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Chelisa Grimes
Undated 2012 photo of Darnell "Dynasty" Young with his mother, Chelisa Grimes.
An openly gay Indianapolis teenager who was expelled after firing a stun gun at school to scare away what he said were bullies is suing the school district, accusing it of failing to stop “relentless, severe harassment” by other students.
A lawsuit filed Friday in U.S. District Court in Indianapolis on behalf of Darnell “Dynasty” Young, 17, claims teachers and staff at Arsenal Technical High School ignored his repeated pleas to protect him from ongoing abuse on school grounds.
From the day he arrived at Tech, Plaintiff Dynasty Young was subjected to relentless, severe harassment and abuse by other students because he was perceived as gay and because his clothing, behavior, and demeanor did not fit stereotypical notions of masculinity. He repeatedly reported the abuse to school staff. Rather than take effective measures to protect him, school staff told him that he was to blame for the harassment because of his appearance and told him to change his dress and behavior to conform to stereotypical ideas of masculinity and to be less “flamboyant.”
The Indianapolis School District said its attorneys will review the lawsuit “and respond accordingly.” It said in a statement:
"We are pleased that last week, the Indianapolis Marion County Equal Opportunity agency dismissed its complaint against Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) in the matter of former Arsenal Technical High school student Darnell Young. The agency concluded that IPS provided a sufficient response to the Complaint (it filed on Young’s behalf) and that no further action was appropriate.”
Young often wore some of his mother’s clothes to school, including knee-high boots, purses, rings and bangles. These accessories were permitted under the school’s dress code, the lawsuit says.
Young says fellow students spat at him, called him derogatory names and threw rocks and empty bottles at him because of the way he dressed and what they perceived as unmasculine behavior.
Young’s mother, Chelisa Grimes, says she eventually gave her son a stun gun to protect himself because she feared for his life.
Read the court complaint (PDF)
On April 16, according to the lawsuit, Young was accosted by six male students between classes who yelled at him and threatened to attack him. He fired the stun gun into the air, scaring off the group.
Not long after Dynasty sat down for his next class, a school security officer came into the classroom, cuffed him and escorted him out. The officer remarked, “If you did not dress like this, people would not mess with you,” the lawsuit says.
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Young was expelled for a full school year. The school district later reduced the expulsion, but on the condition that Young transfer to an alternative high school.
Young declined and eventually enrolled at Indianapolis Metropolitan High School, a charter school not affiliated with Indianapolis Public Schools, where he is taking extra classes in an effort to try graduate on schedule in 2013.
“I want to make sure no other student in the Indianapolis Public Schools ever has to go through the kind of abuse that I went through. I am hoping this will get IPS to start treating kids like me with respect and really do something to protect their students,” Young said in a press release issued by the National Center for Lesbian Rights. The center and the law firms of Kirkland & Ellis LLP and Waples & Hanger filed the lawsuit.
“My son is a wonderful, sweet, talented young man,” added Grimes. “He deserves a chance to attend school and learn without being terrorized by other students and told that the school will not protect him unless he changes who he is.”
The lawsuit claims violations of federal civil and constitutional rights. It seeks unspecified damages and a reversal of Young’s expulsion.
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Do the crime, serve the time. If kid was being picked on, I am not there so I can not rule on whether he was and the school was doing enough to protect him, it does not matter in this situation. If he had a .357 magnum and killed several people would we excuse him because he is gay? I sure hope not. Look, I was the principal of a high school and I had several students who were gay/cross dressers. Our kids and staff were both tolerant, supportive very tolerant and understanding and the life was still sucked from me and my staff on a weekly basis as we tried to deal with all the incidental problems, like refusing to use the boys room and wanting to use the girls room, etc. And occasionally a kid not being tolerant and acting like an idiot. That said I still believe he was wrong bringing a weapon to school. By the way, include his mom in this sentence as well. Giving him the weapon was real smart, right?
Messa Dave
If he would have used a .357, they would blame it on Bush & the NRA.
But he still would've been excused since he was gay. Being gay gets you out of any criminal liability.
He brought a stun gun to school-- instant expulsion is warranted.
I also think the gun toting student should be put in therapy-- next he will bring a real gun.
Might have to lock this one up.
Maybe if the school had did their job, none of this would have happened.
The Dev
Maybe that was his intent. He WANTED to get locked up with all those mean boys in Juvenile. Know what I mean? Maybe he was trolling.
It's not the schools job to protect every friggin student that goes there---
Actually, Dev, it IS.
Oh wow Dev, you make me laugh.
This is another example of how this country is being hurt by individuals who decide that they can act or do anything they want to and act like there are no repercussions. To me this isn't about being gay. it is about putting yourself out in front of everyone without concern for anyone but yourself. This is a weird thought. Does anyone thing that his actions make other people unconformable? His actions very well may have made the entire school uncomfortable from fellow students, to employees to administration. But that is ok anyone can do anything they want. I got an idea, instead of bringing a stun gun to school how about not wearing woman's clothes! Seems like the adult thing to do. Oh and he is an adult, he is not 12
This is another example of how this country is being hurt by individuals who decide that they can act or do anything they want to and act like there are no repercussions. It is about putting yourself out in front of everyone without concern for anyone but yourself. This is a weird thought. Does anyone thing that their actions make other people unconformable? Their actions very well may have made the entire school uncomfortable from fellow students, to employees to administration. But that is ok anyone can do anything they want. I got an idea, instead of bullying another student they grow some balls and left him alone! Seems like the adult thing to do. Oh and they are adults, they are not 12.
so if someone makes me uncomfortable i can treat them like @!$%#. thanks i got it now. i can spit on you if you make me feel uncomfortable. and throw rocks and bottles at you too. or you can change your behavior and i'll leave you alone ok.
He brings a stun gun, next they bring a real gun. Escalating the battle will only bring death to himself. Wrong or right that's just what happens.
There's no reason why he couldn't just dress in gender neutral clothes like jeans and T-shirts. School is about getting an education NOT to express your cross gender identity.
He shouldn't have to, as long as he's within the dress code guidelines.
He should STFU and try to fit in.
The Dev - Even if he dressed and acted normal do you honestly think the kids that would torment another human being for their own entertainment would accept him and leave him alone?
Bringing a gun means he was threatening other students lives--
Book him Dan-O!!!
There's nothing worse than a black guy who is gay. You know blacks use to deny they were gay. They said that was a white only disease. So you know black guys are going to call him all kinds of names and maybe worse. i'm against any bullying in schools, especially when it involves a child threatening to kill him or herself and I'm standing my ground on this too. If the school doesn't know how to handle bullying then it's up to the parents or even the child to sue the schools or teachers involved. If bullying keeps up it won't be long before the kids being bullied bring real guns to school to take care of the situation and I would really hate to see that happen but a child should feel secure in their school. If not fire all the teachers and close the schools.
I grew up in the Indiana public school system. I'm not surprised the staff and students are still a cesspool of bigotry, ignorance, and hate crime.
Yup. I'm sick and tired of all this Heterophobic bigotry, enforced at the end of a stun gun.
To KnowYourEnemy, oh, here it comes every one's is a racist, bigot, ignorant you name says it all. Know your enemy. Typical black ass only way you know how to make a living is by suing. By the way Know your enemy should you not be at the Democratic national convention spewing your Bull@!$%# there also.
listen to you. " typical black ass" and you wonder why people think you are a bigot? you are and dont seem to know it. comes from upbringing. i should slap your momma.
Instead of using a stun gun, use your fists. If you can at least fend people off with your hands, it's likely you will be left alone
Violence and fighting will not work in this situation. The differences between the Negro boy and the other members of the school are too great. Trying to defend himself with his fists would only escalate the problem and he would eventually get hurt, perhaps even killed. The solution to this problem is complex. Since you cannot successfully regulate children's behavior, then you have to improvise and work around the source of the problem.
i believe that kid has every right to be who he wants to be...just not at school.
this is a great argument for having school uniforms. this distraction should not be happening in school.
Girl from my church was being bullied in school, father asked me to teach her how to handle them- she got a couple days suspension along with bullies when they got up off floor- but she didn't have any bullying problems next couple years-she's on Deans list in college now, her older brother is very good at avoiding groin attacks after his lessons with her - he doesn't comment about 'that technique won't really work will it?' A high grade point, well behaved student that responds to bullies and leaves them laying in hall doesn't have much problems later. A wierd acting 'student' with poor grades doesn't have many teachers defending them- so what was the 'Gay' students grades and activities other than acting like Rue Paul? and trying to attract trouble to sue over? ONE big missing point-who/where is father? Unknown? In prison? divorced from strange acting mother? Deployed on Military service? .
There is something wrong with this story. He files a lawsuit well after he transfers to another school. He brings a weapon to school without using all of his legal options.
Why didn't he file a lawsuit before bringing a weapon to school. We are not getting the whole story, just a liberal media take of it, and they obviously omitted parts that explain what/if/when the school did or didn't do. Was "Dynasty" hitting on other guys? Was he indiscret with his sexual activities? I'm not suggesting he was, BUT, we don't know all the facts, just what MSN wants us to know.
I find it highly suspect in that he didn't escalate above the school. All he had to do was get a lawyer and press his case at the highest level.
Bottom line, he brought a weapon to school, and discharged it. Regardless of the cause, he violated a serious law, and deserves what he gets. He should have been prosecuted. The kids who bullied him, if true, should also be disciplined to the max.
If he was "hitting" on other boys that's a sexual assault and getting his ass beat is self defense by those whom he "hit on".
Disgusting.
if he was hitting on them maybe. Of course, such a "fact" is nowhere in evidence, except possibly in your bigoted mind.
Ok vermont---
LOL!!
Of course it isn't in evidence, there's only one side to this story being told. So the question is why is that? Is it because there really is only one side, or because the media is trying to deliver biased articles. I can truly say that I haven't heard anything to suggest that the person was more than just a victim of bullying, but that doesn't mean that it's all of the truth and I would be a fool to not take that into consideration.
The teen wanted attention but that doesn't justify physical assault. I have no problem with him using a stun gun if the bullies were threatening him physically.
And if a student has a heart attack from the stun gun---
Murder 1.
murder 1? lol. right.
"First degree murder is any murder that is willful and premeditated."
I see you aren't a lawyer, nor do you play one on tv. :)
Staring someone down and pulling a trigger is PREMEDITATED!!!
Go back to watching CSI Vermontloser!
If I'm being threatened physically and I protect myself and the person dies that is self-defense not Murder 1. The key question is was he being physically threatened, saying mean things doesn't count
There is NO justification for bringing a weapon to a school!
Bullied or not, you cannot bring weapons to school, PERIOD!
If weapons are aloowed in school, then gangbangers will bring guns to school so they can defend themselves when rival gangs threaten each other. On top of it they will sue school administrators for taking their guns away.
He should be expelled and required to take anger management classes as well.
What punishment do you think the bullies should get?
The same, but more time
If you expect children to behave as adults, then you are pretty much expecting the impossible. As an adult, I can see this openly gay Negro for the pathetic bad example that he is, but I can still treat him with respect, not make fun of him, and not abuse him in any way. Children, on the other hand, will easily bow to mob mentality and torment him just because he is different. Most young people have not developed the maturity necessary to treat others with dignity and respect, especially when they are different. And some people never learn this. The solution is not to allow him to bring a stun-gun to school, but rather to work with school officials to determine the best and safest way to integrate this openly gay student into the school system. There are many factors to consider. It may not be safe at all. Anyway, I am not here to solve this problem; just wanted to make a few points.
Another crybaby homo who wants to parade his immoral lifestyle openly in front of the world BUT can't handle the fact that not everybody is going to support his lifestyle choice. Sorry but you can't go shooting off a stun-gun just because someone does not support your lifestyle. The fact is that REGARDLESS of anything.... people will infact being bullied for many reasons. I got bullied in school for not being part of the crowd, not drinking, not doing drugs or going to parties, not fitting in but SO WHAT I was my own man and GOD gave me the strength to deal with stuff that most people probably should have shot someone over in schools today. Stop hiding behind a woe is me, they are picking on me because your a homo excuse and crying about it. No that does not mean shooting off a stun gun just because you don't like what someone has to say about you. Gosh I get sick of the homos who expect the world to owe them something and if anyone does not support their twisted lifestyle then they cry like little children throwing a tantrum in a grocery store.
wow. bet that felt good ^^
He wasn't shooting a stun gun for lack of support. He was in fear for his life, dimbulb. Gay people shouldn't have to fear for their lives in public simply because they're gay.
Expulsion is the appropriate punishment, he shouldn't get credit for this year.
Oh great.... just what the world needs.... a bunch of homos running around with stun guns shooting at everybody that they happen to say they were in fear for their lives of. LOL. Yeah nice try nitwit, does that mean since I'm a Born Again Christian that I now get to carry a stun gun and use it whenever I might be in fear for my life when some nitwit happens to call me some fility name or threatens me? because of my choosen faith? The fact is that homos cry because the whole world does not cower to their filthy lifestyle choices and they can't handle that. I don't expect the world to support my Christian faith nor do I really care if the masses don't like me for it. I also don't expect to walk around with a stun gun the next time a person say's they want to kill me to my face.
@ The Dev. I agree fully !
@ Gauntlet, glad to see you're so loving and caring. Isn't that what Jesus taught?
@Steve@kansas. Exactly Steve and you do realize that Jesus spoke to the sinner and told them the truth to turn from sin out of love for them so they would hear the truth and not end up in hell ? To love someone is to tell them truth and the truth is not always warm and fuzzy so the person can go on living anyway they choose. Remember what Jesus said to the prostitute Steve ? He told her to go and sin no more, he didn't say it's OK, go on living how you want. Out of love, Jesus told her that she repented of sin now live for Christ and no longer in sin.
you are a hateful bible thumping hand mumbler. typical of course.
pray to the easter bunny or santa clause. you get the same results
A poster child for vouchers to one and all...set the "captive audience" free ASAP to get a real education wherever they find it. I also praise any kid who takes on his tormentors and makes them pay because the schools don't hold them responsible in any meaningful way...even if the kids have to resort to self-defense in any way they can...it is their right to do that especially if they feel their life is in danger...which often it is. teachers don't care and are just working towards summer off and pensions at 55...
I think the main party to blame in all this is the parents for naming their son Dynasty.
Ryan, I guess you didn't read the article - Dynasty is his nickname. His name is Darnell.
Then it's even worse that a male would want to willingly identify by such a feminine name.
Sorry but he abousluty brought this on him self, and if he wasnt too busy putting on his mothers clothes maybe he would have learned to defend himself instead of using a weapon like a pussy.
If he was "hitting" on other boys that's a sexual assault and getting his ass beat is self defense by those whom he "hit on".
Molesting, yes. Hitting on, no.
Hitting on someone if you don't want it is sexual harassment...it is an unwanted advance.
Any unwarranted sexual advance is an assault on a minor---
Gay or not--
if he was. was he? or is this just a figment of your imagination?
wah wah wah, this is what happens when you dress like a woman. sick kid
Homosexuality is not an illness, unless you're living in 1958.
It's like what liberals always say about problems America runs into abroad...
he brought it on himself.
Now we just have to see what kind of fruity outfits he was wearing that made even the school cop mention it to him as the reason he was picked on. Rest assured, it's not the hoodie he's wearing above in the picture.
Boys shouldn't be dressing and acting like girls at school. If they do, they'll get picked on. But, luckily, in that instance...they brought it on themselves.
BTW...guessing this is a heavily black school in Indianapolis, despite whiteys in picture above...blacks don't agree with Democrats on their perversion of homosexuality...but they keep voting against their own interests anyway. Remember, black folks, queer marriage was added to the Democratic Party platform for the first time this year...if you vote for them again, that will be the permanent party policy going forward.
Just checked the school website, and it's definitely a mostly black inner city school in Indy...even the soccer and golf team's are all black lol.
To back up the point....most blacks are not down with the gay perversion stuff...their kids aren't either.
lol, we should pay attention to an obvious homophobic bigot because..oh, that's right, we shouldn't.
Don't make me use your alternative nickname vermontguy.
We're going to get blacks voting Republican again slowly but surely by using the fact that you went against them on gay marriage.
Shame on your morals, sir! Shame on you! A pox upon you!
i hope you are not a fellow marine chesty. because if you are, you are a disgrace to the uniform.
a marine stands up and protects those who are weaker and cannot defend themselves.
MAN UP!! way too many sissy boys in 2012. Back in the year I graduated 2000 we would settle it on the street. Stun gun? what a punk why not a real gum!!
Keep these homosexuals away from society they only lower morale at best 7 complain when society won't treat them like the opposite-sex they THINK they are.
I'm certain that if some people laughed their a$$e$ off at him every time they saw him, instead of bullying him, he would have still sued the school. I'm fine, if you are gay. But, it doesn't really sound like he is gay. Sounds to me like he is a transsexual. Gays don't justify that they are gay, buy wearing womens clothes. Even screaming loud gays. If I saw him walking down the street with the clothes I envision him wearing, I'd just laugh unmercilessly. Ya, he has rights, but there is no law against lmao at him
Borderline transvestitism can happen in some gay people. Most transvestites are straight, though.
All are mentally disturbed...
We need to put a stop to the intolerance of these violent heterophobic hate crimes.
I agree... especially with all of the gays bringing stun guns to school!
If I had seen him pull a weapon on the other students in school, I would have shot shim.
Murder with aggravating circumstances (hate crime is included in the statute) carries the death penalty in Indiana.
It's not murder in that case, it's self defense.
I'm pretty sure I could put a bullet in his brain before he actually stunned someone to death in the process of his heterophobic hate crime.
Vern, it appears that you have nothing a value to contribute. Anywhere.
I changed schools so many times as a kid I don't even remember how many I ended up attending. Yes, I was bullied. Except bullying hadn't become the political term it is today in the media. And NO self-respecting boy would ever call his mother in for something like that. I never did