WAYNESBORO, PA - After weeks of controversy and three hours of debate the Waynesboro Area School District school board has voted to approve the Gay-Straight Alliance Club at  Waynesboro Area Senior High School.

The decision was made Tuesday night before dozens of members of the community who came out to voice their opinions on the club.

The school board voted six to three in favor of the club.

Five of the members who voted "Yes" cited the law as their reason why.

The American Civil Liberties Union had written a letter to the board saying based on the Equal Access Act of 1984 they had to approve the Gay-Straight Alliance.

The Equal Access Act states that if the school allows any non-curricular group whose purpose is not related to the school's curriculum that cannot deny that access to another group.

More than a dozen community members addressed the school board. The majority of them were against the club's formation. 

Many community members who spoke against the club cited moral and religious reasons among their concerns. 

Those who spoke in favor of the club argued that it would promote tolerance and acceptance of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities.

"I've been a subject to a lot of taunting throughout my years of high school because of the way I dress and the way I act," said Waynesboro Area High School Junior Michael Garrett. "It's hurtful and I think it's important to try and minimize that."

"I understand the, per se, bullying that they may experience, which I do not agree with," said Waynesboro resident Amos Miller. "But whenever they come into the school system and have a club now they are permitted to hand out materials and recruit people and it's an awful young age."

People against the club also expressed concerns the club would try to promote the GSA's national agenda.

The Gay-Straight Alliance says its purpose is to make a tolerant, friendly and safe environment for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities.