High school graduation is one of the most important life time events we have as students and, it normal that to honor our families and identities by wearing religious, cultural and tribal regalia. We hope this guidance helps to ensure that you know your rights when preparing for your graduation ceremony.
Please reach out to the ACLU of Idaho if you experience barriers to wearing religous or cultural regalia at your school graduation.
Yes.
Under the First Amendment, you may have a right to wear tribal, cultural, or religious objects at graduation, especially if your school allows other types of adornment for students' caps or gowns. You may also be protected under Title VI (a federal law), if your school is federally funded and its graduation policies disproportionately and negatively affect students of a particular race, ethnicity, or national origin.
Not likely.
Your school can only prohibit your right to wear objects of religious or cultural significance at graduation if it can prove the item will likely cause a substantial disruption of or material interference with the graduation ceremony.
See Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District, 393 U.S. 503 (1969).
Write a letter to your school. Explain your rights, the significance of what you want to wear, and how the graduation policy impacts you.
Contact the ACLU of Idaho. We want to hear about your experience.