School: No apology for boy punished for saying 'gay'
Student's gay mother complained, demanded apology
LAFAYETTE, Louisiana (AP) -- A school board said it won't apologize for punishing a boy who said his mother is gay, insisting the boy was disciplined for behavioral problems, not using the word "gay."
A school form that Marcus McLaurin brought home last month said his use of the word was the reason for his punishment. His mother, Sharon Huff, complained to the American Civil Liberties Union, which demanded an apology and that the incident be removed from Marcus' record.
The Lafayette Parish School Board voted 5-3 Thursday night that it was "never the intent or purpose" to discipline the child for having used the word "gay."
The school board offered no further explanation.
ACLU lawyer Ken Choe expressed disappointment and said no new evidence had been produced to suggest that the boy had been punished for any reason other than the one given in the form.
"We feel this is revisionist history," Choe said. He said a lawsuit was an option.
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