Public high schools block access to LGBTI websites but allows anti-gay ones

Public high schools in Montana, USA has blocked student access to a number of LGBTI websites on the school’s internet.

But students have complained that while LGBTI website have been blocked, they can still access anti-gay websites.

Students at Billings Public Schools said from Monday 14 January, they couldn’t access certain sites. Some of those sites included, GLAAD – a LGBTI media advocacy group – and Human Rights Watch.

Billings Public Schools include three high schools in the area, six middle schools and 22 elementary schools. About 17,000 students attend the schools.

CounterPunch reported the chief Information of technology for Billings Public Schools told staff about the changes in the website policy. In the email he said the ‘stricter web/internet filtering will be implemented as a way to improve network security and help protect students and staff’.

The schools blocked the websites under the category of ‘AlternativeSexualLifestyles(GLBT)’. A list of keywords such as tobacco, abortion and others has also been blocked.

But students are reportedly still uncovering blocked websites.

The American Civil Union Liberties (ACLU) condemned the schools’ decision. It argued blocking the sites not only violated the students’ First Amendment right to free speech but stopped them from accessing critical support.

‘The use of Internet filtering tools to censor websites that advocate for the fair treatment of LGBT people is wrong and illegal,’ Jay Kaplan, ACLU of Michigan LGBT Project staff attorney told CounterPunch.

‘Many of these websites provide much-needed support and resources for LGBT youth during a critical time of their lives. By blocking LGBT websites, schools are sending a terrible message to students that LGBT voices are to be ignored and silenced.’

The schools’ action comes just a couple of weeks after research found high schools in the USA are not safe for the majority of LGBTI students.

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