An official with a San Diego-area charter high school is accused of discriminating against students who wanted to form an LGBTQ & Allies Club.
Dr. Hellen Griffin, Executive Director of e3 Civic High School , called the allegations "totally untrue" and added that the student group was "definitely a vibrant part of e3 Civic High and welcomed.”
Student Nat Sirodia identifies as transgender queer, and says the high school needed a safe place for LGBTQ students.
Late last year Sirodia and some other students submitted their request to form a school club, but say they were the only ones whose approval was pending.
“[Dr. Griffith] said she had mentioned the club proposal to a panel of parents and the parents had said the way our mission statement sounded like we were promoting a hook-up club,” said Sirodia. “I do not feel her actions were malicious, rather just ignorance.”
Sirodia also says during the meeting with Dr. Griffith, the school administrator insinuated LGBTQ people are promiscuous.
“She said to us that the reason for sex is for romance and to have children and people who had sex for enjoyment aside from romance, that there’s a name for those kinds of people,” the student told NBC 7.
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Sirodia and another student approached the local ACLU with concerns that they were facing unusual challenges in creating the club. They say they made the decision to do that independently.
They were supported by their club-sponsor and former e3 teacher Valerie Stewart.
“It took the intervention of the ACLU twice to get the club on the ground,” said Stewart.
The ACLU confirmed it sent a letter specifically to Griffith in December that read in part, “you as its executive director, have unlawfully interfered with the establishment and operation of a GSA [Gay-Straight Alliance] and the discussion of topics related to sexual orientation and gender identity.”
Stewart believes her actions of standing up to Griffith and for the students led to direct retaliation. She was let go from the school last week.
Griffith spoke to NBC 7 over the phone Tuesday and said school policy prevents her from talking about personnel issues.
She did say these kinds of allegations come with the job.
“When you want to hold people accountable to have a high standard and to love all students and to do your job for all students, this goes with the territory," Griffith said.
When asked about her thoughts on homosexuality, Griffith replied, “What are my thoughts? In terms of ed code? Number one, my thoughts on all people are I celebrate and love them. I am not a judge of any one individual or groups of individuals.”
“If you see me you would see I’m a black, African-American woman who knows the pain of discrimination,” she added, explaining she feels just as hurt by the claims.
The LGBTQ & Allies Club (also known as the Spectrum Club) at e3 Civic High School is currently active and has about a dozen members.
Board President Kevin Beiser of the San Diego Unified School District, which is separate and independent of e3 Civic High School since it’s a charter school, says steps have been taken to find a resolution. Beiser has met with Griffith and President of the Charter School Board Mel Katzs several times. He says progress has been made.
Katz sent NBC 7 requirements that clubs must follow to be included at e3. He said all the clubs were listed on their website by the end of November.
"In every conversation we shared the intent that the Spectrum and all clubs carry out the mission and vision of e3 Civic High and to support students in a welcoming environment that will lead to their personal success," Katz wrote in an email.
"We suggested (but did not direct) that the students use language that was more inclusive so all students would feel welcomed to join. Spectrum was approved and allowed to participate in the Club Fair at the end of November and to have their meetings at the school."
Student Nat Sirodia says although the situation has improved, there’s still an elephant in the room and none of them have received an apology.
“We were told by Dr. Griffith she didn’t know what she needed to apologize for or who she needed to apologize to,” Sirodia said.
Griffith listed a number of projects involving the Spectrum club including revisions of the school’s bullying and public display of affection policies.
“We’ve actually had a great year together,” she said.
Ed. Note: After the original article was published, NBC 7 received the following statement from Mel Katz, Board Chair at e3 Civic High School that said, in part:
"We suggested (but did not direct) that the students use language that was more inclusive so all students would feel welcomed to join. Spectrum was approved and allowed to participate in the Club Fair at the end of November and to have their meetings at the school."
