optionT
12th November 2010, 12:22 PM
School asks students to cover 'Straight Pride' shirts
It wasn't exactly what they'd planned, but St. Charles North High School administrators said an anti-bullying initiative may have accomplished its goal after a group of students wore "Straight Pride" T-shirts through the hallways this week.
"While it may have been a little bit controversial at times, the kids at North are talking about this," said Jim Blaney, director of school and community relations for St. Charles Unit District 303. "They are learning about people who might have a different opinion than theirs."
Several students complained to high school administrators Monday — the first day of an anti-bullying "Ally Week" — when three students wore the T-shirts, which also quoted a Biblical passage advocating death as a punishment for homosexual activity.
"It was honestly just really upsetting to me that someone would try to bring that into school," said Joe Adamczyk, a senior who is a member of the Gay-Straight Alliance. "I thought society was sort of beyond this, but it feels like we're kind of regressing."
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Deans met with the students, and after establishing that there was no threat of physical harm to others, asked the students to cross out a portion of the Biblical passage with permanent marker.
When two different students came to school the next day wearing homemade "Straight Pride" shirts — without the Biblical passage — administrators asked them to cover up with sweatshirts.
Students in both cases agreed, Blaney said, adding that the incident was delicate because the shirts' messages were phrased as a viewpoint, touching on students' First Amendment rights.
"What we are trying to do is help students learn that while they have a right to advocate a cause and they certainly have a right to free speech, at the same time, they also have to understand that … people might perceive their message is offensive," he said.
The shirts prompted heated discussion in the school hallways and on Facebook, where more than 100 members of one group said they planned to attend an upcoming District 303 Board meeting.
Blaney said school administrators are continuing to monitor the situation and rumors stemming from it, including one that students will wear the shirts — or all black shirts in protest — Friday.
Adamczyk, who helped to organize "Ally Week," urged students to wear the school colors of blue and black on Friday to promote unity.
"It's been a tough week," he said. "I'm proud of my school."
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-talk-straight-pride-1112-20101111,0,6975439.story
It wasn't exactly what they'd planned, but St. Charles North High School administrators said an anti-bullying initiative may have accomplished its goal after a group of students wore "Straight Pride" T-shirts through the hallways this week.
"While it may have been a little bit controversial at times, the kids at North are talking about this," said Jim Blaney, director of school and community relations for St. Charles Unit District 303. "They are learning about people who might have a different opinion than theirs."
Several students complained to high school administrators Monday — the first day of an anti-bullying "Ally Week" — when three students wore the T-shirts, which also quoted a Biblical passage advocating death as a punishment for homosexual activity.
"It was honestly just really upsetting to me that someone would try to bring that into school," said Joe Adamczyk, a senior who is a member of the Gay-Straight Alliance. "I thought society was sort of beyond this, but it feels like we're kind of regressing."
Restaurant.com: Get $25 gift certificates for $2 each >>
Deans met with the students, and after establishing that there was no threat of physical harm to others, asked the students to cross out a portion of the Biblical passage with permanent marker.
When two different students came to school the next day wearing homemade "Straight Pride" shirts — without the Biblical passage — administrators asked them to cover up with sweatshirts.
Students in both cases agreed, Blaney said, adding that the incident was delicate because the shirts' messages were phrased as a viewpoint, touching on students' First Amendment rights.
"What we are trying to do is help students learn that while they have a right to advocate a cause and they certainly have a right to free speech, at the same time, they also have to understand that … people might perceive their message is offensive," he said.
The shirts prompted heated discussion in the school hallways and on Facebook, where more than 100 members of one group said they planned to attend an upcoming District 303 Board meeting.
Blaney said school administrators are continuing to monitor the situation and rumors stemming from it, including one that students will wear the shirts — or all black shirts in protest — Friday.
Adamczyk, who helped to organize "Ally Week," urged students to wear the school colors of blue and black on Friday to promote unity.
"It's been a tough week," he said. "I'm proud of my school."
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-talk-straight-pride-1112-20101111,0,6975439.story