The American Civil Liberties Union is suing Corona del Mar High School officials for allegedly fostering a "sexist" and "homophobic" atmosphere.
The suit was filed Wednesday, more than a month after controversy erupted over the school's reported cancellation -- then rescheduling -- of a production of "Rent."
While the complaint cites the show's brief cancellation as one example, much of it focuses on the aftermath of a Facebook video posted in January in which three Corona del Mar football players threatened to rape and kill a female classmate and used slurs to describe homosexuals, the Los Angeles Times reported.
The video was posted on the online profile of a fourth student, who reportedly threatened the young woman at school, according to The Times. The video has since been removed.
School officials, according to the ACLU, did little to punish the boys or protect the young woman, even after her parents repeatedly expressed concerns about her safety, The Times reported.
"School and district officials, through their action and inaction, have not only failed to take steps to address this hostile environment, but they have contributed to it and given sanction to it," according to the 36-page complaint filed in Orange County Superior Court and cited by The Times.
The Newport-Mesa Unified School District said in a statement that it began "attempting to resolve this matter" after the ACLU contacted officials last week.
