Legal Question in Education Law in Illinois

I hope I can explain this question well enough. I have a 17 year old Daughter in high school. We have an openly Gay (Female) principal. My daughter tells me she gets very uncomfortable when the Principal comes into the locker room and tries to get the girls to hurry up to their next class. I am not gay so forgive me if I don't understand this. Wouldn't that be the same thing as a straight Male teacher going into the girls locker room? Education Law was the only heading that seemed close. Thank you


Asked on 8/09/10, 5:59 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Walter Palmer Law Office of Walter Palmer

I understand how you feel. This is a very gray area and is a situation where custom rules. Being gay is an area where custom is pretty much a blank. Getting kids to hurry to the next class is standard operating procedure and is an area that I had trouble with as a student. My wife would tell you that I still change clothes slowly. My point is that reminding student to hurry is not out of line.

Factoring in the gay thing is probably objectionable but not actionable. I am morally certain that she is probably "copping a peek", but she is not going outside her job as principal by doing shower check.Of course, the gym teacher should be doing that. I don't think that it would be a violation of the law as long as the principal keeps her hands to herself.

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Answered on 8/14/10, 9:13 am


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