NYCLU Sues School District Over Harassment Of Gay Student

The New York Civil Liberties Union has filed a lawsuit against a local school district, alleging that they failed to protect a gay student from physical and verbal harassment.

The New York Civil Liberties Union has filed a federal lawsuit against the Mohawk Central School District in Herkimer County for failing to protect a gay student who does not conform to masculine stereotypes from vicious and relentless harassment, physical abuse and threats of violence. Over the past two school years, Jacob, a 14-year-old student at Gregory B. Jarvis Junior/Senior High School, endured escalating harassment for his sexual orientation and for not conforming to masculine stereotypes. He suffered near-constant verbal assault, his personal property has been defaced and broken, and he was regularly pushed and had things thrown at him. This past year, a student knocked Jacob down the stairs and sprained his ankle and a student brought a knife to school and threatened to kill him.

According to the NYCLU, the school district was repeatedly made aware of the abuse and did nothing to discipline Jacob's tormentors. In June, Jacob's principal told his parents that he could not guarantee Jacob's safety at the school and that the abuse would likely continue in the coming term. He is not presently attending classes.