School sends student home for pro-LGBT attire

By Sarah Boone
Journalism Intern

On May 26, 2016 in Texas, Ali Chaney, a 13-year-old student at S.C. Lee Junior High School, was sent home because of her shirt stating “SOME PEOPLE ARE GAY. GET OVER IT!” The school administration found her shirt to be distracting to other students.

Chaney’s mother, Cassie Watson, was in uproar regarding her daughter’s school administration’s behavior. Watson tells KCEN, “I was upset because when they said they don’t want ‘that’ in their school, I was like, ‘You don’t want what in your school? You don’t want gay kids in your school?’”

Chaney goes on to state that her principal claimed that the administration received multiple complaints from the students regarding her shirt. The principal said it was nothing against her; they just “needed” her to change the shirt.

Two other students had previously worn shirts that could also be construed as offensive. One shirt had a picture of Miley Cyrus sticking her tongue out with the words “TWERK IT” over her eyes, and the other student’s shirt stated “IslamOBAMunism THREATENS YOUR FREEDOM,” which implied the president was a communist Muslim.

“All of the kids should be treated the same. They’re there to learn,” states Watson. Chaney and her mother declare that Chaney has been bullied by the school for being a proud, gay student.

Watson says, “I would never, ever have expected it from the administration. I would think that the administration would be the first ones there to support her.”

The school administration supposedly makes the final decisions on whether an article of clothing is considered to be distracting. However, should the minor discomfort of other students and staff determine whether or not a child misses out on an opportunity to learn?

The Gayly - 5/27/2016 @ 12:43 p.m. CDT