Gay Pride Allowed at Ponce de Leon High

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Posted: 4:47 PM May 14, 2008
Last Updated: 7:34 PM May 14, 2008
Reporter: Alex Denis

20 comments

Heather Gillman Back to School

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School went on as usual today at Ponce De Leon High. Except for the visiting news reporters, there was little evidence the school and one of its students had just ended a federal court battle over freedom of speech.

Yesterday U.S. District Judge Richard Smoak ruled the school board was wrong to enforce a ban on students expressing their support for gay rights

For Heather Gillman it's been a long battle. She started the process of suing the Holmes County School Board almost eight months ago after Ponce De Leon administration banned her from wearing a t-shirt she had made supporting gay rights.

The case made it to federal court where a U.S. district judge ruled that the Holmes County School Board had violated Gillman's right to free speech.

"I'm just really happy with the court's ruling. It was pretty hard going through it, but I'm glad I did so I can support gays and lesbians."

The judge also ordered the school board and Principal David Davis to notify students in writing that they had the right to express their support for equal treatment of gays in an appropriate and non-disruptive way.

Principal Davis would not go on camera. He did say he's disappointed in the judges' decision, but he will abide by that ruling. Some parents say this was a great lesson for the students and the right decision made by the judge.

Theresa Cottle, a parent, said, "First Amendment is what we were after, freedom of speech. It doesn't matter if you're gay, lesbian, whatever. It is the first amendment."

Gillman says she's still shocked that her case could one day set the standard for others and that she's looking forward to wearing her gay pride outfit to school.

As for the parents, they're proud that the students took a stand.

"I just hope there's no repercussions on this on the children and I hope they continue to stand up for what they believe in and what they feel."

Gillman says a group of her friends are planning to wear their gay pride outfits tomorrow to school.

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Posted by: ~~Jordan~~ Location: Westville Fl on Jun 17, 2008 at 08:56 PM
Look at yall , So freakin stuipd and mad bc of what davis did ... I think davis done is an Wonderful thing he have ever done ... Some ppl need to get ur freakin story ST8 .. Buddy Brown is NEVER COMING BACK !! Davis is STAYING !!!

Posted by: Mary Location: Westville Florida on May 19, 2008 at 09:23 PM
I must say that the days of "respecting your elders" are over! There have been too many mental and physical abuses under this old way of thinking. I was molested and hurt in so many ways because I was taught to respect disgusting adults that took advantage of my good-intentions. If you want the respect of a baby or a mate, give it first! Respect and honor go both ways. No? I suppose if you feel all children should respect an adult no matter what, you are denying that you feel vulnerable and powerless...God-forbid a child may know a thing or two!

Posted by: pdl parent Location: westville, fl on May 17, 2008 at 08:01 PM
Mr. Griffin PLEASE BRING BUDDY BROWN BACK !!! Mr. Davis is not the right choice for a leadership position in the Holmes County School system. If Davis is not removed this will, more than likely,be the first of many problems at PDL and other area schools, that will spend the already stretched budget on legal bills. We need a school leader not an unorthadox minister. I am a Christian and do understand that this could also bring back prayer in schools under freedom of speech, but this case isn't about freedom of speech it is about the "professionals" in charge of the schools. To MR. DAVIS" PDL is not a prison and you are not a warden. DO YOUR JOB, and run our school with the professionalism that we expect or GET OUT!!!

Posted by: TN Location: PDL on May 17, 2008 at 09:51 AM
GO HEATHER AND ADDY!!!!!!

Posted by: Dale Blanchick Location: Panama City on May 16, 2008 at 04:58 PM
Lots of people here who want to protect the rights of people who oppose homosexuality. Unfortunately they don't see how pervasive it is. Can't go to the prom with a same-sex date? Can't marry a same-sex partner? Have to go to the Supreme Court to protect your right to free speech because you're talking about gay people? It's pretty clear that straight people have the right to their opinions, their faith is enshrined in our institutions, their culture is pervasive. What is also clear is that they have no intention of sharing their rights with anyone else. Shame on you all for being so greedy.

Posted by: Charlie Location: Bonifay on May 16, 2008 at 03:40 PM
My son came home today from Poplar Springs HS with the "Official Notice." It sickens me that our schools have been forced to takes sides in the war on culture. My son said one of his teachers actually cried when she read the notice. Another teacher refused to hand out the notice and asked the studens come up and get them off the desk instead. The same freedom of speech that Ms. Gillman fought for is the same freedom of speech that allows me to share my faith in a public place. It is the same freedom of speech that we have used to post our comments so be careful on what you are critical of. What this means is that all Christians (me included) must take a moral stand for what is sin and help our younger generation undertand what some call an "alternative lifestyle" is actually a sin according to God's word. What's next? A T-shirt supporting the rapist or murderers?

Posted by: MARLENE Location: PDL STUDENT on May 16, 2008 at 11:52 AM
i am a student at pdlhs, and i was accused of steeling when davis didnt have proof. that was one the darkest 2weeks of my life.my friends shunned me etc. i was mad davis b/c he made my bff friend cry just b/c she is bi. this whole case was about freedom of speech, heather gillman wore a shirt that says i support gays, yeah shes not gay but the point is davis suspended her all b/c she wore that shirt.i was there i know what happened, so ya'll dont go sayin stuff till you get the facts. i'm straight and i support pro-gay and personally i'socm proud of it, gay fine by me! oh and by the parent from westville, we do respect our parents and elders.but when davis accused me of steeling he crossed the line in my book,in my opinion HE does NOT have the STUDENTS BEST INTEREST at mind. in my opinion he needs to get out of the school board system for good. and not come back. get lost davis!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: Nick Location: Seattle, WA on May 16, 2008 at 10:27 AM
Hey, pdlhs student! What your principal is doing is NOT right! YOU can stand up to him, too! Don't let him be a bully.

Posted by: Observer Location: Canada on May 16, 2008 at 09:48 AM
Looks to me from the comments like some of you folks are desperately in need of a few different points of view. Glad to see the kid fought this to the end and that what appears to be a bullying, bigoted principal was not allowed to run roughshod over his students.

Posted by: Jules Location: Toronto on May 16, 2008 at 09:04 AM
You might think that a school is no place to publicly support gay lifestyle, but the first amendment clearly gives them the right. There is no right and wrong place to express your opinions regardless of what they are. the guy from panama city is right you can express that your against homosexuality, thats the great thing about the fist amendment it allows us to express our self regardless what some principle thinks right or wrong

Posted by: Neutral on May 16, 2008 at 06:51 AM
Some of y'all need to learn how to spell or look in a history book on the 1st Amendment. Free speech will prevail! However, I also expect that lowlife principal may be on America's Most Wanted in a couple years for murder. Plus to the first commentor, shut up and go live on welfare.

Posted by: pdl student Location: pdl on May 15, 2008 at 09:35 PM
to all of those who don't support gay rights just sit back for this is nothing to you. i'm not gay but i do support them becaus i have a cousin that is and also a guy friend that is gay. so if you don't like us then deal with it who said you had to look at us. and heather is not a "trouble maker" and besides do you know her i think not. what if it would have been your child. do you know it all. i don't think any one does.

Posted by: Val Location: Marianna on May 15, 2008 at 05:50 PM
Those that voted No to same sex marriage think that man/woman marriage is better for economy/children/family. Well over 70% of straight marriages fail while gay couples stay together more often and longer. More children are killed/abused in their own homes and by their straight parents. More women are killed and abused by their husbands. There are more dsyfunctional straight couples than gay couples. Children are well rounded from gay couples while children from sraight couples are racist, sexist, just all around prejudice.

Posted by: Concerned Parent Location: Westville, FL on May 15, 2008 at 12:54 PM
Sounds like most of you from other areas are of the gay/lesbian life style, well good for you I personally don't have a problem with that but you also don't have children that attended school here a PDL or one of the other Holmes County Schools that the judges ruling affects. My children and I don't walk around with articles of clothing that declare we are STRAIGHT! Who cares, school is not the place for this. I don't think this is about freedom of speech. This comes down to students that evidently have no respect for authority. I guarantee they don't respect their parents or elders. If more parents would hold the kids responsible for their actions we would not be in this situation. They would have shut their mouths and went back to class. I bet ya'll didn't have to pay for the lawyers(right) I don't always agree with the teachers but I DO teach mine to respect them. I say the school board should just change the dress code to uniforms and then we can kill two birds with on stone.

Posted by: deedee Location: pdl on May 15, 2008 at 12:26 PM
if it was your child im sure you would be up in arms also this man wrongly seacrched these kids accused them of wrong doing .im very proud of this young lady for her stand in this matterits what is right for all of us no matter who u are so if you want to chop on the bite fine but what is right is right no matter what all i cn say is that at all these kids had the guts to stand p for they belive is right an proved that point in court so there

Posted by: steve Location: herrington, III on May 15, 2008 at 11:51 AM
I have a child that attends PDL high school and has been in the line of Mr. Davis' off the wall practices in the last few weeks. Mr. Davis does not hold the best interest of the children at heart. I have spoken to Mr. Davis on several occasions concerning my child and firmly believe that he was wrong in the way he handled my childs situation. This leads me to believe that Mr. Davis also forced his views on the other kids at the school concerning this issue and it to was handled improperly. Mr. Davis does not react to facts but pulls students in and engages in the gossip machine and lowers his level to that of a middle school girl, while trying to enforce his political and moral views.While I want my child to be safe and protected at school from harm done by students, I also want my child protected from the staff. I would support Mr. Davis' removal as principal of PDL high.

Posted by: L Location: Alabama on May 15, 2008 at 11:31 AM
When they came for the Christians, i sat still and remained silent. When they came for the Jews, i sat still and remained silent. When they came for the Blacks, I sat still and remained silent. When they came for the immigrants, i sat still and remained silent. When they came for the poor, the rich, the fat, the skinny, i sat still and remained silent. When they FINALLY came for ME.... there was no one left to stand up and speak for me. Kudos to the kids at PDL for standing up for what they believe, and fighting for their rights!! Whether I agree with their beliefs, their ideals, etc., or not, I DO commend them for having the guts to stand up. In doing so, they have also helped to protect MY rights to free speech and expression. Many thanks. And to the judge for a surprisingly wise decision... finally!!

Posted by: Ben Location: Panama City, Fl on May 15, 2008 at 06:42 AM
This decision by Judge Smoak will prove to be one of the worse decisions that he ever made. I really feel for the school officials who have to try to maintain discipline when you have "troublemakers" like Ms. Gillman enrolled. I have nothing against being gay, however, I do have a problem with that lifestyle being flaunted on other students.

Posted by: Bruce Location: P.C.B. on May 15, 2008 at 05:13 AM
I am truly dis-appointed with the court system on this. Don't get me wrong, I am NOT anti-gay. This opens the door for many other lawsuits down the road. School is not the place to exercise your first amendment. It is a place of learning. Should we allow swastikas or Farrakhan t-shirts?? If yes to one, then it should be yes to all. If no to one, then no to all. Each is a different (but valid to them) point of view, or are we to pick and choose who we allow the firs amendment??

Posted by: pdlhs student Location: pdl on May 15, 2008 at 12:33 AM
gay pride isn't the only problem at our school. why is it ok for one kid to use profanity & get away with it because they attend mr. davis's church & another get licks who doesn't? why does he have the right to call a pregnant student into his office & tell her she has sinned & is going to hell? how can he speak to several kids & parents at different times & when the parents talk to one another the story conflicts itself? when confronted he says that --- was never said. are we all liars? or is he just forgetting the lies he tells? if your best friend scores high on a test & gets excited and you hug her neck, is that showing gp? if i tell you bye for the weekend & say i love you see you monday does that make me gay? people need to get their act together. good going heather

Posted by: student Location: Ponce de Leon on May 14, 2008 at 11:08 PM
I'm going to write "straight and proud" on my forehead. Thanks to them, I can do that now.

Posted by: Bill Location: Panama City Beach on May 14, 2008 at 09:25 PM
Judge Smoak and a small group of high school students supported by the ACLU thinks it's okay to publically express thier support of gays and lesbians while at school. According to them it's a "free speach" issue. I wonder if they would be as concerned about the free speach rights of students who are not supportive of the gay and lesbian lifestyle? Gee, what do you think?