FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 8, 2017
CONTACT: ACLU of Florida Media Office, media@aclufl.org, (786) 363-2737
LEESBURG, FL – Administrators at Carver Middle School in Lake County, Florida have approved the application of a gay-straight alliance (GSA) student group at the school, allowing the club to meet on campus and be recognized by the school. The decision to approve the club comes after over three years of litigation on behalf of students represented by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) seeking to have the club recognized.
Responding to the announcement, ACLU of Florida staff attorney Daniel Tilley stated:
“We’re thrilled that Carver students once again have their GSA officially recognized by the school. GSAs help make schools safer for all students, not just LGBT students. Students at Carver have worked for years to try to have their club recognized again by the school, and we are so proud of them for their work to improve the school environment for their peers.”
In December of 2016, the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals issued a ruling holding that a federal nondiscrimination law that prohibits schools from discriminating against student clubs applies to Florida’s public middle schools.
More information about that ruling is available here: https://aclufl.org/2016/12/06/federal-appeals-court-upholds-students-rights-in-gay-straight-alliance-case/
