GLSEN Decries Vote of Louisiana’s Lafayette Parish School Board
Media Contact:
Michelle Sims
212-727-0135 x138
msims@glsen.org
Dec 12, 2003
December 12, 2003 – New York – GLSEN, or the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, today denounced a vote by the Lafayette Parish School Board of Louisiana, which on a split 5-3 vote, decided not to apologize to the mother of a seven-year-old student who was disciplined after saying his mother was “gay”. After a four-hour closed-door session on the matter, the school board issued the vote affirming the punishment of Marcus McLaurin, while refusing to provide any clarity on why Marcus was being singled-out, punished and sent to “behavior clinic”.
“The Lafayette School Board today missed an opportunity to affirm that all students, including the children of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender parents, deserve to be treated equally by their teachers and peers,” noted GLSEN’s Executive Director Kevin Jennings. “All students should be free from ridicule, particularly from their teachers. We call on the school board to explain their decision while taking the opportunity to set a real example to the teachers, students and families of the Lafayette Parish.”
According to media reports, one school board member who voted against the majority opinion, Rickey Hardy, expressed anger, saying, "I personally want to apologize to the parent [Sharon Huff]. I hope and pray that we can follow policy and procedures better than we have done."
A few weeks ago, Marcus brought home a note to his mother, Sharon Huff, that he was being disciplined and sent to “behavior clinic” after noting to another student that his mother is gay. The school board today refused to acknowledge any wrongdoing and this week upheld the disciplinary action taken against Marcus.
Ms. Huff is working with local organizations, including the ACLU, and is reportedly considering legal action against the school board.
About GLSEN GLSEN, or the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, is the leading national education organization focused on ensuring safe schools for all lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students. Established nationally in 1995, GLSEN envisions a world in which every child learns to respect and accept all people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression. For more information on GLSEN’s educational resources, public policy agenda, student organizing programs or development initiatives, visit www.glsen.org.
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