(Ponce De Leon, Florida) After a two-day trial in which a Florida high school principal testified that he believed clothing, buttons or stickers featuring rainbows would make students automatically picture gay people having sex, a federal judge today ruled that the school violated the First Amendment rights of students.
Heather Gillman, a 16-year-old junior at Ponce de Leon High School, sued the school with the help of the American Civil Liberties Union after she was told she could not wear buttons, stickers or clo0thing that supported LGBT civil rights.
After she received the warning the ACLU last November sent a letter to the school board’s attorney on behalf of Gillman, asking for clarification as to whether a variety of symbols and slogans, such as the rainbow flag or “I support my gay friends,” would be allowed at the school.
The school district replied that it would not allow any expressions of support for gay rights at all because such speech would "likely be disruptive."
The district then said that such symbols and slogans were signs that students were part of a "secret/illegal organization."
Judge Richard Smoak of the United States District Court issued an order Tuesday that forces the school to stop its censorship of students who want to express their support for gay people. The judge also warned the district not to retaliate against students over the lawsuit.
"Standing up to my school was really hard to do, but I’m so happy that I did because the First Amendment is a big deal to everyone," said Gillman in a statement.
During the trial, which was held in Panama City yesterday and today, Ponce de Leon High School’s principal David Davis admitted under oath that he had banned students from wearing any clothing or symbols supporting equal rights for gay people.
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1 comment:
i hope this moron principle gets fired
http://www.queersunited.blogspot.com
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