NEW YORK - An openly gay teenager received a $30,000 settlement from the city over her suspension for wearing a "Barbie is a Lesbian" T-shirt to school, her attorney announced Thursday.
Natalie Young, now 15 and in high school, wore the shirt to middle school in April 2002, leading school officials to send her home for the day despite the absence of any official dress code.
The teen said the settlement should make life easier on other openly gay schoolchildren: "I think they should feel more comfortable about who they are."
Young was pulled from class by the school principal and ordered to sit in an office until she changed the shirt. When she refused, she was suspended for the day.
Young's lawyer, Ron Kuby, filed the federal suit last June, alleging the incident was part of a series of discriminatory incidents.
Resolving the suit without litigation was "the appropriate decision," city lawyer Donna M. Kasbohm said. The city Department of Education agreed to establish a policy on student dress as part of the deal.
Not a joke. from AP News.
Natalie Young, now 15 and in high school, wore the shirt to middle school in April 2002, leading school officials to send her home for the day despite the absence of any official dress code.
The teen said the settlement should make life easier on other openly gay schoolchildren: "I think they should feel more comfortable about who they are."
Young was pulled from class by the school principal and ordered to sit in an office until she changed the shirt. When she refused, she was suspended for the day.
Young's lawyer, Ron Kuby, filed the federal suit last June, alleging the incident was part of a series of discriminatory incidents.
Resolving the suit without litigation was "the appropriate decision," city lawyer Donna M. Kasbohm said. The city Department of Education agreed to establish a policy on student dress as part of the deal.
Not a joke. from AP News.
