Members attending: Henshaw, Halladay, Sundberg, Burton, Carlson, Taylor, Hart, Vance (Secretary)
Members absent: Smith
Those of us supporting the GSA attending (8 of us):
Faculty advisor (FA), GSA president, two more students, an alumnus, myself, and two of my friends who both are active in our LDS church and have gay sons.
Community members attending included students doing a class assignment, those for other agenda topics, and Gayle Ruzicka, leader of Utah's Eagle Forum.
None of us knew what to expect. Before the meeting, we saw a sign-up sheet to speak three minutes to the board. I couldn't think at that moment. I felt that all of my hard work to get this far would be wasted if I were the one to speak, that somehow I would mess it up. Our FA was willing to speak and had experience from presenting the GSA to the school's faculty chair members.
While the issue of bus routes was being discussed, we were brainstorming about what the FA would say. As nervous as she was, she held it in with grace and composure.
The topic of school clubs was next. There were 80 applications for student clubs. The board had to vote to approve all or none.
Three speakers against the club spoke first and then our FA. Unbeknownst to me, the alumnus who joined us recorded all 4 three-minute speeches. (J, you are awesome!) Ruzicka was the first and used fear tactics to dissuade board members. Another speaker threatened to not vote for the board members, and the other used scripture to preach against homosexuality.
Here is Ruzicka and part of the second speaker:
https://soundcloud.com/ginac99/gayle-ruzicka-of-utah-eagle
Here is the second and third speaker followed by our faculty advisor. I really should transcribe what she said. It was wonderful. She starts at minute 6.30.
https://soundcloud.com/ginac99/end-2nd-speaker-3rd-speaker-fa
Then the board discussed. Here is a little of what was said:
Hart, from what I gathered, didn't like "rubber-stamping" all the clubs through without knowing the details. I think she wanted to vote on each individually or didn't want to vote at all.
Taylor emphasized that all clubs are to follow all laws, and there is to be no inappropriate discussion and activities.
Carlson brought up parent participation to be considered and that permission slips are mandatory for all students for all clubs.
Halladay, was very much against the GSA. He wished there was a closed session to discuss this. He felt a vote for the GSA would equal promoting it. He mentioned seeking legal counsel about the risks of having this club.
Sundberg warned about discrimination.
Henshaw, the superintendent, confirmed he sought legal counsel the day before. Every club that is being voted on had followed the policy prescribed by this school board. In order for the application to get this far, it had to be approved at the school level. Each club did what the board asked, including ours. To discriminately choose will be problematic. The board does have the right to change the policy and review applications one by one and have each faculty advisor meet with the board. But, by judging each of the 80 applications, it opens the board up to discriminate and, therefore, be subject to lawsuits. The legal councilor would not advise the board to "micro-manage." On the other hand, the board also has the right to reject all applications (all or nothing).
And then what happened was very anti-climatic. I don't recall what was spoken next, but I saw some hands go up then down, followed by more hands going up, then down. "Have it noted four ayes and two nays." And, then without skipping a beat they were talking about the next topic.
The eight of us sat there looking at each other with bewildered looks on our faces. The faculty advisor leans in and says, "I think we just got it." We still weren't sure. I was expecting something like, "We will now vote on passing the clubs including the GSA! (insert fanfare) All in favor of passing these clubs, vote 'Aye!'" It was nothing like that. We weren't clear about what was voted. Is there another step we have to take or another meeting?
My friends went home. The alumnus and I escorted the GSA students out while the FA waited until the meeting was over to confirm that we won.
We won.
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| Image credit: dreamstime dot com (Hart and Halladay were the nays, willing to get rid of all clubs just to prevent one.) |
