Junction City High School ends ban on ‘boobies’ bracelet
Kansas City, Mo. ? A Kansas high school agreed Thursday to lift restrictions on the popular “I (heart) boobies!” breast cancer charity bracelets and T-shirts after the American Civil Liberties Union complained about a student’s suspension.
An attorney for the Geary County School District, Mark Edwards, notified the ACLU that Junction City High School will take no further action against students wearing the wristbands, T-shirts or any other apparel that supports the Keep A Breast Foundation.
The California-based nonprofit believes a bracelet with a catchy, envelope-pushing slogan is a better way to teach children and teenagers about breast cancer than more traditional methods, such as pink ribbons. But schools across the country have responded with bans.
Edwards said in an e-mail that senior Stephen Wall will not suffer any academic problems from his suspension. The ACLU said Wall received a two-day suspension and was ordered to perform community service for failing to remove or flip over a wristband bearing the slogan.
The ACLU said the teen was wearing the wristband as a show of support and had previously worn a pink breast cancer awareness wristband for more than a year.
ACLU attorney Doug Bonney said in a phone interview that his clients are “thrilled.”
“Freedom has been restored,” he said.