Sturgis v. Copiah County School District
What's at Stake
When graduating senior Ceara Sturgis chose to wear a tuxedo for her senior yearbook photo, rather than the drape typically reserved for girls, her school, Wesson Attendance Center, responded by excluding her entirely from the senior portrait section of the yearbook. The ACLU seeks damages for Ceara and hopes to prevent gender discrimination in the future.
Summary
STATUS: Victory! In November 2011, after the court denied defendants’ motion to dismiss, the school district agreed to settle the case and add Ceara’s photo (in a tuxedo) to the wall of senior photos at the school. The school also agreed to change its policy for senior photos to have all students photographed wearing graduation robes and to amend its anti-discrimination policy to add language affirming its commitment to following the equal protection clause of the U.S. Constitution.
Legal Documents
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09/16/2011
Sturgis v. Copiah County School District – Order on Motion to Dismiss
Date Filed: 09/16/2011
Affiliate: Mississippi
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09/15/2011
Sturgis v. Copiah County School District - Court Order Denying Plaintiff's Motion to Dismiss
Date Filed: 09/15/2011
Affiliate: Mississippi
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11/03/2010
Sturgis v. Copiah County School District - First Amended Complaint Exhibits
Date Filed: 11/03/2010
Affiliate: Mississippi
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11/03/2010
Sturgis v. Copiah County School District - First Amended Complaint
Date Filed: 11/03/2010
Affiliate: Mississippi
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11/01/2010
Sturgis v. Copiah County School District - Memorandum in Opposition to Motion to Dismiss
Date Filed: 11/01/2010
Affiliate: Mississippi
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08/16/2010
Sturgis v. Copiah County School District - Complaint
Date Filed: 08/16/2010
Affiliate: Mississippi
Press Releases
Mississippi School District and ACLU Reach Agreement Over Student Whose Tuxedo Photo Was Excluded From Senior Portrait Section of Yearbook
ACLU Sues Mississippi School For Excluding Teenager Wearing Tuxedo From Yearbook
