Tennessee student ordered to change ‘gay’ Lady Gaga t-shirt

A Tennessee high school student’s mother said her son’s rights were violated by school officials who made him remove a T-shirt bearing the word “gay.”

Julie Gordon, mother of Cole Goforth, said officials at Greenbrier High School violated her 15-year-old son’s freedom of speech and expression by sending him home to change out of a T-shirt reading: “I Heart Lady Gay Gay,” a play on the name of singer Lady Gaga, reports WSMV-TV.

Cole and his mother said they feel he is being singled out for his orientation and method of dress. “I just think my sexuality isn’t widely accepted around here, so of course they are going to single me out,” he said.

Danny Weeks, assistant director of the school board, said: “We’ve had a few disruptions the last few days, and we thought the slogan on that shirt would continue to escalate those incidents that had occurred.”

Lady GaGa has since Tweeted Cole, offering her support.