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Post by gatormom on Jan 4, 2008 6:45:13 GMT -6
Student not giving up effort to wear anti-gay T-shirt
Neuqua teen and his team are appealing
By Rob Olmstead
Daily Herald Staff
1/4/2008
A Neuqua Valley High School sophomore and his lawyers will appeal a federal judge's ruling that prohibits him from wearing a T-shirt at school that reads "Be Happy, Not Gay."
Alexander Nuxoll of Bolingbrook had sought a temporary injunction allowing him to wear the shirt this April after the Naperville school made another student, Heidi Zamecnik, edit the same message two years ago.
School administrators say they have a policy against derogatory language. They say Nuxoll can wear a shirt that says "Be Happy, Be Straight" because it doesn't degrade another group, but "not gay" crosses the line.
Nate Kellum, senior counsel for the Alliance Defense Fund, the group representing Nuxoll, said Thursday the group will appeal the ruling and ask for an expedited decision in hopes Nuxoll can wear the shirt in time for this year's "Day of Silence."
The Day of Silence is a day on which students around the nation wear T-shirts and remain silent to show support for gays and lesbians. It is countered the next day by the "Day of Truth" by students who oppose homosexuality.
Asked about the difference between "Be Happy, Be Straight" and "Be Happy, Not Gay," Kellum said students don't relinquish their right to choose their words just because they're in school.
"Be Happy, Be Straight" doesn't necessarily encompass opposition to homosexuality, a viewpoint students should be allowed to express, Kellum said.
"I think some messages are just better phrased in the negative," said Kellum, citing "No smoking" as an example.
Lawyers for the school district said the ruling -- issued Dec. 21 -- recognizes that it is a legitimate and constitutional objective of schools to fulfill their educational mission by prohibiting derogatory language and thus keeping learning distractions to a minimum.
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Post by Arch on Jan 4, 2008 10:12:34 GMT -6
"Be respectful, not stupid"
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Post by gatormom on Jan 4, 2008 10:27:19 GMT -6
Ah yes - free speech is great until someone with conservative values says something tacky. Then we must abolish it. That was not tacky, that was mean. You don't have to support a lifestyle but you don't have to make those children feel worthless either. |
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Post by EagleDad on Jan 4, 2008 10:29:07 GMT -6
But if you don't support the lifestyle you have the right to say so and not have it suppressed.
I would agree that this one is probably over the line and not needed.
The fact is that just by going through all of this they have made more of a statement than a T-shirt ever would have.
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Post by gatormom on Jan 4, 2008 10:33:08 GMT -6
But if you don't support the lifestyle you have the right to say so and not have it suppressed. I would agree that this one is probably over the line and not needed. The fact is that just by going through all of this they have made more of a statement than a T-shirt ever would have. Which is exactly why this group is supporting the lawsuit. They don't expect to win these things, they are just looking for the publicity. I have no problem with the compromise shirt. That is not a negative. Join me in happy land, good way to state your point of view. |
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Post by EagleDad on Jan 4, 2008 10:42:28 GMT -6
By that logic, one would not be able to protest abortion clinics (as it is negative), or global warming, or globalization, or job outsourcing. Tou could only say I like babies, I like cold, I like jobs in my country, etc... Regardless how you feel on these topics, you have the right to express your views.
The deciding factor here in my view is that this is on school property - and I think the school district is right in minimizing the controversy, disruption, and general tackiness.
Hopefully they would do the same if a kids wore a T-Shirt that said "I like Big Butts". while only expressing their opinion, and not being negative towards anyone (people with small butts) some would find it out of tase and not suitable for the learning environment.
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Post by gatormom on Jan 4, 2008 10:45:56 GMT -6
Actually ED I was talking about this in the school context. Sorry for the misunderstanding. I have no problem with anyone supporting whatever they believe in.
ETA: The district has a policy regarding wearing clothing that is distracting and distasteful. I think the big butts t-shirt would be stopped at the door.
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Post by d204mom on Jan 4, 2008 12:17:30 GMT -6
By that logic, one would not be able to protest abortion clinics (as it is negative), or global warming, or globalization, or job outsourcing. Tou could only say I like babies, I like cold, I like jobs in my country, etc... Regardless how you feel on these topics, you have the right to express your views. The deciding factor here in my view is that this is on school property - and I think the school district is right in minimizing the controversy, disruption, and general tackiness. Hopefully they would do the same if a kids wore a T-Shirt that said "I like Big Butts". while only expressing their opinion, and not being negative towards anyone (people with small butts) some would find it out of tase and not suitable for the learning environment. ED! Have you not been reading The Secret? I can loan you my copy!  I was once asked why I don't participate in anti-war demonstrations. I said that I will never do that, but as soon as you have a pro-peace rally, I'll be there. -- Mother Theresa (1910-1997) |
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Post by EagleDad on Jan 4, 2008 13:07:05 GMT -6
No thanks I'm down with the secret, That's why I know MVHS on BB is going to happen, and I'm just waiting for it to come to us I'll leave the secret for training sales teams. |
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Post by d204mom on Jan 4, 2008 14:35:40 GMT -6
No thanks I'm down with the secret, That's why I know MVHS on BB is going to happen, and I'm just waiting for it to come to us Hey maybe if the school board adds chanting and visualization to their waiting and hoping approach the school will just appear on Brach Brodie one morning! And we can get the kids to dedicate their moment of silence to hoping and wishing, imagine how quickly the school will appear!  ...I'm channeling a vision of the next executive session! |
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Post by EagleDad on Jan 4, 2008 14:45:19 GMT -6
New forum rule from here on out -
No posting pics of elderly men in skimpy loincloths.
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Post by 204parent on Jan 4, 2008 14:46:59 GMT -6
Student not giving up effort to wear anti-gay T-shirt Neuqua teen and his team are appealing By Rob Olmstead Daily Herald Staff 1/4/2008 A Neuqua Valley High School sophomore and his lawyers will appeal a federal judge's ruling that prohibits him from wearing a T-shirt at school that reads "Be Happy, Not Gay." Alexander Nuxoll of Bolingbrook had sought a temporary injunction allowing him to wear the shirt this April after the Naperville school made another student, Heidi Zamecnik, edit the same message two years ago. School administrators say they have a policy against derogatory language. They say Nuxoll can wear a shirt that says "Be Happy, Be Straight" because it doesn't degrade another group, but "not gay" crosses the line. Nate Kellum, senior counsel for the Alliance Defense Fund, the group representing Nuxoll, said Thursday the group will appeal the ruling and ask for an expedited decision in hopes Nuxoll can wear the shirt in time for this year's "Day of Silence." The Day of Silence is a day on which students around the nation wear T-shirts and remain silent to show support for gays and lesbians. It is countered the next day by the "Day of Truth" by students who oppose homosexuality. Asked about the difference between "Be Happy, Be Straight" and "Be Happy, Not Gay," Kellum said students don't relinquish their right to choose their words just because they're in school. "Be Happy, Be Straight" doesn't necessarily encompass opposition to homosexuality, a viewpoint students should be allowed to express, Kellum said. "I think some messages are just better phrased in the negative," said Kellum, citing "No smoking" as an example. Lawyers for the school district said the ruling -- issued Dec. 21 -- recognizes that it is a legitimate and constitutional objective of schools to fulfill their educational mission by prohibiting derogatory language and thus keeping learning distractions to a minimum. If they are really concerned about keeping learning distractions to a minimum, they should cancel the Day of Silence and the Day of Truth. |
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Post by Arch on Jan 4, 2008 15:13:28 GMT -6
Hey maybe if the school board adds chanting and visualization to their waiting and hoping approach the school will just appear on Brach Brodie one morning! And we can get the kids to dedicate their moment of silence to hoping and wishing, imagine how quickly the school will appear! I wished real hard and this is what appeared  |
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Post by EagleDad on Jan 4, 2008 15:51:33 GMT -6
I think I prefer the manberries picture now.
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Post by jenrik2714 on Jan 4, 2008 18:32:23 GMT -6
Participation in the day of silence is optional. My daughter has done it. The world needs to be aware the gay and lesbian kids are being harrassed and killed. They have the right to live without harrassment.
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