I'm embarrassed to be a graduate of St. Charles North. My best friend was threatened with suspension and had to remove her "Buck Fush" t-shirt. These boys get a talking to and everything is fine? Hardly.

Terrible decision, St. Charles North. Your administration's biases are showing...

@Brienna - According to district officials, it's up to the discretion of the school administrators on how to handle situations like that. I'd be interested in hearing from you or your friend regarding the incident you described. Feel free to contact me at nicks@patch.com.

BTW - Thank you for commenting. I would prefer if people used their full names when doing so — for the sake of transparency.

@Nick "Friend" here. Saint Charles North graduate of 2006.

I was almost suspended for wearing a shirt that read "BUCK FUSH." As a student with a clean record, I was an easy target for them to threaten with suspension because they knew they would win.

I was feeling silly for being insubordinate in retrospect, but after reading this story, I feel absolutely sick to my stomach. My shirt was a goofy political statement that was far from harmful to any individuals. The shirts these boys were allowed to wear were a personal attack on their peers.

I have never classified myself as anything but a "straight female" in regards to sexual preference, and even I find myself offended. It is not about having a tough skin or learning to deal with it. The world is a hateful place, but a high school should be a SAFE place for young people to be able to express themselves. Students should not be afraid to be who they are because a few bullies think it is okay to call their lifestyle a sin.

I am disheartened by these students, but even moreso by the administration. Big shame on them for not punishing the boys; biggest shame on them for allowing them to wear the shirts for the remainder of the day.

I totally agree with kait! I went to school with her and if these boys were to be Christian and are wearing these shirts I would like to know what church they go to just for the simple fact that in the bible it also states that the only one allowed to pass judgement is God. Matthew 7:1 "Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2. For in the same way you judge others you will be judged, and with measure you use, it will be measured to you." They want to point out someone elses sin they need to step back and look at what they are doing. As for the school officials I honestly think they should punish the students because these shirts spacifically targeted certain individuals. Kaits shirt was strictly a political view, as opposed to saying that someone is going to die and go to hell for being republican, there is a big difference.

@Pat. You say "if you want to be Gay then be tough enough to take the junk that goes with it." Okay, first, people who are gay do not "decide" that they want to be gay. A person is born gay. It is who they are. Second, what if the junk crosses the line into harrassment? You are highly offended that they are teaching that a kid who chooses an unpopular stand doesn't have to take the heat. What amount of heat is appropriate? What is your definition of heat? As long as it doesn't escalate into physical assault, people should just take it?? I find it interesting that a hate crime is usually defined by state law as one that involves threats, HARRASSMENT, or physical harm and is motivated by prejudice against someone's race, color, religion, national origin, ethnicity, sexual orientation or physical or mental disability. The current federal law regarding hate crimes deals with crimes where the offender is motivated by bias against a race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or ethnicity/national origin and only applies if the crime happens when a person is attending a PUBLIC SCHOOL or is at work and a few other "protected activities". Your narrow-minded approach is basically that if people don't fit into the little box that you find appropriate, well then, they deserve the "heat". Isn't this really the philisophical cousin of the ridiculous notion that a girl dressed in a short skirt and the like deserves it if she gets raped?

Amber, my belief is that if you walk a path outside the majority view but it's a path you believe in, that matters to you, that draws attention to you or your cause then you are going to need the courage of your convictions. This is and was true for those who stood for racial equality, women's equality, the rights of the unborn the wrongs of war and every social milestone achieved by human beings since the dawn of time. There always were and always will be people who disagree, who hold a different view and they are not bad people because they don't agree with someone else's cause. It is their right to disagree and oppose what they sincerely believe to be a wrong course of action.

I believe, among other things, that a homosexual lifestyle is detrimental to society and to the participants and I don't want the government or my child's school teaching that it's just another lifestyle. I have the right to believe that and to oppose all efforts to force that on me. Since I do have that right, it only stands to reason that a homosexual(or democrat, republican, muslem, etc.) has a right to promote his agenda to society and the government and to influence wherever possible those that can help him gain acceptance for his cause. This debate can only take place in a free society but nobody should be surprised if feelings get hurt. Legislation exists to prevent us from physically hurting each other but nobody can legislate our thoughts and beliefs. The sin is to quash the debate.

About that girl in the short skirt deserving to get raped; Rape is a crime of anger, not sex so the short skirt may not have anything to do with it. However, the young girl in the short skirt and low cut shirt does need a course of study in the workings of the male mind. They are wired differently from women and women could care less if the men around them are uncomfortable because of the way the women are dressed and the women are not interested in how differently the male brain processes female images. Or, maybe they understand more than I think they do.

Pat,

You disgust me. You and others like you have been desperately, pathetically, and frantically trying to defend what you for some reason seem to believe is a natural, "American" right to oppress others. I don't know where you got the idea that taking away the rights of others is a right afforded you by the U.S. Constitution, but it isn't; nor will it ever be.

1. "If you want to be Gay then be tough enough to take the junk that goes with it." First of all, it isn't a nationality or a religion, so there isn't any need to capitalize the G in gay; doing so would be like saying "Your a Idiot." Secondly, the only "junk" gay people get is from ignorant lunatics like you; essentially, you are defining yourself as an annoying, harrassing, oppressive gnat. Yes -- this must be the pure path.

2. "The young girl in the short skirt and low cut shirt does need a course of study in the workings of the male mind." This is one of the dumbest things anyone has ever said. Ever. I suppose it is the fault of the bank itself when it gets robbed because it stores all that money inside, then?

3. It's Muslim, not Muslem. Learn to spell.

4. Please don't raise your child to be the disgusting bully that you turned out to be.

kthxbai ;)

If you WANT to be gay????? Yeah it's a choice!

"If a man lay with a male as those who lay with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination and shall surely be put to death." I dont care if this is "gods" word or not it sure sounds like a threat to me.

Being gay is NOT a choice. I feel sorry for those of you that believe so, and hope and pray that you will be enlightened enough to realize that. It is unfortunate that the school board felt that this was not dissruptive to learning, therefore showing that they are prejudice themselves. I can just be appreciative that my children do not go to school in this district and have to be subject to these attitudes 0f ignorance.

I'm a student at the school and on the high school football team and I'm gay to (but closeted). Obviously I'm not going to post my real name on this site. But I can tell you this, that a bunch of my "gay" friends have decided to go "straight bashing." It's about time we fought our way out of this, because nothing anyone says, or does, has had any impact. Watch out boys, we are coming for you!

If you believe that people ARE born gay, why do you think it's at all logical to spout off about "gay pride"? Wearing a shirt that says "straight pride" is not at all profane or hateful. It is obviously a sarcastic statement about how ridiculous this "gay pride" notion is. And while some people may actually be born gay, other "homosexuals" were not. There is a significantly higher percentage of homosexuals who were molested as children than heterosexuals. You "tolerance" nazis are the reason kids grow up incapable of independent thought or critical thinking. A bully is a bully. Homosexuality is just something that bullies will try to use against someone. But they will bully regardless simply because they are bullies. Why are homosexual victims of bullying more significant than someone who is bullied because of their height or weight? What about because they wear glasses?

I think that the first lines of the tee-shirt are great. I'm all for yelling and screaming out your causes. I would wear "Straight Pride" shirts, pants, undies whatever. I would wear "The Right to Arm Bears" too with the same amount of smile on my face. However all bets are off when that same tee-shirt contains the passage "I'm gonna hurt you too" on it. That's not what my "after Jesus" (the new testament one) God would ever want. Of course, maybe there is another god I don't know.

As a graduate of scn I am appalled by the actions taking place right now. The main points are being overlooked here. First and foremost, a groups of students were standing together to promote anti-bullying. NOT anti-bullying against gays, anti-bullying against ANYONE that is a victim of it. These ignorant boys maliciously planned to wear shirts that not only stated their beliefs/sexual orientation, but wished DEATH upon homosexual people. DEATH. As anyone knows, who is current with our world today, children bring guns to school and murder others because of hate. Why on earth is it okay for these boys to wish death on ANYONE in a SCHOOL setting?! No one should be told, whether it is verbally or on the words of shirt, that they should be put to death. The administration should have known this and put a stop to it. No child should be allowed to wear a death threat to school. Where are the parents of these children? It is pathetic that these parents would allow their children to wear these hateful and extremely threating shirts.

Furthermore, the boys that wore shirts without the death threat are looking for attention. They are obviously immature in thinking that after a HUGE controversy arises with everyone on the defense they can wear shirts that continue on with the issue. I'm sorry were there people wearing Gay pride shirts after everything that happened? NO.
Ally week is about ANT-BULLYING and that OBVIOUSLY wasn't clear in the minds of a few ignorant, close minded boys. It is unfortunate that the administration thought that they should defend THAT group of people.

Joe, there is no reason why homosexuals should receive any special treatment whatsoever. Most kids who are bullied are NOT gay. Why are homosexual victims more important? It is NOT anyone's place to tell others what they have to 'tolerate'. I haven't said one thing that would in any way be "telling someone how to live their life". YOU are the one who is trying to control the minds of others and shun anyone who DARES to question the validity of the theory that homosexuality is simply another variant of human sexuality. It's a FACT that there is a much higher percentage of homosexuals who were molested as children than heterosexuals. Do some research before you spout out your ignorance and simply jump on the PC bandwagon because you don't want to have to think. Bullies tend to have a need to feel dominant or powerful, which is why they bully and will find any reason to. Who do you think YOU are to act as if you've known me for years and tell me how I was raised? Get a grip on reality.

"Joe, there is no reason why homosexuals should receive any special treatment whatsoever. Most kids who are bullied are NOT gay. Why are homosexual victims more important?"

They aren't, but they are the group that is singled out here, unless you don't really speak english and think the bible verse was actually referring to over eating. The young men MADE homosexuals an issue.

"NOT anyone's place to tell others what they have to 'tolerate'. I haven't said one thing that would in any way be "telling someone how to live their life". YOU are the one who is trying to control the minds of others and shun anyone who DARES to question the validity of the theory that homosexuality is simply another variant of human sexuality."

What does this do with anything? Also, your argument defeats itself because you're quite guilty of the same thing. How dare you tell him, he has to tolerate your opinion while you're not tolerating his opinion. Circular logic is bad.

"It's a FACT that there is a much higher percentage of homosexuals who were molested as children than heterosexuals."

And this proves what?You do know that there are heterosexuals who were molested as children, right? Also, you do know that there are homosexuals who were never molested, right?

Yuck, I wouldn't let my kid go to a school that permitted Buck Fush on a t-shirt, what do they put on their t-shirt about Obama? I can think of some pretty horrific things they could be writing. And why can a little girl with cerebral palsy be bullied on a bus and that flies under the radar, but gays gets an "anti bullying"day? How about not bullying anyone, including people you politically disagree with. Yucky school that divides people instead of unifying them.

The Bible verse on the t-shirts is not a threat by the boys wearing them; it is a warning from God. If you don't like or believe Gods rules then don't follow them. He is the originator of free choice after all. However, if God is real and His Word (that would be His Whole Word, not just the warm fuzzy parts) is true your non-belief will never make it untrue. If you want some examples of really serious bullying Google "persecuted Christians" and read hair raising stories from all over the world. When that kind of bullying occurs in this country some who consider themselves tolerant grab THEIR bully flag and lead the charge to try to stamp out a God who does not mirror their beliefs and everybody who follows Him. They do not think they are being a bully; they think that they are enlightened and are serving the common good. The words tolerance & acceptance suddenly don't apply. They will expostulate and never consider it hate speech. Some of you might find yourselves sympathetic to such a cause. We all have a bully inside just waiting for the right set of circumstances to emerge. I wonder how big a role fear plays in that.

God has another one most people don't like: no fornication before marriage! Only the dumb animals get to do that whenever and wherever. If you take issue with that law too then tell it to Jesus; I didn't make the rules I just try to "enlighten" those around me.

People need to man up and not be so sensitive. Wake up and realize that it is a tough world out there and that people will be mean and say hateful things. Stop crying and whining about it. We are raising wimpy individuals that get their feelings hurt too easy and when the going gets tough they can't handle life. Life is hard suck it up and stop worrying about what others think about you. If you are so sure of your beliefs then who cares what others say or think.

Amber, I don't think I said that at all. Bullying is not okay. Torturing people is not okay. Oppression is not okay. Those are evil behaviors. Most of us don't knowingly succumb to evil behavior but we could and we might not even see it as evil, but good! I do not believe that the 3 young men were gleefully committing an evil act by wearing a T-shirt showing opposition to a school agenda that implies behaviors they consider immoral should be tolerated. Perhaps it was never aimed at specific students at all. I do not believe the 3 boys intended anybody to think they would wish for a punishment of death to anyone. I believe if that had been their intent the administration would have recognized it and suspended the boys. I believe a handful of people looking for an opportunity to be offended and demand reparation for an imagined offense have taken the situation and twisted it until it is unrecognizable. If the 3 boys believe the Bible then they believe that homosexuality is a sin and that the sinner is a precious soul that will be forgiven by God. They would also know, as do I, that liars, murderers, gluttony (big one for me) and a whole bunch of other stuff including gossip are sins on a par with homosexuality, no better and no worse. If they feel their school is asking them to keep quiet it goes against their conscience but their intent was not to threaten. Maybe they're just a bunch of jerks. None of that translates into death threats.

juana: AMEN!

Ok here is my worthless opinion.
First of all whether gay is or is not a choice is between the creator and their relationship with him/her. We all will have our day of judgement. Who are we to judge one another? The bible also says that we should not masturbate (another taboo topic) and really, who has not done that? Sexual orientation is not the whole person, just an aspect of THEIR lives. Honestly who wants to imagine a beast friend having sex, mother or father or inlaws? Blecchhh. Stay out of my bedroom and I'll stay out of yours. Period. Whatever my personal opinions are I keep mean thoughts out of my head because it is not my problem.
I have 3 kids 2 girls and a boy. If any one or all told me they were gay my love for them would never falter. I would more than likley love them even more if that is possible, and be their best ally.
I think those t shirts and the schools decision to allow the 3 boys to continue wearing does promote hate and violence on both sides. As a person who was chubby in school (up until 10th grade) I was bullied viciously. I was quiet subdued and scared. It was mistaken as weakness and believe me I still have my list of those that tormented me. And its been over 20 years for me.

cont...The straight pride and white pride ideas just induce hate and anger. Yes I too have had thoughts that its not fair that black people can wear black pride shirts and I cannot wear a white pride shirt. Then I realised something: This was not comparing country and metal music. Black people were raped, killed, forced to be bought and sold like a used car! By all means wear that black pride shirt, wave it with pride. But please do not use it as a tactic to hate people who are not black. Their is a huge jump between anti bullying (which I am an advocate for) and the shirts these kids wore. If that had been one of my children I would want to throttle him.
All of this from a conservative. Imagine that

This is horrible. That kids can wear a shirt to school proclaiming death to someone (from God or otherwise) and not get into trouble is just wrong. Especially during a week that is focusing on not bullying that particular group. Balancing "one person's right to free speech to another person's right to not be offended"?? They are saying homosexuals are gonna die! If you want to declare your straight pride that is fine but to declare your hatred in such a way is deplorable-because hate is exactly what it is. You don't say something like that unless you harbor malice in your heart. I am sick to death of these "Christians" who use the Bible to spout their hatred and intolerance. Yes, the Bible states what the boys had written, but there are a crazy ton of "laws" in the Bible we completely ignore.

This is a shame most individuals do not see the root cause of all of these contraversies which is zero tolerence. Our schools try their best to promote racial and social harmonies to the point that others are forces to join one side or the other, which cause and promotes the decay of society as a whole. When we stoop to broadcasting our views on T-shirts and/or any other media you chose to engage it hurts all of us as a whole no mater what the difference is. Conflicts such as these can only be eliminated through total tolerence and acceptance of the facts. We are all different to some degree or another UNLESS TOTAL TOLERANCE IS ADOPTED we are all destined to fall short. Your teachers, Government, infact society in general all have adopted the philsophy of divide and conquer. As long as they can keep you focused and arguing on these petty little issues you will not have time see where the real problem lies with lack of leadership. a shirt is a shirt just as an opinion is an opinion. You are not responsible for changing anyones

mindset other than your own. remember opinions are like butt holes everyone has one and usually they stink. Think for your selves students there is only 1 race the human race, everything else is an option for you to either embrace or ignore. Look at history every generation has its own barriers to hurdle, yet every generation goes through it and chooses a side. When you chose sides you limit options and are already predesigned to lose. Be smarter than us don't play this media game choose what is right for all. Equality starts 1 free thinking mind at a time, pay it forward and remember if you always do what you have always done... you will always get what you have always gotten... the same. Parents butt out of your childrens lives you've already screwed up your own let them the courtesy of learning and growing on their own. stop being so Darn selfish.

I'm pretty appalled that the school isn't taking action--everyone's entitled to their opinions, but there's a fine line between having an opinion and alienating others because you believe yours is superior. Those students could have just as easily gone on with their lives if they'd worn a plain white T that day, while remaining respectful to the rest of the student body.
I don't know what's worse--that they let violent messages slide, or that they punish others for a pseudo-profane ones.

Free speech should not and does not cover threats made against others. How is there any other interpretation of "put to death" than as a threat? Sourcing the quote as the bible doesn't make that statement any less threatening.

Be very careful quoting Leviticus here. It's a slippery slope. Because if the three boys "believe in the Bible" they're going to have to have some very adult discussion about how their religion picks and chooses between what admonitions they'll obey and which they'll choose to ignore. And why their religious leaders are OK with some and not with others. It's a struggle even for adults. Which is why the parents that let their kids wear those shirts to school are completely shirking their responsibility to explain biblical context to their kids. Because just a few verses away their are some pretty strong rules about dietary laws that put a pretty big crimp in the Easter Ham and Church Lobster Dinner.

@ Nick - I notice you are asking certain people witha particular view on this blog to post their last name. Please ask Pat to post HIS last name.

@Laurie - I would ask that all people who comment do so as transparently as possible. Everyone is free to comment as they see fit as long as they comply with our Terms of Service.

I had hoped that my initial posting would suffice but ...

TO ALL -- Please refrain from using pseudonyms or other means to mask your identities when posting on the St. Charles Patch. You are asked to give your Full Name when creating a user profile. You should have the ability to go back and change this. Thank you.

Anyone know where they got the shirts?

If you think the Levitican death threat against gays should be permitted then what about the following response as a t-shirt:

"The only church that illuminates is a burning church."

Buenaventura Durruti- Spanish Anarchist

@Nick feel free to delete my comments which violates the Terms of Service. The comment you flagged targets no individual and calls no one a name and makes no accusation. So how is it a violation of the terms of service?

Because it's offensive? So are death threats even when they're couched in supersition.

@amy... Are you kidding me? I was talking about evolving mentally...not physically to the point where two people of the same sex can procreate! Evolving mentally from the narrow-minded thinking you seem to posess. Evolving away from intolerance, ignorance and learning how to accept one another's differences and getting along as human beings. As I said, some are evolving faster than others. You sound like one of the "others".

Yeah and I'm gonna go and grow some gills now....

when i went to st. charles north, girls were given detention for wearing spaghetti strap tank tops, but it's ok for kids to wear shirts that clearly demonstrate hate? what if someone walks in wearing a shirt that says WHITE PRIDE with an outdated biblical verse promoting slavery, would they be free to roam the hallways displaying their message?