Inclusion of gay couples in New Mexico school’s yearbook draws criticism
Clovis High School students are defending their inclusion of photos and interviews with gay couples in the yearbook after criticism by a former New Mexico lieutenant governor and Christian groups. Student editor-in-chief Maggie Chavez and staff member Jessie Hardison said the decision to feature gay couples was made after much consideration and discussion by the staff. "We just wanted to show that there is a diversity. There (are) gay and lesbian couples in the school and they have a right to be in the yearbook just as much as anybody else does," Chavez said. Former Lt. Gov. Walter Bradley, who described himself as a parent and concerned Christian member of the community, said he is upset. “I think it's highly inappropriate to place that in that venue,” he said. “That is no place for that type of negligent exploitation of our kids. I do not in any way believe this reflects the attitudes and values of this community.” Photos of two lesbian couples, along with narratives describing their relationships, were included in a features section titled “Do you want to go out?” Also pictured on the two-page spread were nine heterosexual couples. School staffers routinely monitor the yearbook for obscenity, libel and other matters of legal concern before it is published, but supervisor Carol Singletary said it is a student-produced publication. She said the content featuring gay students wasn't censored by administrators. “"It didn't violate privacy. It wasn't obscene. It wasn't libelous. ... It didn't violate any of the district policies,” Singletary said. Bradley said he serves on a strategy team for the school district and, as a businessman, has sponsored and endorsed school programs. “If this is indeed the direction that this school system is going to take and continue to promote, then don't look to me for any more donations,” he said. Will Cockrell, member of a leadership group at Central Baptist Church, said Christians throughout Clovis are mobilizing to speak out at the next school board meeting. Superintendent Rhonda Seidenwurm said she has received calls from community members on both sides of the dispute. Seidenwurm said it involves First Amendment rights, privacy issues and community standards, all of which are equally important and must be considered. But she said no school policies were violated and there are no legal concerns. “We're trying to look at it from all sides and address the issue,” she said.
Source: Albuquerque Journal, 5/23/08, By Associated Press
[Editor’s Note: Information on another recent controversy involving sexual orientation and public schools is below. In 2006 the First Amendment Center and BridgeBuilders facilitated a consensus statement on “Public Schools and Sexual Orientation: First Amendment framework for finding common ground,” also below, that includes tips for school officials. The resource was endorsed by both the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) and the Christian Educators Association International, among others.]
NSBA School Law pages on gay student club holding forums
Common Ground framework