From Valleynewslive · · 1m 20s
Families Sue Detroit Lakes Schools Over Pride Ban
Two Detroit Lakes families sue school district over rainbow flag and Pride sticker ban.
In brief
Two Detroit Lakes families sue school district over rainbow flag and Pride sticker ban. Two Detroit Lakes families, represented by ACLU of Minnesota, sued the school district and four board members after a July 2026 ban on rainbow flags and Pride materials was allegedly motivated by anti-LGBTQ+ bias. Originally…
Families Sue School District
Two Detroit Lakes families, represented by ACLU of Minnesota and a private law firm, sued the Detroit Lakes Public School District and four school board members.
Ban on Pride Materials
The district banned rainbow stickers, flags, and other Pride materials on July 27, 2026, after a 4-2 vote by the school board.
Unannounced Board Vote
The ban was introduced through an oral motion not on the published agenda, with no advance notice to the public or board members.
Board Members' Text Exchanges
Board members exchanged private texts discussing LGBTQ+ education and a website claiming transgender youth inclusion is child abuse.
Chilling Effect on Schools
Teachers reported rainbow stickers torn down, and one student was told she violated the ban after wearing rainbow clothing.
Legal Claims and Next Steps
The lawsuit claims constitutional violations, human rights act breaches, and open meeting law violations, seeking court orders to declare the ban unconstitutional and restore removed materials.
What matters most
Two Detroit Lakes families, represented by ACLU of Minnesota, sued the school district and four board members after a July 2026 ban on rainbow flags and Pride materials was allegedly motivated by anti-LGBTQ+ bias.
