Bethel School District No. v. Fraser (403 )

Matthew Fraser was a student with an outstanding academic record at Bethel High School. At a school assembly in April 1983, Fraser delivered a brief speech nominating a fellow student for office. The speech contained words which might have had a double meaning, with the second meaning referring to the act of sexual intercourse. In part, Fraser spoke as follows:

I know a man who is firm--he's firm in his pants, he's firm in his shirt, his character is firm--but most . . . of all, his belief in you, the students of Bethel is firm.

Jeff Kuhlman is a man who takes his point and pounds it in. If necessary, he'll take an issue and nail it to the wall. He doesn't attack things in spurts--he drives hard, pushing and pushing until finally--he succeeds.

Jeff is a man who will go to the very end--even the climax, for each and every one of you.

So vote for Jeff for A. S. B. vice-president--he'll never come between you and the best our high school can be.

Students were required to attend the assembly, and about 600 were present, some as young as 14. During Fraser's speech, some students hooted and yelled, and a few mimicked the sexual activities they thought Fraser was describing. Others were bewildered by the entire incident. No evidence was presented that anyone present was insulted or offended by Fraser's remarks.