Confusion Greets "Lady Gay Gay" T-shirt

Administrators at an Iowa high school said that uncertainty about the intent behind an "I Heart Lady Gay Gay" t-shirt prompted them to ask a student to remove the garment.

According to KCRG-TV, Ali Lai wore a shirt that said "I Heart Lady Gay Gay" to Maquoketa High School two weeks ago in recognition of pop star and gay rights activist Lady Gaga. However, school administrators, who failed to do their homework in pop culture, asked him to change the shirt or wear it inside out because they were uncertain whether the message was positive or negative.

School district superintendent Kim Huckstadt said that administrators faced the situation of "not knowing if it was an item that was either in support of, or if it was actually retaliatory." He acknowledges they should have researched the issue.

In response, Maquoketa student Raina Costello organized a "gay is okay" day last Thursday for students to wear homemade t-shirts with gay messages. Administrators did not bother Lai the next time he wore his shirt to school.