Citation

Kruk A. Independent School 2013; 72(2).

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013)

DOI

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PMID

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Abstract

Independence Day School is a small college preparatory school serving grades 9-12, in rural Illinois. As part of its commitment to creating a safe school for all students, it adopted a "safe zone" classrooms policy. The policy states that classrooms where conversation about homosexuality is permitted are marked with inverted pink triangles. The policy was put in place to honor inclusivity, and each student is instructed about what "safe zone" classrooms are. Kate Adler, a student who is open about her opinions and is well known throughout Independence Day for her belief that homosexuality is morally wrong, came to school wearing a T-shirt that read "Straight Pride." Throughout the course of the day, three students reported to administrators that they felt the shirt was offensive. When approached by administration about the shirt, Kate did not feel that the shirt was inflammatory. She explained that the shirt was not meant to demean other students. This brief article describes the school administrators' response to this ethical dilemma and the rationale for their decision.

Language: en