The United States Supreme Court has chosen not to intervene in a contentious free speech case involving Liam Morrison, a Massachusetts middle schooler disciplined for wearing a t-shirt with a message about gender. The decision, made on Tuesday, effectively upholds the ruling of the First Circuit Court of Appeals, which supported the actions of Nichols Middle School in Middleborough.
In May 2023, Morrison was sent home for donning a shirt that read "There are only two genders." Officials stated the shirt made other students feel "unsafe." After altering the shirt to read "There are [censored] genders," he faced the same consequence. The case has become a focal point in national discussions on gender identity, student rights, and the scope of authority held by school administrators.
Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito expressed their dissent, highlighting the issue's significance regarding free speech limits in public schools. Justice Alito lamented the Court's refusal to hear the case, suggesting it implies that school officials may silence student speech under the pretext of maintaining safety.
Morrison, who believes he was merely stating a biological fact, faced backlash from those who interpreted his message as hate speech. However, he insists it was not aimed at any individual. The Morrison family, backed by conservative legal organizations such as Alliance Defending Freedom and the Massachusetts Family Institute, argued that the school violated Liam’s First Amendment rights. Erin Tuttle of the ADF remarked, “No student should be punished for expressing a simple, biologically based opinion in a public school.”
The First Circuit Court's ruling emphasized that schools could restrict speech that might cause disruption or emotional harm. Free speech attorneys, however, contend that the school exceeded its bounds by censoring a personal belief that did not target anyone specifically. Despite the denial by the Supreme Court, which does not set a legal precedent, Morrison's legal challenge has come to an end for now.
The case underscores the ongoing national debate over issues of "gender identity" and the extent of school administrators' power to regulate student expression. As education policy and student rights remain hotly contested topics across the country, Morrison's case is likely to be cited in future legal discussions and policy-making.
