The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to take up the case of a Massachusetts student who was sent home from school for wearing a shirt that read, “There are only two genders.”

Liam Morrison, who was in seventh grade at the time, wore the shirt to Nichols Middle School in May 2023. When he refused to remove it, school officials sent him home. Later, Liam returned to school wearing the same shirt—but this time with the words “only two” covered by a piece of tape that read “censored.” He was again told to take it off.

Liam’s parents, Christopher and Susan Morrison, filed a lawsuit claiming that the school had violated his free speech rights. But the courts didn’t see it that way. The First Circuit Court of Appeals sided with the school in June 2024, ruling that officials were within their rights to tell Liam to remove the shirt. The school said the message made some students feel unsafe, especially those who identify as transgender.

The Supreme Court’s decision this week to not review the case means the lower court’s ruling will stand. However, not all the justices agreed. Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito each wrote dissents, arguing that the Court should have taken the case.

Justice Alito warned that ignoring the case could hurt future free speech protections for students. “If the courts are willing to uphold the silencing of any viewpoint a school dislikes, we are headed down a troubling path,” he said in his written opinion.

Liam himself has said his shirt wasn’t meant to attack anyone. In a 2023 interview with Fox News Digital, he explained, “I’m just voicing my opinion about a statement that I believe to be true. And I feel like some people may think that I’m imposing hate speech, even though it’s not directed towards anyone.”

Liam added that he wasn’t trying to offend people who are gay, lesbian, or transgender.

The Morrison family is being represented by the Alliance Defending Freedom and the Massachusetts Family Institute—two groups known for advocating for religious liberty and free speech.

In a public statement after the Supreme Court’s decision, the legal team expressed disappointment but said they would continue to defend students’ rights to express their beliefs.

For many Christians, this case raises important questions about what free speech means in today’s schools—especially when it comes to standing up for biblical beliefs.

As our culture continues to debate gender identity, stories like Liam’s remind us of the importance of speaking the truth in love and standing firm in our convictions, even when it’s not popular.