In March 2023, Liam Morrison, a seventh-grade student at John T. Nichols Middle School in Middleborough, Massachusetts, wore a T-shirt stating, “There are only two genders.”

School officials, citing a dress code prohibiting hate speech targeting protected groups, including gender identity, removed Morrison from class and required him to change.

When he refused, he was sent home. Morrison later wore a modified shirt reading “There are [censored] genders,” which was also prohibited.

Morrison’s parents, supported by Alliance Defending Freedom and the Massachusetts Family Institute, filed a lawsuit claiming the school violated his First Amendment rights by censoring his viewpoint while permitting pro-LGBTQ+ expressions.

According to the Christian Post, A federal district court and the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against Morrison in June 2024, citing the Tinker v. Des Moines (1969) precedent, which allows schools to restrict speech that disrupts the learning environment or infringes on others’ rights.

The appeals court found the school’s concern for transgender students’ well-being justified the restriction.

On May 27, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear the appeal, upholding the 1st Circuit’s ruling.

Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas dissented, with Alito arguing that the decision undermines student free speech by allowing schools to suppress unpopular views without evidence of disruption.

He warned that the precedent could limit First Amendment protections for thousands of students.

The ruling highlights tensions between free speech and school policies protecting marginalized groups, particularly in the context of transgender rights debates.

Critics argue it gives schools excessive authority to censor speech, while supporters say it prioritizes student safety. The case, backed by 18 state attorneys general, underscores ongoing cultural and legal conflicts over expression in schools.