Anoka-Hennepin, lesbian couple settle Snow Days case in arbitration
Monday, January 31, 2011 at 9:19 am
- 7 Comments
The Anoka-Hennepin School District and a lesbian coupled elected by their peers as royalty of Champlin Park High School’s Snow Days celebration reached an agreement on Saturday that will allow Sarah Lindstrom and Desiree Shelton to walk into the ceremony together. The Southern Poverty Law Center had filed a lawsuit against the district on Friday on behalf of the couple; that suit has now been dropped.
The district changed the Snow Days program at the last minute when Lindstrom and Shelton were elected as royalty for the Snow Days event and told the couple that they — and all students — must walk in single file, instead of in pairs, because they were lesbian.
According to a joint statement released by the district, the SPLC and the couple, Lindstrom and Shelton will be able to walk into the ceremony together.
“All parties are pleased to announce that we have worked together, collaboratively, to arrive at an arrangement for introductions of elected royalty that is respectful and inclusive of all students,” said the statement. “Each member of Royalty Court will select a meaningful person in their life to escort him or her in the coronation procession following introductions at this year’s Pep Fest. This will enable Sarah Lindstrom and Desiree Shelton to walk together in the processional.”
In the statement, the school district said that the arrangement was a part of a larger conversation on how to make the school more inclusive.
“Sarah and Des are pleased with this positive outcome and gratified by the school district’s commitment to honoring all students,” the parties wrote.
Follow Andy Birkey on Twitter7 Comments
Comment posted January 31, 2011 @ 1:50 pm
I support the Principal’s first decision to walk individually. This should have been considered 25 years ago.
Comment posted January 31, 2011 @ 3:26 pm
well good for you, now that there has been motion where will it end? what costs are coming down the road so two spoiled gay people can get their way?
THIS IS NOT NEWS! G2H
Comment posted January 31, 2011 @ 7:13 pm
It won’t end. This is the start to something beautiful. Go with it or GTFO.
I know Dez, and am so honored to know that she and her girlfriend have made the district do something the needed to do long ago. GET OVER IT.
Comment posted January 31, 2011 @ 8:21 pm
two spoiled gay people? People who are denied the normal rights and normal activities of anyone else, but they have to be closeted or pushed into no action at all because their religion doesn’t like the looks of them holding hands!
Do you ask a Muslim person not to wear their religious clothing? Do you ask someone who is straight not to hold their opposite sexed partner’s hand because you don’t like the way it looks or it might offend you?
Religion is a choice. Being Gay is a born.
I am a straight MOM of two girls. Who are not even old enough to identify who they are yet in life. I am a “conservative” person, married, to one man for a couple decades now.
I am offended by the idea that anyone would be offended by someones personal identity. Do I get you not to walk at all in front of me then?
Pingback posted January 31, 2011 @ 10:47 pm
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Pingback posted February 1, 2011 @ 12:20 am
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