“There are only two genders”: Massachusetts student allegedly sent home from school for wearing controversial t-shirt
A middle school student from Massachusetts was allegedly sent home for a quote on his t-shirt. Liam Morrison, a 12-year-old pupil from John T. Nichols Jr. Middle School, told Middleborough School Council that his father had to take him home after he refused to change his t-shirt. The shirt had a message on it that read:
“There are only two genders.”
He shared that a school official called him into the office and told him that other students were complaining that the quote on his t-shirt made them feel “unsafe.” However, he argued that no one had personally approached him to say anything against his shirt.
Liam stated that by forcing him to change his clothes, the school authorities were preventing him from exercising his First Amendment right to free speech.
Liam Morrison explained his case to the Middleborough School Council
Twitter user @libsoftiktok shared a video on April 30, 2023, which shows Liam addressing the council. While reading from a written statement, Liam explained his experience from March 21, he said:
“On that Tuesday morning, I was taken out of gym class to sit down with two adults for what turned out to be a very uncomfortable talk.”
He shared that school officials told him to change his shirt as it made other students feel unsafe. He added:
“They told me that I wasn’t in trouble, but I sure felt like I was. I was told that I would need to remove my shirt before I could return to class. When I nicely told them I didn’t want to do that, they called my father.”
He continued by saying that he was thankful that his dad was supportive of his decision and came to pick him up. He also added:
“What did my shirt say? Five simple words: ‘There are only two genders.’ Nothing harmful. Nothing threatening. Just a statement I believe to be a fact.”
School officials apparently told Liam that his shirt was “targeting a protected class,” although he claimed he did not intend to hurt anyone with his clothing. He argued by saying:
“Who is this protected class? Are their feelings more important than my rights?”
He further added:
“I don’t complain when I see Pride flags and diversity posters hung throughout the school. Do you know why? Because others have a right to their beliefs just as I do”
The 12-year-old told the committee that he was informed that his “shirt was a disruption to learning,” however, he did not receive any personal complaints. Liam said that he didn’t see anyone leaving the class or crying because of his shirt.
He shared that many of his friends felt the same way as him. He explained:
“I learned that a lot of other students share my view, that adults don’t always do the right thing or make the right decisions.”
He added that it was in his constitutional right to wear a t-shirt that shared his opinion and beliefs. He added:
“Even at 12 years old, I have my own political opinions and I have a right to express those opinions. Even at school. This right is called the First Amendment to the Constitution.”
While Middleborough School Council hasn’t made a comment yet, Massachusetts Family Institute (MFI) has spoken in support of the middle schooler. The institute said it will be providing Liam with legal support.
MFI is a non-profit organization, created to aid in strengthening families and affirming the Judeo-Christian values in the state.
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