OPINION | This article contains commentary that reflects the author's opinion.
A 12-year-old boy was sent home from school after being scolded for wearing a T-shirt that read, “There are only two genders.” Liam Morrison decided to confront his school board in Middleborough, Massachusetts over the controversy. The video quickly went viral.
The school claimed that the shirt made everyone feel “unsafe.” Social media has exploded with applause and positive comments in support of Morrison. Displaying bravery in the face of left-wing social activism, the young boy delivered a speech to the school board.
Middleborough says he’s “never thought that the shirt I wore to school” would lead him to speak to them at the board meeting. “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.” (Trending: Bombshell Report Reveals Collusion Between FBI and Clintons)
“Yes, words on a shirt made people feel unsafe. They told me that I wasn’t in trouble, but it sure felt like I was,” Liam said. “I was told that I would need to remove my shirt before I could return to class. When I nicely told them that I didn’t want to do that, they called my father. Thankfully, my dad — supportive of my decisions — came to pick me up.”
“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,” Morrison explained. “Who is this protected class? Are their feelings more important than my rights?”
“I don’t complain when I see pride flags and diversity posters hung throughout the school,” he said. “Do you know why? Because others have a right to their beliefs, just as I do. Not one person — staff or student — told me that they were bothered by what I was wearing. Actually, just the opposite,” Liam said. “Several kids told me they supported my actions and that they wanted one too.”
“I was told the shirt was a disruption to learning,” Liam said. “No one got up and stormed out of class. No one burst into tears. I’m sure I would have noticed if they had.”
“I experience disruptions to my learning every day. Kids acting out in class are a disruption, yet nothing is done,” he explained. “Why do the rules apply to one yet not another? I feel like these adults were telling me that it wasn’t OK for me to have an opposing view,” he said. “Their arguments were weak, in my opinion. I didn’t go to school that day to hurt feelings or cause trouble.” (Trending: North Face Has A Bud Light Moment And It’s Ugly)
This kid is both brave and brilliant.
— John Stemberger (@JohnStemberger) May 1, 2023
“I have learned a lot from this experience,” Liam said. “I learned that a lot of other students share my view. I learned that adults don’t always do the right thing or make the right decisions.”
“I know that I have a right to wear a shirt with those five words. 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.”
“My hope in being here tonight is to bring the School Committee’s attention to this issue,” he said. “I hope that you will speak up for the rest of us so we can express ourselves without being pulled out of class,” he added. “Next time, it may not only be me. There might be more students that decide to speak out.”
