School slacks in protecting LGBT students

You know you're in trouble when Lambda Legal steps in. In response to a heavy round of harassment and threats of violence against LGBT students at Granite Hills High School in Apple Valley, California, the group has sent a letter to the school district.

Right around the annual Day of Silence, administrators did NOTHING to students who wore t-shirts that read "F.A.G." nor did they invesigate threats of violence directed at gay students & allies despite reported complaints. According to a press release by LL, at least one student opted to graduate early to avoid the harassment.

The California Student Safety and Violence Prevention Act of 2000 requires educators to "combat racism, sexism and other forms of bias" and to "undertake educational activities to counter discriminatory incidents on school grounds and, within constitutional bounds, to minimize and eliminate a hostile environment on school grounds." Settlements in previous similar cases have exceeded one million dollars.

Here's what Lambda Legal had to say:

"Administrators have failed to live up to their responsibility — and in fact, their duty under state law — to protect gay and lesbian students," said Brian Chase, Lambda Legal Senior Staff Attorney. "Students at Granite Hills — both gay and lesbian, and even straight students who try to speak up for them — have been exposed to an ongoing atmosphere of intimidation. The school's current approach is not working and the students understandably do not feel safe."