Taylor Ellis was one of seven students asked to write a bio to appear in the Sheridan High School yearbook.

The problem is, at least to the school principal and district superintendent, is that in his profile, Ellis talks about being gay.

The school’s refusal to publish the profile has led to a standoff that resulted in the largest LGBTI rights organization in the US delivering a petition with more than 35,000 to the headquarters of Sheridan School District on Wednesday (19 March).

The petitions were delivered a day after HRC President Chad Griffin appeared with Ellis at a press conference.

The petition calls the actions of Sheridan Superintendent Brenda Haynes and Principal Rodney Williams an ‘act of discriminatory censorship’ that ‘sends a dangerous message to all LGBT students in Sheridan, across Arkansas, and the nation – that they are second-class citizens and their lives are not equally valid.’

It points out that the school officials are ignoring the wishes of fellow students who want Ellis recognized in the yearbook for who he is.

Haynes, who lumped the request into the category of ‘demands by any special interest group,’ explained in a statement this week: ‘We must make decisions that lead in the proper direction for all of our students and for our community.’

None of the seven profiles will appear in the yearbook as a result of Haynes’ decision.

She added: ‘We have reviewed state law, court cases, and our own policies. It is clear that the adults who have the responsibility for the operation of the district have the obligation to make decisions which are consistent with the mission of our school. We have done so.’