Thursday, March 1, 2012
News Haywood County Students Claim Principal Made Homophobic Remarks
Posted by Bianca Phillips on Thu, Mar 1, 2012 at 1:17 PM
Haywood High School principal Dorothy Bond allegedly said gay students were "not on God's path" and threatened to expel them if they were caught showing public affection for same-sex students, according to reports made to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) by students. Now the ACLU of Tennessee has sent a letter to the Haywood County school district superintendent.
The comments were reportedly made at an assembly on February 9th. Bond allegedly also told students that gay people are "ruining their lives," and she said public displays of affection among gay students could result in 60-day suspensions, alternative school assignments, and even expulsion. However, the ACLU claims the school's current policy on public displays of affection is neutral in regard to sexual orientation.
Calls by the Memphis Flyer to Haywood County Superintendent of Schools Marlon King have not yet been returned.
According to the ACLU, Bond has made past homophobic remarks, such as telling a lesbian student that she would go to hell for being gay. Bond also reportedly has incorporated prayers and proselytizing into school events.
The ACLU is requesting that Haywood High School clarify that students have the constitutional right to identify as gay, lesbian or bisexual. The group also wants the district to acknowledge that two students of the same sex are dating, to allow students to express LGBT-friendly political views, and to provide students with an education free from religion.
Comments (11)
Showing 1-11 of 11
GWCarver, Homersimpson, Like I told you before, constitutional rights do not stop at the schools door. This is practically the same as freedom of association and assembly, the first amendment.
Schools are not allowed to deny students, minors, of the constitutional rights without a compelling reason. They most show the reason and it must meet the meaning of compelling. You can't just throw out a study saying that a certain policy, which strips students of their rights, make for better order, which, in turn, leads to a better education. For every study showing one thing, there is a study showing just the opposite.
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OTP - get over yourself. I know you would have a cooment before I even finished the article. This is obviously targeting a specifc set of students. You are so full of it.
I do not rightly see how she will have a job for all that much longer. She reads as though she is quite the piece of work as well as a rather cruel person!
OTP: Make the comments area all about you if you wish. But, you will just be showing utter contempt toward the schoolchildren over at this lady's school as well as the LGBT community and the ACLU if you do. Your call.
Merlin, it was never all about me. It is the same as these LBGT students are facing, a denial of their rights by a school official. I can't speak for that board because they might not have known or condoned what is purported to have been said.
I was talking about violations of rights, it is not my fault because I have a personal example of it.
Same with you Homersimpson. All you have is a passion for physics and nothing else. Well everyone should be concerned about rights. I am for making the entire education system better, I give credence to those that wish to take physics, however, it is a very small, not only here, but nationally. I don't and have never knocked your passion, physics, however I also don't judge an entire school district because of the limited number of students taking this course.
The school house isn't a hotel. School is an educational institution not a place to get your freak on! I've known Ms Bond for years and some of the things their saying she "said" us way out of her character. Maybe sometimes things could've been said a little differently however, it needed to be said! Anyone shoeing PDA should be expell regardless of their sexual preference.
This is an interesting situation which shows the power of rumor and how skewed our society has become to overprotect the minority. My child was at the meeting, along with several school administrators and school board members. According to the information I have received, the accusations are unfounded and blown out of proportion. Her talk was on PDA, and her comment was that there was no place for PDA in our high school, did not matter if it was boys and girls, boys and boys or girls and girls, school was no place for it and could result in suspension or alternative school. Not once did she say gay, homosexual or point her finger at anyone. She resigned today under threats of financial ruin from attorneys representing the ACLU. This is a tragic loss of a dedicated educator by a minority who complain about the school because their children "never do wrong" or more likely just want the attention.
She resigned! A principal is entitled to her personal point of views, but when she steps into a classroom and accepts a position of authority and starts announcing that gays and pregnant teens will not be tolerated she is condoning discrimination and hate. Appalling!
http://scallywagandvagabond.com/2012/03/te…
Merlin, she resigned. Now where is the contempt for this lady and the schoolchildren at this school?
If the accusations are true, she was in an untenable position.
It is like I have said before, principles be careful about violating students rights, for, when hell breaks loose, the board and administration will turn their backs on you. Use the CYA policy.
A public display of affection, as OTP correctly notes, is a form of free speech and free association. I am at a loss to understand why so many people seem to "dislike" comments made by OTP and then turn around and like other comments expressing exactly the same support for the Gay and Lesbian students' constitutional rights when expressed by other commenters.
I personally am glad that he, along with all others who do, recognizes the right that ALL people have to equal protection under the law.
That principal had no business trying to force her own religious beliefs on others, at least not in her official capacity as a public school principal. If she wishes to make herself a sign an go join Fred Phelps' gang of christians on her own time, that's her right, too, but she can't do it in her official capacity at the school.
Having a religion is like having a dick: it's fine to have one and it's fine to be proud of it; however, you don't whip it out in public and you don't shove it in other people's faces.
Well, myuncle...., that is because OTP thinks that this principal bringing religion and prejudice into a school is morally and constitutionally equivalent to the principal at his son's school not letting the students talk during lunch.
So, now you know.
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