Case: Shelton v. Anoka-Hennepin Sch. Dist.

0:11-cv-00215 | U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota

Filed Date: Jan. 28, 2011

Closed Date: 2011

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

On January 28, 2011, two high school seniors who were in a lesbian relationship filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 against their school district. The plaintiffs, represented by private counsel and the Southern Poverty Law Center and the National Center for Lesbian Rights, asked the court for injunctive relief claiming that the school had violated the plaintiffs' rights to freedom of expression and equal protection under the …

On January 28, 2011, two high school seniors who were in a lesbian relationship filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 against their school district. The plaintiffs, represented by private counsel and the Southern Poverty Law Center and the National Center for Lesbian Rights, asked the court for injunctive relief claiming that the school had violated the plaintiffs' rights to freedom of expression and equal protection under the First and Fourteenth Amendments. Specifically, the plaintiffs claimed that the school had canceled a festival procession because the two girls had planned to walk in as a couple.

The plaintiffs were elected to Royalty Court and announced their intention to walk together in the processional as a couple. Historically, when members of Royalty Court have been permitted to choose their processional partner and when a male student and female student in a relationship have both been elected to Royalty Court, they have been permitted to walk together. Plaintiffs were told that they could not walk together as a couple and that the school was going to cancel the processional.

The case was settled on January 31, 2001 with an agreement that allowed the plaintiffs to walk in the procession together. The District Court (Judge Susan Richard Nelson) dismissed the case after plaintiffs filed a voluntary notice of dismissal on January 31, 2011.

Summary Authors

Patrick Branson (9/24/2014)

People


Judge(s)

Mayeron, Janie S. (Minnesota)

Nelson, Susan Richard (Minnesota)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Chow, Emily E (Minnesota)

Dolan, Christopher H. (Minnesota)

Ponto, Michael A. (Minnesota)

Judge(s)

Mayeron, Janie S. (Minnesota)

Nelson, Susan Richard (Minnesota)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document

0:11-cv-00215

Docket [PACER]

Shelton v. Anoka-Hennepin School District

Jan. 31, 2011

Jan. 31, 2011

Docket
1

0:11-cv-00215

Complaint

Shelton v. Anoka-Hennepin School District

Jan. 28, 2011

Jan. 28, 2011

Complaint

Resources

Docket

Last updated Feb. 18, 2024, 3:16 a.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

COMPLAINT against Anoka−Hennepin School District, Dennis Carlson, Champlin Park High School, Michael George ( Filing fee $ 350 receipt number 4051822.) assigned to Judge Susan R Nelson per Civil Rights list referred to Magistrate Judge Janie S Mayeron, filed by Desiree Shelton, Sarah Lindstrom. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit(s) A, # 2 Civil Cover Sheet) (LPH) (Entered: 01/28/2011)

Jan. 28, 2011

Jan. 28, 2011

2

MOTION for Temporary Restraining Order by Sarah Lindstrom, Desiree Shelton. (LPH) (Entered: 01/28/2011)

Jan. 28, 2011

Jan. 28, 2011

3

MEMORANDUM in Support re 2 MOTION for Temporary Restraining Order filed by Sarah Lindstrom, Desiree Shelton. (Attachments: # 1 LR7.1 Word Count Compliance Certificate)(LPH) (Entered: 01/28/2011)

Jan. 28, 2011

Jan. 28, 2011

4

AFFIDAVIT of Sarah Lindstrom in SUPPORT OF 2 MOTION for Temporary Restraining Order filed by Sarah Lindstrom, Desiree Shelton. (LPH) (Entered: 01/28/2011)

Jan. 28, 2011

Jan. 28, 2011

5

AFFIDAVIT of Desiree Shelton in SUPPORT OF 2 MOTION for Temporary Restraining Order filed by Sarah Lindstrom, Desiree Shelton. (LPH) (Entered:

Jan. 28, 2011

Jan. 28, 2011

6

Minute Entry for proceedings held before Judge Susan Richard Nelson: Settlement Conference held on 1/29/2011. Settlement reached. (bcr) (Entered: 01/31/2011)

Jan. 31, 2011

Jan. 31, 2011

7

NOTICE of Voluntary Dismissal by Sarah Lindstrom, Desiree Shelton (Attachments: # 1 Certificate of Service)(Ponto, Michael) (Entered: 01/31/2011)

Jan. 31, 2011

Jan. 31, 2011

8

ORDER DISMISSING CASE. Signed by Judge Susan Richard Nelson on 01/31/2011. (jmf) (Entered: 01/31/2011)

Jan. 31, 2011

Jan. 31, 2011

Case Details

State / Territory: Minnesota

Case Type(s):

Education

Special Collection(s):

Multi-LexSum (in sample)

Key Dates

Filing Date: Jan. 28, 2011

Closing Date: 2011

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Two 18-year old female students who identify as a lesbian couple.

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

Attorney Organizations:

National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR)

Southern Poverty Law Center

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

Anoka−Hennepin School District, School District

Defendant Type(s):

Elementary/Secondary School

Case Details

Causes of Action:

42 U.S.C. § 1983

State law

Constitutional Clause(s):

Freedom of speech/association

Equal Protection

Available Documents:

Trial Court Docket

Complaint (any)

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Plaintiff

Nature of Relief:

Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement

Source of Relief:

Settlement

Form of Settlement:

Voluntary Dismissal

Content of Injunction:

Implement complaint/dispute resolution process

Issues

LGBTQ+:

LGBTQ+

Discrimination-basis:

Sexual orientation

Affected Sex or Gender:

Female