Kids Have the Right to Heart Boobies

BY LIZ REED

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A federal judge just gave kids the OK to “heart” boobies loud and proud -- The popular “I heart boobies” breast cancer awareness bracelets are banned in middle schools nationwide, but the ruling, which follows a freedom of speech lawsuit, may change everything.
Reporter: “The girls had to sue under the First Amendment to wear these bracelets with that phrase at school.”
Girl: “I’ve never encountered any disruptions at school.”
Reporter: “So you think the school exaggerated a little?”
Girl “I think so.” (Video: KYW)

The judge supported the Pennsylvania middle schoolers, saying the phrase is not “lewd” or “obscene” and that the school never proved the bracelets were disruptive. But ABC-affiliate KNXV thinks the breast cancer cause is being overlooked in this case.

Reporter 1: “A lot of people are concerned that this is trivializing the whole issue of breast cancer because you have young boys wearing these things, and they’re not wearing them because they are concerned about the cause, they’re wearing them because they think it’s funny.”
Reporter 2: ”Right and some people think it’s not right to put “boobies,” or sexualize it, I think that’s the word that’s been used.”

WNAC in Providence also wonders -- if kids can tote the word boobies, what other shenanigans will they try next?

“I think it’s a bad idea, I really do. Because it opens up a can of worms. If you let them do that, then they’ll say they want to support, you know, causes to raise awareness for cancer of the testicles. You know what I mean? Then they start wearing, “I heart Cajones.” It’s silly!”

But Care2 civil rights blog maintains the ruling will set a precedent for similar students’ rights cases and say school officials aren’t getting the big picture.

“The ruling is a clear victory for free speech advocates and for those seeking a lighthearted way to raise awareness of breast health... while the administration may have a legitimate interest in creating and enforcing a dress code, this seems like a pretty clear case of administration over-reaction.”

The judge’s ruling allows Easton Middle School students to bypass the ban for now, but the school board has said they want to appeal the case. Could boobies make it all the way to the Supreme Court? Weigh in on our comments section.

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4. Added :15-Apr-11
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