FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 22, 1999

MGH School Recognizes Gay/Straight Alliance

Manchester High School West issued a letter formally recognizing the West High
Gay/Straight Alliance (“GSA”) retroactive to April 1, 1999 when the group first sought recognition and
providing assurances that the club ‘‘will be afforded the exact same treatment” as all other clubs at the
high school. The decision of Principal Robert A. Baines follows a vote by the Board of School
Committee on July 13 authorizing this step.
Attorney Jennifer Levi of Gay & Lesbian Advocates &Defenders, along with Manchester
attorney Marlene Lein, filed suit against the high school alleging it violated the federal Equal Access Act
when it refused to treat the group like other student clubs. Levi commented, “This is a great day for the
students at Manchester High School West. The students all along had two goals. First, they wanted to
achieve recognition of the club in order to create a safe, supportive, and non-biased environment for gay,
lesbian and bisexual students. Second, they wanted to ensure that the club receives equal treatment from
the school. Today’s letter issued by the principal secures both of those goals.”
Principal Baines’ recognition of the GSA caps months of efforts on the students’ part. In April,
1999, several students filed a proposal with the assistant principal, Richard Donegan detailing the
purposes of the club. Later, school administrators said the school would not recognize the club and,
further, told the students they would have to obtain School Board approval before meeting. According to
the students, no other student group has ever had to obtain School Board approval to form a
noncurricular club. After several efforts to intervene on the students’ behalf failed, GLAD filed suit
under the Equal Access Act naming Principal Baines and Manchester School District as defendants.
Michaela Wood, a West High graduating senior who, along with two other unnamed students is a
Plaintiff in the suit, said, “I am happy that our efforts to achieve recognition paid off. Lots of students,
parents and teachers were supportive of our efforts and 1think the GSA will be a tremendous asset to the
school. 1think everyone will see that the GSA provides an opportunity for student leadership, education
around gay and lesbian concerns, and development of diversity in viewpoints of the different student
clubs.”

Celebrating its 20th anniversary year, GLAD is New England’s leading legal organization
conducting impact litigation and education to secure equaljustice under law for gay, lesbian and bisexual
people and people with mv and AIDS.