WEBB CITY, Mo. (AP) – A southwest Missouri high school student who was told he could not wear a T-shirt with a Pride message to class is getting support from the American Civil Liberties Union.

Brad Mathewson contacted the ACLU after he was approached twice in October by Webb City school officials and told the shirts were inappropriate, distracting and may offend other students. Mathewson said he was not given specific examples or made aware of any conflicts that resulted from him wearing the shirts.

Dick Kurtenbach, executive director of the ACLU of Kansas and Western Missouri, said the courts have upheld the rights of students to wear clothing that conveys a message that others deem controversial, unless the administration can prove the conduct “materially and substantially interfere with the requirements of appropriate discipline in the operation of the school.”

The ACLU plans to file a lawsuit against the district unless school officials agree to allow Mathewson and other students to wear Pride clothing.

The ACLU sent a letter to school officials Oct. 28 asking them to add a provision to the district’s policy that makes it clear that students will not be punished for expressing their political views unless the speech causes a material disruption of the school.

Ronald Lankford, superintendent of the Webb City School District, said the board has contacted a St. Louis attorney about the matter. The school board plans to discuss it in closed session.

“At this point I have no recommendation that I plan to present to them to comply with the demands that the ACLU has put forth,” Lankford said.

The issue arose Oct. 20 when Mathewson was sent to the principal’s office after his homeroom teacher noticed he was wearing a shirt with the name of the Gay-Straight Alliance at his old high school in Fayetteville, Ark., a pink triangle, and the words, “Make a Difference!”

The principal asked him to turn his shirt inside out or go home and change, citing concerns that it was inappropriate and may offend other students, Kurtenbach said.

Mathewson, a junior who is in his first year at Webb City, said he was disciplined again on Oct. 28 when he wore a T-shirt featuring a rainbow and the phrase, “I’m gay and I’m proud”.

The principal again asked Mathewson to turn the shirt inside out, Kurtenbach said. Mathewson refused and left school.

Mathewson said he had previously worn the shirts without incident. He also said other students have stickers on their notebooks and backpacks expressing their personal view that same-sex marriage is wrong.

“Our first objective has got to be that we provide an environment that is conducive to learning without disruption,” Lankford said.

That is the basis for the actions taken against Mathewson, he said. Lankford said he could not elaborate due to possible legal action.

“There are two sides to every story,” he said. “The only thing I can say is that they are presenting their side.”