Texas Student's Suspension for Anti-Gay Remark Reversed
A Texas honors student punished for saying that homosexuality was wrong has had his suspension rescinded after a meeting with the mother and her attorney.
The 14-year-old, Dakota Ary, from Western Hills High School of the Fort Worth Independent School District was initially given a suspension of one day in-school and two days full.
After hearing about the suspension the mother, Holly Pope, reached out to Matt Krause of the Liberty Counsel to be her son's legal representative. Matt Staver, founder and chairman of the Liberty Counsel, told The Christian Post that he believed Western Hills High made the correct decision in reversing their course of action.
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"The decision to rescind the suspension is the correct one. The suspension was wrong and improper," said Staver.
"I applaud the student for standing up. We stood with him to resist an unjust suspension and we are pleased that suspension has been reversed."
Dakota Ary was in a German language class at Western Hills when class conversation shifted to the issues of religion and homosexuality. The student reportedly said that "being a homosexual was wrong." Upon hearing his remark, the teacher proceeded to take administrative action.
Ary himself is an honors student, noted for being a member of the high school's football team and a volunteer at his church. The rescinding of the suspension allows for him to play in an upcoming football game.
In a publicly released statement, the Fort Worth Independent School District said that it does not comment on student matters. In keeping with this, Fort Worth ISD did not return comment to The Christian Post by press time.
"As a matter of course, Fort Worth ISD does not comment on specific employee or student-related issues. Suffice it to say that we are following district policy in our review of the circumstances and any resolution will likewise be in accordance with district policy," said Fort Worth ISD.
Staver also told CP that in recent years incidents like this one are only increasing as the gay rights movement continues to advance in American society.
"Unfortunately, we have seen similar situations. The homosexual agenda is aggressive and intolerant to people who do not agree. Liberty Counsel will continue the right to exercise freedom of conscience and religion," said Staver.
"These instances are increasing and will continue to increase unless Christians and people who love liberty stand up and resist this intolerance."
