Kentucky student’s ordeal over mandatory “tolerance” program continues
http://www.alliancedefensefund.org/news/story.aspx?cid=4484
ALLIANCE DEFENSE FUND NEWS RELEASE
April 28, 2008 – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT ADF MEDIA RELATIONS: (480) 444-0020 or www.telladf.org/pressroom
Kentucky student’s ordeal continues
ADF attorneys appeal 6th Circuit decision that denied student justice
after former school policy squelched his free speech rights
CINCINNATI — Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund have filed an appeal to the full U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit against the Boyd County Board of Education on behalf of Kentucky student Timothy Morrison. Morrison’s constitutional rights were violated when a former mandatory “tolerance” program at his high school instructed him to suppress any speech that opposes homosexual behavior.
“Christian students shouldn’t be prohibited from expressing their beliefs,” said ADF Senior Legal Counsel Joel Oster. “The school adopted a policy that prohibited students from sharing their beliefs that homosexual behavior was wrong simply because others might find the message insulting. If students violated this policy, they not only faced suspension, they could also be turned over to the police. Several students, including Timothy, chose not to speak rather than face such dire consequences. Timothy is entitled to a judicial ruling vindicating his rights.”
In 2005, Morrison and other Boyd County students were forced to take “diversity” training, which required them to watch a video telling them that they do not have “permission” to openly disagree with homosexual behavior. The “anti-discrimination” program spawned from negotiations after the American Civil Liberties Union sued the district on behalf of students wanting to form a Gay-Straight Alliance club at Boyd County High School in 2002.
ADF attorneys filed suit on Morrison’s behalf in February 2005. After ADF attorneys appealed a March 2006 summary judgment ruling in the school district’s favor, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit granted Morrison a retrial in October 2007 (www.telladf.org/news/story.aspx?cid=4288). On April 9, the court amended its decision in favor of the school district.
The 6th Circuit’s amended opinion in Morrison v. Board of Education of Boyd County is available at www.telladf.org/UserDocs/MorrisonvBoardOpinion.pdf. A copy of the en banc appeal filed by ADF attorneys Wednesday is available at www.telladf.org/UserDocs/MorrisonEnBancAppeal.pdf.
ADF is a legal alliance defending the right to hear and speak the Truth through strategy, training, funding, and litigation.
One Comment
I am also a professional, certified, state educators w/ various Master’s degrees
Over the last decade I have witnessed first hand the obstruction of justice and the continued disintegration of Christian consitutional rights to object to unacceptable, immoral practices. We continue to pray for families who are willing to stand in the publicj school and bring forth these injustices and stand for God’s truth!
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