17-year-old Seth Groody attends high school in Walcott, Connecticut, and at last year’s “Day of Silence,” he wore a T-shirt that offended many of his fellow students. Here’s the shirt:
“Day of Silence,” it should be noted, is an annual event sponsored by the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN). It is meant to draw attention to the issue of gays being bullied in schools.
Initially, Groody was threatened with suspension and expulsion for wearing the shirt, but then the ACLU stepped in, saying that while the shirt was indeed offensive, free speech rights must prevail. In their complaint, the ACLU said that not allowing Groody to wear the shirt was causing “ongoing irreparable harm.” The matter never went to court, as the Walcott Public Schools relented. In doing so, they issued a statement saying, in part:
“The Wolcott Public Schools has always and will continue to allow students their rights of free expression, so long as all students exercise their rights without creating a substantial disruption to the educational environment for all students.”
Andy Marra, GLSEN’s public relations manager, commented on the matter:
“We recognize the student has the First Amendment to express his views, but we hope he can agree with the basic premise that all of his peers deserve to feel safe and treated with respect regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.”
But not in the case of Sean Groody, who says he will continue to wear the shirt, especially on the “Day of Silence” which is planned for later this month at his school.
How nice it would be if everyone–including some young people–would practice tolerance and love instead of division and hate. We have a long way to go in this country until that becomes a reality.
Featured Image Via NBC Connecticut
