Student sues over Anti-Homosexual Tee Shirt

Posted by Ban Shirts

August 17, 2007

A student recently sued his high school stating that his first amendment rights were violated when he was asked to remove the tee shirt. Tyler Harper wore a tee shirt that on the front read, “Be Ashamed, Our School Embraced What God Has Condemned,”

And on the back it read, “Homosexuality is Shameful.” He wore the tee shirt in response to a speech that was given by the pro gay rights group that is in his school. An assistant principal perceived the tee shirt to be inflammatory to the gay students in the school and could possibly lead to protests and violence. The assistant principal cited an incident from the year before where fights broke out after an anti homosexual speech was given. The assistant principal discussed with Harper alternative ways to get his message out, and advised him that when he removed his shirt, he could return to class. He refused, and the Principal was called.

The principal also explained to Tyler Harper that his tee shirt could incite confrontation and possibly violence against him and asked him to remove the shirt. Harper still refused. When Tyler Harper demanded that the principal suspend him from school, and was refused. The principal kept Tyler Harper in the office of the school for the entire school day. This was done to protect him from harm. arper sued the school and lost the case. The court ruled that the school was working in the best interest of the child.

Read more about the Ban on Anti-Homosexual T-Shirts at school

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