Portsmouth High School Backs Down

The Virginian Pilot is reporting that I. C. Norcom High School student Bethany Laccone can attend the high school wearing a T-shirt that depicts a lesbian pride symbol (http://hamptonroads.com/2007/12/student-can-wear-lesbian-pride-t-shirt%2C-norcom-principal-says). One small victory for local gay rights. Here are a few highlights from the coverage:

Principal Lynn Briley's announcement came a day after the American Civil Liberties Union demanded that Norcom officials apologize to the 17-year-old student after a teacher and an assistant principal reportedly made her cover up the shirt and requested she not wear it to school. The organization also requested, among other things, that officials not participate in other such "censorship" and remove any disciplinary notices related to the incident from Laccone's file. "Yes, we did make a mistake," said Briley, adding that she had talked Thursday with the teacher and assistant principal who were involved.

Briley said she agreed with the ACLU that Laconne had been censored, but that no note had been placed in her file. She said she would apologize to the student and try to meet the other demands made by the ACLU. Based on the recommendations of the division superintendent, "we're going to comply with the guidelines set by the ACLU as best as we can to resolve this matter," Briley said.

Bethany Laccone said she hopes this initial victory will encourage other gay people to not fear displaying their pride through their clothing. "I hope that some people won't be scared to show who they are and can be proud of it," she said.