My alma mater, Irmo High School, has been in an uproar for the last month over the formation of a Gay-Straight Alliance at the school. Principal Eddie Walker announced his resignation, effective at the end of the 2008-09 school year when his contract runs out. The public has been divided over the issue, and the board of Richland-Lexington School District 5 just hasn’t known what to do. There was even talk of banning all non-academic, non-sports clubs.
Relatively cooler heads have prevailed. The district decided on Monday the 23rd to accept the existence of the Gay-Straight Alliance, but to require parental permission to join any non-academic club. While this is a compromise that pleases nobody, it will at least allow the GSA (not to mention the Black Student Union, the Young Republicans, and the Chess Club) to exist at the school.
South Carolina Equality is working with students and teachers to help them recognize, and deal with, any potential violations of law in the school’s handling of the situation.
CNN Report from last month:
Rally in support of the GSA (27 May 2008):
Read more:
Under board’s decision, parents can still keep kids out of gay club (WIS-TV)
Principal’s resignation stirs debate over gay clubs (Edge)
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