Fifth-grader Will Phillips from Washington County, Ark. is taking a lot of flak from his elementary school classmates for not reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, in protest for gay equality.

"I've grown up with a lot of people, and I'm good friends with a lot of people that are gay, and ... I believe they should have the rights all people should, and I'm not going to swear that they do," he said.

Jay Phillips, who appeared on CNN Monday morning with his son, said Will refused to say the pledge for several days. Will lost his temper with the substitute teacher who was overseeing his class when he decided not to recite the pledge. After a trip to the principal's office and a written apology for telling his teacher to "jump off a bridge," Will has been allowed to sit while his classmates recite the pledge each morning.

Will, who skipped the fourth grade and says he wants to be a lawyer, is enduring taunts and name-calling from fellow classmates. Nonetheless, he says he will continue to refrain from saying the pledge of allegiance each morning until there is truly "liberty and justice for all."