Lady Gaga has reached out to a Tennessee teen, who was sent home from school — to national headlines — this week after wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with the slogan “I Love Lady Gay Gay.” School administrators claimed the shirt caused “disruption” among students.
Cole Goforth was sent home from Greenbrier High School in Tennessee on Monday after he arrived wearing the shirt, referring to the pop sensation and gay icon. A dress code implemented by the local school board does not specifically ban shirts with the word “gay” on them, but principals and instructors can penalize violators at their own discretion.
The “Poker Face” hitmaker, who is currently in Australia as part of her sold-out Monster Ball Tour, heard about the fracas Down South and hit her Twitter page to defend her 15-year-old fan in a series of posts decrying the suspension.
“Thank u for wearing your tee-shirt proud at school, you make me so proud… You are an inspiration to us all. I love you,” Gaga Tweeted to Goforth.
She later added, “Been in the studio for days and hours of record after record, and when I hear that a little monster (fan) was discriminated against BY TEACHERS… It reminds me of my commitment (and) love for you, and the deep unconditional devotion I feel to write music that will liberate you from prejudice….”
The school argues that a shirt with the word “gay” on it could potentially make other students feel “uncomfortable.”
“I just think my sexuality isn’t widely accepted around here, so of course they are going to single me out,” says Colin, who is gay.
His mom agrees: “I think they are singling him out… They’ve made statements that if he wore this in California, he’d fit in just fine,” Julie Gordon added.
Homophobia is so ’80s! Let the kid wear his tee!