Gay & Lesbian Club Fight in Yulee Leads to ACLU Lawsuit

YULEE, FL -- The American Civil Liberties Union has filed a lawsuit against the School Board of Nassau County claiming violations of the First Amendment and the federal Equal Access Act.

School administrators at Yulee High School and at Yulee Middle School have denied student requests to form a Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) at the schools.

The request at Yulee Middle was in the 2007-2008 school year, and the request at Yulee High was this school year.

Superintendent John Ruis said groups with names referencing sexual orientation would not be allowed.

Hannah Page, a student at Yulee High and a plaintiff named in the lawsuit, says, "Other clubs and groups are allowed to meet on campus and we have that right too."

The ACLU claims the Equal Access Act means schools have to recognize the GSA if they recognize any group on campus.

"One of things that we're trying to get across to the public is that this is not about gay or lesbian, this is about equality," says Benetta Standly with the ACLE. "Again if you let one club meet, you have to let all meet. Those children deserve a safe space where they can talk about anti-gay harassment discrimination and intolerance. This is just a safe space to do that."

The ACLU says there are 17 such clubs in Florida schools, but none in Northeast Florida.

In addition to the lawsuit, the ACLU is seeking a preliminary ruling allowing the GSA to meet on campus immediately, rather than after the outcome of the trial.

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