High schooler’s diploma withheld after coming out as gay on social media

CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WSMV/Gray News) - They were supposed to be two of the most important moments in Morgan Armstrong’s young life so far: revealing her sexuality publicly and graduating high school.

The first, according to a lawsuit, would cost her the second.

The senior at Tennessee Christian Preparatory School is now suing her own high school in Cleveland, saying they suspended her from school and are withholding her diploma, all because she posted on social media that she was gay.

On the day she was supposed to graduate, she and her family held a small protest across the street.

“It was difficult having to stand across the street knowing that the people I’ve grown up with for the last four years were able to walk across the stage and I wasn’t allowed to,” Armstrong said.

A star basketball player at the school, Armstrong knew she was going to upset some people when she posted online pictures of her and her girlfriend, including one in which they were kissing. The caption read, “cat’s out of the bag.”

“It was nerve-wracking because I knew everyone would have different opinions, some would like it, some would hate it,” she said.

Her specific worry, she said, was a relative who was against homosexuality. It was why she sent a private message on social media to ten friends, asking them to “like” her post.

“Go and comment on my post, I have some ruthless Trump ing ‘Jesus’ mfs on there,” Armstrong wrote in the private message.

Armstrong’s family said they then got a message from the school, summoning them to a meeting. “Saying they wanted to talk to me about a post, I figured it was the social media post that I’d posted about my girlfriend,” Armstrong said.

Armstrong and her father said they met with principal Kylie Machacek and head of schools Jared Tilley.

Armstrong said the school presented the family with a letter, referring to the post and the private message that they had obtained. That letter read, “Morgan posted on social media platforms, such as Instagram, a disparaging remark, reflecting the people at Tennessee Christian. The comment reflected on the institution, facility, staff, alumni and students in the most negative possible way.”

“Morgan did not write anything about the school at any time,” said Daniel Horwitz, the Armstrongs’ attorney. “She didn’t post anything about the school, and the private message was not about the school.”

The letter states that because of Armstrong’s conduct, she will not be allowed on campus or to any school events, including her graduation.

It goes on to read, “Morgan will not comment about the school or people associated with the school. If online slander continues, records of posts and messages will be forwarded to colleges and universities as part of a comprehensive student file. If the above are not adhered to, Morgan Armstrong’s diploma will be withheld and not mailed on June 15, 2025.”

“I was shocked and then I went to anger,” said Monica Armstrong, Morgan’s mother.

The school’s online handbook for using social media urges students to use caution, as their posts reflect the school community.

That policy reads that students cannot write disparaging or harassing remarks about the TS community .

There are levels of punishment for violations, according to the school’s disciplinary policies. It reads that violation of social media policy can range from one day in-school suspension to long-term suspension.

According to the lawsuit filed Monday, first-time social media violations should result in just a one-day school suspension.

“There may be people who will claim, look, this is a private Christian school. They set the rules. And you sign up for that when you pay tuition,” asked WSMV4 Investigates.

“That’s OK, follow your own disciplinary policy. Which the school did not do here,” Horwitz said.

WSMV4 Investigates called and emailed Tilley for two days, but did not hear back by our deadline. On Thursday, our sister station in Chattanooga, WRCB-TV, obtained a statement from Jared Tilly, head of schools for Tennessee Christian Preparatory School.

The statement reads, “Tennessee Christian Preparatory School firmly rejects the misleading allegations outlined in a recent lawsuit supposedly filed against the school. As of 11:00 AM on May 22, we have yet to be served with process for the alleged lawsuit. The istration and Board of Trustees express deep disappointment over the inaccuracies contained in the alleged filing by Daniel A. Horwitz with Horwitz Law in Nashville. Despite this supposed legal dispute, Tennessee Christian remains fully committed to delivering Morgan Armstrong’s diploma. Our goal continues to be the academic and personal success of each student, even in the face of conflict or disagreement. We wish Morgan Armstrong the very best as she continues her academics in college.”

Horwitz said the lawsuit seeks to allow Armstrong to take her finals, be given her diploma and stop the school from ing any colleges.

“I’m not sure how they can legally threaten to withhold it because she speaks her truth,” Monica Armstrong said.

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