ANTI-GAY SCHOOL PRINCIPAL RESIGNS

An American high school principal in the state of North Carolina has resigned after banning same-sex affection and making discriminatory remarks about gay and lesbian students.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) said that it received reports that Haywood High School Principal Dorothy Bond told gay students that they are “not on God’s path” in an assembly that took place on February 9.

At the assembly, Bond reportedly said that gay people are “ruining their lives” and threatened to administer severe punishment – including 60-day suspensions, assignments to an alternative school or expulsion – to any students who were observed publicly displaying affection for members of the same sex.

Bond furthermore told students that “life is over” for girls who become pregnant.

Following wide publicity about her conduct and growing pressure from groups such as the ACLU, Bond resigned from her position on Thursday.

“Students should never be made to feel like they are unwelcome at their own school, especially by school leadership,” said Hedy Weinberg, executive director of the ACLU of Tennessee.

“We expect school officials to clearly state that they do not condone this type of harassment and targeted discrimination, and to take action to ensure that it does not happen again.”