Legal fund set up for US kilt-wearing student

Published on Tuesday 3 January 2006 07:34

SUPPORTERS have established a legal defence fund for the Missouri family challenging a high school's decision to ban their son from wearing a kilt.

What started out as a disagreement between a student and his principal has turned into a national debate on cultural diversity and a story that people around the world are talking about. The tiny town of Jackson, Missouri – home to the Warmack family and the focal point of the controversy – may never be the same.

Nathan Warmack is said to be "standing tall", his father says, and "refuses to give up" for what he believes was a dishonour to his Scottish heritage. Nate, clad in his red tartan, was turned away at the door of his high school dance for risking an unnecessary distraction. He eventually attended the dance after changing into trousers (original story).

An outraged group of Scottish-Americans, led by the Clan Gunn Society of North America, have attracted thousands of signatures to an online petition that calls for an apology from the school's principal. The society has since collected articles of clothing and accessories to help complete Nate's kilt ensemble. Now the group is endeavouring to help the Warmacks with impending legal bills as they seek to change the school's dress code.

"We are letting our law firm deal with the school board," says Terry Warmack, Nate's father. "Although the firm has taken the case pro bono, there will be some legal fees and expenditures that we will have to pay."

Donations to the Nathan Warmack Legal Fund are being accepted by the Gunn society (further details). The development follows an exclusive story three weeks ago by scotsman.com that reported the Warmacks had obtained a lawyer to represent them in the matter.

More than 11,000 people have signed the petition since it was first unveiled on 19 November, including a surge of 10,000 signatures since mid-December. The petition received a significant boost following a story published by the American news agency Associated Press that was carried by dozens of media outlets in the US and other wire services abroad.

The story quoted young Nate as saying: "It's a kilt. It's going to turn heads, but I never believed it would have become what it is.''

A copy of the petition is being prepared and delivered to school officials, while Clan Gunn members have begun a letter-writing campaign to state and national political officeholders in Missouri, chambers of commerce and state tourist boards seeking broader support.

Comments from people who have recently signed the petition tell of the embarrassment and upset caused by the school's determination to uphold the principal's decision.

Thomas Nichols, who describes himself as an educator, says: "I find the principal's position insulting to education in general and Nathan in particular."

Gerald Goodman, another person who recently signed, adds: "As a deputy sheriff in Missouri, I'm saddened by the close-mindedness of the school administration."

Beth Gardner, a member of the Clan Gunn Society, says the incident has had some irony as well.

"The bridge that has been formed across the Atlantic between the US-Scottish community and our fellow Scots back in Scotland, as well as Scots worldwide has been probably the most touching element in all of this."

Terry Warmack told scotsman.com: "Thank you all from the bottom of our hearts.

"Nathan has expressed an interest in trying to come to Scotland one day soon. If the people of Scotland are all like the supporters we have encountered, heck we may never leave."