Fabienne Fleurantin/ Staff Writer
Imagine a bright child with a love for learning, driven by passion for what they love and a dream to be something more. Imagine that child being denied from attending the school of their choice because of who they are.
The decision to give states the ability to set rules on whether or not they can discriminate against students for any reason, including sexual orientation, shouldn’t be allowed.
What makes it worse is that our very own Secretary of Education, Betsy Devos, supports this decision.
According to Huffington Post, “During a testy exchange in a House Appropriations subcommittee hearing, Rep. Katherine Clark (D-Mass.) told DeVos about Lighthouse Christian Academy, a private school in Indiana that receives state voucher money but denies admission to students from families where there is “homosexual or bisexual activity” or someone “practicing alternate gender identity.”
“Clark asked DeVos, whose budget seeks a $250 million increase for projects that include vouchers for private schools, if she would step in if that Indiana school applied for such federal funding.”
Devos smiled and replied, “The states set up the rules. I believe states continue to have flexibility in putting together programs.”
Should students be denied their right as individuals under Title IX of the Education Amendments to get an education?
This amendment states that “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance…”
It seems like our Secretary of Education believes that it’s alright to inflict biases and discriminate against LGBTQA students.
It is wrong to disregard the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which states “No state shall…deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.”
No one, no person, whatever creed, color, race, gender, sexuality, should be denied the right to an education. And those who think it’s okay to deny them this privilege needs to rethink their choice.
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Photo taken from Flickr.
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