Fannin County parent Stephanie Ensley told WSB-2 she was against any kind of sexual orientation-themed groups in high schools.

"This is no hate. Whether you're gay, straight or bi, we shouldn't have sexual orientation clubs at our school," Ensley said.

Additionally, a student at Fannin Co. High named Emily Deal started a Change.org petition entitled: "Don't let homosexuality be pushed on students in Fannin County." That online petition has received more than 1,200 signatures according to WSB-2.

Deal reports being bullied for her position, saying: "Nobody will talk to me now. Only my friends are by my side, but some have turned against me because of it."

The principle of Fannin Co. High says he's not against the formation of the club, but couldn't approve it's creation for this year, as current school guidelines require new clubs to start at the beginning of the school year.

Rice emphasized that the purpose of the club is to create a voluntary safe space where people can talk and spread love. "There shouldn't be any bullying," Rice said. "People should just come together and love people for who they are."

A recent report from Atlanta news site AJC, titled "Gay students feel safer where gay-straight alliances exist,"
shows the positive effects of Gay-Straight Alliances in schools. students are' target='_blank'> 52 percent less likely to hear homophobic remarks, 36 percent less likely to be fearful for their personal safety and 30 percent less likely to experience homophobic victimization.
Watch the local news coverage of this story below.