i've been a cheerleader since middle school and now i just got sent home from summer practice with a note to my parents... I opened it and it said: "Due to recent revelations regarding your daughter's choice of lifestyle, we regret to inform you that she may no longer participate.... blah blah blah"
then later on they explain that my sexuality "poses a possible threat to the other girls on the team."
I can't even bear to show this to my parents...
is this whole thing even legal??
2007-07-31 07:07:32 · 37 answers · asked by carla here 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender
if you haven't come out to your parents yet, i don't think you are going to be able to do anything about it without them finding out. they won't be able to help you if they don't know about it. and your parents are probably your best bet for help. so now is as good of time as any for telling them if you haven't done so
2007-08-02 14:47:20 · answer #1 · answered by brandon 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Legal? There's argument that it could be legal. Let me give you why.
To make it legal, they will probably argue that the safety of the other girls may be affected. Or, they might say that your prescence could give an uncomfortable feeling. The other thing that they might say is that cheerleading is about appearance and your lifestyle might pose an issue to that appearance.
I know that sounds lame, but they will try to turn you into a "creature" and will make it look like you are causing all these problems with the other girls.
If it's just you against the system, you probably will win. However, if they can make it sound like the "benefit to the team" that you leave, then they could possibly win.
Now, on the other hand, let's talk about how this is not legal. Simply, it's the prejudice against lesbians. You will want to continue to say the words "equal opportunity" and that race, color, or sexual orientation does not matter.
Not at any time am I saying that being a lesbian is a bad thing. I'm just saying that this cheerleading squad will try to make it a bad thing.
Before going straight to the top with a law suit, you might want to first try with the school administration (athletic director, principal). If that doesn't work, go to the school board.
Use your chain of command. This issue will get drug out as long as it can, so take your time and cover all your bases. Go up the chain one step at a time. Don't skip anybody.
Here's why. If they drag this out for, let's say, a year, then that's one year that you weren't on the squad. So, they won that battle even though the war isn't over.
So, in the meantime while this war is going on, make sure you cover your bases.
Good luck. You have your rights. Hold to them tightly.
2007-07-31 07:19:33 · answer #2 · answered by Scott D 5 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Cheerleading Lesbians
2016-11-14 05:07:02 · answer #3 · answered by balsinger 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That is absolutely illegal and they have no right to treat you like that!
It is nauseating that they'd do such a thing, particularly with the "choice" of "lifestyle". Right... your duty in promoting the gay agenda is to turn every girl on the squad gay! [/sarcasm]
Show it to your parents and they will be able to help you fight this. You might even have to get a lawyer... but your school can NOT do this. Explain to the school in a rational manner that your sexuality poses no threat to the other girls; you will not turn them gay or approach them/view them in a sexual manner. After all, you've always been gay, and you treated your teammates well before -- the only difference is that now the coach knows about it.
Is yours a public school or a private school? If it is public, you definitely have a case and I can't think of any reason why you'd lose the case/be off the team. If it is private, well then it gets tricky because technically a private school can do whatever they like even if it is illegal. I know... I went to a catholic school and they gave me hell for it.
Fight for your rights, though! Good luck!
2007-07-31 08:01:00 · answer #4 · answered by Rat 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your going need a lawyer, and what the school did was " NOT " legal, it was wrong on there part. The sad part is we live in a world were people will look at you just by the way you walk and say " I don't like that " it's a sick world we live in.. Sweet heart first step is to sit down talk with your parents, have a good friend with you for support as you show the letter to your parents. then get a lawyer that will speak for you as you sue the school. and no It's not legal no matter what kind of school a person is going too.
2007-07-31 08:13:05 · answer #5 · answered by mixermatt2002 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It could be, depending on where you are from, however I would contact an attorney, or the ACLU. This is completely unacceptable, and you could make a real difference by not letting these people get away with this!
In Boston we have GLAD (GLBT Advocates and Defenders) a GLBT law firm- they won the Supreme Court Case that legalized marriage. I am sure they could give you a referral.
Good Luck!
2007-07-31 07:15:00 · answer #6 · answered by Jim S 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I would recommend contacting the ACLU. Is this a private school you go to? If it is a private school, it may be difficult. If it is a public school it's another matter. This could be a serious case and I recommend you do some research on this and contact the ACLU as soon as possible! Good luck and hope everything turns out OK for you! I'm sorry to hear your troubles!
2007-07-31 07:16:15 · answer #7 · answered by Tom W 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Well first of all how do they know what your lifestyle is?
I would think you could have a legal case against them, I mean so they are saying that guys on the football team that are gay can't play football. You sexual choices though I do not agree with them our eactly that your choices. However you have to live with the consiquinces of your choice.
In this case I would appel the decsion to the school board!
2007-07-31 07:15:01 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Technically no, but when Bush is in office and you have a bunch of other rich white Christian Republican straight males out there, just about anything becomes legal. The law means nothing unless you can enforce it. Sorry about your situation. lol. Stickmaster is right though, if you are in private school, you actually may not have a case.
2007-07-31 07:20:31 · answer #9 · answered by kreacher92 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
It depends on how your squad is set up. They can be private organizations or funded through the school system. If your squad is private they have the right to kick you off for ANY REASON they deem. If funded, even partially, by federal or state funds then NO, they cannot discriminate against you.
Either way you could go to your local news channel and let them in on the story - if y ouare willing to deal with the press.
2007-07-31 07:27:18 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
First show your parents.
Then talk to the person above the cheerleading coach.
Then go to the school board.
Then get the media involved, if there is enough public response then the school will cave.
You should consult a lawyer to see if you have a case. You may also want to refer to your districts anti-discrimination policy.
2007-07-31 07:12:16 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋