SAN FRANCISCO — A central California school district settled a free speech lawsuit brought by a high school junior who was sent home for refusing to change out of a T-shirt that read, ‘‘Nobody Knows I’m a Lesbian.’’

The deal approved Tuesday night requires the Manteca Unified School District, which serves the cities of Stockton, Lathrop, and Manteca, to adopt a policy clarifying that students can wear clothing with statements celebrating their or their classmates’ cultural identities, according to the American Civil Liberties Union.

Taylor Victor, 16, and her mother sued two Sierra High School administrators who told the girl in August that her shirt was an improper display of sexuality that violated the school’s dress code and might be disruptive.

‘‘The law on this is very clear: Public schools can’t censor the personal beliefs of students,’’ ACLU attorney Linnea Nelson said.

Victor, who was open at school about identifying as a lesbian, said she had reviewed the district’s dress code before deciding to wear the shirt.

Associated Press