TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:
The following is a brief timeline of an event that has taken
place at LAKESIDE HIGH SCHOOL, DeKalb County, GA. concerning
National Coming Out Day. Our sons, Matthew Clark and Dante
Gamboa stood up in protest of this. The attached is what
has transpired thus far.
This is to inform you of a situation
happening at LAKESIDE HIGH SCHOOL in DeKalb County, GA
The facts are as followed:
·
On October 9, 2003 an announcement was made
over the school P/A system announcing ‘NATIONAL COMING OUT
DAY’ and if you were gay or lesbian you could “come out of
the closet” wear your “red” or colors indicating you were
gay. This event was sponsored by the GSA (Gay-Student
Alliance)
·
That night Dante Gamboa got into
conversation with his family and wanted to see in the Bible
where homosexuality is a sin. He printed over 50 flyers with
the scripture - “'Do not lie with a man as one lies with
a woman; that is detestable. Leviticus 18:22 NIV” -
Dante, who had spent the better part of the prior school
year in trouble, was instructed that if he passes these out
then it would be given out in a positive manner, not
condemning, or argumentative. This was only to express his
beliefs based on scripture.
·
Dante gave the scripture to several
friends. One in particular, Matthew Clark. Matthew was in
his class with Ms. Nicole Wilson (who is the teacher sponsor
for the GSA) – when Ms. Wilson started a discussion in class
on homosexuality. Following class, Matthew and Dante
approached Ms. Wilson and Matthew said. “This is what you
believe, and this is what I believe” and he handed her the
scripture. Ms. Wilson took the scripture, saying, “Thank
you very much” and placed it on her desk.
·
On Tuesday (October 14, 2003) Matthew was
called out of class (at the end of the day) by Ms. Scherita
Daniel (Vice-Principal) who informed Matthew that Ms. Wilson
filed a complaint and that he would be receiving in-school
suspension (ISS).
·
On Wednesday, Matthew’s mother, Cynthia
Jones, went to the school to speak to Ms. Daniel. She was
informed that there was no paperwork indicating suspension
and until further notice he was not suspended. Cynthia
later spoke to Ms. Daniel who suggested that Ms. Jones s
speak to Ms. Wilson prior to any disciplinary action.
·
On Friday, Ms. Jones spoke to Regina
Fletcher (DeKalb County Superintendent’s office) who
informed her that the Superidentant’s office was aware of
National Coming Out Day, but only a handful of schools
acknowledged or participated in it.(all of which are in the
North DeKalb area)
·
On Tuesday, Ms. Jones spoke with Dr. Gloria
Harderman, with the superintendent’s office. She contacted
Lakeside High School in support of Matthew. Later that
day Ms. Jones finally spoke to Ms. Wilson who was appalled
that scripture was given to her. She seemed just as
appalled that Ms. Jones backed up Matthew as well. She went
on to argue about “separation of church and state” and that
if Ms. Jones and Matthew felt that way, then Matthew should
be in a Christian School.
·
On Wednesday, Matthew was instructed by Ms.
Daniel to write a letter of apology to Ms. Wilson to smooth
things over.
·
On Thursday, Matthew returned to school
without a letter advising Ms. Daniel he would not be
apologizing for his beliefs. On Thursday Dr. Hardeman
called Lakeside High School and spoke to Ms. Daniel. Ms.
Daniel later contacted Ms. Jones and only suggested that he
write the letter.
·
Dante and Matthew also have indicated that
other Christian students were kept home from school that day
by their parents.
Our main priority is to have
“National Coming Out Day” in school, a thing of the past.
Our children should be able to go to school to learn and not
be given the opinions regarding homosexuality. Christian
teachers have been stifled for so many years concerning
their beliefs. The same should apply for sexual preferences
as well.
We want to come public with this
information on behalf of God’s Children!
Please feel free to contact us-
Cynthia Jones
elderceejaymg@iflnow.net
