CONTACTStaffCAREER OPPORTUNITIESADVERTISE WITH USPRIVACY POLICYPRIVACY PREFERENCESTERMS OF USELEGAL NOTICE
© 2024 Pride Publishing Inc.
All Rights reserved
All Rights reserved
By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.
war
"
>
war
"
data-page-title="
When kids at Maria Carrillo High School in Santa Rosa, Calif., started teasing Mormon student Rebekah Rice about her religion, the freshman responded, "That's so gay." Rice was then sent to the principal's office by a teacher--who was also adviser to the school's gay-straight alliance--and the incident was noted in her file.
Now the city's school district is fighting a lawsuit that claims Rice was discriminated against and harassed not only for being Mormon but because her parents had protested the school's "Day of Dialogue," which in part encouraged discussion of gay issues. The Rices also claim Rebekah was threatened by a lesbian student during an anti-hate crimes rally.
The lawsuit, filed by Rebekah's parents in 2003, went to a nonjury trial in February. The suit seeks to remove the "That's so gay" notation from Rebekah's school record and also intends to notify all parents that the R-rated film Saving Private Ryan was shown in school without prior parental permission.
The Rices are members of the conservative group Eagle Forum. Orlean Koehle, president of the California Eagle Forum and a substitute teacher in Santa Rosa, stated in court that the Rices' lawsuit was "partially to counter the pro-gay agenda in public schools."
Rebekah, now 18, testified in court that to her "That's so gay" means, "That's so stupid, that's so silly, that's so dumb."
Many don't think "That's so gay" is so innocuous. Kevin Jennings, executive director of the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network, tells The Advocate, "It's not about this one student--it's about a pervasive and serious problem that far too few schools are addressing."
A judge is expected to rule by mid July.
"That's so gay"
war
Want more breaking equality news & trending entertainment stories?
Check out our NEW 24/7 streaming service: the Advocate Channel!
Download the Advocate Channel App for your mobile phone and your favorite streaming device!
From our Sponsors
Most Popular
Here Are Our 2024 Election Predictions. Will They Come True?
November 07 2023 1:46 PM
17 Celebs Who Are Out & Proud of Their Trans & Nonbinary Kids
November 30 2023 10:41 AM
Here Are the 15 Most LGBTQ-Friendly Cities in the U.S.
November 01 2023 5:09 PM
Which State Is the Queerest? These Are the States With the Most LGBTQ+ People
December 11 2023 10:00 AM
These 27 Senate Hearing Room Gay Sex Jokes Are Truly Exquisite
December 17 2023 3:33 PM
10 Cheeky and Homoerotic Photos From Bob Mizer's Nude Films
November 18 2023 10:05 PM
42 Flaming Hot Photos From 2024's Australian Firefighters Calendar
November 10 2023 6:08 PM
These Are the 5 States With the Smallest Percentage of LGBTQ+ People
December 13 2023 9:15 AM
Here are the 15 gayest travel destinations in the world: report
March 26 2024 9:23 AM
Watch Now: Advocate Channel
Trending Stories & News
For more news and videos on advocatechannel.com, click here.
Trending Stories & News
For more news and videos on advocatechannel.com, click here.
Latest Stories
After decades of silent protest, advocates and students speak out for LGBTQ+ rights
April 13 2024 10:52 AM
11 celebs who love their LGBTQ+ siblings
April 13 2024 10:33 AM
The 10 most challenged books of last year
April 13 2024 10:06 AM
Mary & George's Julianne Moore on Mary's sexual fluidity and queer relationship
April 13 2024 10:00 AM
Investigation launched after man screams homophobic slurs at queer couples on D.C. metro
April 13 2024 9:59 AM
Germany makes it easier to change gender and name on legal documents
April 12 2024 6:06 PM
A youth's call to action on this Day of NO Silence
April 12 2024 5:00 PM
Democrats introduce resolution in support of LGBTQ+ youth
April 12 2024 4:35 PM
Colton Underwood is hoping to create a gay reality TV dating show
April 12 2024 4:28 PM
Idaho closes legislative session with a slew of anti-LGBTQ+ laws
April 12 2024 1:39 PM
Pride
Yahoo FeedElevating pet care with TrueBlue’s all-natural ingredients
April 12 2024 1:39 PM
Watch Jimmy Kimmel's hilarious LGBTQ+ campaign video: 'You can't spell Biden without Bi'
April 12 2024 12:00 PM
Pride
Yahoo FeedCreating erotic art and advocacy with adult entertainer Cody Silver (EXCLUSIVE)
April 12 2024 11:39 AM
How I navigated through religious trauma
April 12 2024 11:00 AM