peet’s intentions are fully honorable and good. You just have to know the student.
Karen
@anna: This is how most of the students; gay and straight feel about Ms. Peet and her intentions.
GiGi Simsbrook
Click on this link to read the story and blog — so much hatred and ignorance. Ms. Peet could use our help!!!
http://www.caller.com/news/2011/mar/04/protesters-on-both-sides-of-gay-lesbian-club-at/
Jeffree
@Karen: 1)What *are* Ms Peet’s intentions? 2)What are yours?
Please clarify so that we can understand your perspectives. Thank you.
justiceontherocks
The principal is another rocket scientist who thinks if he ignores something it will go away.
Good for Ms. Peet getting all up in people’s business. It is, after all, her business too.