Two Hollidaysburg Area School District teachers are suing the district and multiple administrators, alleging civil rights violations and discrimination against members of the LGBTQ community following the adoption of a controversial display policy.

The plaintiffs, choosing to proceed anonymously and being referred to as “Jane Doe” — a lesbian woman who has been a teacher in the district for almost 16 years — and “Jane Roe” — a lesbian woman who has been a teacher in the district for nearly 10 years — filed the proposed class action lawsuit in district court Tuesday. If the court approves the class action, any teacher or employee who has experienced similar treatment alleged in the suit can join in the complaint.

The lawsuit names the defendants as the district, Superintendent Curtis Whitesel, junior high Principal Dale McCall and Title IX coordinator Benjamin Caldwell. Whitesel, McCall and Caldwell are being sued in their individual and official capacities.

According to the lawsuit, the school board unanimously voted in October 2025 to adopt Policy 321.1, which prohibits “any flag, banner poster, sign, sticker, pin, button … or other similar material that advocates concerning … sexual orientation or gender identity,” among other guidelines. The suit calls the policy “blatantly homophobic” and a “functional equivalent of what is referred to as a ‘Don’t Say Gay’ prohibition.”

In the months prior to the policy’s adoption, district administrators, including Whitesel and McCall, were alleged to be visiting district buildings and enforcing the policy in individual classrooms.

Whitesel allegedly held an official in-service training for district teachers and administrators following the adoption, instructing them that any materials in their classrooms referencing gender identity or sexual orientation would be removed.

Among the items removed from their classrooms and prohibited were a sign with the phrase “Diversive, Inclusive, Accepting, Welcome Safe Space For Everyone” and a decal stating “You Are in the 100%, Be Kind, Be Inclusive” as both contained rainbow colors. They also allegedly banned a sign featuring the mathematical pi sign because the symbol was rainbow-colored.

The lawsuit alleges that McCall also removed a state Department of Education poster describing the protected classes of individuals based on non-discriminatory policies from Jane Doe’s classroom because “it mentions gender identity.”

The plaintiffs claim teachers have also been prohibited from using various books in lessons, as they have contained a reference to gender identity or a perceived LGBTQ+ character. Jane Roe was allegedly not allowed to teach “They Called Us Enemy” by George Takei because of “the political climate including with respect to LGBTQ+ individuals.”

The suit also references recent board meetings in which certain members expressed displeasure with a certain book in the library list due to an alleged mention of sexual orientation, resulting in it being removed from the district’s collection.

The plaintiffs point out a perceived disparity in enforcement of the policy, as the district seemingly permits religious displays and signs scattered throughout the district in violation of the policy. A sign in the assistant principal’s office refers to Jesus as “the Lord” and another in a different classroom states “As long as teachers give tests, there will be prayer in schools.”

The lawsuit claims teachers are also allowed to wear religious jewelry and clothing in their classrooms, including the Star of David and crosses, as exempted in Policy 321.1. The district also allegedly permits Christian and religious groups to meet without any disclaimer stating that the district does not endorse certain religious beliefs over others.

These patterns, the suit alleges, show the district “continues to enforce the Policy against members of the LGBTQ+ community by disallowing rainbows … but at the same time allowing religious symbols that are similarly in violation of the policy.”

When the plaintiffs filed internal Title IX complaints with Caldwell to avoid potential litigation, they were allegedly told the district found no violation of Title VII of the Civil Right Act or Title IX of the Education Amendments. Upon appeal, the district reaffirmed its determination.

The plaintiffs are seeking a jury trial and requesting in excess of $150,000 each in damages and coverage for legal fees. They also request the district be required to conduct Title IX training districtwide and that all employees within the district be required to undergo LGBTQ+ sensitivity training.

The defendants in the case — the district, Whitesel, McCall and Caldwell have not yet responded to the litigation.