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Kevin and Darren live in Portland Oregon and are a gay, committed couple. We believe in life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness for all...regardless of sexual orientation, gender, race, nationality, financial status, and being. Erase man-made borders and "they" become "we". New Site: HERE.Thursday, September 16
Federal Judge Hears Battle Over Anti-Gay T-Shirt
[TheSanDiegoChannel.com]
free speech battle at Poway High School goes before a federal judge today, 10News reported. The federal suit said sophomore Chase Harper, 16, was suspended for expressing his "sincerely held religious beliefs," 10News reported.
Harper wore the shirt during and after the April 21 "Day of Silence," a national event held on high school and college campuses to protest discrimination against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender students. The T-shirt had the words, "I Will Not Accept What God Has Condemned" hand-written on the front and "Homosexuality is Shameful" on the back.
When Harper wore a similar shirt the next day, a teacher told him he was violating the school dress code and must remove the shirt or go to the office.
The suit contends the school's assistant principal said the shirt violated the code because it had homemade printing and was inflammatory. Harper was suspended after refusing to remove it.
But, according to 10News, other local school districts have similar policies regarding dress. For example, Sweetwater Union's dress and grooming policy states "clothing must not present ... a distraction which interferes with the education process." It goes on to say "no student shall ... wear clothing ... which express or advocate racial, ethnic, or religious prejudice."
Harper is suing for $25,000 in damage, claiming the school violated his freedom of speech.
LINK
free speech battle at Poway High School goes before a federal judge today, 10News reported. The federal suit said sophomore Chase Harper, 16, was suspended for expressing his "sincerely held religious beliefs," 10News reported.
Harper wore the shirt during and after the April 21 "Day of Silence," a national event held on high school and college campuses to protest discrimination against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender students. The T-shirt had the words, "I Will Not Accept What God Has Condemned" hand-written on the front and "Homosexuality is Shameful" on the back.
When Harper wore a similar shirt the next day, a teacher told him he was violating the school dress code and must remove the shirt or go to the office.
The suit contends the school's assistant principal said the shirt violated the code because it had homemade printing and was inflammatory. Harper was suspended after refusing to remove it.
But, according to 10News, other local school districts have similar policies regarding dress. For example, Sweetwater Union's dress and grooming policy states "clothing must not present ... a distraction which interferes with the education process." It goes on to say "no student shall ... wear clothing ... which express or advocate racial, ethnic, or religious prejudice."
Harper is suing for $25,000 in damage, claiming the school violated his freedom of speech.
LINK
posted by jikido # 10:33 AM 
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