Brody's Notes... Tennessee High School Sends 15 Year Old Boy Home For 'Gay' T-Shirt

Cole D. Golforth  Photo From MySpace.com

By Brody Levesque (Washington DC) Apr 8 | WSMV Television-NBC 4 Nashville's Sara Dorsey reported that a high school in White House, Tennessee sent 15 year old Cole Goforth home for wearing a shirt that said 'I [Rainbow Flag Heart Symbol]' Lady Gay Gay.'  

 "I got it at the Rivergate Mall," Cole said. 

The 15-year-old doesn't try to hide his sexual orientation. But his actions drew the attention of Greenbrier High School administrators on Monday. When they saw the shirt, a takeoff on performer Lady GaGa's name, they sent him home to change.

Cole's mother said he's worn shirts that say "gay" to school in the past with no problems and feels that this is less about the shirt and more about her son's look and orientation. She went on to say that the school is violating her son's freedom of speech and expression rights because kids who wear religious shirts and rebel flag shirts aren't sent home. The school said the shirt he wore is a disruption.

"I think they are singling him out, I really do, and they've made statements that if he wore this in California, he'd fit in just fine," said Julie Gordon.

The Robertson County School Board dress code does not specifically ban shirts with the word "Gay" on them. But it does say that each principal can interpret the dress code and take action if a student's dress causes a disruption. Administrators said they stepped in Monday because of a fight that happened the week before.

"We've had a few disruptions the last few days, and we thought the slogan on that shirt would continue to escalate those incidents that had occurred," said Danny Weeks, assistant director of the school board.

Cole sees it differently.

"The Principal said I had to remove the shirt that it was going to cause disruption in the school," said Cole. "I just think my sexuality isn't widely accepted around here, so of course they are going to single me out," he said.

His mother said if other students are allowed to express themselves by wearing religious and rebel flag shirts, her son should be able to wear shirts that reflect his views on sexual orientation.

"It cannot be just my child cannot wear that shirt because it states an opinion," said Gordon. "We need to take all the shirts out that state opinions." 

The school said Cole's mother can appeal the dress code. He isn't in trouble; he just had to change his shirt.