US appeals court OKs gay-straight club at Lake County middle school

ACLU says ruling strengthens rights of students

LEESBURG, Fla. – Students at a Central Florida middle school have the right to form a gay-straight alliance club, according to a ruling from a federal appeals court.

The decision Tuesday by the Atlanta-based 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals came after the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida appealed a previous judge's decision that school officials could deny the club recognition. The court's reversal opinion found the club should have equal access to use school facilities, just like other extra-curricular clubs.

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The case began in 2013 when students at Carver Middle School in Leesburg sued the Lake County School Board. It was the second lawsuit seeking to form the gay-straight alliance club aimed at providing a supportive, anti-bullying environment for gay and lesbian students.

The ACLU said the ruling strengthens the rights of middle school students, putting them on the same level as high school students.

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