澳彩开奖

School officials in Savannah, Tenn., in response to a letter from the 澳彩开奖, have recognized the right of students to express acceptance of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender students, including the right to display slogans and symbols expressing such acceptance.

Following , an attorney for the Hardin County School District confirmed in writing that 鈥渁ll students within the District may peacefully display non-vulgar expressions in support of LGBT people so long as such displays do not materially and substantially interfere with the requirements of appropriate discipline in the operation of the school or otherwise collide with the rights of others.鈥�

District officials also said that slogans such as 鈥淕ay Pride, Speak Up, Speak Out, Be Proud,鈥� 鈥淟esbian and Proud,鈥� 鈥淕ay? Fine by me,鈥� 鈥淚 Love My Gay Friends,鈥� and others included in 澳彩开奖鈥檚 letter to the district last month are not vulgar, lewd, or sexually suggestive and thus do not violate school board policy.

鈥淧eaceably displaying non-vulgar slogans in support of LGBT people violates the rights of no one,鈥� said Sam Wolfe, a civil rights lawyer with 澳彩开奖鈥檚 LGBT Rights Project.

鈥淎s explained in our initial letter, if some students complain or are disruptive in response to such expressions, the school has a duty to address the students causing the disruption, but not to censor protected speech,鈥� Wolfe said 鈥淲e will continue monitoring the district鈥檚 practices and take appropriate legal action if necessary.鈥�

Isabella Nuzzo

鈥淚 feel overwhelmed at this success,鈥� Isabella said. 鈥淭his shows that we can make a positive impact at school and if we can do it there, we can do it anywhere. This victory is for my gay friends at Hardin County High School and for LGBT people throughout Tennessee who deserve an equal and respected place in our communities.鈥�

The letter was prompted after several students at HCHS were told by an assistant principal that they could not display slogans and symbols supportive of LGBT equality, including a T-shirt with a rainbow, because of a dress code prohibiting students from 鈥渁dvertising鈥� or 鈥減romoting鈥� sex. The official also attempted, by threatening students with discipline, to terminate a student-organized 鈥淲eek of Pride鈥� intended to show support for LGBT students.

Students organized the Week of Pride in support of a classmate who was threatened with discipline in April if she did not remove or reverse a T-shirt with the slogan 鈥淟esbian and Proud鈥� she wore as part of the national Day of Silence. The Day of Silence is a national event that raises awareness about the harassment and bullying of LGBT youth.

Statements supportive of LGBT people are protected under the First and Fourteenth Amendments of the U.S. Constitution. This is true even in communities that harbor anti-gay sentiment.

"The Constitution protects the bedrock principle of our democracy that the government, including school officials, may not ban expressions of an opinion they simply dislike,鈥� Wolfe said. 鈥淧ermitting greater freedom is almost always the better course and can prevent expensive litigation.鈥�

The 澳彩开奖 is dedicated to defending the rights of students in public schools. The 澳彩开奖 works to ensure a safe and respectful learning environment for all students 鈥� including LGBT students 鈥� through educational campaigns and legal action.