Ohio School LGBTQ+ Poster Dispute: Teacher Sues Board, Depositions Unveil Bias

A Little Miami School Board member's sole complaint about an LGBTQ+ poster led to a teacher's First Amendment lawsuit. Depositions reveal the board member's bias, claiming privacy and 'garbage' concerns, while the teacher defends free speech against disruption accusations.

Hereafter occurrence, Harleman claimed absolutely nothing was raised regarding the poster or any other display-related problem up until months later in January 2026. Wallace said this delay was as a result of the November 2025 political election.

Harmeet Dhillon, assistant attorney general of the United States for Civil Rights, talks with press reporters after former Chief law officer Pam Bondi sat for a Home Oversight and Federal government Reform Board deposition concerning the Jeffrey Epstein documents, in Rayburn structure on Friday, Might 29, 2026.

Board Member Wallace’s Accusations

Wallace said in his deposition he had heard grievances “from a couple of moms and dads.” He called only one individual who complained: Silas Shelton, a neighborhood previous pastor that begged guilty to multiple counts of sex-related conduct including a small in April. He was lately sentenced to 15 years behind bars and called for to register as a sex offender.

“This does not have to do with the homosexuality,” he later on said. “I guess these youngsters are so inundated with all this garbage, and I believe moms and dads need to be aware of what is being presented to them in the classrooms each day.”.

“I think he was the one that brought it to my attention … probably shortly after I got elected, otherwise during the campaign prior to I was elected,” Wallace stated at the start of his deposition. At the end of the deposition, nevertheless, he said that “it may have not been [Shelton]”.

Teacher George McIntyre Files Lawsuit

Last February, the Little Miami Institution Board in country Cincinnati purchased a social research studies teacher to remove a “Hate Has No Home Here” poster due to the fact that it included photos of LGBTQ+ and trans Satisfaction flags, together with various other flags. In reaction, the Little Miami Senior high school educator George McIntyre filed a claim against the area for breaking his First Amendment civil liberties.

The institution management was stressed over an offense of pupils’ personal privacy if Wallace photographed a pupil whose parents requested to not remain in any released picture or video clip. Harleman additionally claimed Wallace’s actions was a “security threat.”.

Wallace likewise said he had troubles with various other displays in the college area, yet the only ones he ever before whined regarding were, in his view, associated to the LGBTQ+ area.

The Buckeye Fire is a newsroom devoted to magnifying the voices of LGBTQ+ Ohioans to sustain neighborhood and public empowerment through the production of engaging web content that narrates their victories, struggles and lived experiences.

Depositions Challenge Wallace’s Claims

McIntyre, the high school principal and institution superintendent, each stated in their depositions that they had never gotten an issue concerning the “Hate Has No Home right here” poster– which had actually been up for numerous years– before College Board Head of state David Wallace’s first year on the board, and that Wallace was the only person ever before to record an issue regarding the poster.

Depositions from the board president, superintendent, high school principal, and an affidavit from a previous educator not only indicate how the debate began, but likewise to how the search for LGBTQ+ “ideological background” has actually disrupted discovering atmospheres and might endanger trainees.

“I believe he was the one that brought it to my focus … probably soon after I got elected, if not throughout the project prior to I was chosen,” Wallace claimed at the beginning of his deposition. Wallace additionally stated he had issues with other display screens in the school area, however the only ones he ever grumbled about were, in his view, associated to the LGBTQ+ area. Harleman did not understand when Wallace would certainly show up, he claimed. Wallace briefly waited for Harleman prior to performing the walkthrough. Wallace then went to McIntyre’s class on his own and took photos while he was in the classroom.

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Wallace’s Unannounced School Inspection

Wallace first observed the poster in September 2025 while seeing Little Miami Senior high school as a board participant, he claimed. The superintendent and secondary school principal both recounted Wallace’s actions during a check out in Loss 2025.

Harleman did not know when Wallace would certainly appear, he claimed. Wallace briefly waited for Harleman prior to performing the walkthrough. Wallace then went to McIntyre’s class on his very own and took pictures while he was in the class.

First Amendment Rights in the Classroom

The situation basically depends upon whether McIntyre was within his First Amendment civil liberties to have the poster up in his classroom. McIntyre’s attorney, Joshua Engel, wrote in the activity that the depositions reveal McIntyre’s poster was him talking as a resident– not as a public worker representing the area– and it did not disrupt his course.

According to the institution’s principal, Kevin Harleman, Wallace went to the senior high school to “perform a building walk-through” after hours. He notified Harleman and Superintendent Regina Morgan of his browse through, and claimed he would certainly “not need any help.”.

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Morgan told Wallace that they would certainly “adhere to the guest procedure today at check-in” and Harleman would escort him. Wallace responded that he wouldn’t need a companion, and appeared unannounced at the college.