Resource: Shelton/Lindstrom v. Anoka-Hennepin School District

By: Southern Poverty Law Center

January 28, 2011

Southern Poverty Law Center

Desiree Shelton and Sarah Lindstrom were both selected by their classmates as "royalty” for the Snow Days winter events at Champlin Park High School. In an effort to prevent them from walking in the royal procession together as a same-sex couple, the school altered the processional.

The school's actions were a clear violation of these students' rights under the First and 14th Amendments to the United States Constitution, the Minnesota Constitution and the Minnesota Human Rights Act, according to the lawsuit. Less than 24 hours after filing the lawsuit, the SPLC reached a settlement agreement with school officials that allowed the girls to walk as a couple in the royal processional. The National Center for Lesbian Rights and Faegre & Benson LLP acted as co-counsel.

https://www.splcenter.org/seeking-justice/case-docket/sheltonlindstrom-v-anoka-hennepin-school-district