ACLJ Files Federal Suit Against St. Louis School Supt. After Parent Prevented From Observing School-Sponsored Assembly Focusing On Homosexuality.

Business Editors

ST. LOUIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 10, 2002

The American Center for Law and Justice, a public interest law firm specializing in constitutional law, announced today it has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against public school officials in St. Louis, Missouri after a parent - who wanted to observe a school-sponsored assembly conducted by the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network - was ejected from the school event by an armed security guard.

"This is a case about protecting the rights of parents to participate fully in the education of their children," said Francis J. Manion, Senior Counsel of the ACLJ, which filed the suit. "Parents do not abandon their rights as parents once their children go to school. Parents have a right to know what a school is teaching their children, and should not be punished for exercising their parental responsibilities. That's exactly what happened in this case."

The ACLJ filed suit today in U.S. District Court in St. Louis against St. Louis school officials on behalf of Debra Loveless, parent of a student at Metro High School. The suit contends that in early October 2001, school officials announced that the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) would participate in two school-wide events at Metro High School during the month of October.

According to the complaint, Loveless told school officials that she believed it was improper for the school to sponsor the organization and host the event.

She also requested that her daughter be exempted from the assembly because of her religious beliefs. School officials granted the exemption. At the invitation of a school board member, Loveless attempted to attend one of the assemblies so she could see for herself what was being taught at the GLSEN event. When she arrived, an armed security guard told Loveless that school officials wanted her to leave the premises. She complied with the security guard's order and left.

"The real reason we believe our client was not permitted to observe the school assembly is because the school did not like her religious objections to the assembly," said Manion. "The only thing our client wanted was an apology and a change in the school policy governing the rights of parents to observe school assemblies. After Mrs. Loveless was ejected from the assembly, she had no choice but to file suit - to ensure that no other parent in St. Louis is treated in the same manner."

The complaint contends the actions of the school officials deprived Mrs. Loveless of her parental right to be fully informed of the content of the educational information to which her children are being exposed to at school. Further, the suit contends the actions of the school officials violated her constitutional rights of free speech and equal protection.

The suit names as defendants the superintendent of St. Louis Public Schools, and the principal of Metro High School. The complaint requests that the court declare the conduct of the school officials unconstitutional and illegal and requests an injunction to prevent school officials from prohibiting parents from being present at school assemblies - even when the child of the parent is not present.

The American Center for Law and Justice is an international public interest law firm specializing in constitutional law. The ACLJ is headquartered in Virginia Beach, VA and the web site address is www.aclj.org.