Well, freedom of speech is freedom of speech. I guess it begs the question about his motive. If he wasn't participating in the actual event then the fact that he was straight was a given. If he simply wanted to disrupt the event or offend people, then he's an ass. I personally have no problem with that either as some of my favorite people, myself included, fall into that category.

Either way, he has as much right to express himself as anyone else.

But, as he's straight I doubt the ACLU will be interested in the case.

Yes, he has the right to free speech.



However, I think you should know that the point of "Gay Day" as you called it is to increase awareness of hate crimes, violence and discrimination against homosexuals. It's a national thing... one I participated in at my university. It isn't an attempt to convert people, or even force people to be ok with homosexuality. This is from the official Day of Silence website:



About Day of Silence



Founded in 1996, the Day of Silence® has become the largest single student-led action towards creating safer schools for all, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. From the first-ever Day of Silence® at the University of Virginia in 1996, to the organizing efforts in over 1,900 middle schools, high schools, colleges and universities across the country in 2002, its textured history reflects its diversity in both numbers and reach.



This kid missed the point. He's also making Christians look like bigoted idiots. Yeah, he has the right to free speech, and as long as his actions were not inflammatory, violent or an attempt to incite others to violence, then let's not trample on his rights.


However, if (notice the IF) the school saw his actions as inflammatory (and it is very hard to find information about this case, so I do not have the facts.) then they had every right to tell him to remove the tape and, upon his refusal, to remove him. That's why schools can get away with dress codes.

Is it wrong to advertise you're gay on all the other days of the year (or should we call them Straight Days)?

So homosexuals have more rights to free speech than heterosexuals?

I don't think so.

If you're trying to incite violence against straight folks, then yup. If not... feel free.



Actually, they probably do. You said it yourself, the ACLU is less likely to get involved in this case since the kid is a straight Christian. That doesn't mean it's right.

Just remember, you have no right to yell "FIRE!" in a crowded theater. As long as the kid was just trying to make a statement, he should have been fine.

Sugar High Elf,

Hey Stupid, how about you answer the question. I don't care about a definition on national day of silence, or if you and your sign waving buddies stood up for some fruits. The question was:
'what would you do if your 15 year old got sent home for taping a piece of paper to his shirt in any kind of protest?"

And yes I think we should have straight days, or how about a school scholarship for the best straight white male? Try getting away with that one, take one guess who will go shut you down. Yeah....ok.

First of all, how sad is it that we, as a society, have dipped down to the point of indentifying oursleves according to our sexuality? Why do high schools allow this nonsense in the first place?


I think that his parents have a good case IF
the "Day of Silence" was a school santioned event and students were allowed to identifying themselves, their cause, their belief,promote their agenda, etc. by putting tape on themselves, then the school should have been equally tolerant of other students, this boy in particular, who chose to identify himself by wearing his own sign.


Sugar High Elf posts:


Sugar High Elf, would you care to explain a little further what you mean by this?

Well, hello to you too.

Perhaps you missed the VERY FIRST SENTENCE I WROTE. But don't worry, I'll repeat it for you:



However, if you need me to be more specific, I will.

If my 15 year old son had pulled this idiotic stunt, I would protest his being sent home if his actions were not inflammatory. If he was doing this to be an ass, you'd better believe he would get several lessons from me, including the purpose of the National Day of Silence. Also, if I believed that he was attempting to incite any kind of violence or even anger towards the homosexual students, I would call the school, apologize and then think of an appropriate punishment for my son.

Now, why don't you go back to whatever small minded and ignorant place you came from and be glad that you also have free speech given to you because you certainly don't deserve it on merit.

Mostly from the quotes written by his father when I looked up this case.

“When is the church of Jesus Christ going to come out of its closet and take its place in society the way it’s supposed to be?" his father asked. “If we don’t stand up sooner or later, we’re going to run into more trouble than we’re going to know what to do with.”

My problem is that I am a Christian -- born and raised Southern Baptist and still a practicing one. When someone stands up and says that being gay is wrong and should not be tolerated... and says so in the name of my faith, I have a problem with that. Also, his actions do not seem to be that of a concerned Christian, but a child standing up and making noise. Christians have a bad enough rap as it is, and incidents like this one don't help. It's just a personal opinion I have.

But then, perhaps I'm making Christians look like tree-hugging hippies. I suppose some people would have problems with that as well.

Yeah, freedom of speech should only be extended to those who have something to say that wasn't written down 2,000 years ago.

The infamous double post

That's not what I'm trying to say, and I hope it isn't coming across that way. If he was making a simple statement, then he should have been allowed to stay at school. If he was protesting the acceptance of homosexuality in American culture, then he should have been fine. IF his actions went beyond that and into dangerous territory... that's when I've got a problem with it.

Personally I hate having tape on my clothes...but that's just me.

Should he have the right? Sure... Was he being an ass? Probably.

I, myself, let people be...I have no right to tell them who to screw, and as long as they aren't screwin' me then I'm fine with their existence. I don't know why people get so incensed about homosexuality...if it disgusts you, then stay away from it. I don't like getting burned, so I stay out of fire. Get the drift? I don't have to go around declaring I'm straight like some homophobic nutjob and I think that's what this kid was trying to do. I'm just tired of antigay crusades...I honestly do not see the point. If someone could tell me some kind of rational argument then perhaps I'd consider it...you know, if homosexuals ate babies or something, then I might understand but so far I don't believe that's happening. Also, truthfully I don't agree with the gay lifestyle, I also don't like smoking, drinking, or other kinds of drugs but I'm still friends with people that take part in those activities and I'm okay with that, their life their decision. I'm pretty sure there's something Christian about that kind of thing.



Oh, and Wally...you're a dick.

~Zoo

Hahaha... but then that's what these kinds of post are good for -they just stir the pot and cause more division and discord and in the end, solve and accomplish nothing.