US principal resigns after ‘telling gays they were going to hell’
A high school principal in the US state of Tennessee has stood down following allegations she told gays students they were ‘going to hell’.
The Jackson Sun reported that Dorothy Bond of the Haywood County High School had resigned yesterday.
The Board said: “The Haywood County Board of Education acknowledges its student body’s right to free speech.
“Further, the Haywood County Board of Education strives to provide an atmosphere of tolerance and diversity while maintaining high academic standards.”
Bond was alleged to have made homophobic comments in a meeting with students but has not responded personally to the reports.
ABC 24 reported that one student, who was not present, said: “She directly pointed to the gay people and said if you’re gay you’re going to hell and if you’re pregnant, you’re life is over.”
Reports also emerged of the assembly in February at which Bond was said to have told gay students were “not on God’s path” and that they were “ruining their lives.”
The American Civil Liberties Union said today it had received reports that Bond told gay students they could be suspended or expelled for physical contact.
One parent said: “A couple of years ago when she was principal over at Sunny Hill one of my children had his hair in braids. At an assembly she told the young men if they’re sitting between the legs of a girl getting their hair braided for a few hours, that they must be gay.”
The school district said at the time of the reports that it did not condone discrimination of administrators, faculty, or students on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, or national origin.
