Parents Can Keep Kids Out of GSA in South Carolina

I have twice commented before about the controversy in the Richland-Lexington District Five school district in South Carolina over the formation of a Gay/Straight Alliance club ("GSA"). Turmoil to date has included a wingnut high school principal's decision to resign rather than work at a school that allowed the formation of the GSA in the school. At first the local fundie element was pushing the school board to eliminate ALL non-academic clubs rather than have to allow the GSA under the federal equal access laws. Fortunately, the school board grew some balls (or maybe just one ball) and rejected the option of eliminating all clubs, but put in place a provision where parents can block their children from attending clubs. I'd be willing to bet that it is precisely the kids of the parents blocking their involvement in the GSA who need the GSA the most. At some point something needs to be done in my opinion about loony parents who inflict emotional and psychological harm on their children due to their kookie/hatee based religious views. Physical abuse is not the only way to seriously mess up children and teenagers. Here are some high lights from WIS News 10 in Columbia, South Carolina:

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IRMO, SC (WIS) - High school students in one Midlands school district are in for some changes when they go back to school this fall. At a meeting Monday night, Richland-Lexington District Five board members decided to allow the formation of non-academic clubs. That would include clubs like the Gay/Straight Alliance. Plans for that club at Irmo High School in the district have caused a lot of controversy lately. But while non-academic clubs will be allowed to form, parents still have a way to keep their children from joining them.

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"Passing a policy which has never been necessary in the past at this point is because of the GSA. We look at this as a way to circumvent federal law," said Ray Drew of South Carolina Equality. My group is already training students, teachers, parents and administrators at Irmo High School for what they should be looking for next year. Anything out of compliance with federal law, we are going to be watching everything," says Drew.

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Some parents have already said when they see the Gay/Straight Alliance club as an option for their child's list, it will be the first club to be marked off. "I can make the decision. Not the Gay/Straight Alliance. What kind of assistance he needs. Protect him physically, emotionally and any way it goes," said one parent. "I don't want any organization to sway my child one way or the other." Some opponents of the policy say it is going to make kids who can't talk about their sexuality with their parents feel alone.