By By Lynn Curwin Mar 24, 2011 in World Stonewall - The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has spoken up in defense of a teenage girl who was told to change or go when she wore a t-shirt with the message "Some Kids are Gay. That's OK" on it. Her grandfather delivered another shirt to her. "He brought another shirt to the school and I just changed it in the bathroom and put this one in my locker," she told "Basically, he told me he thought it was a distraction. My opinion is any shirt can be distracting." Dawn said she was surprised by the reaction, as she hadn't expected anyone on staff to have a problem with what she was wearing. ACLU of Louisiana Executive Director Marjorie R. Esman wrote a letter to the principal, expressing concern over his directive. "We are concerned about the lack of First Amendment protections for this student and any other student who would chose(sic) to express political or controversial beliefs,” reads the Esman wrote that, while she understands the student was not disciplined, demanding that she remove the shirt of go home infringes on her rights. “Sending Dawn home for wearing a shirt with the word “gay” on it not only trampled her right to freedom of expression, but also sent a destructive message to all students that there is something wrong with being gay or even saying the word “gay,”" she added. No incident of disruption was attributed to the shirt. "Had there been a disruption because of Dawn's shirt slogan, those causing the trouble are the ones who would properly be subject to discipline," said Esman on the The A video on the controversy can be seen on A Dawn Henderson, who is in the eighth grade, wore the t-shirt to North DeSoto Middle School, where uniforms are usually required, on non-uniform day last week. Principal Keith Simmons told her she had to change or go home.Her grandfather delivered another shirt to her."He brought another shirt to the school and I just changed it in the bathroom and put this one in my locker," she told KTBS "Basically, he told me he thought it was a distraction. My opinion is any shirt can be distracting."Dawn said she was surprised by the reaction, as she hadn't expected anyone on staff to have a problem with what she was wearing.ACLU of Louisiana Executive Director Marjorie R. Esman wrote a letter to the principal, expressing concern over his directive."We are concerned about the lack of First Amendment protections for this student and any other student who would chose(sic) to express political or controversial beliefs,” reads the letter . “We are deeply troubled by the actions that required the student to censor her speech.”Esman wrote that, while she understands the student was not disciplined, demanding that she remove the shirt of go home infringes on her rights.“Sending Dawn home for wearing a shirt with the word “gay” on it not only trampled her right to freedom of expression, but also sent a destructive message to all students that there is something wrong with being gay or even saying the word “gay,”" she added.No incident of disruption was attributed to the shirt."Had there been a disruption because of Dawn's shirt slogan, those causing the trouble are the ones who would properly be subject to discipline," said Esman on the ACLU of Louisiana website. "To punish the speaker for how others react is to blame the victim, and forces people to restrict their speech only to what they think others may want to hear. This is not the way a free society engages in public debate."The Daily Mail reported that Walter Lee, superintendent of DeSoto Parish Public Schools, said: "The school did follow procedure and policy."A video on the controversy can be seen on KTBS student in Missouri was recently told to change after she wore a t-shirt which read “Jesus... He Scares the Hell Out of You.” More about Aclu, Henderson, dawn henderson, Shirt, Gay More news from Aclu Henderson dawn henderson Shirt Gay