Gay High School Group Wins Right To Meet

Federal judge says school officials must back off

A federal judge today signed a consent decree and order that compels Marion County Superintendent Jim Yancey to comply with federal law and allow the Vanguard Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA), a student organization at Vanguard High School in Ocala, Florida, to form and operate on campus. The consent settlement reached by the parties now has the force of law and resolves a months-long battle by members of the GSA along with the ACLU of Florida to allow the organization to form, meet, and be recognized at Vanguard High School. The consent decree and order was signed today by U.S. District Judge Marcia Morales Howard in the U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida.