Say Anything Blog

Tyler Chase has some strong beliefs when it comes to the subject of homosexuality. Unfortunately, the school he attends is only interested in supporting one side of that debate.

San Diego Union-Tribune - On April 21, Chase wore a T-shirt with an anti-gay message during the school's annual Day of Silence. The national event is held on high school and college campuses to recognize and protest discrimination and harassment against gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender students.

Chase wore the T-shirt in response to the event, which he believed endorsed, promoted and encouraged homosexual activity, according to the lawsuit. Chase was not confronted or disciplined April 21, his father said.

The following day, however, was a different story. Chase wore a similar shirt April 22 with the additional message "Be Ashamed" and "Our School Embraced What God Has Condemned." Chase said his teacher, David LeMaster, told him he was in violation of the school's dress code and had to remove the T-shirt or be sent to the office. Chase said he refused to take off the shirt and compromise his beliefs that homosexuality is wrong.

He was later suspended, after refusing requests by several administrators to remove the T-shirt.

District officials, who declined to comment on specifics of the case while it is being reviewed by legal counsel, provided copies of the district's policies on hate behavior, freedom of speech and student dress code.

Poway High's dress code, which is given to each student at the beginning of the year, states that unacceptable dress includes clothing that promotes or portrays "violence or hate behavior including derogatory connotations directed toward sexual identity."

Here's a photo of the shirt from the article:



If schools like Poway High don't want to bring the anti-gay movement into its halls then it shouldn't be choosing sides by sponsoring pro-gay events. If the school wants to be in keeping with the freedom of speech it cannot allow some of their students to express support for an issue while preventing other students from expressing their opposition. That kind of double-standard isn't what schools should be teaching our students.

If the school wants to allow for pro-gay events on campus then it should be prepared to allow for anti-gay events as well. That's how it works in this country, though my solution would be to stop any events concerning issues like these either for or against.