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Teen Wins Playboy Award After Defending Gay Students

After fighting for the rights of her gay and lesbian peers, a senior at a Florida high school has been honored by the Playboy Foundation with the Hugh M. Hefner First Amendment Award.



After fighting for the rights of her gay and lesbian peers, a senior at a Florida high school has been honored by the Playboy Foundation with the Hugh M. Hefner First Amendment Award.

Heather Gillman won a First Amendment case against the Ponce de Leon High School -- located in Florida's panhandle -- after her principal banned any sort of symbol or slogan that supported gay rights, and suspended at least 11 students for doing just that. After Gillman was reprimanded for defending a gay student who had been harassed, she returned to school wearing symbols of support including the rainbow flag and the initials G P for "gay pride." Her principal told her exhibiting symbols of gay pride was not allowed because it was "disruptive" and made students imagine sex.

But in May of this year, the United State District Court ordered the school to stop its unconstitutional censorship of students, and warned the district not to retaliate against students over the lawsuit.

"Heather Gillman is a courageous young woman who is most deserving of this very prestigious First Amendment award," said Howard Simon, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union, in a release. "She exercised leadership and honesty when she stood up to the school's principal and the school board on behalf of the rights of gay students and we congratulate her."

This week, Gillman and her mother will travel to Washington, D.C. to be honored at an October 21 awards gala where she will receive the award, which includes a $10,000 cash prize that she plans to put toward college. (Neal Broverman, The Advocate)

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Reader Comments
  • Name: Donald Rafal
    Date posted: 10/23/2008 9:18:00 AM
    Hometown: Southfield

    Comment:

    Congrats to Heather. One correction in article: Anthony Romero is Executive Director of ACLU. Howard Simon has not been ED for many years.

  • Name: Alan Farnham
    Date posted: 10/23/2008 3:50:00 AM
    Hometown: St. Paul

    Comment:

    Heather Gillman, it is people like you who will make the world a better place to live for everyone!

  • Name: Doug Johnson
    Date posted: 10/22/2008 4:06:00 PM
    Hometown: Sioux Falls, SD

    Comment:

    I guess I am the last to say HOORAY for Heather. What a mature, caring heart she has. I know that attitude is contagious and is such a blessing to all. I'll bet she has some wonderful parents.

  • Name: thomas p. stanton
    Date posted: 10/22/2008 3:01:00 PM
    Hometown: aiken, s.c.

    Comment:

    BRAVO HEATHER. PROUD OF YOU. PEACE AND LOVE,

  • Name: David H.
    Date posted: 10/22/2008 2:40:00 PM
    Hometown: Jackson

    Comment:

    We love you Heather and thanks for standing up for all of us!

  • Name: Greg Lindfors
    Date posted: 10/21/2008 10:38:00 PM
    Hometown: Denver

    Comment:

    Way to go Heather. Your stand is appreciated by many across this country. Hopefully we'll hear about more of the great things you do in years to come.

  • Name: jason
    Date posted: 10/21/2008 8:25:00 PM
    Hometown: sacramento

    Comment:

    While I commend Heather, I cannot commend Hugh Hefner. Hugh Hefner is one of these liberal promoters of the bisexual double standard. This double standard, as promoted by his magazine and TV shows, conveys the notion that sexual fluidity is normal for women but not for men. It's a double standard designed to prop up male fetish for girl-girl action. One of the reasons for male-specific homophobia is double standards of the type being promoted by Hugh Hefner.

  • Name: Lisa
    Date posted: 10/21/2008 6:54:00 PM
    Hometown: Virginia

    Comment:

    Thank you Heather. Well done.



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