Gay student sues Christian school for expelling him
The 18-year-old says he was kicked out of the school after telling a teacher he is gay.
By Associated Press
Published October 23, 2003
WEST PALM BEACH - An 18-year-old student has sued a private Christian school, alleging he was expelled three days after he told a teacher he was gay.
Jeffrey Woodard said a teacher pulled him out of Bible class at Jupiter Christian School on Aug. 15 and asked him in confidence whether he is gay.
When Woodard said yes, a school official called his mother, Carol Gload, and told her Woodard could not attend a school retreat unless he and his mother met with the school to talk about his sexual orientation, according to the lawsuit.
Gload said the school told them Woodard could get counseling for his "problem," withdraw from the school or be expelled.
"I didn't think Jeffrey needed therapy," said Gload, a mother of two who has known for more than a year that her son is gay. "So when I explained he doesn't need help for anything, he knows who he is, they ... expelled him."
The suit was filed in Palm Beach Circuit Court on Tuesday.
School president Richard Grimm did not return a phone call Wednesday. He said last week he could not comment on the issue because it involves private information about a former student, but he said the school's policies are based on biblical values.
Gload has a notice with the school's letterhead dated Aug. 18 and signed by Grimm that states: "As we discussed, this letter serves as official notice to you that your son, Jeffrey Woodard, is expelled from Jupiter Christian School effective immediately. Please know that we will be praying for you and your family during this transition."
Karen Doering, an attorney with the National Center for Lesbian Rights in Tampa, said the school did nothing illegal.
"Unfortunately, in the state of Florida, discrimination based on sexual orientation is not specifically prohibited by any law," Doering said. "When it comes to public schools, it is clear the Constitution protects youth based on sexual orientation; however, that does not apply to private schools."
