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Board backs principal who nixed girl's photo
The lesbian student wanted to be pictured in a high school yearbook wearing a tuxedo.
Associated Press
Published February 26, 2005
GREEN COVE SPRINGS - A picture of a lesbian student dressed in a tuxedo will not be permitted in her high school yearbook, Clay County school officials decided.
Principal Sam Ward of Fleming Island High School initially decided to pull Kelli Davis' picture from the yearbook because Davis, who is openly gay, was dressed in boy's clothing.
The School Board took no action to reverse that decision at a Thursday night meeting attended by about 200 people, and superintendent David Owens said afterward it will stand.
Nine speakers at the meeting supported the principal; 15 were in favor of publishing Davis' picture. Among the latter were Davis' mother, Cindi Davis.
"This is not to be treated as a gay rights issue," Cindi Davis said. "Rather, it's a human rights issue."
Karen Gordon applauded Ward's decision, saying, "When uniformity is compromised, then authority no longer holds."
Bruce Bickner, an attorney representing the School Board, said there is no written dress code for senior pictures, but the district gives principals the authority to set standards.
[Last modified February 26, 2005, 01:14:15]
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