The
Rutherford County Board of Education in central Tennessee is under
quite a bit of fire from the state and national American Civil Liberties
Union after deciding to remove all of GLSEN's 'Safe Space' posters (pictured) from classrooms
at its Central Magnet School. The reason? The school board claimed the
poster's content was too 'political' and 'of an inappropriate sexual
nature' because it contained the words 'lesbian, gay, bisexual, and
transgender.'
The ACLU, however, says the school board's claims are "obvious
mischaracterization[s]" and "grossly misconstruing the nature of the
poster." Additionally, the ACLU says that legal action may be required
if steps are not taken to reverse the decision:
"Removal of these posters is a violation
of the free speech rights of students and teachers," said Thomas H.
Castelli, ACLU-TN Legal Director. "Permitting some student groups but
not others to display posters amounts to unconstitutional,
discriminatory censorship."
GLSEN has also responded,
stating that many students in Tennessee already feel unsafe at school
because of their sexual orientation, which can cause absenteeism,
lowered academic achievement, and poorer psychological well-being. 88%
of LGBT students in Tennessee have been verbally harassed and 43% have
been physically harassed in the past year because of their sexual
orientation, according to GLSEN's "2011 Tennessee State Snapshot."
"Removing a GLSEN Safe Space poster that
promotes a positive learning environment free from harassment is
alarming given that a majority of LGBT students in Tennessee report
feeling unsafe in school because of their sexual orientation or gender
identity," said Dr. Eliza Byard, GLSEN's Executive Director. "Every
student deserves to feel safe in school and our Safe Space posters, a
part of GLSEN's Safe Space Kit, play a vital role in conveying that very
message. Students know they have an educator to turn to for support
when they see our poster displayed in a school classroom or office."
The school board has yet to respond to the ACLU letter, which can be read here.
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