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(Okeechobee, Florida) The American Civil Liberties Union of Florida today filed a federal lawsuit against the School Board of Okeechobee County after school district administrators allegedly prevented students who formed the Gay-Straight Alliance of Okeechobee High School (GSA) to meet on high school grounds. The school recognizes other extracurricular clubs – including the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the Key Club, and the Rodeo team - all of which meet regularly on school grounds. According to students, anti-gay harassment and discrimination are serious problems at Okeechobee High School. Students Yasmin Gonzalez, Amber Sewell and Erica Rodriguez say school officials have made the problem worse by discriminating against LGBT students. Gonzalez, Sewell, Rodriguez and others decided to form the GSA to discuss problems caused by anti-gay bias at OHS after school officials refused to allow Gonzalez and her girlfriend to attend the prom as a couple. They say they hoped the GSA would promote equality and open-mindedness among students, administrators and staff of the high school. “Straight kids cannot turn their backs on the plague of violence and discrimination against gay and lesbian students,” said Amber Sewell, one of the club’s founders and straight members. “When students aren’t safe, we can’t learn. Only when we stand together will we find a solution.” The GSA, which currently meets at a local restaurant, has elected officers and adopted a constitution. The GSA now has approximately 50 members. “The purpose of the GSA is to provide a safe, supportive environment for students to talk about anti-gay bias, harassment and violence and to work together to promote tolerance, understanding and acceptance of one another, regardless of sexual orientation,” said GSA President Yasmin Gonzalez. Gonzalez’s mother, Frankie Michelle Gonzalez, supports her daughter’s decision. “I was shocked when I learned that school employees go unpunished for discriminating against gay students. Everyday, businesses across Florida provide training to their employees on how to prevent this type of discrimination; it’s time for Okeechobee schools to put an end to bullying and harassment of gay kids and start telling teachers that it’s not okay for them to do it.” Robert Rosenwald, Director of the ACLU of Florida’s LGBT Advocacy Project said that the federal Equal Access Act requires schools that allow any extracurricular activities to meet on campus to allow all extracurricular student groups to do so and to treat every club equally. “We are taking a stand today
because all students are entitled to a safe and secure education,”
said Rosenwald. “Florida’s gay and lesbian students
deserve schools that are places of learning, not training camps
for intolerance, intimidation and violence." |