Students - Know Your Rights!

This is for all American public school students who are Queer or allied. This is a small write up about your rights provided by the ACLU - Get Busy, Get Equal!

"If you experience any problems at school, first talk to your principal or another official. If nothing happens it's time to take action.

HARASSMENT:
If you are being harassed, or witness harassment, report it to the principal, a counselor, or another official immediately, and keep notes with dates and descriptions of all incidents and when you reported them. Being silent may seem easier but it will not end the abuse, and you have the right to be yourself and safe.

PRIVACY:
Teachers and school officials do NOT have the right to "out" you to anyone without your permission or use your sexual orientation to manipulate you in any way.

FREEDOM OF SPEECH:
Sometimes schools try to silence students who are open about their sexual orientation. If you go to a public school you have a constitutional right to be out of the closet and express your opinions.

GAY-STRAIGHT ALLIANCES:
Gay-Straight Alliances (GSA's) are non-curricular student clubs, just like Chess clubs or Key Clubs, that allow students with a common interest to get together and have discussions and activities. The law says public schools must allow GSA's if other student clubs exist.

*For info on starting or being part of a GSA go to GLSEN or call 212-727-0135

PROM:
Public schools cannot stop you from bringing a same-sex date to prom. Federal law protects this as freedom of expression, and you cannot be barred from prom because of your date's gender."

If you are encountering difficulty, the ACLU can provide free assistance... Do not hesitate to contact them with questions about your rights or to ask for legal assistance.

getequal@aclu.org
Phone: 212-549-2627

Tell School Board to Approve Gay-Straight Alliance

Students at a school in Waynesboro, Pennsylvania have proposed a gay-straight alliance club at their school.

The first board meeting on Jan. 13, little had been said to the teenagers hoping to start a Gay-Straight Alliance.

The second school board meeting just a week later presented a much more challenging situation for the three students who attended. The public comment portion of the meeting stretched for more than an hour, as people spoke for and against the club’s formation at the high school. (LGBT Youth News)

The districs core values consist of:

INTEGRITY - We seek to do everything with integrity; we treat everyone with respect.

LEARNING - We recognize teaching as well as learning needs to be of the highest priority. Learning is essential. Everyone can learn and help others to learn.

EXCELLENCE - We challenge ourselves and others to strive for excellence.

INDIVIDUALITY - We cherish the uniqueness and worth of every individual.

SHARED RESPONSIBILITY - We believe that education is a shared responsibility;
cooperation and communication. (WASD)

Urge the school board to uphold the rights of its student to form a GSA and to stay true to their founding principles. Click here to send a message to all of the board members.

Anti-Gay Principal Reneges on his Decision to Resign

Back in May we discussed the Columbia, South Carolina Irmo High School's vote and rally on whether to allow the formation of a Gay-Straight Alliance. In light of the fact that the school voted to allow a GSA principal Eddie Walker had announced he would resign since the club "conflicted with his values" and he felt it was inappropriate for a club to discuss things of a "sexual nature."

Now according to CountOn2News:

"Lexington-Richland District 5 spokesman Buddy Price told The State newspaper Thursday that interim superintendent Herbert Berg got a letter from Walker that said he wanted to stay."

The anti-LGBT principles contract is up for renewal in the Spring. If you aren't in favor of this homophobic principle keeping his position please join us in contacting the interim superintendent and members of the board in the district.

Berg, Herbert
Position: Superintendent
Email: HBerg@lex5.k12.sc.us
(803) 476-8116

Contact Members of the Board!

Rally for South Carolina Gay-Straight Alliance

According to Gay Charleston:

"There will be a rally at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Dutch Fork Elementary School in Irmo, to show support for Irmo High School’s Gay Straight Alliance. The rally will be outside the district school board meeting.

Irmo Principal Eddie Walker announced last week that he would be resigning at the end of the next school year because the district is allowing the GSA to form. District officials have said their hands are tied because of equal access requirements.

Gay advocates are calling for Walker to leave now, suggesting that his continued administration at the school after such a high-profile proclamation that he can’t support the club could incite the type of dangerous environment that GSAs are looking to stop."

Dutch Fork Elementary School
7900 Broad River Rd
Irmo, SC 29063