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03/22/2007
Yet another student fights to don anti-gay apparel
A pair of Naperville, IL, high school students (represented by the uber-gay-unfriendly Alliance Defense Fund) are suing their school district because one of them was prevented from wearing an anti-gay T-shirt in the classroom.
Oh, here we go again...
The shirt, reading "MY DAY OF SILENCE, STRAIGHT ALLIANCE" on the front and "BE HAPPY, NOT GAY" on the back, was worn by the student in protest of the annual Day of Silence event, when participating students pledge a vow of silence to protest the homophobia that is still all-too-prevalent in the nation's schools. However, according to the lawsuit, administrators blacked out the "Not Gay" part and discouraged the gay-unfriendly message, which the suit claims violated the students rights of free speech (because she couldn't wear her message) and equal protection (because she wasn't allowed to express her "viewpoint" in the same way as the pro-gay equality students).
::sigh:: When are these kids (or more likely, their parents) gonna realize that "We all deserve equality and respect" and "No, you over there do not" are simply not equal viewpoints?! And that divisive tees are not the same as inclusive ones?! And that Paris Hilton is non-deserving of celebrity worship!?
Okay, so that last one we just threw in. But seriously -- stop fighting "the bad fight," teenaged pals! You don't have to be crazy excited about two dudes or chicas kissing. But take the time to look at the world around you and gather information about gay lives that you may have never had presented to you by those around you. You may be surprised to find that we are not exactly the evil folks that you've possibly been told that we are!
Suit says Neuqua shows gay bias [Daily Herald]
Your thoughts
Of course, if someone started wearing a tee shirt slamming the 'Christianist" church, the ADF wouldn't be rushing forward to defend THAT student's constitutional rights. And yet, if these students win, that is exactly what I hope will happen - that students wear shirts expressing "contrasting" viewpoints of other student's religious beliefs. . .and their clothing. . .and their expression. . .and their lefthandedness. . .and the people they date.
The contradiction to me is in the student's message - where does the ADF get off claiming this is a "Christian" message? And isn't the ADF most arrogant about attempting to deny legal recognition of gay citizens because those people believe they ARE happy? So the students whole "christian" message is HIS belief that gay people aren't happy unless they become "straight" and that "contrasts" with the self-affirming identity of the people who are gay and happy?
Whew. . .talk about attempts to control others. How about some tee shirts that say Anti-conservative Christian alliance - and then "Be Happy - not "Christian".
Posted by: Kevin | Mar 22, 2007 11:45:33 AM
*shrugs* The kid wanted to show off that she was straight. To me, this seems to be highly pointless, and more than a little insecure, but if she wants to make that declaration, what's the big deal?
Yes, I believe in freedom of speech. And yes, I think that *should* include being allowed to tell believers they're deluded to follow bronze-aged texts as if it was faxed from heaven.
The ideal world: one where kids can act as childishly as this one without hurting anyone else - a world where the social climate is such that one disapproving face in the crowd just *won't matter*. And, perhaps more importantly, a world where that kid won't have grown up in such a prejudiced environment that he felt his insecure declaration necessary.
Because, honestly - who cares if you're gay or straight?
Posted by: Anon | Mar 22, 2007 3:23:52 PM
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