Principal Resigns Over Gay Student Group

A South Carolina high school principal plans to step down over a gay student group.

In a letter, the Irmo High School principal says the group conflicts with his professional beliefs. Stewart Moore spoke with one parent who said she agrees with the principal's decision. "We are not putting them like your lepers but we got to stand for what the foundation of our nation was about."

IRMO PARENT BRENDIA ENOCH SUPPORTS THE DECISION TO RESIGN BY IRMO PRINCIPAL EDDIE WALKER. SHE FEELS LIKE THE FORMATION OF THE GAY/STRAIGHT ALLIANCE CLUB WOULD LOWER VALUES IN SCHOOLS THAT PARENTS HAVE FOUGHT HARD TO ACHIEVE.

"You stand for what you believe in, your principles, but don't try to change others."

SHE WISHED THE DISTRICT WOULD HAVE BANNED THE CLUB. INSTEAD THE DISTRICT RELEASED THIS STATEMENT. "IF A SCHOOL HAS PERMITTED THE FORMATION OF ANY NON-CURRICULAR CLUBS, DISCRIMINATION AGAINST THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A NEW CLUB BASED ON ITS PURPOSE AND VIEWPOINT IS PROHIBITED."

FOR BRENDIA THAT'S NOT ENOUGH. "He has to stand for what he believes in and if he stands in what he believes in then yes, I think it's just"

IN THE LETTER WRITTEN BY PRINCIPAL WALKER TO THE IRMO COMMUNITY HE SAYS THE FORMATION OF THE GAY STRAIGHT ALLIANCE CONFLICTS WITH HIS PROFESSIONAL BELIEF AND RELIGIOUS CONVICTIONS. ONE RELIGIOUS GROUP COMPARES HIS PROTEST TO SEGREGATION IN SCHOOLS. QUOTE. "IT IS A SHAME THAT THE PRINCIPAL AT IRMO HIGH SCHOOL IN SOUTH CAROLINA DECIDED TO PLACE RELIGION-BASED BIGOTRY AND DISCRIMINATION OVER HIS FORMER COMMITMENT TO HIS STUDENTS AND STAFF," ASHLEI TATE, WHO GRADUATED FROM A HIGH SCHOOL IN FLORIDA WITH A GAY STRAIGHT ALLIANCE CLUB, AGREES.

 "Everyone has equal rights and we shouldn't all just discriminate all because of what they feel they need to do. People used to make fun of and beat up gay people just because they were different, well this is a program to make everyone feel they belong." Principal Walker says his resignation won't take effect until June, 2009.