Monday night, the gay rights debate is hitting home for a Cumberland County school district. By a four to three vote, a Gay-Straight Alliance Club has passed.
At Big Spring High School the administration had recommend the approval of Gay-Straight Alliance at the school, but the question was whether the school board was going to go along with having the club at the school.
This is a big controversy that actually directly involves only a small number of students, about a dozen students want to be a part of a Gay-Straight Alliance Club.
Monday night’s meeting featured an emotion-packed crowd. The board listened to both sides of the issue, and with two of the nine members missing, voted to approve the club by a four to three vote.
2012 Big Spring Graduate Garrett Cline spoke in favor of the club, while Paul Reese spoke out against it.
Eric Barr felt that GSA club would be approved before the meeting even started.
The way laws are set up, if the alliance is not approved, it could jeopardize of all other clubs at the school, including those that are Christian-oriented.
Also present at the meeting was Jaime Bouder, the President of the proposed GSA Club.
Strong religious convictions came from those opposed to the club.
“He said go and sin no more, he didn't say go and keep doing a willful lifestyle,” stated Linda Bowles, who feels the club is against God’s will.
Hundreds were in attendance at the meeting.
“The community feels very strongly, so we'll listen to their opinion,” offered Big Spring School Board President Wilbur Wolf Jr. before the meeting.
A tremendous amount of emotion on both sides of this issue, including two competing Facebook groups; one 'Keep Big Spring Straight' the other 'Bulldog Pride; Be On The Right Side of History'. To see them click on Find It.
At Big Spring High School the administration had recommend the approval of Gay-Straight Alliance at the school, but the question was whether the school board was going to go along with having the club at the school.
This is a big controversy that actually directly involves only a small number of students, about a dozen students want to be a part of a Gay-Straight Alliance Club.
Monday night’s meeting featured an emotion-packed crowd. The board listened to both sides of the issue, and with two of the nine members missing, voted to approve the club by a four to three vote.
2012 Big Spring Graduate Garrett Cline spoke in favor of the club, while Paul Reese spoke out against it.
Eric Barr felt that GSA club would be approved before the meeting even started.
The way laws are set up, if the alliance is not approved, it could jeopardize of all other clubs at the school, including those that are Christian-oriented.
Also present at the meeting was Jaime Bouder, the President of the proposed GSA Club.
Strong religious convictions came from those opposed to the club.
“He said go and sin no more, he didn't say go and keep doing a willful lifestyle,” stated Linda Bowles, who feels the club is against God’s will.
Hundreds were in attendance at the meeting.
“The community feels very strongly, so we'll listen to their opinion,” offered Big Spring School Board President Wilbur Wolf Jr. before the meeting.
A tremendous amount of emotion on both sides of this issue, including two competing Facebook groups; one 'Keep Big Spring Straight' the other 'Bulldog Pride; Be On The Right Side of History'. To see them click on Find It.