Lawsuit Alleges Bullying In Anoka-Hennepin Schools
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- The Anoka-Hennepin School District is being sued again over the alleged bullying of a gay or lesbian student.
Minnesota Public Radio News reports a new lawsuit filed by the National Center for Lesbian Rights says school officials failed to help a 15-year-old student at Jackson Middle School.
The lawsuit claims the teen was being harassed and physically assaulted by fellow students because of her sexual orientation and perceived gender nonconformity.
Executive Director Kate Kendell says the center is also representing five other students in a similar lawsuit and will ask to have the two cases consolidated.
The lawsuit seeks punitive damages and asks that the district to change its policies to prevent harassment on the basis of sexual orientation or gender.
School officials have said the district's anti-bullying and anti-harassment policies cover sexual orientation.
