This is TOTAL bullshit, IMO: A school suspension over a Lesbian t-shirt???

[Hepburn]

Lesbian student threatened with suspension over t-shirt

Student told to cover up lesbian T-shirt

Student: Virginia High School Asked Her to Cover Up Lesbian-Themed Shirt

A lesbian high school student says she was asked by a teacher to cover up a lesbian-themed T-shirt or face suspension, and now a civil liberties group has taken up her cause.

Bethany Laccone, 17, said she was asked to cloak a logo of two interlocked female symbols while attending a hotel management class this month at I.C. Norcom High School in Portsmouth. She's a senior at nearby Woodrow Wilson High School, where she has not faced a similar ultimatum.

...

According to the ACLU, administrators later told Laccone's father the shirt had upset a conservative instructor and interfered with her ability to teach.

http://pageoneq.com/news/2007/Lesbian_student_threatend_with_suspension_over__1221.html

Sooooo....if a student takes pride in something he or she is....that is grounds for suspension because some asshole RW jerk-off who is paid with tax dollars is offended? GMABF! If this interferes with this idiot's ability to teach, then my suggestion to this total idiot is: GET A DIFFERENT JOB ~~ YOU SHOULD NOT BE TEACHING TEEN-AGERS BECAUSE THEY TEND TO DO THINGS THAT ADULTS DO DIFFERENTLY. Duh......:eyes:

I used to be a teacher many, many years ago and I taught Continuation HS where they sent students that offended the teachers in regular high schools. The ONLY thing that ever interfered with my ability to teach was when there were gang wars on campus or we were raided by the cops. GMAFB....a fucking t-shirt interferes with the ABILITY to teach!?!?!?!? Who the hell is she kidding!

JMHO

[knitter4democracy]

1. I used to teach, too, and there's no way a t-shirt would keep me from teaching.

Kids try to shock, and you just get used to seeing all sorts of stuff. If you can't handle it, don't teach.

[tbyg52]

2. Message to instructor - get over it

Message to school admins - what are you thinking? *Are* you....?

[MindPilot]

3. I guess times have changed.

My recollection of high school was if you showed up in t-shirt, even a blank one, you would be sent home. Polo shirts and turtlenecks were barely tolerated.

[fascisthunter]

6. Good point... Also With That

the idea that teenagers feel safe enough to wear t-shirts displaying acts of homosexuality tells me times have changed and for the better.

[msongs]

16. "...displaying acts of homsexuality"???????????????? hmmmm... nt

[fascisthunter]

20. "hmmmmm", what? Please explain, msongs.... (nt)

[fascisthunter]

4. The Teacher is a Homophobe

In a way, I'm glad they out themselves just disappointed it's at the expense of this student. I really feel homophobia is a sign of irrational fear of gays in general and those who feel this way need gradual conditioning to get over it. It's sad.

Man, hepburn, you is on fire!

[glowing]

5. What did the t-shirt look like? Do other kids get to wear other t-shirts

expressing sexual language, such as, sexy..et. al. girlie stupid t's they have now? Was she singled out within a group of people wearing similar sexual implications?

My opinion on schools (which I know is not very liberating) is to just use uniforms... Then everyone is on an equal foot in concerns with money and style. No school district, which can't afford to lose these cases, has to play judgement police on style or clothing or messages. I know as a kid, I wouldn't like it and call it big brother, but you know what.. they are children and adults get to decide... until they are "adults".

[tbyg52]

11. I don't call two female symbols offensive

unless a male and a female symbol would also be offensive. It doesn't seem overtly sexual to me (as in suggestive words - such as you hear on TV every day, unfortunately if you ask me), just stating orientation.

[glowing]

13. The questions I ask are questions a jury will decide on. I'm not suggesting

I agree with the teacher. I also stated that I think the best thing for kids is just to wear uniforms.. its tough enough in the school world.. equalize something.

[Kingshakabobo]

12. This is what I read "to interlocked female symbols" to be-

[glowing]

14. Its up to interpretation...

My mother always said, if your grandmother wouldn't approve, then don't wear it to school... Nothing too short, nothing too tight, nothing with a saying on it... Save it for your down time. Also, when I played team sports... we had to dress up on away game days.. Tights, skirts, blouses, and nice little shoes... We hated it, but we were to represent ourselves and our school with pride and dignity... The guys had to wear shirts and ties. No exceptions. Or you didn't get on the bus.

[Ravy]

7. Should have told them it was in support of Women's Wrestling. nt

[MikeNearMcChord]

8. I bet there was no problem with Southern Pride T-shirts

with confederate flags and large pictures of Nathan Bedford Forrest.

[Thothmes]

21. No at this High School

I.C.Norcum High School in Portsmouth VA is 95 % African American

[yewberry]

9. The principal admitted it was a mistake and has agreed to apologize.

Good.

http://www.pantagraph.com/articles/2007/12/22/news/doc476c1205dab3a896394802.txt

[goodgd_yall]

23. Yeah, 'cos they knew they'd lose in a lawsuit

Good for the ACLU for educating them of the consequences.

[sam sarrha]

10. i was a juvenile parole officer in eastern nevada, they started a continuation HS in Elie, when the

kids in the regular high school heard that there was order and discipline, no interrupting the class, absolutely no bullying.. the regular HS was almost emptied. they started getting on probation so they could get an education in peace

it was a wonderful thing to see

[Wizard777]

15. What's that old saying?

Those who can, do.
Those who can't, teach.
Those who can't teach go to the unemployment line.

Sounds like the teacher needs to take a leave of absence to become secure in her sexuality. She needs to spend several months chanting. I am the master of my sexuality. Seeing a lesbian T shirt cannot make me a lesbian. I am more than a monkey that see's and do's. Unless the teachers problem is that she is a deeply closeted lesbian. Then she needs to spend several month chanting. I am a Lesbian and that is okay.

[AndyTiedye]

17. Those Who Can't Teach, Teach Gym

"Phys ed" class is where a lot of kids learn to hate exercise.

[JerseygirlCT]

18. I was imagining something far more graphic

than symbols... geez. That instructor needs to get some counseling, I think.

The idea that a shirt with a positive statement about one's gender orientation could be taken as offensive is offensive.

[goodgd_yall]

22. That's what I was expecting

It's the most subtle "Lesbian T-shirt" one could wear.

What a pathetically homophobic high school.

[NI4NI]

19. it's more than just bullshit, it's Unconstitutional

It seems to me the student is being denied her freedom of speech.

[I work for workers]

24. Wow. I was expecting the shirt to be at least mildly explicit.

It was completely inoffensive.