Virginity Rocks T-Shirt Stirs Debate at School

Posted by Ban Shirts

May 9, 2008

The Rutherford Institute is charging schools in Albermale and Charlottesville City for violating students rights. Students wore pro-abstinence messages to school but told by authorities that they were not allowed to wear them and to turn them inside-out.

The questionable t-shirts had the phrase ‘virginity rocks’ in bold black letters right across the front. However, it has been up for debate whether or not the students were actually told to stop wearing the shirts. In response to accusations of student rights violations the following statement was issued:

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STATEMENT ISSUED BY ALBEMARLE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN RESPONSE TO THE RUTHERFORD INSTITUTE PRESS RELEASE ALLEGING CENSURESHIP REGARDING T-SHIRTS

Albemarle County Public Schools vigorously denies the allegations raised by The Rutherford Institute today in its press release and e-mailed letter to the Albemarle School Superintendent regarding an alleged warning by school officials “to cease wearing t-shirts to school that proclaim an abstinence message.” This denial comes after an investigation by the Division into the circumstances surrounding the alleged incident.

As revealed by the Division’s investigation, Albemarle High School students were never told “to change their t-shirts or turn them inside out.” According to school officials familiar with the situation, in April, several Albemarle High School students wearing “Virginity Rocks” t-shirts asked the principal if it was permissible for them to wear the shirts, to which he responded that it was. There was no request by the principal for the shirts to be removed or turned inside out, and no administrative action was taken at that time or subsequently.

Albemarle County Public Schools understands and strongly supports the First Amendment rights of its students. It regrets that The Rutherford Institute did not contact the school or division administration about its concerns until this morning, and that no conversation occurred prior to the news release being issued.

“I appreciate the opportunity to share the full facts of this situation, and can assure our students and their parents that Albemarle County Public Schools works very hard to protect all the rights of our students, including free expression, as we strive to provide a positive and productive learning environment.” , said Albemarle School Superintendent Pam Moran in discussing the incident.

Lee P. Catlin - Community Relations Director

via: NBC29

T-Shirts Banned at Schools