The American Civil Liberties Union, on behalf of Heather Gillman and an unnamed classmate, filed Gillman v. Holmes County School District in federal court on Thursday, seeking an injunction against Ponce de Leon High School. Gillman has accused the school of retaliating against her, her lesbian classmate, and others who rallied behind said classmate after she was harassed by other students over her sexual orientation.

Students say that instead of addressing the harassment itself, Principal David Davis personally targeted and questioned students showing pro-gay sentiment, claiming they were part of a "secret organization." Davis is said to have actively suppressed speech, such as rainbow-themed insignias and pro-gay statements on clothing, on the grounds that such expressions were disruptive. Part of Davis' course of action was a five-day suspension of Gillman and her unnamed classmate, which was upheld by the school board. Davis was said to have personally admonished Gillman's unnamed classmate, in particular, for her homosexuality, and called homosexuality "against the Bible" in front of at least one other student.

"All any of us wants to do is be able to talk about gay rights issues without having to be scared," said 16-year-old Gillman in yesterday's press release. "Nobody should have to worry about being kicked out of school just for having a rainbow sticker on your notebook."

More information on this case is available at the American Civil Liberties Union.