OutFront Minnesota Praises
SAGE Decision on Equal Access;
Agency Helped Students Find Legal Help

(Minneapolis) OutFront Minnesota praises the decision of a federal judge ordering Maple Grove High School to provide equal access to a gay-straight alliance, Straights and Gays for Equality (SAGE).

“This ruling represents a strong victory for students in Minnesota who wish to form gay-straight alliances,” said Phil Duran, OutFront Minnesota staff attorney. “It affirms that federal law protects student groups’ access to critical support services, such as a school’s public address system, bulletin boards, and meeting spaces.  It’s an affirmation that gay-straight alliances have the right to publicize their activities in the same ways as other student organizations.”

Gay-straight alliances have grown in prominence in Minnesota over the last 20 years, and represent opportunities for students to address issues of concern, such as anti-GLBT harassment or violence, and to teach other students about GLBT-related topics.

Students associated with SAGE approached OutFront Minnesota in 2003 to discuss the situation and assess their options.  OutFront Minnesota connected the students with the American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota, a strong ally in the pursuit of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) equality.  The ACLU-MN worked with the law firm of Robins, Kaplan, Miller and Ciresi to secure yesterday’s decision.