01/11/2007 - National Legal News

School administrators agree to allow gay student group to meet on school grounds, and will mandate bullying and sexual harassment training for school staff.

School administrators from the White County School District in Georgia have settled a lawsuit filed by the ACLU on behalf of a homosexual student group named “Peers Rising In Diversity Education” (PRIDE). In 2005, after the club had met approximately three times, the school banned all student groups from meeting in an attempt to prevent the group from meeting.

There were several reports from students, however, that other groups continued to meet during this time, including the shotgun group, the dance team, and the prayer group. A court had issued a permanent injunction against the school in July, requiring it to allow PRIDE and other school clubs to meet.

Under the terms of the settlement, the school district will pay $10,000 to be distributed among the plaintiffs, as well as $168,000 toward the ACLU’s legal fees. According to the settlement, all teaching staff will be required to attend training sessions covering bullying and sexual harassment, including harassment based on sexual orientation.

Parents of the students involved have said that much of the controversy over the group has died down, and that PRIDE now meets regularly after school.