Court says student can wear anti-gay T-shirt

[rpannier]

CHICAGO (AP) -- A federal appeals court says a suburban Chicago student can wear a "Be Happy, Not Gay" T-shirt at his high school.

The decision overturns a lower court's ruling that sided with the Naperville school's move to ban the anti-gay shirt. The school argued the shirt's message is derogatory and could disrupt education.


There were two responses of merit at QCONLINE when I read the article -- One very funny, one sadly typical and pathetic

From Ed: Now, I can wear my "Be Cool, Not Christian" t-shirt.

From troy (moran): ...It makes you wonder just how deeply entreanched and how pervasive the gay agenda really is when this can happen.

link:
http://qconline.com/archives/qco/display.php?id=384029&comment_sub=done#comments

[tkmorris]

1. It's free speech

I despise the shirt, but we have been seeing a great deal of encroachment on students especially when it comes to their right to express themselves. As long as there is consistency in ruling allowing both liberals and cretins to say what they will, I am in favor.

[rpannier]

3. I agree with the ruling

I just like Ed's response.

More free speech is always the best answer

[tavalon]

5. I really hate that this shirt exists and that anyone is proud to wear it

That said, with a heavy heart, I think the right decision was made.

[MadHound]

2. Agree with the ruling, disagree with the shirt

The kid should have the right to wear the shirt, even though it does show his intolerance. Perhaps the local Gay/Straight Alliance can use this as a jumping off point to talk about intolerance.

But I'd rather the court come down on the side of free speech than not. After all, it reinforces our freedom of speech also.

[rpannier]

4. As I mentioned to the other poster

I agree with the ruling...
I just happen to like Ed's response.

The best solution is more free speech, not less.

We protect the rights of people who say things we hate to protect our own rights and the rights of everyone else.

[tavalon]

6. Yes, Ed's response is a good one

One meant to spark thoughtful debate.

[malaise]

7. 100% correct n/t

[BR_Parkway]

19. Plus, I'd rather know that the guy hates me for being gay right up front

I'm all about free speech - especially when it so loudly labels people like this.

[readmoreoften]

8. So wait... can girls wear tank tops then?

Are all slogans permissible or just this one? Why is it that controversial conservative speech is always protected, but kids with pink hair and left politics are consistently 'too distracting.'

[Clark2008]

10. I guess they could, but it's kind of tacky.

;)

[MadHound]

11. I don't about where you're at,

But here in Mid Missouri, kids with pink hair and left politics have been able to wear their hair and their politics out in the open for nearly forty years:shrug: Yes, they had to take a case to court in '69, but there hasn't been a problem since.

[Echo In Light]

12. Funny, er, um, REVEALING, isn't it, the way such decisions tend to lean?

...ever rightward, the Amurikan way. Fuckin' idiots, anyway.

[Echo In Light]

9. Wanna bet that the goon wearing this shirt also wears "Hooters" shirt?

Unfortunately this also paves the way for a t-shirt message war that could easily lead to disruptions, division, hard feelings, and ultimately violence ... or maybe that's what needs to happen as a way of sending a message? How about a Republicon = Hateful, Intolerant Moron shirt, or a Be Cool, Not Authoritarian shirt?

[Tesha]

13. Well of course they can wear it! What part of "free speech" don't you understand? (NT)

[Echo In Light]

15. Absolutely. If supporting free speech means anything, it means supporting views you find offensive

From a Google search:

High School Tells Student to Remove Antiwar Shirt17 for wearing a T-shirt with a picture of President Bush and the words ... Bretton Barber with the T-shirt his high school told him to remove. ...
www.commondreams.org/headlines03/0226-04.htm - 15k - Cached - Similar pages

firstamendmentcenter.org: newsA couple arrested for wearing anti-Bush T-shirts to the president's July 4 ... Nicole and Jeff Rank were removed from the event in handcuffs after revealing ...
www.firstamendmentcenter.org/news.aspx?id=14041 - 24k - Cached - Similar pages

Aussie Man Wearing Anti-Bush T-Shirt Not Allowed To Board FlightDec 14, 2006 ... Aussie Man Wearing Anti-Bush T-Shirt Not Allowed To Board Flight ... unless he removed the T-shirt titled "World's #1 Terrorist" with a ...
www.wayodd.com/aussie-man-wearing-anti-bush-t-shirt-not-allowed-to-board-flight/v/5954/ - 22k - Cached - Similar pages

American Civil Liberties Union : Secret Service and White House ...Sep 14, 2004 ... ""The Ranks were ejected for wearing t-shirts expressing a dissenting opinion while other attendees wearing Bush campaign t-shirts and ...
www.aclu.org/freespeech/protest/11462prs20040914.html - 28k - Cached - Similar pages

ABC News: Feds Pay $80000 Over Anti-Bush T-ShirtsJeff, left, and Nicole Rank, the couple arrested after wearing anti-Bush shirts at the president's July Fourth speech at the West Virginia State Capitol, ...
abcnews.go.com/TheLaw/wireStory?id=3489979 - Similar pages

BBC NEWS | Asia-Pacific | Flight ban for anti-Bush T-shirtJan 22, 2007 ... A man wearing a T-shirt depicting President Bush as a terrorist is ... At that point, Mr Jasson was ordered to remove the T-shirt after ...
news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6285971.stm - 35k - Cached - Similar pages

Man Wearing Anti-Bush Shirt Prevented from FlyingDec 14, 2006 ... Man Wearing Anti-Bush Shirt Prevented from Flying ... a connecting flight within Australia unless he removed the t-shirt titled "World's #1 ...
www.shortnews.com/start.cfm?id=58981 - 115k - Cached - Similar pages

» Wanna Make Some Money? Wear Anti-Bush T-Shirt At Bush Speech ...Wear Anti-Bush T-Shirt At Bush Speech. Published on August 17th, 2007 ... and removed from the July 4, 2004, rally at the state Capitol, where Bush gave a ...
www.dvorak.org/blog/?p=13235 - 75k - Cached - Similar pages

Banned for a George Bush T-shirt | NEWS.com.auDec 14, 2006 ... flight unless he removed a T-shirt depicting George Bush as the world's ... 'You are not wearing that'," Mr Jasson, 55, said yesterday. ...
www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,20925632-38200,00.html - Similar pages

Arrested For Wearing Anti-Bush T-shirts - rhythmismwearing anti-Bush shirts. Is there some law that says only Bush supporters can ... Nicole and Jeff Rank of Corpus Christi, Texas, were removed from the ...
www.rhythmism.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-8572.html - 29k - Cached - Similar pages

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=removed+wearing+anti+Bush+shirt

Free speech?

[MiniMe]

14. But they would probable uphold the ban if it was an anti-Bush message

[Echo In Light]

17. See my post, #15

[HughBeaumont]

16. I say let him wear that shirt.

Makes it easier to tell who the douches are among us.

Like some guy who wears a REAGAN shirt, complete with an illustrated headshot of St Ronnie.

Be PROUD of your dickishness. Say it loud, say it PROUD!!!

[Tesha]

18. That's a very sensible attitude.

It's not unlike the Wastickas and Confederate Battle Flags on cars.

Tesha

[Echo In Light]

20. "America...Fuck Yeah!"

[HughBeaumont]

29. Which we still see TONS of. In NORTHERN Ohio.

I don't want to imagine what it's like in the southern parts of this state. Sheesh.

I mean, who is PROUD to still sport a Bewsh sticker on their car? WHO?

[Elspeth]

21. But if you wear an anti-Bush T-shirt, you can be arrested

Insane. Just insane.

[Mad_Dem_X]

24. Exactly! Okay to bash gays, but not *

Unbefuckinglievable.

[Laughing Mirror]

22. "Be Happy, Be Gay"

Print up t-shirts saying this and see how many people start wearing them around.

Free speech does not end at the word not.

[spoony]

23. I think schools have the right to ban disruptive attire

Particularly that which takes aim at groups of people.

[Mad_Dem_X]

25. I completely agree.

And that shirt definitely qualifies as disruptive.

[B3Nut]

26. I despise what his shirt says

but I will defend to the death his right to declare to the world that he's a fucking idiot. Apologies to Voltaire and all that.

[RedCappedBandit]

27. Since when do public school students have rights in school?

This is bullshit hypocrisy. I agree that students should be allowed to wear what they want, but only if that is the case ALL of the time, not just when it is discrimination.

[Fumesucker]

28. What if the shirt had just a pot leaf on it?

I bet that would be banned..