Colorado High School Reverses Ban On “Marriage Is So Gay” Tee Shirt After American Civil Liberties Offers Lesson On Censorship

The Denver Post is reporting that a Colorado Springs High School is reversing its ruling to ban a tee shirt the school deemed offensive, potentially disruptive to the academic environment, and a violation of the dress code, 17 year old Falcon High School senior Kate Cohn having worn a tee shirt that read “Marriage is so gay” November 2nd, Election Day, to make an obvious statement supporting the right of gays and lesbians to wed. However, Principal Mark Carara barred the shirt, Kate’s mother, saying that a later conversation, he compared the message to an item of clothing promoting alcohol or drug use. However, a letter from the Colorado-chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union to the school district sent Monday demanded that the prohibition against the shirt be rescinded by week’s end or the ACLU would proceed with legal action apparently convinced the district to reverse its decision, district spokesperson Stephanie Meredith saying “It was determined today the student is entitled to wear it.” ACLU attorney Rebecca Wallace said that the original incident was “censorship of the content of speech” and that it is “unfortunate it took a letter from the ACLU to teach District 49 about basic constitutional rights to freedom of speech or expression at the schoolhouse gates.” Kate said she is “glad I stood up for my rights,” and that she has received overwhelming positive responses from fellow students, including those who say they do not support gay marriage, but do support her right to exercise free speech. Sadly, she says, there have been negative responses as well, including one student who passed her in the hall and said “I hate gay people.”