Hardin County High School Assistant Principal Ryan Miller recently threatened to punish Junior Isabella Nuzzo and her friends for wearing clothing with messages supportive of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students at the school. This action violates these students’ right of free speech protected by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

The Southern Poverty Law Center recently wrote a letter on Isabella’s behalf to the Hardin County School District notifying them that unless the Board of Education overturns Mr. Miller’s censorship and interpretation of the district dress code, SPLC will file a federal lawsuit on her behalf seeking injunctive and declaratory relief, damages and attorney’s fees.

It’s sad that the school district would risk a costly and unnecessary lawsuit to discriminate against LGBT students and supportive allies like Isabella. All students deserve an educational environment free of hostility, harassment and intimidation so that they can realize their full academic potential.

Tell Hardin County School District Director John O. Thomas and High School Principal William McAdams to stop discrimination against LGBT students and their allies in their school system.