KY school rejects LGBT-related yearbook comments

HOPKINSVILLE, Ky. – Three western Kentucky high school seniors have begun circulating a petition in an effort to get their quotes published in the yearbook.

The Kentucky New Era reports that seniors at Hopkinsville High School were asked to submit senior quotes, but administrators rejected those chosen by 18-year-olds Marlee Simms, Brooklyn Fosberg and Rachel Summers.

Fosberg says the quotes were rejected because they deal with sexual orientation.

She says she began circulating a petition on www.change.org and hopes to gather 1,000 signatures in an effort to have the quotes included.

“It shouldn’t have to be inspirational to just that person,” said Marlee Simms. “What’s inspirational to me doesn’t have to be inspirational to you. I want my high school yearbook to be a reflection of who I am. When I look back, I don’t want to think, ‘Well I really wish I could have used that quote.’”

According to the newspaper, the students wanted to use these quotes: “It’s OK to be a little gay,” “Some Barbies like Barbie. Some Barbies like Ken,” and “Maybe it’s because I’ve got a big, lesbian crush on you,” which comes from the movie “Mean Girls.”

Christian County Public Schools spokeswoman Heather Lancaster said school officials determined that the quotes were inappropriate so they gave students an option to submit a substitute.

The students involved say the school is discriminating against LGBT students.

According to a statement from the district, administrators reviewed the quotes and determined they didn’t meet preset guidelines.

“The district and school have rules against discrimination and these are maintained for all students,” the statement said. “This is a school-level matter to be resolved there first, and to this point, the district has no indication that proper procedures were not followed at the school.”