Lawsuit against Moss Point School District
Lawsuit against Moss Point School District
3/23/2017
Article: http://www.clarionledger.com/viewart/20131218/NEWS01/312180023/Lawsuit-says-gay-students-bullied
By Tahira Khan Merritt
A lawsuit filed Tuesday against Moss Point School District in South Mississippi claims gay students are routinely bullied. The Southern Poverty Law Center filed the case in U.S. District Court against Moss Point School District, board, superintendent and the former principal of Magnolia Junior High School.
The victim, 17-year-old Destin Holmes, alleges she and other gay and transgender students, or those who are perceived to be, are subjected to name calling and other slurs like “freak” and “it”. One student even attempted suicide as a result of the bullying according to the suit papers.
Bullying in whatever form , whether targeting a child’s sexual orientation or physical appearance is totally unacceptable in our society especially our educational institutions. The effects of this form of abuse can be life-long and devastating to victims. Lawsuits such as this one are necessary to hold organizations and individuals who engage in, condone, promote or enable bullying be held accountable.