'Lesbian' T-Shirt Sparks School Protest

A student being asked to remove a T-shirt with a lesbian slogan has sparked protests at a school in Australia.

Approximately 30 students at Strathmore Secondary College rallied behind Grade 12 classmate Stephanie after she was told by teachers to change out of the T-shirt for school photos.

Stephanie said she had worn a T-shirt bearing the slogan "Nobody knows I'm a lesbian" to school on several occasions before without concerns being raised. "I've had it for ages", she said. But things changed when she wore it on school photo day, sparking concern among school co-ordinators.

It was then she was asked to take the T-shirt off. "They said it was because certain parents would complain", Stephanie said.

Apparently, her mother, Susan, said she had had the controversial T-shirt printed for her daughter when she was 15. Susan said her daughter has never been afraid to wear the T-shirt in public. "I'm proud of her", she said. "I love her and I don't care what she is".

Stephanie said she was disappointed by the school's request but understood the concerns. And she would wear the T-shirt to school again once the issue had calmed down.

The incident triggered a protest at the school by other students and many turned up wearing T-shirts with similar slogans, including "Nobody knows I am bulimic", "Nobody knows I'm pregnant" and "Nobody knows I'm on steroids". The students said they found the request to Stephanie discriminatory and an attack on free speech.

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