They wanted to talk about their experiences, how to tackle anti-LGBT bullying and how to prevent suicides. They wanted to create a safe space to express themselves.
So, in 1995, a group of students at Salt Lake City’s East High School filled out an application to start a new club: a gay-straight alliance.
They ended up setting off a five-year fight that involved administrators, state lawmakers, national conservative leaders, a slate of attorneys and two lawsuits.
“It’s funny looking back now,” said Leah Farrell, who was one of the student plaintiffs on the case. “Of course at that time, I didn’t have the perspective to see what a big landmark it would be.