A South Carolina high school has reversed its decision to suspend a student for wearing a t-shirt reading “Nobody Knows I'm a Lesbian” after facing national outcry over the decision.
Briana Popour, a senior at Chesnee High School in Chesnee, SC, was pulled out of class last week and told by an administrator to change her shirt or leave school. The administrator claimed the shirt was “offensive and distracting” and violated the school handbook.
“I've worn this shirt before and nobody's ever said anything,” said Popour in an interview with local station WSPA.
Popour's punishment was reversed after it became a national news story, Spartanburg School District 2 spokeswoman Rhonda Henderson tells U.S. News.
“The dress code disciplinary decision you inquired about was overturned,” she says, “when administration realized that although the shirt was offensive and distracting to some adults in the building, the students were paying it little attention.”
Mary Beth Tinker, whose black armband protest against the Vietnam War with her siblings and a friend yielded Tinker v. Des Moines, says it's good that Popour stood up for her First Amendment rights.
“I'm glad Briana spoke up for herself and that her mother supported her right to do that,” Tinker says. “I also admire the principal for showing students that he's not too proud to admit a mistake.”
Watch an earlier WSPA report on the story below:
