Free speech battle brewing over students' anatomical buttons

[davidinalameda]

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/M/MN_WINONA_FREE_SPEECH_MNOL-?SITE=MNCLO&SECTION=STATE&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

High school students here are being admonished for wearing buttons inspired by the sometimes raunchy off-Broadway hit "The Vagina Monologues" and have been threatened with expulsion if they wear risque T-shirts inspired by the show.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota is offering to help students fight any consequences in what's become a battle between free speech and school conduct policies.

The trouble started last month when student Carrie Rethlefsen saw Eve Ensler's play about female sexuality and sexual violence against women, which led the teen and fellow student Emily Nixon, 17, to start wearing "I (heart) My Vagina" buttons.



but if they said I (heart) My Kidneys-no one would care

these so-called adults need to grow up

[rodeodance]

1. good grief-are they still spewing of the Vagina Monologue!!

[rkc3]

2. I have an "I (heart) My Anus" button....

with a big picture of a smiling George W. Bush on it.

[fob]

3. I thought they meant the buttons were "anatomically correct" as it were,

like penis-shaped, etc. It's just words, can't have that now can we!
/madness

[Atman]

4. I thought that, too...I pictured two nipple buttons!

In fact, I picture that often. Every five seconds or so. Hmmmmmmmm

[fob]

5. Now I do too! Thanks!

[seabeyond]

6. i say the school can em. with school on this n/t

[elehhhhna]

7. Agree. If the boys wore "I (heart ) my penis" the shit would hit the fan.