Teacher Reprimanded For Objecting To Student's Anti-Gay Statements

In Brighton, Michigan, a high school economics teacher is challenging a one day suspension without pay that was imposed on him for violating the free speech rights of a student. According to a Canadian Press report today, on Oct. 20 teacher Jay McDowell told a student in his class to remove a belt buckle carrying the Confederate flag. This led another student to challenge McDowell on how this differed from the rainbow flag that was depicted on an anti-bullying T-shirt worn by the teacher. The student said he did not accept gays. McDowell told him he could not say that in class. The student insisted, "I don't accept gays. It's against my religion." McDowell sent him out for a one-day suspension. Another student asked if he could leave also, because he too did not accept gays.  The reprimand letter that teacher McDowell received from the school district said that he "purposefully initiated a controversial issue" by wearing the anti-bullying T-shirt.