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Schools Warned Not To Discrimate Against Homosexuals
Posted: Jun 20, 2011 7:26 PM
Updated: Jun 20, 2011 7:29 PM
CORPUS CHRISTI - Secretary of Education Arnie Duncan is weighing in on a controversial club started at Flour Bluff High School within the past year.
Students at the school ran into some trouble starting a Gay-Straight Alliance on campus and claimed that the school administration was working against their efforts. Then the school board voted in March to allow the club to meet on campus, at least temporarily.
In a strongly worded letter issued today to teachers and administrators, Secretary of Education Duncan tells schools that not allowing clubs like Flour Bluff's GSA is a violation of federal law.
In a taped statement, Duncan tells 6 News this new letter details in clear terms that while the district doesn't have to endorse the club, it can't deny it access to the school or school resources.
"It clarifies the rights of students to form clubs, like GSAs, under the Equal Access Act, this details relative case law and instructs schools and districts on how to revise their policies. Schools must treat all student-initiated clubs equally including LGBT students," says Secretary Duncan.
Duncan says in his letter clubs can not be discriminated against, regardless of religious, political, philosophical or other reasons for the group's existence.
"My commitment to LGBT students is unequivocal, and it goes back to when I first supported charter schools for LGBT students. Our department here has taken concrete steps to protect these students," says Secretary Duncan.
Duncan's comments today come after several similar letters addressing anti-bullying laws aimed at protecting students as well.
We reached out for comment from Flour Bluff officials today, but received no response.
In the meantime, the members of the Flour Bluff Gay-Straight Alliance say they plan to continue meeting in the next school year. We are also told similar clubs are being planned by students at Carroll High School and the Collegiate High School.
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