West Orange Student Disciplined For ‘We’re All Lesbians’ Shirt

WEST ORANGE, NJ — West Orange’s public schools strive for a learning environment where “all are special, all are welcome and all are celebrated,” according to Superintendent Scott Cascone.

And that goes for its dress code, too, he says.

Cascone recently issued a message to the school community about a “dress code” issue that came up during the Board of Education meeting on Oct. 7.

During the public comment portion of the meeting, a student and her guardian spoke about an incident that took place at Liberty Middle School on Sept. 25, which resulted in the teen being taken out of class.

The issue was allegedly with the student’s t-shirt, which reads on the front: “We’re All Lesbians.”

The back of the shirt is emblazoned with the words “Prom For Everyone.”

School administrators allegedly told the student that her shirt violated the dress code, which bans “articles of clothing that contain references to illegal substances, sexual innuendos, inappropriate language and pictures, sayings or symbols that show affiliation to hate groups, gangs or demeaning messages directed towards any individual group or association.”

The shirt also allegedly violated the school’s ban on clothing that is “dangerous and/or disruptive to the learning environment.”

The student pointed out that a friend at Roosevelt Middle School wore the same shirt on Oct. 2 and didn’t encounter any issues about the dress code. It was the same day the school hosted an LGBT-related event with Garden State Equality, she said.

On Oct. 11, Cascone released a statement about the BOE meeting and dress code.

"At Monday night’s Board of Education meeting, a dress code matter was brought before the board and to my attention. Privacy for those involved necessitates that I be judicious in my words. However, on behalf of the Board of Education, I felt it was imperative to provide a statement."

Cascone continued:

"As I have stated before, I am a superintendent who strives to nurture an environment wherein all students and staff feel welcome, safe, comfortable and supported. When it comes to light that we have fallen short in our mission, what shall we do as a community? We shall not condemn, we shall not judge, we shall not cast out. I say, as a learning organization, let’s come together through honest and heartfelt dialogue, and let’s teach and grow. That is precisely the effort in which I lead. Constructive steps are already being taken on the part of the community, not to these ends, but better stated to these beginnings! The first step was taken on Monday night by a youngster and we will, as I find we sometimes do, take our cue from the children for whom we care."

Cascone concluded:

"My door and email inbox remain open to feedback, expertise and reflections as West Orange continues to set an example of a community which refuses to be divided as it learns and evolves to keep pace with an ever-changing world. All are special here, all are welcome, and all are celebrated!"

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