Several pro-LGBT organizations have responded separately to the U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan releasing a guidance letter to school districts across the country emphasizing that gay-straight alliances ( GSAs ) must be allowed to form on an equal basis with other student groups.
Lambda Legal, in a release, said, "Since 2000, when we won Colín v. Orange Unified School District, which marked the first time a school was ordered under the Equal Access Act to allow a gay-straight alliance to meet on campus, Lambda Legal has been arguing that federal law is very clear that public schools with clubs must allow GSAs on equal terms.
"With [ the ] directive from the Department of Education, we hope that every administration in every school district across the country gets the message loud and clear: If you allow student clubs on campus, then you must allow gay-straight alliances equally."
"Today's letter from Secretary Duncan reinforces the importance of gay-straight alliances in our nation's schools," said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. "This is a clarion call to teachers and school administrators that they must welcome and respect LGBT students and their allies and create an environment conducive to learning for all students regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity."
"Secretary Duncan's Dear Colleague letter is a clear signal to schools and school districts that they may not discriminate against students who seek to form Gay-Straight Alliances," Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network Executive Director Eliza Byard said. "We are grateful to the Department of Education for supporting students' rights, attempting to prevent discrimination and affirming the positive contributions Gay-Straight Alliances make to the life of our schools, right alongside other non-curricular clubs."
Lastly, Laura W. Murphy, director of the ACLU Washington Legislative Office, said, "Today's guidance from the Department of Education is a welcome and much-needed reminder to our nation's school districts that all students have the right to be free from exclusion. Anti-gay discrimination, including harassment, hurts all students. Those attempting to create a safe haven where all students—LGBT and otherwise—can come together to discuss acceptance and provide each other with mutual support should not be stymied by their schools.
"Gay-straight alliances can play a crucial role in improving students' lives. Just as with other extra-curricular groups and clubs, students have a federal legal right to form GSAs. Our public schools should be promoting fairness and acceptance, not discrimination."
The letter is at www2.ed.gov/policy/elsec/guid/secletter/110607.html .
