DETROIT – A federal judge in the Western District of Michigan granted the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan's motion to intervene and represent the student-run, Williamston High School Gay-Straight Alliance LGBTQ support group in its fight against school discrimination on Friday.
The ACLU filed its motion in March 2018, after a lawsuit was filed against Williamston Community Schools for adopting policies that prohibit discrimination against students for their sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.
Jay Kaplan, LGBT Project staff attorney for the ACLU of Michigan, had this reaction:
"We are pleased that the magistrate recognized the impact that this lawsuit has on creating a safe learning environment for LGBTQ students, which is also the mission of the Williamston Gay-Straight Alliance. LGBTQ students belong in school, period."
He added that lawsuits like these pose a significant threat to equality for LGBTQ people "particularly in this instance."
"It's about students being in a safe and supportive school environment," Kaplan said. "And that's under threat by this lawsuit, and that's why we felt it was important to intervene."
