An 8th-grade student’s legal battle over wearing a shirt stating “only two genders” was brought before a federal appeals court in Massachusetts.
Represented by the Alliance Defending Freedom, the student’s case centers on First Amendment rights, arguing that the school infringed upon his freedom of expression.
“When the Middleboro principal pulled Liam out of class last year and told him he had to take off his shirt, the principal said they had received complaints about the words on his shirt — and that the words might make some students feel unsafe,” ADF Senior Counsel David Cortman said.
The school’s promotion of inclusivity during Pride month clashed with the student’s viewpoint, leading to a dispute.
The student emphasized the importance of safeguarding constitutional rights, while the school defended its actions, expressing concerns about potential disruptions and the well-being of all students.
“This isn’t just about a shirt. It’s about free speech,” Liam Morrison said.
“Characterizing the statement that ‘there are only two genders’ as it is being merely offensive trivializes the significant harm that could occur to nonbinary students who are captive in this classroom looking at it,” Deborah Ecker said.
The case reflects the tensions between free speech and inclusivity in a school environment.
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