Winona teen tests the limits of free speech at school (Winona vagina girl update!)

Mpls Star & Sickle ^ | 5-3-05 | James Walsh

[Rakkasan1]

WINONA, Minn. -- After all the radio interviews, after all the newspaper stories and television stories and hundreds and hundreds of e-mails, Carrie Rethlefsen ended her lesson in free speech and democracy today by doing a simple thing:

She walked into school with her "I [heart] My Vagina" T-shirt's message in plain sight. About 40 classmates had walked in just seconds before after turning their T-shirts inside out.

And, minutes later, she emerged with another lesson learned. The administrators at Winona Senior High School mean what they say. They sent her home for the day.

"I'm happy," said Rethlefsen, 18. "I got my message out there."

What began as a simple act of defiance -- she wore a "I [heart] My Vagina" button to school to raise awareness about violence against women, even after officials told her not to -- evolved into a platform to talk about women's rights, the fight against violence and freedom of speech that she couldn't have imagined two weeks ago.

[CaptRon]

she wore a "I [heart] My Vagina" button to school to raise awareness about violence against women

No. She wore the button in an immature to look sophisticated and to shock people.

[Hildy]

"I'm a moron-please pay attention to me"

What kind of Mother would allow their daughter to humiliate themselves like that? I just hope there are alot of photos and that HER daughter gets to see what a jerk her mother was in school.

[Ole Okie]

HEY, LOOK AT MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!

[Rennes Templar]

"Still, Rethlefsen, who plans to study women's studies and journalism at the University of Wisconsin-Madison next year",

Perfect. She'll probably be working for Hitlery's campaign in 08.

[Hildy]

That's funny. I want one of the boy's in school to wear a "I Love my Penis" T-Shirt. Let's see how many of the girls would cry harrassment.

[blackdog]

Or "I used to beat my.....Now I love her vagina ----->"

[humblegunner]

she wore a "I [heart] My Vagina" button to school to raise awareness about violence against women

I reckon it probably just raised awareness about her relationship with her vagina.

[isthisnickcool]

I was just watching Bill O'Reilly ranting about these buttons or shirts these girls were wearing.

Bill O'Reilly! LOL! The guy that was recently on the phone having phone sex and talking about vibrators, threesomes, masturbation, the loss of his virginity, and sexual fantasies?

[kingattax]

we need Larry the Cable Guy on this'n

[blackdog]

Are you series? Bill Clinton already hired her for Hillary's campaign. For advance work ya know.........

[CT CONSERVATIVE]

From the Wisconsin website Women’s Studies 533: LGBTI Health Professor Mariamne Whatley Prerequisite: Women’s Studies 103 (Women and Their Bodies in Health and Disease) or consent of instructor. It will be assumed that all students are familiar with the material covered in 103. Course description: This course will examine a wide range of issues that affect lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex people. While certain biomedical issues involved - such as effects of hormone treatments for those undergoing a transition or the transmission of certain sexually related infections - the emphasis of the course will be on how sociocultural, political, and economic factors have an impact on health. The course explore how heterosexism, homophobia, and transphobia intersect with issues of race, ethnicity, disability, class, and other factors to affect access to the basic determinants of health and health care for LGBTI people. Students will build on their base of knowledge from Women’s Studies 103 in order to go into more depth in reading and analyzing primary scientific literature and to examine various social, cultural, economic, and political issues.

[traderrob6]

Exactly, it's all a cry for attention. more here

[floydibanezer]

Most likely this is the type of girl who would express her love for her vagina by celebrating her "right to choose" rather than actually giving birth to a daughter. She probably likes to treat it by sticking anything that feels good inside.

Would it be considered raising awareness for me to stand next to her with a shirt that says "I stand by this c*nt"?

[floydibanezer]

What is an "intersex" person? This is the first time I've seen an "I" next to "LGBT".

[I still care]

Look at the college republicans reaction. It's hilarious - except they got suspended for wearing buttons saying "My penis is hilarious".

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/1395518/posts

[blackdog]

Log onto Alt.com and search for the most freaky sicko's you can imagine in your mind by using the click-on boxes as to your likes/dislikes. Enter your area searched to be Madison, Wisconsin and hold onto your chair. This town likes it bizarre. And I am not easily shaken in such matters. We're not talking 40/50 year old people bored with orgies. We're talking about 20 thru 70 year old lunatics who are far beyond getting carried away with lust. Thousands of them.

I've deleted Madison from my On-Star.

[tiamat]

SOMETIMES, Mom doesn't get to know.

Had one sister and several friends who were adept at changing clothes and putting on make-up once they were clear of the house... whether for school or a party or dance.

[CT CONSERVATIVE]

Long standing wacko reputation..remember the Weathermen and Bernatte Dorn?

[fish hawk]

O'Reilly just had an idiot woman on defending the Vagina button and the girl. I wrote Bill saying: " I wonder if that idiot woman would be as tolerant if the boys had buttons or shirts saying "I love your vagina too" or maybe "I love my penis, do you?" I don't expect to get my letter aired but it is "pithy". LOL

[blackdog]

In Madison they put those signs in their front yards, like realtor sale signs. They are purple and they say "This House supports the IGBLT community" They are everywhere.