Administrators at a Utah middle school outed a gay student to his parents in an attempt to prevent bullying, but civil rights groups have condemned the act claiming the student’s privacy rights were violated.
Alpine School District decided to inform parents of the 14-year-old boy’s sexual orientation after the student completed a school project that revealed his sexual orientation. A school staff member overheard other students laughing at the boy and brought the concerns to school administrators. Even though the boy was openly gay in school, he did not want his parents to know he was homosexual.
On whether or not to tell his parents, the student “ was nervous” said school district spokeswoman Rhonda Bromley told the Salt Lake Tribune. “He initially said, `No, that can’t happen.’ He finally agreed reluctantly.
Civil rights groups reprimanded the outing citing a violation of the student’s right to privacy according to the Boston Globe.
“The school’s decision to disclose deprived the young man the right to reveal highly personal aspects of his life at a time and manner of his choice,” Joe Cohn of the American Civil Liberties Union of Utah told The Associated Press on Thursday. He added: “You shouldn’t be pressured into making such an important decision.”
The boy’s parents are supportive but removed the student from school to avoid media attention.
Andy Marra, a spokeswoman for the New York City-based Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network, explained that a student has the right to come out on their own terms.
“Taking away the choice for a LGBT student to come out on their own terms opens the door to significant risks, including harassment at school and family rejection,” network Executive Director Eliza Byard said in a statement. “Schools should be able to provide LGBT students with support and resources in order to make an informed decision if and when they decide to come out to their school community and family.”
