By By Sean Fraser Apr 3, 2012 in World Waynesville - Maverick Couch is a gay student who was threatened with suspension if he wore a shirt to school saying "Jesus is Not A Homophobe." According to the Couch went home and did some research about his First Amendment rights over the summer. He then asked for permission to wear the shirt the following school year. Principal Gebhardt threatened Couch with suspension if he wore the shirt. Couch sought legal help, which was offered by Lambda Legal, which issued a letter to the school district stating the legal precedent supporting Couch's case. The school district offered a rebuttal of, "the message communicated by the student’s T-shirt is sexual in nature and therefore indecent and inappropriate in a school setting." Lambda Legal filed an Couch said, “I’ve been bullied and called names, I wanted to wear the T-shirt to encourage respect for all students, gay or straight. I wish my school would help me create an accepting environment for LGBT kids, not single me out for punishment.” Couch attends Waynesville High School in Waynesville, OH, and he has now sued the school for violating his freedom of expression rights.According to the Wisconsin Gazette , Couch wore his shirt, which consists of a rainbow colored fish symbol commonly associated with Jesus and the slogan "Jesus is Not a Homophobe," last April on the National Day of Silence. His principal, Randy Gebhardt, called him into the office and told him to turn the shirt inside out.Couch went home and did some research about his First Amendment rights over the summer. He then asked for permission to wear the shirt the following school year. Principal Gebhardt threatened Couch with suspension if he wore the shirt.Couch sought legal help, which was offered by Lambda Legal, which issued a letter to the school district stating the legal precedent supporting Couch's case. The school district offered a rebuttal of, "the message communicated by the student’s T-shirt is sexual in nature and therefore indecent and inappropriate in a school setting."Lambda Legal filed an official lawsuit through the U.S. District Court on behalf of Couch on Tuesday. Lambda Legal stated that Couch's First Amendment rights were violated and asked the court to issue an injunction prohibiting the school from interfering with Couch's right to wear the shirt.Couch said, “I’ve been bullied and called names, I wanted to wear the T-shirt to encourage respect for all students, gay or straight. I wish my school would help me create an accepting environment for LGBT kids, not single me out for punishment.” More about Ohio, Homosexual, Teens, Gay, Tshirt More news from Ohio Homosexual Teens Gay Tshirt