West Bend School Board votes on gay club
WEST BEND--The West Bend School Board voted 4-3 Monday night to allow the Gay-Straight Alliance Club to be recognized as an official school club. The vote passed after the board listened to passionate supporters on both sides of the controversial issue.
“I believe that I pay towards the school system should not be used for this to encourage other students into this lifestyle which will eventually lead them into drugs and harm," taxpayer Rick Schwanz said.
"They deserve to have a safe place to go where they are not only tolerated, but accepted," supporter Joy Schroeder said.
Dozens more students and residents showed their support silently; wearing rainbow ribbons.
"We don’t want to be separate but equal. We want the same rights that the other groups have," GSA advisor Shana Schloemer said.
The vote means the GSA can now have a bulletin board, be in the yearbook, take part in the morning announcements, and hold fundraisers.
"It’s a big sense of safety if the school is saying we recognize you, we acknowledge you. It also lets other students know that we do exist and we are a safe place to come to," Schloemer said.
Several people in the audience and some school board members said they didn't want the case to go to court and cost the district money at a time when school budgets are so tight. They voted to approve the GSA on the condition that the lawsuit was dropped.
Waring Fincke is an attorney representing students with the Alliance, which is made up of about 40 kids. He says the lawsuit isn't about money, with the group only asking for $20 in damages and legal fees. He says it's about the School Board acknowledging equality. "Hopefully they'll be able to see the distinction and recognize the oath they took when they became school board members and follow the law."
School Board President Randy Marquardt originally voted against the group's recognition. "There were curricular links directly to what kids were learning in the school and I felt they didn't fully meet that." He voted yes at Monday night's meeting.
The Gay-Straight Alliance has existed for about a decade, but not with sponsored status. It's the only group that's wanted it and been denied. Mr. Marquardt says their request, changed things. "It kind of prompted a re-examination of how we analyzed these applications and so we created the criteria from scratch."
School Board President Randy Marquardt originally voted against the group's recognition. "There were curricular links directly to what kids were learning in the school and I felt they didn't fully meet that." He voted yes at Monday night's meeting.
The Gay-Straight Alliance has existed for about a decade, but not with sponsored status. It's the only group that's wanted it and been denied. Mr. Marquardt says their request, changed things. "It kind of prompted a re-examination of how we analyzed these applications and so we created the criteria from scratch."
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stanJames - Jun 13, 2011 10:34 PM
And who are the opponents - generally the affiliates of the AFA, a hate group located in Mississippi. Filled with Kluxers who always need someone to hate to make themselves feel better.
And their churches , often the southern baptist type. The people who gave us slavery, the kkk and segregation.
America is not a great nation. It was one of the last westernized nations to end slavery, and now is one of the last to accept our gay friends and neighbors as equals in our society.
StevenThomas - Jun 14, 2011 2:17 AM
Mr Schwanz, you are a very close minded person if I may say so. I am a 20 year old, GAY nursing student and I have never done any drugs; smoking, hookah, etc. I don't see how my sexual orientation can make me do something so ridiculous. That is like saying if someone is black they live in the ghetto, all latinos can only speak spanish, all white blonde girls are stupid. These stereo types sound pathetic don't they? How is it that being gay will eventually lead me into drugs and other harmful things?
I for one am very happy the West Bend school board is finally allowing the GSA club recognition. I graduated from East in 09 and I was in plenty of sports: soccer, skiing, and tennis. I was Homecoming King and had a great time in High School. However I know that if I would have come out in school my High School life would have been a lot less enjoyable. Making the GSA a club is a step in the right direction so other gay kids will feel more free and accepted at school which is the whole point of the club.
Thank you West Bend School Board!
GaryLobermier - Jun 14, 2011 12:00 PM
I'd go egg Rick's house, but I'm not gay so I don't lead a harm inducing lifestyle. By his own words, does this mean that all straight people are incredibly ignorant?
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