God Knows All, Even Your Grades?

By: Katy Benoit and Allison Jenkins

Jonathan Lopez, an “A” student in the Los Angeles Community College District was verbally assaulted by his teacher in his public speaking class after making a speech on his Christian beliefs. His teacher assigned the class to create a speech on any topic, yet when he voiced his Christian opinion on heterosexual marriage being the correct relationship as opposed to a homosexual relationship, his teacher refused to let him finish. The teacher then addressed the class and asked that if anyone was offended, to leave. No one left. The teacher then dismissed the class. When Jonathan received his evaluation report, his teacher, who remains nameless to the news, wrote “Ask God what your grade is.”

This then provoked Jonathan to bring his case to the lower court where a preliminary injunction against the school saying its speech code “allowing administrators to punish Lopez’s speech” is unconstitutional, going against free-speech. Lopez is bringing his case to the 9^th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

There is no actual copy of the speech Lopez gave to his public speech class, which likely means that the testimony of other students will prove key to the success of his lawsuit.

“Colleges are supposed to be safe for free speech and the discussion of many ideas. What has happened to me is an assault on my constitutional rights,” said Lopez in a statement. “A victory in this case will guarantee that every student who attends the school now and in the future is allowed to freely express their beliefs, religious or otherwise, without fear.”