The Cleveland County Board of Education in North Carolina is under fire after banning an LGBTQ+ trivia quiz proposed by Shelby High School's Activism Club, claiming it was 'indecent.' Community members voiced their discontent during a board meeting, arguing that this censorship violates First Amendment rights. The quiz sought to educate students about prominent LGBTQ+ figures without any inappropriate content. The ACLU of North Carolina has taken up the case, supporting the student founder against the board and Superintendent Stephen Fisher, citing legal protections under the Equal Access Act that promotes equal rights for student-led activities.
Rod Powell, who ran unsuccessfully for the board last year, emphasized, “Since when is learning about history indecent? Since when is acknowledging the existence of LGBTQ+ people something to be censored? This isn't just wrong, this is illegal.”
Powell also pointed out the Equal Access Act, stating, 'a U.S. law that bars school districts from receiving federal funds if they deny students the right to hold meetings based on the content of the speech at such meetings.'
Four community members criticized the board during the meeting, asserting that the ban on the LGBTQ+ trivia quiz violates students' First Amendment rights.
The American Civil Liberties Union of North Carolina is representing the student who founded the activism club in a federal lawsuit against the board and Superintendent Stephen Fisher.
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