The Issue
Background
Back in 1996 students in Salt Lake City’s East High School decided to start a new group at their school. Gay and lesbian students, those with gay and lesbian parents or family members and other interested students formed the East High School Gay/Straight Alliance. They found a teacher to sponsor the group and about 25 students began meeting after school.
Then the school board found out about the group. National media attention flooded Salt Lake City when the school board decided to ban all extracurricular activities for ALL students, rather than allow the gay students to meet.
All the public attention spurred many students around the country to start Gay/Straight Alliances at their schools. The courts eventually ruled that students have right to the groups.
Case For:
Gay and lesbian students face unrelenting discrimination in high school. A recent study by GLSEN found that 70% of gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans students experienced verbal, physical or sexual harassment at school. “Fag” is still the number one taunt middle-schoolers throw at each other. Students need a safe place gather with supportive peers. Gay/Straight Alliances offer that place.
In the United States education is compulsory. Young people are required to attend school and local governments are required to provide equal access to education for all students. Equal access means ensuring a safe learning environment. Gay/Straight Alliances can work within their schools to ensure that schools are safe for gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans and questioning students.
The courts have ruled that any school that receives Federal funding must provide equal access to its facilities for all school clubs. Distinction can be made between non-curricular and curricular clubs. Most Gay/Straight Alliances are non-curricular, but they must have the same access to meet on school property as other clubs, such as the Key Club and Students Against Drunk Driving.
