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Franklin County High School’s Gay-Straight Alliance sparks debate in Tennessee community

Supporters of a bill seeking to exclude Tennessee from the U.S. Supreme Court's gay marriage ruling attend a rally at the state Capitol in Nashville on Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2016.
Supporters of a bill seeking to exclude Tennessee from the U.S. Supreme Court's gay marriage ruling attend a rally at the state Capitol in Nashville on Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2016. Supporters of a bill seeking to exclude Tennessee from the U.S. Supreme Court's gay marriage ruling attend a rally at the state Capitol in Nashville on Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2016.

By Associated Press 2 min read

WINCHESTER, Tenn. – Supporters and critics of a Franklin County High School group that meets to talk about issues among gay and heterosexual students at the school will discuss the organization at the county school board’s upcoming meeting.

The establishment of the school’s Gay-Straight Alliance has generated debate in the community about its intent and necessity, the Daily News Journal reported.

A social media page created last month called for school board members to move the club off campus.

“We have a complicated county, and we have lots of differing points of view,” said Jennie Turrell, the faculty adviser for the organization, “and valid views and powerful views on both sides of this conversation.”

Franklin County Schools Director Amie Lonas said the organization, which was created to promote tolerance and acceptance, followed the proper procedure to establish the club.