Principal Informs Parents Of Students Calling For Gay-Straight Club
by Fidel Ortega
365Gay.com Newscenter in Miami

December 18, Pensacola, FL The principal of a Pensacola school will inform the parents of a group of students who want to set up a Gay-Straight Alliance at the school.

Escambia High School principal Delores Morris says she will discuss the club with the parents or guardians of the 40 students even though she admits she does not meet with parents about other clubs at the school.

Morris also said she did not know if any of the 40 students who are petitioning for the alliance are out to their families.

It would be the first gay and lesbian club in the district's school system.

Morris defended her action saying, "You should always communicate with parents, especially if you think their child is going to be in a controversial issue." 

"Teachers should call any time they are going to involve a child in something that might cause embarrassment to the family," she said.

But Morris is not the only problem the students are facing in getting the club going.  The teacher who had agreed to sponsor the club has resigned.

Marie Hommel said, "I assure you that my motivations were pure, and I wanted to help students that otherwise felt ostracized and isolated in our community. But as a result of this controversy, I feel that the opposite of what was intended has occurred and to continue in this hostile environment would be a lose-lose situation for all." 

District officials have sought legal advice about the proposed club. They have not officially responded to the request but have voiced concerns about allowing a club based on "sexual orientation."

Local PFLAG president Marge Cumpston said she has concerns about Morris' behaviour.

"I am afraid the phone calls to the parents might allow the school to send a message that is not necessarily true," she said. "Some of these kids could be perfectly straight - it is a gay- straight alliance - but their parents might think they are struggling with their sexuality.

"And if that is the case, the student is the one who should tell the parents when the time is right."

©365Gay.com Ltd® 1999/2000/2001

Close Window to Return to TBC Web Site