New Religious Push in Schools

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Now that school boards and legislatures are back in full swing after the holidays I am noticing a push for more religion in schools. From moments of silence and church graduations to creationism science freedom and religious liberties bills. 

I am not going to go into the specifics of each link below as many others have already done so. But, here is a sample of bills and board decisions in the last few weeks.   

Schools may again require moment of silence

Giles schools give God space; will return Ten Commandments display to buildings 

School board: Graduations to stay at church

Oklahoma House Bill 1551 (rtf) and Senate Bill 554 (rtf).

Mississippi Student Religious Liberties Act Of 2011

Another Fine Post from: No 2 Religion - Just Say No!

Related articles

• Student Religious Liberties Act of 2011 (msatheists.org)
• Moment of Silence and Prayer Back in Play in Illinois (friendlyatheist.com)
• Virginia school board votes to put Ten Commandments back in county schools (secularnewsdaily.com)

Lesbian and ACLU Sue When School Says No Prom for You

Itawamba County School District board of education cancelled their high schools senior prom rather than letting Constance McMillen, a lesbian senior, bring her girl friend. There are so many things wrong with this I am not sure where to start.

This decision hurts all students, divides the community and shows the school board's bigotry and intolerance. But, more importantly it unfairly targets Constance McMillen for retaliation and continued discrimination in an obviously backwards community.


However, Constance McMillen and the ACLU of Mississippi are now suing the district to reinstate the prom.

You go girl!

**UPDATE** American Humanist Association offers to Hold LGBT-Inclusive Prom in Mississippi.

Of Rainbow's, Tuxedo's and Gays

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The ACLU has been tracking stories of discrimination of gay public school students. It bothers me to no end that stories like this are all to frequent. But, it does not surprise me that both of these stories take place in the south - no offense to my southern atheist friends. Will these people ever learn!

What Were They Thinking?!?
Banning Tuxedos and Rainbows

Earlier this month, the ACLU heard of a story about a young woman—a straight A student, goalie on the soccer team and a trumpet player—who was denied a photo in her school yearbook because she was wearing a tuxedo.
School officials told Ceara Sturgis, an openly gay senior at Wesson Attendance Center in Wesson, MS, that her photo would not appear in the yearbook because in it she is wearing a tuxedo, not the traditional drape worn by other female students. Assistant Superintendent Robert Holloway informed Ceara's mother that there was no policy in the student handbook requiring females to wear drapes.
 
>>Learn more about the case in Mississippi.

This reminds us of another ridiculous case in Florida where school officials tried to limit the self expression of students by banning rainbows—any kind of rainbow—including Reading Rainbow, the Apple logo and Pink Floyd t-shirts.

Thankfully, the case in Florida ended in a victory for First Amendment rights.

Check out the video to see the school board fight the insidious “Reading Rainbow” logo.

The ACLU is fighting for the First Amendment rights of students throughout the country. Trying to remove photos of women in tuxedos and rainbows at schools makes us really wonder: What were they thinking?!?