by Zhaleh Breen
About You Editor
A couple of months ago, two students in Neuqua Valley High School wore shirts that said "Be Happy, Not Gay," on the National Day of Silence. The principle ordered them to change their shirts, because they were hurtful and offensive. The students then sued the school, citing violations of their first amendment rights.
Using the First Amendment as an excuse to peddle hate and intolerance makes a total mockery of it. Even though these students were allowed to legally wear the shirts, they should not have because it is wrong to discriminate against a group of people.
Had these two worn shirts that said something derogatory about any other group of people, such as Latinos or Muslims, than there would be no question of not allowing them to wear the shirts. It's pretty sad and pathetic that some people seem to think its alright to discriminate against homosexuals. This case should not go in their favor. What they did violates the Tinker standard, which states that students are allowed the right to free speech in schools, so long as it does not cause a disruption. Peddling hate and prejudice is a very big disruption, and should not be allowed.
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