School Principal in Tennessee } "If You R’ Gay You R’ Going To Hell” Students Side With Her
A Tennessee high school principal resigned Thursday, shortly after the American Civil Liberties Union requested an investigation into allegations the principal threatened expulsion of students who were gay or showed affection to someone of the same sex, AP reported.
Dorothy Bond, who was principal of Haywood High School in Brownsville, Tenn., is said to have proclaimed that gay students are “not on God’s path” and are “going to a bad place.” At a student assembly, Bond reportedly dismissed all male students and lectured female students, saying girls who got pregnant in high school ended up “jobless, homeless, and living off the government” and that “life is over,” according to a statement from the ACLU.
Other claims of official prayer and proselytizing included gathering students in the cafeteria to pray after a serious car accident affected the community. Students who didn’t bow their heads were threatened with disciplinary action, the ACLU said.
In a letter sent to the superintendent of schools, the ACLU requested an investigation and response to address the alleged constitutional violations, which included violations of students’ first amendment rights of expression and association, equal protection and privacy rights, Title IX based on sex, pregnancy and parenting status, and establishment clause rights. The ACLU also asked the school district to notify students that they have a right to identify themselves as gay, to acknowledge gay couples and express political views in favor of same-sex rights.
The Haywood County Board of Education announced Bond’s resignation in a statement released by its law firm, Purcell, Sellers & Craig, and said it “acknowledges its student body’s right to free speech. Further, the Haywood County Board of Education strives to provide an atmosphere of tolerance and diversity while maintaining high academic standards,” the Jackson Sun reported. Bond couldn’t be reached for comment, the paper said. Law Blog sent an email to Bond’s work address and tried to leave a message on her home phone but her voice mailbox was full.
The ACLU issued a second statement, praising the school district for swift action.
*As I Read more in this case I was appalled that the students were backing up this Principal. I asked my self the question of why? The answer is not hard to come across: “Parenting”
Where did these students that were backing this school principal in her ignorance and homophobia get their ideas if not from their parents and their church. I would hope that for every homophobic and ignorant parent in the subject we can find 2 or 3 that are educated and not afraid of people different that they are.
As an ex divinity student I could make an argument pro or against almost any passage in the new or old testament; But the short answer is we can not live our lifes' based on some ancient manuscripts, written by men and for the people living at that time. Not the pope, or any bishop or religious sect follows to the letter the chapters on this book. Human beings like to reinforced their believes, no matter what they are, by quoting celestial commands. Like any book written centuries ago it needs interpretation and that’s where the killer found their excuse when he killed his wife for divorcing him, in the spanish inquisition, war of the roses, etc., etc., etc.
These are transcending times in which we will learn to live with our fellow man, being that we have so many mediums of information. If it’s not possible now, then when would it be? We have a golden opportunity to learn and make sure that what we teach is correct and not based on phobias and wive’s tales from centuries back.
Adam for adamfoxie*
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