Plaintiff in Anoka-Hennepin Lawsuit Happier at Totino-Grace

One of the six plaintiffs who settled their lawsuit against the Anoka-Hennepin school district last week said, "It's done. I love school now and I feel safer in it. I've put everything behind me and I'm starting fresh," according to the Star Tribune.

Damian McGee-Backes told columnist Gail Rosenblum he left bullying behind in December when he transferred to in Fridley: 

"People knew I had two dads," he said, "and perceived I was gay because of that. But I wasn't." It wasn't just one bully. It was a group of students, most of them unknown to him. His friends were his saving grace, but they couldn't protect him all the time.

For more on the settlement with the district, which includes a small part of northwestern Fridley, see these Fridley Patch posts:

• More on Anoka-Hennepin schools